S. J. Johnson, a well known farmer and stock raiser of the Eleventh District, was born in White County June 9, 1839, the third child of Joseph and Mary (Hargess) Johnson. Both were natives of Putnam County, of Irish-Dutch descent. The father was born November 25, 1809, and married about 1832. He was a prosperous agriculturist and stock raiser. Although a religious and good man, he never united with any denomination. He died in 1873. The mother was born March 20, 1811. She is a consistent and respected member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving but limited educational advantages. At the age of sixteen he engaged as clerk with Robertson & Johnson, of White County, remaining with them about ten years. January, 1861, he accepted a position with Hill & Bradley. July 25, 1861, he entered the Confederate Army. He was first lieutenant of Company K, Twenty-fifth Tennessee, under command of Col. S. S. Stanton. He was in the battle of Fishing Creek, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. January, 1864, he was promoted to rank of captain, which he retained until he was captured at Drury Bluff, Va. He was taken to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, Point Lookout, Fort Delaware, Morris’ Island (S.C.), Pulaski, Ga, and then back to Fort Delaware. After his return home he clerked for W. C. Johnson. In 1867, in partnership with J. H. Officer, he embarked in the mercantile business. Two years later he bought his partner out and carried the business on alone until 1883, and in the meantime was interested in farming. In 1880 he went into the mill and lumber trade. He has always been an energetic and able business man. He is self-made, and has accumulated a fair share of this world’s goods. August 30, 1867, he married Fannie, daughter of William and Cynthia (Holeford) Officer, of Overton County. Three sons and five daughters have been born to this union, all of whom are living. Mr. Johnson is a true Democrat. He and his wife are active and sincere members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.