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Muskegon Co. Portrait and Biographical Record (date not known)
Through the good management of his farming affairs in general, the subject of this sketch has demonstrated the fact that skill and labor combined produce the best results. He and his brother are the most extensive and successful mint growers in Muskegon Co., and he has for ten years or more occupied a farm in Moorland Township, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, of which one hundred and forty are in a high state of cultivation. As a farmer and business man, he stands high in the confidence of the people, whose regard he has won by honorable dealings and genial courtesy.
Born in Haldimand Co., Canada, our subject is the son of James and Mary Ann (Yocum) Johnston. He is of Irish descent, his parental grandfather, John Johnston, having been born in the Emerald Isle, whence he emigrated to Canada at an early age, and engaged in farming there until his death in 1862, at the age of 81. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Stewart, was a native of Canada, and died in 1865, at the age of 73. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Yocum, was a native of PA, but passed the most of his life in Canada, near Niagara Falls. He died in 1869 at the age of nearly eighty. He was a wealthy and successful farmer, a prominent citizen and one of the first settlers along Lake Erie. The maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gould, was born in Canada, of German parentage, and died in 1855, at the age of fifty years. Longevity has been a prominent characteristic of this family through the generations. The great-great grandmother of our subject on the maternal side was Mary Stewart, who attained the ripe old age of 106, and a perfect image of her, as she appeared at this age has been preserved in wax.
The father of our subject, James Johnston, was born in the state of New Jersey in 1801. When a mere boy he acted in the capacity of teamster in the Government service during the war of 1812. At the age of 32 he moved to Canada, and after a residence there of nearly 24 years he removed to Berrian Co., MI, whence in 1865, he came to Muskegon Co. and settled in Eggleston Township, making his permanent home there. His death occurred October 28, 1871, when he was in his 70th year, and after he had suffered severely for a number of years. He was a member in good standing of the Old-School Baptist Church of Ashland, and was a man of good habits and lofty principles, whose entire life was devoted to the faith of which he was a follower.
The lady who in 1836 became the wife of James Johnston was Miss Mary Ann Yocum, a native of Rainham, Haldimand Co., Canada, born on August 2, 1816. She was a noble Christian wife and mother, beloved by all who knew her, and her life was a blessing to many. She passed from earth December 8, 1891, at the age of 75.
Our subject commenced in business for himself at the age of 22 years, and for sometime thereafter he engaged in lumbering, buying and selling lumber and shingles. In 1882 he settled upon the farm he now occupies in Moorland Township, Muskegon Co.. November 8, 1887, he and Miss Mary McVaugh were married. The bride was the daughter of Patrick and Katherine (Cull) McVaugh, natives of Emerald Isle who emigrated to America and settled in Chicago. In politics, Mr. Johnston is identified with the Prohibition Party, and takes a prominent part in municipal affairs, giving his influence and support to all enterprises calculated to promote the material welfare of the community. In his religious connections,he is a member of the Free Methodist Church, to the support of which he contributes with liberally.
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Rainham Builders
1849 - 1934 (~ 85 years)