David Emmons Johnston

David Emmons Johnston (April 10, 1845 – July 7, 1917) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from West Virginia who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1899 to 1901.

David Johnston
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 3rd district
In office 1899–1901
Preceded by	Charles P. Dorr
Succeeded by	Joseph H. Gaines
Member of the West Virginia Senate
In office 1878
Personal details
Born	David Emmons Johnston (1845-04-10)April 10, 1845 Pearisburg, Virginia, U.S.
Died	July 7, 1917(1917-07-07) (aged 72) Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	Confederate Army
Unit	7th Virginia Infantry Regiment

Early life

Johnston was born in Pearisburg, Virginia on April 10, 1845.^[1][2]

Career

In April 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served four years in the 7th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Kemper's brigade of Pickett’s division. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Giles County in 1867. He began practicing in Pearisburg, Virginia. He moved to Mercer County, West Virginia, in 1870.

Johnston served as prosecuting attorney from 1872 to 1876. He served as a member of the West Virginia Senate in 1878 but soon resigned. From 1880 to 1888, he was a judge on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. He was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901). His candidacy in 1900 for re-election was unsuccessful.

He moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1908 and resumed the practice of law.^[2]

Personal life

He died at his home in Portland on July 7, 1917, and was buried in Mount Scott Park Cemetery, which is now Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.^[2]

Works

• A History of Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory (1906)
• The Story of a Confederate Boy in the Civil War (1914)

See also

• Biography portal

• United States congressional delegations from West Virginia