James Leeper JOHNSON, Congress, KY (1818-1877)

JOHNSON, James Leeper, a Representative from Kentucky; born near Smithland, Livingston County, Ky., October 30, 1818; attended private schools; moved to Owensboro, Ky., in 1836; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Owensboro; member of the State house of representatives in 1844; elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1851); was nominated for reelection in 1850 but declined to accept; resumed the practice of law in Owensboro and also engaged in agricultural pursuits; appointed judge of the Daviess County circuit court May 4, 1867, and served until September 2 of that year; died in Owensboro, Ky., February 12, 1877; interment in Elmwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present