James F. Johnston
Alexander Johnston, the father of the above, was born in Kentucky. Came with his father to Ohio at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and located in Montgomery County. Shortly afterwards they moved to Clarke County, Ohio. It was here that James F. was born in the year 1819, and rocked in a sugar trough in a rude cabin near Springfield, Ohio. Educated in the cabin school-house, his first book was the alphabet, printed on a board, and suspended by a string around his neck. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed for three years to learn the blacksmith trade, for which he received one hundred dollars. In 1840 he married Miss Rosanna Shattler, and the next year (1841) moved to Shelby County, and located at Pt. Jefferson, where he built a small log shop, and commenced work.
When Mr. J. and his wife moved to the county they brought the whole of their effects, together with his blacksmith tools, in a two-horse wagon. His cash capital was three dollars and a half to commence business on. At that time there was very little money in circulation. He received in exchange for his labor, corn, venison, saw-logs, etc. The corn and produce he shipped by canal to Cincinnati to get the cash with which to buy iron. He ironed the first broad wheeled wagon ever ironed in the county.
In short, to show what industry and economy will do, he commenced with three dollars and a half, worked at smithing about ten years, and quit with between five and six thousand dollars, all made at the anvil, and by buying and selling land. In 1854 he moved to Pemberton, and worked a short time at his trade, then, the same year, he bought his present home in section 9, where he has resided since that time. Mrs. Johnston died in 1876. They have had two children, Lewis M. and Thomas J.
Mr. Johnston has filled the offices of township trustee, township clerk, and director of county infirmary. His father and grandfather were both in the war of 1812, his father having been wounded in battle. The Merandas, the ancestors of Mr. Johnston’s mother, were of Irish and Scotch descent. We first find them after coming to this country located in Kentucky, where Mr. Jolmston’s mother was born. They lived in Kentucky during the Indian troubles along the Ohio River. Grandfather Meranda had a sister who was scalped by the Indians, and lived for several days afterwards. The settlers at that time never thought of leaving their houses without their rifle, not knowing what minute they would be attacked by some lurking Indian.
One time Mr. Meranda saw two Indians making for his house. He ran to the house ahead of them, and shot one of them; the other fled. Another time, while passing through the woods, he heard a noise; upon investigation he discovered an Indian in a tree top pulling bark. it took him but a moment to bring his rifle to bear upon him and fire. The Indian fell, when Mr. M. discovered that another Indian was at the foot of the tree; but he hastily fled. Prior to Ohio becoming a State the Merandas settled in Clarke County near Springfield, Ohio.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883