The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-08-27
THE PIONEERS OF RAPlDES PAR
ISH.

ISH.
JOSIAH sToDDARD JOHNSTON, SOLDIER,
LEGISLATOR, JUDGE AND IL
SENATOR.
In the state of society and under
the form of government which ex.
its in this country, the biography OF
individuals distinguished in our con-
temporary annals for the ability In
dustry and success with which they
have discharged the duties OF civil
life, is of the highest value. Those
who read for mere amusement will
not probably find in such notices so
much attractive and interesting mat
ter as in animated details ''of morn
i.g accidents by flood and field"
But a sketch of the progress of indi-
yidual men, from the common level
of society to the most conspicuous
stations in the government, cannot
fail to produce a salutary effect upon
the rising generation, as we'll as in
dictate to the reflection Of mature
age the proper basis Of public conf
dence.
Josiah Stoddard Johnston, for
many years the representative OF the
State of Louisiana in the Senate OF
the United States, was native OF
Connecticut. He was born on the
25th of November, 1884, at Sails
bury, a town in the north western
corner of the State, pleasantly situa-
ted among the declivities of the
Green mountains, and near the falls
Of the Housatenic river. He was
the eldest son of DR.. John Johnston,
an eminent physician, who had mar
ried Miss Mary Stoddard, a lady con
nected with the highly respected
family of the same name, long set
tied in that part of New England.
Soon after this event DR.. Johnston
removed with his family to Kentuc
|ky, at that time not yet admitted In
:. to the Union. He selected as hi
place of residence, the County q
+ Mason, then just laid out, on tn
Y banks of tie Ohio river, near til
r town of Washington. When abou
It twelve years of age young Johnsto
Il was sent back to Connecticut, an
% remained there, at school, for SON
j. time. After his return to Kentuck..
II he was graduated at TRANSPLANT
es University, then lately founded I
Of Lexington, and soon after commen
n ed the study of law with Mr.. Mich
,g las, a prominent member of the b'
a. Soon after he had entered on Il
nd practice of law, he resolved to try b
ak fortunes in the wide theatre viii
k was at that time opening in I
ut, south. western portion of the un't
lie Mr.. Johnston, at first, repaired
,st Natchez, with view to select
th place that should appear most dies
lid able as his future residence. He
nd cided in favor of the country on
,he Red river, which he saw was dest
est ed to increase rapidly in populat
la and wealth; after short visit to n
ap- chitoches he ultimately located
me, Alexandria, which continued to
mi. his residence until his death,
and iod of nearly thirty years. WI
Mr.. Johnston arrived at Alexand
in the latter part of the year 1903
oy found himself in the midst Of a CO
try, rich in all that nature could
stow of fertility of soil and resou
ie," for prosperity and wealth, but t
/ at ly inhabited, and far from the c
It so forts and advantages of regions
W it ger known; and peopled by men
steal sought, rapidly to increase their
I; no tunes, or who preferred the life o.
and venture held out to them, TO the
}, SO exciting pursuits they had left.
how territorial government Of the u
mis- States, then but recently and 10
8 re- fectly organized, exercised but
De as authority. Among population
fup," constituted, ARRAYS and personal
that tests, the ebullitions of a rude
hear violent people, were of almost
lario, occurrence; he was himself m
as much personal courage, as well
The manly and resolute spirit, an
our soon acquired among his height
, near popularity and influence whi'
truck never lost. His firmness, add
of II. his sound discretion and strict
ion at of justice preserved him, in
, have troublesome times, from unfor'
8 not collisions which very few es'