Robert Wesley Johnston 1848-1919

JOHNSTON, BERCAU

Posted By: deb (email)
Date: 1/4/2016 at 22:36:25

CIVIL WAR VETERAN

R. W. Johnston Passed Away at the Burlington Hospital Last Night From Previous Injuries.

Robert Wesley Johnston, who with his family has been a resident of this city since 1893, died last evening at Burlington hospital, following the result of injuries received while in the line of duty, on December 6 [sic].

The deceased was born in Zenia [sic], Ill., July 24, 1848. He was united in marriage on November 21, 1875, at Pontiac, Ill., to S. Katherine Bercau, and of this union there was born three children, Edgar E., who died in1897; Mrs. H. A. Martin, of Seattle, Wis., who arrived in the city a week ago, being called here on account of the seriousness of her father's condition, and Mrs. L. E. Thompson, of this city, a valued educator on the faculty staff of the North hill school.

The deceased with his family lived in Davenport, Iowa, from 1876 until in 1892 when he removed to Mt. Pleasant, where he lived until 1893, and then removed to this city, where he has since resided.

During his residence in Burlington he has been head miller at the Derby mills. His wife preceded him in death, having passed away on March 6th, 1917. Mr. Johnston was a veteran of the civil war, but always exceedingly modest as to the part he had in preservation of the union.

His was a well spent life, and the memory of it, therefore, in the words of Cicero, is eternal: “The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a well spent life is eternal.”

The funeral obsequies will be held at the family home, 927 North Ninth street, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend. Interment will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.

Source: The Burlington Gazette, 17 Jan 1919.