John Francis Johnston

COLTRAINE, GUILLIAMS, JOHNSTON, MCKEOWN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/21/2004 at 08:38:11

John F. Johnston is well known in financial circles, being the proprietor of a private bank known as J. F. Johnston's Bank of St. Charles. He also owns a tract of good land in this county, the operation of which he supervises. He is a native of the county, born in South township, November 15, 1853, a son of Jehu M. and Hester (McKeown) Johnston, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

John F. Johnston was reared in this county, attended the public schools, and when still in his teens entered the stock business. When but seventeen years of age he became associated with his father, who was an extensive buyer, feeder and shipper of stock, and our subject thus gained much valuable business experience. Upon turning his attention to other lines he entered the drug business, in which he continued for a year. For the past forty years, however, he has been actively engaged in stock-raising and stock-shipping, and has also become active as a money-lender. In 1900 he entered the banking field and in 1901 established his present bank to handle an increasing volume of business, which is known as J. F. Johnston's Bank and which possesses in great degree the confidence of the community. He now leaves the actual work of the farm to others, although he still directs its operation, but for many years he has been one of the largest shippers of hogs in this section of the state, a business to which he still devotes the greater part of his time. He also served for some years as live stock agent for the Des Moines & Kansas City Railway in this locality.

Mr. Johnston was married in June, 1876, to Miss Louisa Coltrane. Her father, Samuel Coltrane, was a- native of South .Carolina. He was married in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1839, to Elizabeth Alien, and subsequently removed, first to Warren county, and later to Madison county, Iowa, arriving here in the late '6os. Mr. Coltrane followed farming in both counties and was actively engaged in agricultural work until his demise, which occurred in 1887 when he was seventy-one years old. His wife died in 1892 at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Johnston was reared in this county and attended the public schools here. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Carrie E., gave her hand in marriage to C. C. Guilliams, cashier of J. F. Johnston's Bank.

Mr. Johnston is a republican, having supported that party since he became of age. Fraternally he is connected with Model Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. M., and with the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member and in which they have both held office. They are also both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Johnston is a public-spirited citizen, who has the faith and confidence of all who know him. His recreation, as he calls it, is the buying and selling of stock, and he is today one of the best known and best posted men in that business in his section of the state. Success has attended his venture in the banking world and his business is housed in the Johnston block, a two-story structure which he erected and owns, the upper story being devoted to office and lodge rooms. He .also owns three other business and five residence properties in St. Charles; is well informed as to local real-estate conditions and has invested most wisely, his properties yielding him a gratifying addition to his income. He is thoroughly reliable and upright in all of his dealings and his sound business judgment insures wise management of his interests and the safety of the funds intrusted to his care.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”