My Genealogy Hound

William R. Johnson and Abner S. Riddick, farmers, Stephens, Ark. Mr. Johnson was born in McNairy County, Tenn., on April 7,1844, and is the son of Aden and Matilda Ann (Smith) Johnson, the former a native of North Carolina, born in 1816, and the latter of Tennessee, born about 1830. The parents were married in the last-named State, and there resided until 1845, when they moved to Ouachita County, Ark. Mrs. Johnson died in Hempstead County, Ark., in 1873. Mr. Johnson is now residing with his second wife in Erath County, Tex., whither he moved in 1885, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. To his first marriage were born four sons and six daughters: William R., J. W., C. C, Thomas A., Fannie, Amanda, Adelaide, Alice, Lena, and an infant deceased. William R. Johnson enlisted in the Confederate army on December 16, 1861, in Company B, Sixth Arkansas Regiment, and served three years and nine months, participating during that time in many severe engagements. He was shot through the right shoulder at the battle of Murfreesboro, was in the battles of Chickamauga, Bentonville, in the ninety days’ campaign of Gen. Joe E. Johnston, and was captured at Jonesboro, Ga. He was sent to Nashville, and at the end of eighteen days was exchanged. He returned to his home in Ouachita County, Ark., on May 6, 1865, and on December 7 of the same year was married to Miss Sarah T. Jenkins, a native of Ouachita County, Ark., born in 1847, and the daughter of James and Catherine (Parker) Jenkins, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Mattie, Vena, Delia, Lenna, Hattie, Willie, Roxie, Robert, Thomas and Oleva. Mr. Johnson has resided near his present property since 1845, and is now the owner of 164 acres of land, with about seventy acres under cultivation, located eighteen miles southwest of the county seat. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Stephens, and in politics is a Democrat, casting his first vote for H. Seymour. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.