JAMES JOHNSTON. Of the prosperous and representative farmers of Cecil township, this gentleman deserves prominent mention. His ancestors were natives of Ireland, from which country his grandparents, John and Elizabeth Johnston, emigrated to this country, settling permanently in South Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn. John Johnston passed away in 1841, and was followed by his wife two years later. John Johnston (a son of this pioneer couple) was born in 1802, on the home place in Allegheny county, Penn. He was reared to manhood in South Fayette township, and in early life was married to Elizabeth Roy, who was born in 1803, in Ireland. She was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Roy, who came to America many years ago, locating on a farm on Miller's run, Cecil township, this county, where the father died in 1849, his wife soon following him. Seven children were born to the union of John and Elizabeth (Roy) Johnston, namely: Rachel (who died in 1849, at the age of eighteen years), Margaret (deceased April 3, 1887, wife of Joseph Campbell, Allegheny county, Penn.), Elizabeth (deceased in childhood), Elizabeth (married to William Bowman, Allegheny county), James (subject), W. J. (residing in Peters township, this county) and Martha Jane (wife of W. P. Morgan, Canonsburg). Mr. Johnston was a conservative in politics, and in religion he and his wife were members of the U. P. Church at Robinson's Run. He died February 7, 1853, in South Fayette township, Allegheny county, and the mother passed away December 14, 1891, while residing in Canonsburg, this county. James Johnston was born January 14, 1840, on the home farm in South Fayette township, Allegheny Co., Penn, receiving his education in the district schools. In 1866 he came to Cecil township, Washington county (where he has since remained), and purchased 208 acres of land, which had been patented by William Long in 1784. He was united in marriage with Susanna, daughter of Robert and Susanna Bell, early settlers of Peters township, this county. Mr. Johnston has made many improvements on his farm, and is prospering in his chosen vocation. Politically he votes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Greenside U. P. Church at Canonsburg, and his wife was connected with the Presbyterian Society at Centre. She died March 7, 1892, aged forty-four years three months seventeen days, leaving five children: John B., Mary E., Robert, Laura and James Harvey.

Text taken from page 1169 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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