Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

James M. JOHNSTON (deceased), a son of Josiah and Hester (WALKER) JOHNSTON, was born in Blount County, Tenn., September 5, 1813. He lived in his native county till 1837, when, with his parents, he came to Bradley County, where he died in 1881. He was one of the first and most successful merchants of Cleveland, and interested in farming. He was a stanch Democrat. In 1852 he wedded Mrs. Sarah HERRIFORD, nee TUCKER. She was the widow of Paul HERRIFORD, who was shot in 1849 by a man with whom he had some business difficulty. To this union one daughter was born. The marriage with Mr. JOHNSTON resulted in the birth of five sons and two daughters. The JOHNSTON family has for many years been among the best known and most highly respected in this section of the country.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MR5P-Z84

This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

Click here to read and download a digitized version of the original volume free at the Internet Archive. A reprint version is available for viewing and downloading free from FamilySearch.  You will require a free FamilySearch login to browse records.

If you have corrections or wish to provide more information about the individual, please contact us (link in menu).