Peter Johnston 1836-1925

JOHNSTON, MERRIL, LIVINGSTON, RANDOLPH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/11/2010 at 20:36:13

Peter Johnston Passes Away
Former Editor of Democrat Died at Home of His Son, George Johnston
A Great Editor
Mr. Johnston Was a Powerful Editorial Writer in His Day of Journalism

The remains of Peter Johnston were brought to this city last Saturday for burial beside those of his wife who passed away in this city some years ago. The services were held from the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Voorhies officiating.

There are still many of our residents who will remember Peter Johnston, who was the founder of the Democrat in this city, and who was a real editor in every respect. He has many warm friends in this city and the editors of the Enterprise are proud of the fact that he was always counted among the warm friends of ours. Many are the kind remarks we have received from this genial editor and many the words of encouragement.

Mr. Johnston was a wonderful writer. He ran a fearless paper and was never dictated to by anyone. As long as his name was at the head of the Democrat it was a fearless paper and it was always a known fact that Peter Johnston was its editor and he ran it to suit himself without regard to the dictations of others.

The following is the obituary used at the services at the church in this city:

Peter Johnston, son of Benjamin and Sally Livingston Johnston, was born near Ogdensburg, N.Y., Jan. 25, 1836. He died April 8, 1925, at the home of his son, George, in Kelliher, Minn.

When 14 years old he left home and went to Detroit, Mich., and from there to Northern Michigan, where he worked in saw mills for two years. He then went to Chicago, and settled near Aurora, Ill., where he followed farming. From here he enlisted in the Civil War, serving four years until the close. The date of his death was the 60th anniversary of Lee’s surrender. He served in Co. G. 11th Ill., and Co. 3, 36th Ill. Was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville and Stone River.

In 1865 he was married to Grace Merril, of Kendall, Ill., who passed away in Estherville, Iowa, Feb. 12, 1897.

In 1865 he moved to Webster City, Iowa, residing there until 1882, when they moved to Estherville, where he at first practiced law very successfully with J. G. Myerly. He then entered the newspaper field, becoming the founder and editor of the Estherville Democrat, in which field he rendered a real service to his community. In latter years he lived with his son, George, in Kelliher, Minn., and with his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Randolph, in Minneapolis.

There were four children: Mrs. J. W. Randolph, George, Sadie and Benjamin, the latter two being deceased.

He was present at the famous Douglas-Lincoln debate. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 15, 1925)

Peter Johnston Died Suddenly Kelliher, Minn.
He Was a Pioneer Resident of this Community
Nearly Ninety Years Old
Remains Brought Here For Burial and Funeral Held Friday – Well Known to Readers

Peter Johnston, a pioneer resident of Estherville and Emmet county, passes away at the home of his son, George H. Johnston, at Kelliher, Minn., on Wednesday, April 8th, at 12:45 at the age of eighty-nine years, two months and thirteen days. Mr. Johnston was well known to Estherville people. He was a pioneer resident of this county, coming here in 1883 and remained continuously until a few years ago when he went to Minneapolis to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Randolph, and later to Kelliher, Minn., to live with his son, George H. Johnston. Deceased was born on January 25, 1836, at Ogdensburg, New York. He was the youngest of five children. His father was Benjamin Johnston and his mother, Sally Livingston Johnstron. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to Detroit, Mich., and from there into northern Michigan and worked in the saw for two years. Then he went to Illinois and settled near Aurora, following farming for a number of years. Here he enlisted in the Civil War, serving four years until its close. He passed away on the anniversary of General Lee’s surrender, sixty years ago. He served in Company G, 11th Illinois and Company E, 36th Illinois, participating in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville and Stone River. On December 20, 1865, he was united in marriage to Grace Merrill at Kendall, Ill. The same year they moved to Webster City, Iowa, where they remained until 1882 when they came to Estherville and Mr. Johnston took up the practice of law in partnership with Attorney J. G. Myerly. In 1888 he took up newspaper work and started the Estherville Democrat. He was a leader in state and national politics and conferred with the leading politicians of this country. He was a grand old man, an able writer and the Democrat was soon recognized as one of the leading weekly papers in Iowa. He continued its publication until November, 1896, and then retired from newspaper work. Mrs. Johnston passed away on February 12, 1897. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, two daughters, Jennie and Sadie, and two sons, Benjamin M. and George H. Johnston. Sadie and Benjamin have preceded him in death. The other two children, Mrs. John W. Randolph, at Minneapolis, and George H. Johnston, at Kelliher, Minn., survive him. They were at the funeral held in this city Friday afternoon.

The writer had personally known Peter Johnston since our boyhood days. He was one of the finest men we ever knew. Kind hearted and generous to a fault. We started to learn the printer’s trade the day he founded the Democrat. Through his kindness and generosity we learned to like him and his death grieves us much. Many of his old time Estherville friends gathered at the Presbyterian church Friday afternoon where the funeral was held and followed the remains to Oak Hill Cemetery, his last resting place. Rev. Voorhies preached a very sympathetic funeral sermon. Members of the American Legion were pall bearers and members of the G.A.R. honorary bearers. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the bereaved relatives in their hours of sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, April 15, 1925)