May 18, 1827

President Andrew Johnson & Eliza McCardle

Future President Andrew Johnson was only seventeen when he met his future First Lady, sixteen-year-old Eliza McCardle, in 1826. He had just opened his own tailor’s shop in Greenville, Tennessee, and they both took an instant liking to each other. Eight months later, the couple married at the home of McCardle’s mother. Mordecai Lincoln, a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln, presided over the nuptials. Afterwards, they set up housing in the back of the shop and ran the business from there.

It’s true what they say, behind every great man there is a great woman, and this lovely pair was no exception. For a time Johnson felt he was being held back by his lack of a formal education once he became interested in the political discussions of his customers. McCardle patiently tutored him in reading and writing, as well as in better presentation. She even read to him aloud as he worked in the shop. Though McCardle was quiet and remained behind the scenes while Johnson was more outgoing throughout life, it’s safe to say that she helped him develop into the great debater he would be famous for.