Johns, Harold Gene 1927-1984, State Senator 1971-1984

Harold Gene Johns, State Senator of the 57th and 59th District from 1971 to 1984, was born October 6, 1927 in Carrier Mills to Christopher Columbus Johns and Mabel Stricklin.

When the 1930 Federal Census was taken, the Johns family was living in the city of Harrisburg at 620 S. Main Street, which they rented for $15 a month. His father, Columbus, was 32 years old and a native of Alabama, who worked as a room boss for the Sahara Coal Company in the Sahara No. 7 mine. Gene’s mother, Mabel, was only 26 and was born in Illinois. There were three sons in the home, Bronzel Johns, the oldest was 7, Tommy Johns was 5 and Harold Gene Johns was 3 ½ years of age. Continue reading

Washburn, James M. 1826-1910, State Legislator

James M Washburn 1826-1910The following article is an extract taken from the 1905 Souvenir History of Williamson County detailing the life of Judge James M. Washburn and is followed by collected data. Washburn was a Marion merchant, State Representative, Assistant Secretary of State, Master In Chancery, Attorney, member of the State Agriculture Board and one of the founders of the Egyptian Press newspaper. Continue reading

Bandy, Wallace A. 1880-1941, State Legislator

Wallace Bandy 1880-1941Wallace Albert Bandy was born on July 19, 1880, in Sandy Hook, Elliot County, Kentucky to William H. Bandy and Sarah Howard (see Sam’s Notes).

He received his education in the public schools and the high school at Sandy Hook, and later took a special course in law and attended one term in military training school.

He enlisted on July 21, 1898, into the U.S. Army, Company H of the 4th Kentucky Infantry during the Spanish American war, serving in the Philippines and HawaiiHe was discharged from the regiment on February 12, 1899 as a private. Continue reading