Alexander "Alex" Johnston 1874-1964

JOHNSTON, KNAPP, WOODHOUSE, EVERDS, ROSS, MEYER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/9/2013 at 21:25:44

Alex Johnston Dies; Rites To Be Thursday
Alexander Johnston, 90, resident of Estherville since 1900, died early this morning at Holy Family hospital from complications of old age. He had been ill for three years.

Mr. Johnston was born Feb. 18, 1874, in Bloomington, Grant County, Wis., the son of Alexander and Frances Woodhouse Johnston.

He attended schools in Bloomington and at various times lived in Sibley, Luverne, Minn., and Los Angeles.

He came to Estherville in 1900 from Sibley and leased the Orleans Hotel which, at that time, was being remodeled. He managed it for five years and then purchased the business, continuing to operate it for several years.

On Aug. 17, 1905, Mr. Johnston was married to Mabel R. Knapp of Estherville. The couple had one daughter, Virginia, now Mrs. F.R. Everds.

With G.G. Gardner as a partner, Mr. Johnston built a 65-room hotel in 1912 and operated it until during World War I at which time they sold it. The name of the hotel, the Gardston, is a combination of the names of the two partners and was selected as the result of a contest at the time it was built.

After selling the hotel Mr. Johnston operated a shoe business for two years and was manager of a dry goods store for six years.

He was active in community affairs serving as city clerk, councilman and county supervisor. He was an active member of the Republican party for many years.

Mr. Johnston was a member of the Presbyterian church, Masonic lodge and Knights Templar which he served as Eminent Commander.

He is survived by his wife, his daughter, Mrs. Everds; one granddaughter, Mrs. Douglas Meyer (Carolyn) of Humboldt; a great grand-son, Teddy Meyer; and a sister, Mrs. F.H. Ross (Bertha) of Los Angeles, Calif.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Fuhrman Funeral Home, the Rev. H. Allen Wirtz officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. Graveside Masonic rites will be conducted.

Friends may call at the funeral home from Wednesday until time of services Thursday. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 7, 1964)