My Genealogy Hound

W. D. Johnson, ex-judge and real-estate agent, Pine Bluff, Ark., and a representative citizen, is a native of Fayette County, Ala., where he was born January 12, 1828. He is a son of Col. Greef and Mary (Hellums) Johnson, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Tennessee. They were married near Knoxville, and a short time afterward, in 1807, crossed into Alabama, locating in Madison County, and being among the pioneers of that region. Col. Greef Johnson followed the occupation of a farmer in several counties of Alabama, and in December, 1859, made his way to Pine Bluff, Ark., where both he and his wife passed their last days. He was a captain in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and was afterward colonel of the militia in Alabama. He was a powerfully built man and considered a very handsome one. He held the office of county judge in Mississippi, and also many other offices of public trust during his life. To his marriage were born twelve children—four sons and eight daughters—only two now living: Mrs. Susan Ferguson (a resident of Gonzales County, Texas), and W. D. Johnson (of Pine Bluff). The latter was but five years of age when he accompanied his parents to Mississippi, and in that State he received the principal part of his education, being also early taught the duties on the farm. He was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth Womack, in Yalobusha County, Miss., and by her became the father of six children, four now alive: Sallie (wife of William E. Sallee), Dora (wife of L. T. Sallee), John N. and Robert L. Johnson. After marriage Mr. Johnson was engaged in merchandising for four years, when he was made deputy sheriff of Yalobusha County, Miss., and filled this position to the satisfaction of all. In 1856 he moved to Pine Bluff, Ark., where he followed the livery business, and was also occupied in the liquor business a short time, after which he kept books about one year. He was then deputy clerk for three years, and in 1860 was appointed notary public, the first one to represent the county in that capacity. The same year he was elected mayor of the city, but still held his position of deputy clerk, and was in full charge of this office when the Federals took possession of the place in 1863. Judge Johnson studied law both before and after the war, admitted to the bar in August, 1805, and has continued his practice ever since, being for some time in the office of Gen. Yell, the noted criminal lawyer, and afterward a partner of Col. W. P. Grace for seven years. Aside from his law practice, Judge Johnson is engaged extensively in the real estate business, and in 1867 and 1868 was prosecuting attorney for the city, and a part of the time for the district. He was disfranchised by the reconstruction acts of 1868, and enfranchised again in 1872 by special act of Congress. In 1878 he was elected county and probate judge, and re-elected in 1880 and 1882. At present he is handling a vast amount of real estate, and is doing the largest business in this line of any real estate firm in the city. He also owns considerable town property. He lost his wife in January, 1865, and was again married at Pine Bluff, Ark., in November, 1865, to Miss Carrie O. Hairston, who lived but four months and six days after her marriage. The Judge then took for his third wife Miss Bettie Hartin, to whom he was united in Yalobusha County, Miss., in October, 1866, and by this union became the father of two daughters: Grace (a teacher in the city high school), and Joe Johnson. In 1867 Judge Johnson was appointed assignee in the first bankrupt case in Jefferson County, and was afterward appointed in 186 cases as assignee, settling them up to the satisfaction of all concerned and the court. In this particular the Judge has no superior and can tell today when asked the amount of each piece of property sold by him and who bought the same, and has a record of each. He cast his first vote in 1851 for Jeff Davis for Governor of Mississippi, and has always been a Democrat in his political views. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Honor.