Johnston, William John 1852-1919

JOHNSTON, LAWLER, SAATHOFF, FAMMIING

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 5/4/2016 at 20:52:06

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - May 30, 1919 page 1 - Following an illness of three days, W.T. Johnston died at the family home on Seneca street in this city at an early hour on Saturday morning. While out assisting in hauling corn for one of the boys on Wednesday he was taken with what is believed to have been acute indigestion and from the first he was desperately sick.

He was immediately brought to his home in this city and a physician called and everything possible was done for him. When the family retired on Friday evening, Mr Johnston seemed to be much encouraged. Even during the night when it was time for the nurse to administer medicine he seemed better and members of the family felt better but about 3 o'clock after taking a drink of water he died almost without a moments warning and before the members of the family could reach his side. The announcement of his death came as a distinct shock to the hundreds of friends which he had made over this section during his 38 years of residence in this city land vicinity.

William John Johnston was born in County Anthrum, Ireland July 11, 1852, where he continued to live until he was 18 years of age or in the spring of 1869, when he and a younger brother, Thomas, came to the US settling in Dubuque county, this state. There he spent his earlier manhood and there he was united in marriage with Katherine Lawler of Farley, Iowa on April 14, 1874.

Seven years later the family came to this vicinity, settling on a farm in Hayes township. They continued to live in Hayes and across the line in Sac county until they removed to this city in 1909 which has since been their home.

Eight children, two of whom died in infancy were born to Mr and Mrs Johnston. The living are: John A Johnston of Eldora; Henry J, William G, and Mrs Henry Saathoff are resident of the country south of this city, Mrs A.E. Fanning and Miss Maria E Johnston. These with the widow and six grandchildren are left to mourn.

Funeral services were held at the Lakeside church on Sunday afternoon. The unusually large number of sorrowing friends and the profuse floral offerings bespoke the esteem in which the deceased was held. Interment was made in the Storm Lake cemetery.