My Genealogy Hound

William C. Johnson, farmer and merchant, whose post office is Hillsdale, Macon Co., Tenn., was born December 22, 1819, in Goose Creek, Smith, Co., Tenn., what is now Macon County. He is the eighth of a family of nine children, born to John and Gracy Johnson; his mother’s maiden name was Ellis; she was born in South Carolina during, the Revolutionary war and was thirty-one years of age when married. The father was twenty-five years of age at that time. He was a farmer and he and wife came to what is now Macon County about the year 1800. They were of English descent. William C. Johnson was educated in the common schools of Macon County, and from the time of his father’s death, which occurred when he was only fifteen years of age, he lived with and helped to support his mother until he was twenty-three years of age. At that time he married Miss Adaline Wright, December 22, 1842. To them thirteen children were born: Leatha S. (deceased), Sarah E., now Mrs. Johnston; John B.; Hannah J., now Mrs. Sullivan; Andrew G., William E., Alexander N., Theodocia A., Mary H. and Martha A. (twins, deceased), and twins who died in infancy, and Joseph J. Mrs. Johnson died July 5, 1863; for the four succeeding years his daughters kept house for him. He then married his second wife, Nancy A. Sears, May 14, 1867, by which union three children have been born: Paul, Lucy and Gracy. He has been very successful in the management of his affairs. He inherited a small tract of land, some money and a negro boy, and by his perseverance and energy has accumulated quite a handsome competency. He owns where he resides, 800 acres of fine broken land, located on the Hartsville and Lafayette road, seven miles from Lafayette. He was reared a Whig, but since the dissolution of that party has cast his lot with the Democrats. He held the office of justice of the peace for six years; has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church forty-seven years; is deacon and has been for many years; four of his children (three daughters and one son) belong to the same church; one daughter is now in Kansas, the son in Texas. He is a thorough and consistent Christian, and an earnest advocate of prohibition.