James John Johnston

JOHNSTON, K.C., JAMES J., lawyer; b. 2 May 1868 in Charlottetown, son of John Johnston and Catherine Connolly; m. 9 July 1894 Mary Elizabeth Dorsey, and they had nine children, Raymond, James Blaise. Richard B., John, Gerald, Eileen, Mary E. , Olive, and Helen; Roman Catholic; d. 8 September 1948 in Charlottetown. Johnston, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1915 for 3rd Kings. He was re-elected in the general election of 1919. He was defeated in the general election of 1908. From 1919 to 1923, he served as Attorney-General in the John H. Bell Administration. He was defeated in the federal elections of 1925 and 1926 for King's. Johnston's dislike of Bell was well-known. While Attorney-General, Johnston went to Ottawa without the premier's knowledge to authorize the appointment of an extra judge to the province's Supreme Court. He also reduced the three county judges to two. Premier Bell moved a motion in Cabinet to censure Johnston for this action. Johnston was educated in Charlottetown, at St. Patrick's School and St. Dunstan's College. After graduating from St. Dunstan's in 1887, he entered law studies with W. W. Sullivan®, and with Sullivan's elevation to the position of Chief Justice, Johnston practised law with Malcolm MacLeod. He was admitted to the Bar in 1892 and designated King's Counsel in 1908. In 1911 George Inman' partnered with Johnston, who carried on his law career continuously until just before his death, when he was forced to retire due to illness. He was regarded as one of the most capable lawvers in the province. Along with his legal and political obligations, Johnston was a member of many community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the International Order of Foresters. He also served on the Charlottetown School Board. James Johnston died 8 September 1948. Mary Johnston, the daughter of James Dorsey and Annie Murphy of Charlottetown, was born 6 August 1869 and died in 1950.