John Robinson Johnston

JOHNSTON, ROBINSON, FOSTER, BROWN, CONE

Posted By: Zim Streeter Shepardson (email)
Date: 5/6/2006 at 12:29:11

The Chariton Herald-Patriot
Vol. VI, No. 4
Thursday, October 23, 1914
Page 7, Column 1

John Robinson Johnston

John Robinson Johnston, son of Jas. and Sarah Robinson Johnston, was born at Zanesville, Ohio, February 6th, 1838, and was called from this life Sunday evening, October 18th, 1914, at the age of seventy-six years, eight months and twelve days. His parents came to America from the County of Armaugh, in northern Ireland, in 1830, settling on the farm near Zanesville where they continued to reside until the time of their death. Their residence in the north of Ireland, together with their rare intellectual ability made them keenly alive to all the critical questions of religion and citizenship that has made that part of the world conspicuous to this day. Endowed with a rare intellect, with a love for controversay, born of the atmosphere of such a home, Mr. Johnston, in his youth laid the foundation that made him, in his mature years, a master of all the critical questions of history.

The long winter nights and many hours of the day were spent with his books in the most thorough research. He was a student of the world problems, in the study of which he persisted until the most perplexing were solved. In mathematics he attained an unusual degree of skill. In geography he was a veritable prodigy. During the recent days of "age and feebleness extreme" he was often found with his Atlas in hand, striving to keep in mind every part of God's universe and to carefully note the changes in the political map of the world. In early manhood he was devoted to teaching but he never ceased to be an encyclopedia of information to his family and friends. He was not only a student of books but a lover of nature as well. His familiarity with the stars, which he knew by name, and his interest in every scientific discovery marked him as a man of growing intelligence.

As a citizen he was thoroughly informed as to the merits of every question of public interest; always positive as an advocate of the principle he believed ought to prevail in the conduct of political affairs; a faithful honest public servant always received his kindly sympathy and support regardless of party affiliations, but he had no words of reproof too severe for an official recreant to duty.

In 1859 he came to Lucas county, Iowa, with his brother Matthew, where he purchased the land which he has developed into the farm home and where he maintained a continous residence for more than fifty years, his going marking the departure of the last one of the early settlers of the community. He was married on February 22d, 1873, to Rebecca J., daughter of Manuel Foster, deceased, who has been a faithful, devoted wife. There are eigth children, Mrs. Belle J. Brown, wife of Rev. Carl Brown, of Monroe, Iowa; James F., Lida R., Florence, Bernice and Nora, of this county; M. P. Johnston, American consul at Lethbridge, Canada, and Charles M., of Red Oak. There are six grandchildren. He also leaves one brother and two sisters, Charles H., and Isabel, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Mrs. Jennie Cone, of Moreland, Ky.

Mr. Johnston was profoundly religious. He solved to his own satisfaction critical questions of providence and biblical criticisms. As his friends well know, all these were dispatched of in a masterful way. His devotion was characterized by a constancy of trust in his Savior as "all sufficient," which was most comforting to his family and friends. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oxford, where he worshipped for over forty years, and where he witnessed the entering into church membership of his eight children.

It was as husband and father that the character of this man was not only best known but most ardently excercised. The sons and daughters evidence of their devotion as exemplars of the "Fifth Commandment" in a way most beautiful. A letter to the father from his son Matthew, received a few hours after his death commenting upon his own recent responsibility as a father contained this tribute, "If I can be as good as a father as you have been I will be satisfied." The testimony of all his sons and daughters may be expressed in the language of a greatly appreciative son as "None but his children knew what torrents of tenderness flowed from his heart."

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning, October 21st, at the Oxford church, the pastor, M. E. Gooodrich, having charge, assisted by former pastors, A. H. Rusk, of Indianola, and R. M. Shipman, of Mt. Ayr. Interment took place at Oxford cemetery. In the passing of John R. Johnston Lucas county has lost one of her best and most progressive citizens, one who was highly regarded by all who know him. The sympathy of the community will be freely extended to the sorrowing wife and children and other relatives.