Eliza was an only child. Her father was a shoemaker. He died when she was young. Her mother raised her. She received a good basic education.

Eliza McCardle married Andrew Johnson when she was sixteen years old. She was a big help to him. He had never been to school. He only knew his letters. He could read a bit. Eliza taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic.

When they married, Andrew was learning to be a tailor. Eliza cared for their home and five children. She helped to run their farm and business. The Johnsons grew rich.

Andrew was a good public speaker. He was elected mayor. He rose to U.S. Senator, then Vice-President. When Abraham Lincoln was killed, Andrew Johnson became President.

Eliza was not eager to be First Lady. She was not well. She feared gossip and the problems Mary Todd Lincoln had had. Eliza asked her daughter to be the White House hostess.

Andrew Johnson and Congress did not get along. They did not have the same ideas on how southern states should be treated after the Civil War. Congress tried to fire the President. He stayed on, but the vote was close.

Eliza supported Andrew the whole time. He was bitter when he left office. The Johnsons returned to their home in Tennessee. Andrew still liked politics. Eliza lived to see him elected to the Senate in 1875.