FUTHEY, John Smith, author, born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 3 September 1820. His ancestors lived in Arbroath, Forfar co.. Scotland. Members of the family went to County Antrim, Ireland, and about 1720 Henry Futhey came thence to Chester County, Pennsylvania The subject of this sketch is the fifth in descent from him. He was educated at local academies, and at the Law School of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania He was admitted to the bar of Chester County in 1843, and was district attorney for five years.

In 1879 he was appointed president judge of the district, and the same year was elected for the full term of ten years. Judge Futhey is an excellent historical scholar, is a member of many historical societies, and has published much valuable historical and antiquarian matter. His principal publications are "Historical Collections of Chester County," a series of 160 papers contributed to a local journal; " History of Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church" (1870); "History of Educational institutions of Chester County" (1877); " Historical Address on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Paoli Massacre " (1877);" History of Chester County," in Egle's "History of Pennsylvania" (1876); " History of Chester County," in connection with Gilbert Cope (1881). He also published, in connection with Dr. Wm. Darlington, " Notae Cestrienses," a series of papers contributed to a local journal (1858'61). He is now (1887) preparing a genealogy of the Futhey family.