T. EDGAR JOHNSTON.

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         A well known and highly respected business man of Grand View is T. Edgar Johnston, who for the past nine years has been associated with Peter Miller in the mercantile business here. He was born in the vicinity of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of July, 1864, being a son of Thomas and Kezia (Kendall) Johnston. The parents were born, reared and married in the Keystone state and there the father passed away in 1889. The mother, who is now seventy-seven years of age, still resides on the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born nine children, of whom six still survive: J. K., who is living in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania; Ellawea, who is a resident of the same place; Oscar S., who is living in Topeka, Kansas; T. Edgar, the subject of this sketch; Mary M., who became the wife of C. R. McCutcheon, of Zanesville, Ohio; Nora K., who lives in Pittsburg, Kansas, and is now Mrs. Owen Dunlap. Those deceased are: Laila, who passed away in Pennsylvania; John F., whose demise occurred in the vicinity of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania; and Morris, who was a resident of the same state at the time of his death.

         Reared on a farm T. Edgar Johnston was early trained in the work of the fields. In the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools, following which he gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-six he decided to start for himself and migrated to Colorado, where he farmed for two years. Coming to Iowa at the expiration of that time he located in Louisa county and for eight years engaged in general farming and stock-raising. At the expiration of that time he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and went to Washington, Iowa, where he conducted a grocery store for two years. . . .

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. . . Disposing of his interests at the end of that period he came to Grand View and bought a half interest in the mercantile business of Peter Miller, with whom he has ever since been associated. They are enterprising and progressive business men and now own one of the leading stores in the town. Their stock is large and well selected, tastefully displayed and most graciously exhibited to patrons, and they enjoy a large and constantly increasing trade as the result of their method of conducting their business.

         In Louisa county, March 5, 1891, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Walker, who was a native of this county, her natal day having been the 3d of September, 1896. Mrs. Johnston was a daughter of J. P. and Mrs. Walker, unto whose union there were born two sons and two daughters, of whom she was the youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: William, who is living in Grand View; Daniel, a resident of Charles City, Iowa; and Anna, the wife of J. K. Chambers, of Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Johnston passed away August 16, 1909, her death resulting from the effects of a surgical operation for gallstones, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery of Grand View.

         Mr. Johnston is a member of the Congregational church, with which his wife also affiliated, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He does not prominently participate in civic activities, however, not being an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office. His energies are all directed toward the development of his business interests, in the administration of which he is meeting with most gratifying success.