Johnston, Fred

JOHNSTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 15:42:08

FRED JOHNSTON
born Aug 28, 1842, Ohio

Fred Johnston - The deeds battle have been the theme of story and of song since the earliest ages, and will continue to awaken interest and patriotism through all the coming years. Our subject was numbered among the loyal boys in blue, who fought for the preservation of the Union, braving danger and death and winning the gratitude of the nation. In times of peace he is alike faithful, and is accounted one of the valued citizens of Warren county, where he has made his home since 1861.
Mr. Johnston was born in Morrow county, Ohio, August 28, 1842. His father, John Johnston, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 15, 1814, and wedded Miss Mary Loy, a native of Maryland, born February 8, 1818. By trade he was a carpenter and he followed that occupation until 1859, after which he turned his attention to farming. In 1861 he took up his residence in Louisa county, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1875, when he was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery, near Wapello. In politics he was a supporter of Jeffersonian principles, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian. His wife died in July, 1874, - a most estimable lady whom all loved. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom six grew to manhood, while the following yet survive: James B., a broker of Columbus Junction, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Griswold, a farmer and carpenter living near Columbus Junction, Iowa; Fred, who is the third in order of birth; Louisa, living with her brother, James; William, who makes his home in Manning, Iowa; and John, a resident of Bremer county, Iowa. Under the parental roof our subject spent the days of his childhood and came with the family to this State. In the winter of 1862- , he engaged in school-teaching, and subsequently followed the same profession through all the winter seasons from 1865 until 1875. On the 1st of August, 1863, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the Government and became a member of Company L, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, receiving his discharge on the 2d of August, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He was always faithful to his duty and saw some arduous service.
When the war was over, Mr. Johnston returned to Findlay, Ohio and a few weeks later went to Louisa county, Iowa, where on the 17th of November, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Gilchriest, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Momeyer) Gilchriest. The lady was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and accompanied her parents to Iowa in 1855, becoming a resident of Louisa county. She has indeed been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet and her many excellencies of character have gained her the high regard of all with whom she has been brought in contact. Four children have been born of their union: Mary Alice, born June 2, 1870, is the wife of John L. Stayton, a traveling salesman of Blue Springs, Missouri; Fred E., born September 3, 1872, died June 28, 1880, and was buried in the cemetery in Squaw township, Warren county; Emma L., born December 24, 1874, is the wife of David Lucas, of Medora, Iowa; and James Glenn, born May 31, 1882, completes the family. In 1870 Mr. Johnston removed to Warren county and has since been one of its leading and influential citizens. He has been honored with various public offices having first been elected Justice of the Peace in 1874. He was also made secretary of the School Board, a position which he filled for several years. In 1876 and 1878 he was elected Township Clerk, and in 1880 was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he acceptably filled for a number of years. In 1890 he was a member of the Board of Supervisors and has since continued in that office. He has also been secretary of the School Board for a number of years, and in these various positions has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him high commendation. Every trust reposed in him is faithfully performed, whether of a public or private character, and he is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr Johnston is a man of fine personal appearance, being over six feet in height, and is a courteous, genial gentleman, very popular with all classes of people. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.471