Jehu Mortimer Johnston

JOHNSTON, KEOWN, MCGINNIS, MCKEOWN, ROBERTS, SWITZER, WHEADON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/8/2004 at 10:12:30

“The History of Madison County, Iowa”
Union Historical Company, Des Moines, 1879

Jehu Mortimer Johnston is a farmer in South township, Section 26, P.O. St. Charles. He was born and raised in Franklin county, Indiana, his date of birth being August 3, 1828. He married Miss Hester, daughter of Francis and Mary Keown November 16, 1848. In the spring of 1850 they came to this county and located in this township, on Section 32. They came by wagon, and were about two months on the road. They have lived on their present farm ov 320 acres since March, 1867. They have a family of six sons and three daughters: Mary M., now Mrs. Wesley Roberts, John F., Samuel T., Jennie, Alexander, William, Hester J., Albert S. and James W.
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“History of Madison County Iowa and Its People”
Herman A. Mueller, Supervising Editor
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915

Jehu M. Johnston was for many years an extensive farmer and stockman, operating several hundred acres of land, and his demise, which occurred at his home near St. Charles January 24, 1906, was the occasion of sincere regret. He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, August 3, 1828, a son of John C. and Madaline (Wheadon) Johnston, both natives of Virginia. The father removed to Madison county, Iowa, about 1850 and secured a large tract of land, upon which he spent the remainder of his life, passing away November 7, 1863.

Jehu M. Johnston came to this county in 1849 and in 1850 located near St. Charles. He was then a young man and became the owner of a farm, which he entered from the government. He at once began its cultivation and improvement and became an able and successful farmer and stock-raiser. From time to time he bought other land, and at his death held title to several hundred acres, from which he derived a handsome income. He was one of the representative and substantial men of his township, and his business ability gained the respect of those who had dealings with him.

On the 16th of November, 1848, Mr. Johnston married Miss Hester McKeown, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America with her parents when twelve years of age. They located in Indiana and there she grew to womanhood and was married. She passed away on the homestead near St. Charles in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was an active member. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born the following children: Mary Madaline, born March 5, 1850, now the widow of Wesley Roberts, a veteran of the Civil war and a farmer of this county who was living in St. Charles when his death occurred in 1911 ; John F, born November 15, 1853, a banker of St. Charles; Samuel T, born March 30, 1855, an extensive farmer of South township; Jemima E., born August 26, 1857, the wife of James Y. McGinnis, a farmer living near St. Charles; Alexander W., born August 21, 1860, a successful farmer also residing near St. Charles; William M., born October 15, 1862, engaged in the dray business at Bevington; Hester J., born December 25, 1864, the wife of S. S. Switzer, a merchant of St. Charles; James Wesley, born July 25, 1869, who is engaged in the dray business and lives north of Des Moines; and Albert Simpson and Robert W., twins, born May I, 1867. The latter died in infancy and Albert is a farmer residing in southern Iowa.

Mr. Johnston was a Republican and took an active part in the work of his party. His life was one of useful activity and this county is the better for his having lived therein.

Madison Biographies maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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