Obituary of LTC Thomas Johnson (1812 - 1906)

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Johnson Peters LAST CONFEDERATE CONGRESSMAN DEAD

Colonel Thomas Johnson, of Mt. Sterling, Passes to His Reward.

HE HAD SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN THE SOUTHERN ARMY AND BOTH BRANCHES OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HE WAS 93 YEARS OLD.

(@peetal to Th (Special to The Herald.) MT. STERLING, Ky.. April 8.-Col Thomas Johnson, an account of whos death appeared in The Herald this morning, was born in this county Jul; 4, 1812, and his career has been most remarkable one. Notwithstanding his great age his mental faculties were unimpaired, and he took a livel; were unimpaired, and he took a lively interest in passing events.

His father, Jacob Johnson, was a native of Maryland, and was brought to Kentucky by his mother after the death of his own father, and grew up in this State. After attaining his majority he began trading in stock, in addition to farming and was so succsesful that in a few years he was able to purchase a farm for himself near the family household.

In later years he purchased the homestead tract also, and at his death owned about 1,000 acres of land on the Maysville turnpike, near Mt. Sterling. He owned considerable land in the South, besides numerous other holdings, all made by his own energies and his excellent business ability. Interest In Military Matters.

In early manhood Col. Johnson took considerable interest in martial affairs and for a time was captain of the State Militia, and rose from that position to the rank of major general. In 1861, he was one of the two men selected to represent Kentucky in the selected to represent Kentucky in the Provisional Confederate Congress, and was the last surviving member of that distinguished body of men.

He was commissioned as colonel by the Confederate Congress, and served. with distinction throughout the war being a portion of the time with Gen. John Morgan in Kentucky. When that gallant general made his raid into Mt. Sterling Col. Johnson had his horse killed under him and suffered many narrow escapes and hardships. After the surrender of Lee, Col. Johnson returned to his home here and again devoted his attention to stock raising, and has ever since been one of the most loyal supporters of a reunited country.

Ex-Member of Legislature.

In 1876-77, he represented this district, then composed of the counties of Montgomery, Powell, Wolfe and Menifee, in the Lower House of the State Legislature, having been elected by the Democratic party, of which he has always been a leading spirit. In 1878-82, he was again called into the 1878-82, he was again called into the political arena and served his district composed of Montgomery, Bourbon and Clark, in the State Senate; serving his constituents on both occasions with ability and credit to his State. He then declined further political honors, and came to his home and resumed active management of his large plantation.

Col. Johnson has lived through the most eventful period of the world's history. He has seen the nation grow As a soldier he did his duty and fought for what he thought was right, and when it ended he cheerfully submitted to the result and fell back again into the ranks of the citizen.

In 1867 he joined the Somerset Christian church, and has ever since been a staunch follower of the Christ. In 1871 he married Miss Elizabeth Peters, the daughter of A. G. Peters, the famous trotting horse man, long since gone to his reward, and six children were born, all of whom are living; namely, Albert Sidney, Mrs. Pattie Riley, Mrs. J. M. Hoffman, Misses Annie and Susette, of this city, and Mrs. J. M. Hutton, of Cincinnati, O.

The funeral of Col. Johnson will occur at the Christian church in this city, at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, the Rev. H. D. Clark, pastor of the church, conducting the services. The remains will be laid to rest in Macpelah cemetery.

Sources

• CLIPPED FROM The Lexington Herald

Lexington, Kentucky 09 Apr 1906, Mon from Newspapers.com •  Pages 1 and 6. By Laura DeSpain on 23 December 2021 and sent via discord.