The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-09-29
Union County Has
Furnished Grand Mastsr
OF Mlasons
(By VIM. c. Lake, 32o)

Union county has furnished tol
Freemasonry one Of her distinguished |
sons in the person Of the Hon. David |
Johnson, who was Grand Master ofl
the Most Worshipfu, Grand Lodge
Ancient Free Masons of South Caro-
lima from 1925 to 1926.
The Office Of Grand Master Is thel
highest within the gift of the craft.
No higher honor can be conferred
upon man by president, king, prince
or potentate. Grand Master Johnson
was the only one of Union county's il
lustrious sons to whom this honor was
extended.
He no doubt deserved this honor be-
slowed upon him by the Grand Lodge
Ancient Free Masons of South Caro-
lima judging from a speech delivered
by the late Hon. John B. O'Neal, pres
ident of the Court of Errors before
that body January 18th, 1866, In
which he said, in part: GAS a citizen,
officer and neighbor, he fulfilled every
duty and me. every expectation.
Wherever he lived, wherever he was
known or seen, he was loved. In his
grave he will be remembered, and
| you brethren, as you run your eyes
over his recorded labors, will drop
many tear upon the pages, and rise
| from them to reverence and perpetu-
ate, in your hearts, the memory of the
great and good David Johnson"
The Hon. David johnson came to
this county when a boy from Louisa
county, Virginia, where he was born
October 3, 1882, with his father,
Christopher Johnson, a Baptist min
lister. For few years he lived near
what is now known as Pauline, in
Spartanburg county. He practiced
law in Union county and later served
as Ordinary for Union county, which
Office is now known as probate judge,
and is held at present by one of his
grandsons, the Hon. w. w. Johnson.
Practically all his life was spent in
Union, his adopted home. For while
he lived on his plantation near Lock-
hart, now owned by the Hon. Jeter
Butler.
After a long life of usefulness
spent in the service of his country ne
died at his home at Limestone Springs
the 18th of January, 1855, and was
laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemc-
terry at Union.
A beautiful pyramidal shaft of
white marble marks the last resting
place of Union county's first and only
Grand Master of Masons.
On the north side of this monu-
ment erected to the memory of the
venerated craftsmen is inscribed. In
December, 1886, he was unanimously
elected governor and commander in
chief in and over the state Of South
Carolina. Preceding this inscription
is the great seal Of the state.
On the south is the symbol of the
Court of Appeal, represented by a
maiden seated in a chair holding in
her hand staff with the words, mil
vi ira" chiseled in rainbow style
above-preceded by the worling, CAP
peal Court of South Carolina" He
was elected December, 1915, Judge
of the Court Of Law. In December,
1924, judge of the Court of Ap-
peals. And in December, 1895, a
chancellor.
The east side carries the coat-of-
arms of the United States and fol-
lows with this inscription, "He loved
his country, his whole country"
On the west reads, "David Johnson,
born October Ord, 1872. Died the 7th
of January, 1855. His memory will
ever live in the affectors, the records
and the history of the republic. His
body sleeps here, and here will sleep
till the resurrection morn" Beneath
this inscription is bust Of the goy-
ernor, as commander and chief.
David Johnson followed William All
ken in the governors office and serv-
ed two years, 1916 to 1848 as the chief
executive of South Carolina.
Suitable preamble and resolutions
were unanimously adopted on the
death Of Governor Johnson in both
the Court Of Errors, composed of all
the laws and equity Judges and the
Court Of Appeals.
The Hon. Mitchell King, a member
of the bar, which was held in the
chamber Of Equity Court of Appeals,
January 18th, 1856, which met to pay
tribute Of respect and regard to the
memory Of the late ex-governor, said
in part: "The State Of South Caro-
lima is again called to mourn the death
of one Of her most distinguished citi-
zens. He was seldom wrong, but he
claimed no patent Of infallibility. He
was indeed one Of natures noble
men. he was no less remarkable for
his presence than for his virtues. His
frame was large, we'll proportioned
and athletic; his countenance grave,
thoughtful benevolent; his whole bear
ing and department conciliated es-
TEEN and commanded respect; his
81, l. d 4