Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, pp 493-495 [Caldwell] THOMAS JEFFERSON JOHNSON, who for many years has been engaged in merchandising in Princeton, and whose business ability is indicated by the creditable measure of success which he has long enjoyed, was born in Eddyville, Kentucky, on the 13th of October, 1842. He is his father's namesake. His mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Ann Barnard and was born in Princeton, while Mr. Johnson, Sr., was a native of Nashville, Tennessee. Their son, Thomas J., was about two years of age when the parents came to Princeton to make their home, and here he was reared and educated. His father was a merchant of this city, and he became his assistant in the business, aiding him in the conduct of the store, and also in the management of a hotel and of a stage line. In 1855 the father sold out and removed to a farm in Christian county, Kentucky. Thereafter Mr. Johnson, of this review, was agent for stage lines at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for two years, being thus engaged up to the time of the Civil war. On the 13th of April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Oak Grover Rangers, and later became a member of Company A, First Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, of the Confederate army. He served with this regiment for twelve months, and after the expiration of his term a second Kentucky regiment of cavalry was organized, and Mr. Johnson became a member thereof. He was made corporal, and served with General Forrest and General Joe Wheeler. He was captured at Section 36 on the Northwestern Railroad, near Nashville, on the 6th of September, 1864, and was held prisoner at Camp Chase until the close of hostilities, when he was released. He is now a member of the United Confederate Veterans' Association, being colonel of the First Regiment of the Second Brigade. About 1885 he organized Company B. of the Third Regiment of the Kentucky State Guards, and by reason of his connection therewith was made major, and is now everywhere known by that title, although at the present time he is not affiliated with the military organization. Soon after the close of the Civil war Mr. Johnson went to Montana and spent five years in that state, being engaged in mining during the greater part of that time. On the expiration of that period he returned to Kentucky, locating in Princeton, where he has since been identified with the business interests of the city. Through five years he was employed as a salesman in a store, and then established a livery stable, which he conducted with success for eighteen years. On selling his stable, he opened a grocery store, which he has since carried on. In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Ida Belle King, of Princeton, and to them have been born five children, namely: Joel King, who is now in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, at Paducah, Kentucky; Jefferson Warren, who is with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, at Omaha; Ray Barnard, who is employed as a salesman in a drug store at Troy, Alabama; Hazel Emeline and Ida Dale, both home. The wife and daughters are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Johnson has also long been identified with that church. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and in his political affiliations is a Democrat. He has served as councilman, as city tax collector, and as city treasurer, occupying the last named position for a number of years. In public office he is ever loyal and faithful, and in all life's relation is found true to the trust reposed in him. Johnson Barnard Forrest Wheeler King = Christian-KY McCracken-KY AL http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/caldwell/johnson.tj.txt