Johnston, Francis

JOHNSTON, SMITH, MOSHIER, REMPP, HALL, MCKEEVER, HUTCHINSON

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/2/2012 at 14:13:03

A farm of one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 27, Scott township, claims the time and attention of Francis W. Johnston, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, in September 1858. His parents, Joseph and Eliza Jane (Johnston) Johnston, were both natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married, and soon after that event in their lives they emigrated to the new world. They first located in Rock Island county, Illinois, where four of their six children were born. In 1868 the father removed with his family to Poweshiek county and here engaged in farming throughout his remaining years. He died at a comparatively early age, passing away when only thirty-five years old, at his home in Jackson township. The mother still survives and now makes her home in Montezuma. Their children were: Francis W., of this review; John, who resides in Jackson township; Mrs. Eliza Smith, deceased; Mrs. Mary Moshier, who has also departed this life; Matilda, the wife of William Rempp, of Montezuma; and Josephine, the wife of Joseph Johnston, also of Montezuma.
Francis W. Johnston was reared to the age of ten years in Rock Island County, Illinois, and at that age accompanied his parents on their removal to Poweshiek county. He has made farming his life work and is today the owner of a well improved farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Scott township. He has made many improvements on the place since it came into his possession and now has a valuable farm property, the fields annually yielding rich and abundant harvests as a reward for th care and labor which he bestows upon them.
Mr. Johnston was married March 9, 1880, to Miss Maggie Hall, who was born in Ireland, October 31, 1858, and was but three years of age when, in 1861, her parents, John and Eliza (McKeever) Hall, emigrated to the United States, whicle she was a little maiden of nine years at the time the family home was established in Poweshiek county. Her father was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, December 28, 1829, and was married in that country, in 1854, to Miss McKeever. Threee daughters were added to the househaold, Mary Jane, Margaret (now Mrs. Johnston), and Eliza, ere the emigation of the family to the new world. They first located in Rock Island county, Illinois, where three other children were born, these being Susan, Samuel and Rachel. In 1867 Mr. Hall removed with his family to Poweshiek county, Iowa, settling on a farm seven miles northeast of Montezuma, where many years were devoted to general farming. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church and died in that faith on the 29th of January, 1910, when more than eighty years of age. His wife died about thirten years ago.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston has been blessed with five daughters, namely: Eliza, the wife of Joshua Johnston, of Scott township; Mary, who became the wife of Joseph Hutchinson, a resident of Rock Island county, Illinois; and Ella and Maggie, at home.
Mr. Johnston is a stanch supporter of the republican party but is not active as an office seeker. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church of Scott township. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, for his life is lived in harmony with his professions and his sterling traits of character have won him a host of warm friends.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 18-19