Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 173.  Jefferson County.

JOHN JAMES MARSHALL was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, on the 4th of
August, 1785, a son of Humphrey and Mary Marshall.  He had rare
advantages for securing an education and won first honors of his class in
Princeton College, of New Jersey, where he was graduated in 1806.  He
then took up the study of law under the direction of his father and after
careful preparation for the profession began practice, gaining a high
reputation and a liberal patronage.  Inheriting from his father a fortune
of ample proportions, he nevertheless made for himself a career at the
bar that classed him among the distinguished jurists of the state.  Like
the other members of his family, he too was called to public life by the
vote of the people, and for many years served in the general assembly
where his support to wise legislative measures made him a valued member
of both the house and senate.  He represented Franklin county in the
legislature in 1815 and 1816, and in 1820 was elected to the senate for
a four-years term.  From 1829 until 1833 he was reporter of the court of
appeals and published seven volumes of decisions of cases of law and
equity.  in 1833 he served as elector, and the same year was once more
elected representative from his district to the state legislature.
     In 1837 he was appointed by Governor James Clark judge of the
circuit embracing Louisville, and removed to that city.  He continued to
occupy that office up to the date of his death.
     During the financial crisis which swept over the country in 1837 Mr.
Marshall lost his property, this being occasioned by the generous support
which he gave to friends in need of financial assistance.  The trouble
and anxiety which therefore ensued undoubtedly hastened his death, which
occurred in Louisville in July, 1846.  He was for many years a leading
politician in Kentucky, was recognized as a brilliant lawyer and a just
and conscientious judge, and left the impress of his powerful mind on
the jurisprudence of the state.
     On the 14th of June, 1809, Mr. Marshall married Miss Anna Reed Birney,
daughter of James Birney, of Danville, and a descendant of John Reed, of
Ireland, whose son, Thomas Reed, served in the United States senate from
Mississippi.  Her brother, James G. Birney, was the first Abolition
candidate for president of the United States.

Marshall Birney Reed
=
Woodford-KY Boyle-KY MS NJ Ireland

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/jefferson/marshall.jj.txt