JOHNSTON, George 1819-1888

JOHNSTON, WILSON, MCDONALD, CASTOR, RUST, WESP, HEALD, WEDEMEYER, SMITH, PIERCE, NELSON, ECKENRODE

Posted By: Carol P. Garitty (email)
Date: 11/15/2004 at 14:52:52

From The Nashua Reporter, June 21, 1888

DIED at his home in Richland Township, Chickasaw County, Iowa, June 9, 1888, Mr. George Johnston, at the age of 68 years.

Deceased was born in Donigal Co., Ireland. He always had a great desire to travel, having crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times and the Pacific twice, thereby acquainting himself with the world and worldly affairs.

At the age of 18 he was a surveyor in Ireland, at 21, a policeman in England for 4 years. He then came to America and was an attendant in a Philadelphia hospital for 7 years, going to California during the gold fever, remaining there 4 years, afterwards returned to Philadelphia visiting relatives. Then he moved to Iowa, purchased a farm, living on it six years, then united in marriage with Mary McDonald of this place on August 17, 1862, raising a large family, six girls and three boys to mourn his loss, three of whom are married, the rest are at home with their mother. In early life he became a member of the Episcopal Church and always believed in Christian life, though not as strict as he would have been had there been a church of his denomination near.

He was a good husband, a kind father and esteemed friend. His loss is felt at home and abroad. His empty chair, his removed slippers, the nobility of his life is all that is left. His death will be irreparable to his aged wife and fond children as they travel on through life, bereft at an early age of fathers love and advise.
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CONTRIBUTOR'S NOTES: George Johnston was the son of James and Mary Ann Crawford Johnston, of near Ballybofey, County Donegal, IRE. His older brother, Robert, who was married to Sarah Selena Crowther, was also a Chickasaw County resident. George is buried in the Richland/Republic Cemetery, land which was donated to the county for a cemetery by his wife, Mary Wilson McDonald Johnston. The third son listed in this obituary was Mary's son, James A. McDonald, by her first marriage. Please contact me for additional family information.