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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES H. JOHNSTON, farmer, merchant and postmaster at Sharpe, Marshall Co., Ky., is one of the oldest and most valuable citizens of his county. One of the first settlers in this portion of the county where he lives was his grandfather, Absalom Johnston, who with his family came to this county about 1817. Isaac Johnston, the son of Absalom, and father of our subject, was at that time a man of family, was born about 1792, in South Carolina, but in early life immigrated to Kentucky, settling east of the Tennessee River; thence to Marshall County, as above stated. He served as a soldier in the war with the Seminole Indians, and married Miss Charlotte Baker, and as a result of that union had a family of nine children, viz.: Alfred, Isaac O., Dunning B., Elizabeth (who married O. Grffith), Ira, Christina (the wife of C. Y. Bailey), James H., Henry (who died in Mexico, while a soldier in the Mexican war), and Ambrose Johnston. Of this family all are dead except two: Mrs. Bailey and the subject of this sketch. Isaac and Charlotte Johnston, the parents of this family, both died in 1837. James H. Johnston was born in Marshall County, Ky., in 1822, and has passed his entire life thus far in the immediate vicinity of his birth. His early education was such as could be obtained in the primitive schools. In 1841 he married Drusilla, a daughter of Joseph Staten, who was also a pioneer of the county. She died in October, 1871, the mother of ten children as follows: Nancy M. (wife of R. J. Hill), Joseph O. (deceased), William H. and Mary C. (both of whom died in infancy), Elizabeth (wife of W. J. Miller), Isaac, Felix F., Bell A. (wife of J. M. Bradley, of New Mexico), Jennie C. and Eulalia Johnston; the last named died in infancy. In 1872 Mr. Johnston married his present wife, Adeline, daughter of John and Jane (Duncan) Grubbs. She was born in Calloway County in 1838. Their union has been blessed with three children: Alfred, Lucy and James B. Johnston. It is but due to Mr. J. H. Johnston to accord to him the prestige of being one of the first men in the Jackson Purchase; being possessed as he is of great public spirit, he has made the impress of his molding hand upon the community which he has so long honored. He is an acceptable member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Johnston has for the past twelve years filled the office of magistrate, and has for many years exerted a commanding influence in the interest of good schools. (See portrait.)

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This family biography is one of 32 biographies included in the Marshall County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional Marshall County, Kentucky family biographies here: Marshall County, Kentucky Biographies

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