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         HENRY A. JOHNSTON, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, was born in Beaver County, Pa., Jan. 20, 1827, and is a son of James and Mary (Alcorn) Johnston, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ireland. To them were born six children, four of whom are yet living: James, Jr., is a farmer in Beaver County, Pa.; O. P. resides in Dexter, Iowa; J. M. makes his home in Des Moines, Iowa and our subject.

Henry A. Johnston received his early education in his native county and there remained until 1839, when the family removed to near Indianapolis, Ind., settling upon a farm. The father was a dry-goods merchant in the then village of Indianapolis, but his residence there was only of short duration. They removed to that county in April, 1939, and the following August the father was laid to his rest. His wife then made her home with her son J. M. until her death, which occurred in 1883.

On the 26th of December, 1850, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage, in Beaver County, Pa., with Eliza J. Potts, a native of Allegheny City, and a daughter of David and Mary (Patterson) Potts, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Emigrating to America they settled in Allegheny City, Pa., which was then but a very small village, containing only twelve small cabins. There the parents, who were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, departed this life. Mr. Potts was a High Constable of the village, and one of its prominent citizens. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnston remained in Beaver County until 1853, when they removed to Scioto County, Ohio, purchasing a farm of 200 acres, but four years later they sold the land in that county and came to Morning Sun, Iowa, where they rented a farm adjoining the town and there remained until he bought the farm on section 34. It had no improvements except a small cabin, but the work of cultivation immediately began, and by the united efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston they have eighty acres finely cultivated.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston has been blessed with seven children, four sons and three daughters: Robert O., who was a practical druggist and a most promising young man, was the eldest of the family, but death visited that happy home and took him from its midst. For many years he was a teacher in the schools of the county, and for his services the very highest prices were paid. He was a most excellent young man, and his death, which occurred Oct. 6, 1881, at the age of twenty-nine years, six months and three days, was sincerely mourned by many friends. Albert and Almina (twins) were next in order of birth, and the former wedded Alice Harris, and is now engaged in farming in Otoe County, Neb.; the latter is the wife of Frederick Sefton, a resident of Chicago, Ill. Harry resides at home; Edwin S., now a resident of Burlington, is a graduate of the Agricultural College of Ames, Iowa, and is a veterinary surgeon; Alice is engaged in . . .

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. . . teaching, and Hattie May is a teacher of music, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have given their children all good educations, thereby fitting them for useful and honorable positions in life. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Johnston has held various offices. He has also held various official positions of the township, and has been a member of the School Board for about twenty-seven years. He is now President of the Farmers’ Alliance. Mr. Johnston has a fine farm and makes a specialty of raising Holstein cattle. He has been one of the leading men of the township, has always taken an active part in its public enterprises, and as a citizen none stand higher. In politics he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.