Jos. J. Johnson, farmer, was born January 25, 1826, in Madison County, and is an only child of James and Mary Ann (O'Guinn) Johnson. The father was born in Moore County, N.C., and the mother in Fayetteville, N.C., where they were married and soon after moved to this county, locating near Cotton Grove, December, 1825, where the father worked at the tailor's trade until his death March, 1826. The mother afterward married Jos. Fry, to whom one child, Margaret Ann, now Mrs. C. H. O'Neal, of Chester County, was born. The mother outlived this husband and died in 1874. Our subject, from the time of his father's death, resided with his paternal grandparents till he reached his majority, and then farmed a place given him by his grandfather about five years; then sold this place and bought another in McNairy County, where he remained till 1863. He then joined Forrest's cavalry command and served under him until the close of the war; after which he removed to his present residence, containing seventy acres, adjoining Pinson, and embarked in the mercantile trade, which he followed about ten years, then returned to agricultural pursuits. In 1857 he married Celia Rogers, to whom one son and one daughter were born; the daughter is still living. The mother of these children died November 3, 1860, and March, 1863, he married Mary McCallum, to whom five sons and one daughter were born, all still living except one son. The mother of these children died December, 1872, and in January, 1875, he married Martha A. Lacy, to whom the following children have been born, all still living: Margaret Louisa, Salley May, Thos. Lacy. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and is identified with the Democratic party.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee