Mrs. Andrew Johnson, whose maiden name was Eliza McCardel, was born in 1811, and will be fifty-eight years of age her next birthday. She is two years younger than her husband, and not older, as the newspapers are in the habit of telling the story. She was married in Greeneville, Tenn., when she was in the 18th year of her age. Her young husband at the time was not 20. The honeymoon was spent in teaching the future President the rudiments of education. Mrs. Johnson says she “taught him the letters, but he was an apt scholar, and acquired all the rest himself.” With the exception of a few months in the early part of Mrs. Johnson’s married life, her home has always been in Greeneville, Tenn. It was here her five children were born, three sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Patterson is the eldest. This daughter’s name is Martha, and she was married to Judge Patterson in December, 1855. Soon after their marriage, Mr. Patterson--who was practicing law at the time--was appointed judge of the first judicial district of East Tennessee. During most of the time of President Johnson’s administration he has occupied a seat in the Senate.
Mrs. Johnson’s second daughter (Mary) married Mr. Stover, in April, 1852. Colonel Stover was one of the most gallant of those officers who laid down their lives in the defence of the Union. Though he had not the soldier’s honor to perish on the battlefield, his slow, painful death was in his country’s cause. Colonel Stover was one of the leaders who headed the Union men of East Tennessee. He was one of the first to enroll himself among the number who as an organization were known as the “Bridge-burners.” His patriotic course attracted the attention of the rebels at once, and without a moment’s preparation he was driven to the mountains of East Tennessee. During the inclement months of November and December, 1861, and January, 1862, he was a hunted fugitive, hiding in the holes and caverns of the rocks. It was during this awful winter that Mrs. Johnson filled the basket with meat and bread, when her daughter, the sorrowful wife, was so smitten with anguish that she had not the strength to perform the task. Every man who tapped at the door of the lonely farmhouse was supposed to be coming to bring the news that the son and husband was hanging to a forest tree. Some of their neighbors had been afflicted in this way, and this dread was the penalty paid for Unionism in East Tennessee. During this fearful period, in which Colonel Stover suffered from cold and starvation, the seeds of consumption were planted in his constitution. At last, through the efforts of some old personal friends who were strong rebels, he was allowed to go home; but he brought with him a sharp, rasping cough. Soon after he was allowed to pass through the rebel lines, in company with his family and Mrs. Johnson. He proceeded at once to Kentucky, where he raised a regiment which was afterwards known as the Fourth Tennessee Infantry. No braver regiment served during the war, and but very few did the country more effective service; but before this gallant band had time to distinguish itself in any great battle its brave, energetic colonel had passed away at the early age of 35.