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CHAPTER X.
MICHAEL SHOFFNER.
Michael, son of John and Amelia Shofner, was horn and reared in lied ford County, Tenn., on his father's farm, near where Jenkins? Chapel now stands. Ilis first school days were spent in a little log schoolhouse near his home, sitting 011 seats made of slabs or puncheons, without backs to them. When he grew older, lie walked three miles to school every day, and helped to do the chores in the mornings and evenings.
in 183!) he married Sophronia Morton, who made him a good wife; for she was an unusually industrious woman, and had a sweet disposition that made her loved bv all. They reared their family 011 the farm where J. M. Shofner now resides, which is about six miles from Shelbyville.
When Michael went to Shelbyville, which was quite often, he would stay very late, it sometimes being after dark when he arrived home. Loton ShoH'iier, his eldest brother, was in town with him one day during the Civil War, and, being anxious to see him get home early one time, said to him, ?Look here, Mike; L believe the rebels will capture the town before night;?' and he was not long in starting home that day, arriving at three o?clock in the afternoon. Long afterwards he would laugh and say lie came out on double-quick time.
Fie always had a kind word for the little children he