James Leeper Johnson

James Leeper Johnson was an American lawyer and politician; he served as a United States [House of Representatives|U.S. Representative] from Kentucky.

Biography

Born near Smithland, Kentucky, Johnson attended private schools. He moved to Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1836. He studied law. He was Admission to [the bar in the United States|admitted to the bar] in 1841 and commenced practice in Owensboro. He owned slaves. He served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1844.
Johnson was elected as a Whig to the 31st [United States Congress|Thirty-first] Congress. He was nominated for reelection in 1850 but declined to accept. He resumed the practice of law in Owensboro and also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was appointed judge of the Daviess County circuit court on May 4, 1867, and served until September 2 of that year. He died in Owensboro, Kentucky, on February 12, 1877. He was interred in Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery.