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Benjamin Johnston

Birth	:	9 Mar 1845 Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	7 Jan 1903 Honduras
Burial	:	Purdom Cemetery, Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.7275009, -91.9753036
Description	:	Civil War Veteran Co. E. 15th Iowa Infantry 1890 Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa BENJAMIN JOHNSTON, an attorney at law of Keosauqua, is a native born Hawkeye, his birth having occurred in Van Buren County, on the 9th of March, 1845. The family is of Scotch origin and was founded in America by Benjamin Johnston, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, who with his family crossed the Atlantic and settled in Petersburg, Va. He died soon afterward and thus left to his widow the care and support of four children, two... Read More	Civil War Veteran Co. E. 15th Iowa Infantry 1890 Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa BENJAMIN JOHNSTON, an attorney at law of Keosauqua, is a native born Hawkeye, his birth having occurred in Van Buren County, on the 9th of March, 1845. The family is of Scotch origin and was founded in America by Benjamin Johnston, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, who with his family crossed the Atlantic and settled in Petersburg, Va. He died soon afterward and thus left to his widow the care and support of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: James, Jane, John and Margaret. Mrs. Johnston with commendable enterprise, labored for her family and kept them all together. Not wishing to rear them under the influence of slavery she removed to Luzerne County, Pa., where the remainder of her life was spent. She was a woman of more than ordinary ability and won the respect and love of all who knew her. James Johnston, a member of her family; and the father of our subject, was horn in Scotland, March 17, 1816, and in his youth accompanied his parents to America. He acquired such education as was afforded by a night school of the neighborhood, having to walk three miles to and from the schoolhouse, but he became a well-informed man, gaining through observation and experience a practical knowledge which could have been acquired in no other way. He possessed much genius as a mechanic and could accomplish almost any task in that line. On October 6, 1842, in Pennsylvania, he married Miss Sarah Brown, daughter of Hugh Brown and a sister of Judge Alex and John G. Brown, cashier of the Mannings Bank. In 1842 they came to Iowa locating in Keosauqua, where in company with his father-in-law Mr. Johnston erected the first steam mill in the county. His knowledge of the business was so efficient that while in St. Louis purchasing the machinery for their mill he was offered the superintendency of a large machine shop in that city, the wages being $1200 per annum, a large amount at that day. He had asked permission to do a piece of work for himself in their shop and his ready understanding of the same and evident knowledge of the business led to the offer before mentioned. He did not accept, however, but re-turned to Keosauqua where he began operations for himself. His death occurred soon afterwards however, the final summons coming in October, 1845. In opposition to the other members of the family, who were all Whigs, he supported the Democratic party. Benjamin Johnston was the only child of James and Sarah Johnston. He acquired his education in the common schools and under the direction of Rev. Dr. Lane, but on the breaking out of the late war he laid aside his text books and responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company E, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, on the 14th of October, 1861. The regiment was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, where it remained until March 18, 1862, when it was sent to Benton Barracks and equipped. The first engagement in which the forces participated was the battle of Pittsburg Landing. This was followed by the seige of Corinth and other engagements and at the battle of Iuka they were in the skirmish line but did not engage in the fight proper. They afterwards returned to Corinth, taking part in the hard fought battle which occurred at that place and later proceeded on the Grant campaign until the supplies were cut off when they returned to Memphis, Tenn. They participated in the seige of Vicksburg and spent the remainder of the summer in the city. The following December he and many of his comrades veteranized and later he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Sixty-seventh United States Colored Infantry. Through-out his entire service Mr. Johnston proved a faithful and stalwart soldier who was not afraid to perform his duty, but, quietly and promptly discharged every task devolving upon him. On the 14th of August, 1865, at his own request he was discharged. On his return from the South Mr. Johnston secured a position as salesman in a drug house, after which he went upon the road as a commercial traveler. The summer of 1874, he spent in Kansas but the grasshopper proved such a plague that the same fall he returned and once more obtained a position as salesman. In 1875, he again traveled on the road, after which he embarked in the drug business for himself, continuing operations in that line for eighteen months. He began preparations for his present business in 1877, reading law under the direction of Judge Robert Sloan and the following April was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been in active practice. Mr. Johnston was married in Keosauqua in 1867, the lady being Miss Annie R., daughter of A. J. Purviance. Six children have been born unto them — Maggie, who is a graduate of the high school of Keosauqua and of the School of Phonography, of Des Moines; James, a telegraph operator; Mary, Ella, Sarah and Donald, who are still with their parents. Socially, Mr. Johnston is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He takes great interest in civic societies and has held important offices in the various lodges to which he belongs. In 1886, he was elected County Attorney of Van Buren County, serving two years. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican frequently serving as delegate to county and State conventions and has been a member of the State Central Committee. He does all in his power to advance the interests of the party and secure its success, yet has never sought political preferment for himself. By those who know him Mr. Johnston is held in high esteem, which he well merits for he has lived a worthy, upright life, is a good citizen, an able lawyer, and more than all, a trusted friend in whom one can place implicit confidence. The Daily Gate City October 16, 1910, Page 3 BODY OF CONSUL JOHNSTON COMING Emissary of United States to Ho- duras Who Died Seven Years Ago, Arrives in Keokuk Tonight. BURIAL IN KEOSAUQUA Will be Taken to Old Home-Death Occurred in Central America Seven Years Ago. Tonight there will arrive in Keokuk from the south the body of Benjamin Johnston, deceased consul from the United States to Honduras, Central America. There are many Keokuk people who will remember distinctly the death of Consul Johnston, a life long resident of Keosauqua, and a man whose name was familiar throughout the state. Seven years ago, the consul was taken ill with dysentery, an ailment which is quite serious in the warm clime of the Central America states, and death ensued after a short sickness. There is a law which prevents the removal from Central America for a period of five years succeeding death. Five years passed by since the death of Mr. Johnston, and at the close of that time there was warring and other civil disturbances there, which have prevailed more of less of late, so that the body has been there for two years longer. The United States government is having the body sent to the home of the deceased for burial now, however, as is customary to do, in case of death of officials. Consul Johnston died January 7th, 1904. Born in Keosauqua. Benjamin Johnston was born in Keosauqua, in the year 1842, and a t the time of his death was sixty-one years old. He was prominent as an attorney and in a political sense being well known throughout this section. His wife died about eight years ago. She was born in Ohio. Benjamin Johnston was a member of the 16th Iowa Infantry, and served during the war of the rebellion. He was lieutenant of a colored regiment. In all, there were six children in the Johnston family, four of whom are living, two in this city, Mrs. Lee Daugherty and Miss Helen Johnston. Miss Ella Johnston, a daughter resides in Salt Lake City, and a s on, A. J. Johnston, makes his home in Santa Cruz, New Mexico. Body to Be Taken to Keosauqua. Monday morning the body of the late Consul Benjamin Johnston will be taken to Keosauqua, the old home, where at the grave, brief funeral obsequies will be held. The G. A. R. service will be used and many of the old soldier friends of the deceased in both Lee and Van Buren counties will be present to do honor to the deceased. A telegram announcing that the body left new Orleans, La., Friday night, was received here. Those who will go from this city to Keosauqua to attend the burial service tomorrow are: Mrs. Lee Daugherty and son, Miss Helen Johnston, and Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Cushman of Ft. Madison, Mrs. Cushman being a relative of the deceased consul. Note: The date of death inscribed on the headstone is January 07, 1903. The date of death in the above Daily Gate City article is January 7, 1904.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Benjamin Johnston's memorial?
Benjamin Johnston's memorial is located at: Purdom Cemetery, Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA.
When did Benjamin Johnston death?
Benjamin Johnston death on 7 Jan 1903 in Honduras
Where are the coordinates of the Benjamin Johnston's memorial?
Latitude: 40.7275009
Longitude: -91.9753036

Family Members:

Parent

James Johnston

(1816 - 1845)

Sarah Brown Johnston

(1820 - 1893)

Spouse

Ruth Anna Purviance Johnston

(1844 - 1901)

Children

Margaret “Maggie” Johnston Daughrity

(1868 - 1950)

Mary Brown Johnston

(1873 - 1901)

Donald Kenneth Johnston

(1883 - 1907)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Purdom Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7275009, -91.9753036

2. Oak Lawn Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7397003, -91.9599991

3. Fellows Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7257996, -91.9496994

4. Pittsburg Rural Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7490000, -91.9960000

5. Boston Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7028008, -92.0018997

6. Watkins Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6955986, -91.9483032

7. Bethel Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7182999, -92.0246964

8. Rider Cemetery
Pittsburg, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7666930, -91.9779510

9. White Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6878700, -91.9584200

10. Lippincott McCrary Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7333300, -91.9166700

11. Prall Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6817017, -91.9822006

12. Van Buren County Poor Farm Cemetery
Mount Zion, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7666940, -91.9376718

13. Dodson Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7113991, -91.9119034

14. Forbes Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7730000, -91.9395000

15. Anson Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7592500, -91.9171500

16. Cook Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7839000, -91.9778000

17. Hoskins Cemetery
Cantril, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6869011, -92.0344009

18. Seaman Cemetery
Mount Sterling, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6715000, -91.9449800

19. Center Chapel Cemetery
Vernon, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6891360, -91.9117420

20. Gilbert Cemetery
Kilbourn, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7916926, -91.9779510

21. Lebanon Cemetery
Lebanon, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7261009, -92.0635986

22. Railroad Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7680840, -91.9043370

23. Wilson Family Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7951500, -91.9681000

24. East Home Prairie Cemetery
Keosauqua, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6750287, -92.0335088