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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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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CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTON, retired farmer; P. O. Piqua; is a son of Stephen Johnston, a native of Ireland and Scotch descent; he grew to manhood in his native country, where he formed the acquaintance of Anna Armstrong, who afterward became his wife; in 1803, he emigrated to the United States, where he followed his trade of wheelwright until 1810, when he returned to his native country and married his previous’ acquaintance, with whom he corresponded while in America; she was of Irish birth and of Scotch descent; they settled in their native country, from which they and five children departed, in 1821, for the Western continent, landing in New Brunswick, where the sixth child was born; they remained until 1832; on July 4, of the same year, they arrived in Piqua, where Stephen purchased land near the city; five years later, he sold out and all moved to Mercer Co., Ohio, buying land, taking it from its wilds, and remaining until the death of Anna, which occurred in 1856; soon after he returned to Shelby Co., with one of his sons, who had previously located there; his death occurred in that county in 1874, at the ripe old age of 90 years; our subject was born in Ireland in 1814 and lived with his father until 1836, when he married Mary Peck, born in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1818; soon after their marriage they located in Mercer Co.; there they remained until 1862, when he removed to Miami Co., locating on Sec. 27, Spring Creek Township; this was his place of residence until the spring of 1880, when he moved in the Second Ward of the incorporated city of Piqua; he now owns in Shelby and Miami Cos. nearly 200 acres of land; the issue of this union is eight children—seven are now living— John P., Henry P., Stephen J., who are farmers; Thomas L. and William A., jewelers in Columbus, Ohio; Julia A. and Mary E.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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