My Genealogy Hound

Love Johnson, a leading citizen of this county, first saw the light of day in Henderson County, Tenn., on December 24, 1842. He is the son of William and Nancy Johnson, both natives of South Carolina. The father died in Henderson County, in 1844, at the age of sixty-two years, but the mother lived till 1856, dying at the age of fifty-six. Mr. Johnson had been previously married, becoming by that union the father of four children, all now deceased: Stephen, Alexander, Mary and William. Four of his last wife’s children are living: Sheard (a miller of Hot Spring County), Jackson (a farmer of this county), Evaline (wife of E. B. Deer, of Grant County), and Love; those deceased are Nancy (wife of James Lemonds), Troy and Eli. Mr. Johnson had spent the most of his life in farming and flat-boating on the Beach River, being very successful in both. He went to Tennessee in 1835 or 1836. In the War of 1812, he served as a soldier, participating in several battles. He and his wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Love Johnson lived with his mother till her death in 1856, when he made his home with his brother-in-law, E. B. Deer, for two years. He then came to this county, and has been doing for himself ever since, as a farmer. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Twelfth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the fall of Port Hudson in 1863, taking part in numerous engagements, among which were Shiloh, Perryville and Port Hudson. During his service he saw many hair breadth escapes and thrilling experiences. Soon after the war closed he went to Texas and New Mexico, where he engaged in the stock business, with varied success, for seven years. He then returned to this county, and is now the owner of a well-improved farm, in the cultivation of which he has been very successful. In 1874 he married Sarah E. Goodman, daughter of M. P. Goodman, born in this county, in 1855. By this union there were seven children: Nancy E., Leon, Rosetta, Ada L., Anna B., Allen P. and Eli Love (who died in infancy). Mr. Johnson and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, he officiating as treasurer. He is also a Royal Arch Mason. He is a Democrat, and has served as bailiff for Ouachita Township for four years. At the last election, he was elected justice of the peace of Harrison Township. In progressiveness he is one of the leading citizens of Hot Spring County, always favoring that which will assist in building up the community.