My Genealogy Hound

F. C. Johnston was born in East Haddam, Conn., May 11, 1849, and is a son of John B. and Ada S. (Calhoun) Johnston, both of whom are of Scotch birth. A feud long existed in Scotland between the Johnstons and the Carmichaels, and knowing that their parents’ consent would be withheld, grandfather Johnston was married, Gretna Green fashion, in 1796, to Mary Carmichael, and came with her to the United States in 1823, locating in Connecticut and afterward in Virginia. John B. Johnston moved to Ohio in 1844, and there resided until 1872. He was the father of five children, our subject being the third child and second son. He was reared and educated in Ohio, and began his career as a pedagogue in Kansas in 1873. In 1874 he came to Lawrence County, Mo., and was here married, August 5, 1875, to Libbie, a daughter of William G. Rice. She was born in Illinois in 1847, and died January 28, 1888. After living here for some time he went to Franklin County, Mo., where he read law with Judge John R. Martin, and was admitted to the bar in 1877, graduating from the St. Louis Law School. He began practicing with his preceptor, Judge Martin, remaining with him until 1879, when he came to Lawrence County, and was elected prosecuting attorney in 1880. He has also served as attorney for the Lawrence County Bank for the past eight years. He is a member of the Congregational Church and is an active worker in the Sabbath-school. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and is an honest, upright citizen.