Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Butte County > Belle Fourche > Pine Slope Cemetery > William Hodge “Will” Johnston

William Hodge “Will” Johnston

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Birth	:	24 Jun 1881 Central City, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	21 Apr 1957 Belle Fourche, Butte County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.6460991, -103.8666992
Plot	:	D_46_7
Description	:	William H. Johnston was born June 24, 1881 at Central City, South Dakota, son of Thomas and Margaret Hodge Johnston, emigrants from Dunfermline, Scotland, and pioneers to South Dakota in a covered wagon. When he was six weeks old his parents moved to a ranch five miles north of Alzada where he grew up. When a young man he worked for the old VVV Cattle Company. In April, 1904 he homesteaded and went in partnership with his father and brother, Tom, near Ridgway. He met Annie Hoffman, born January 13, 1890, at Canyon, Texas. She moved to Belle Fourche, South Dakota with her... Read More	William H. Johnston was born June 24, 1881 at Central City, South Dakota, son of Thomas and Margaret Hodge Johnston, emigrants from Dunfermline, Scotland, and pioneers to South Dakota in a covered wagon. When he was six weeks old his parents moved to a ranch five miles north of Alzada where he grew up. When a young man he worked for the old VVV Cattle Company. In April, 1904 he homesteaded and went in partnership with his father and brother, Tom, near Ridgway. He met Annie Hoffman, born January 13, 1890, at Canyon, Texas. She moved to Belle Fourche, South Dakota with her parents at the age of 18. On May 11, 1911 they were married in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. They lived on the Ridgway Ranch raising cattle until 1927, then sheep, until they retired in October, 1948. During those years the partnership was dissolved and he added to his ranch holdings by purchasing several neighboring places, namely, the Steve Brower, George Naugle, Murray Trout., Sam Ewalt, Will Meade, and M.A. Stone places Six children were born to them, all attended and graduated from the eighth grade at the Johnston School, located one and one half miles north of the ranch. There were from nineteen to twenty-five children attending school there during those years. A one room schoolhouse was used with all grades and one teacher. Usually a teacher would teach two terms. The children walked to school every day, except in really cold weather and deep snow when Mr. Johnston would take them with a team and bobsled and go after them in the afternoon. When Clarence, the oldest son, was in the seventh and eighth grades, on stormy days in winter he drove a pet saddle horse named Old Con hitched to a cutter sleigh. In spring Old Con was hitched to a buggy and transported the children from school. Annie Johnston boarded several of the teachers. Will and Annie retired in October, 1948 and moved to Belle Fourche, Dakota. Will died April 21, 1957. Annie died July 6, 1972. Births, names and history of their children as follows; Clarence William was born September 21, 1912 at Belle Fourche, South Dakota, married Hilda Juntti from Spearfish, South Dakota - she taught the Johnston school for several terms. Two sons, Reuben C. and William L. were born to them. Clarence died June 9, 1969 at Sam Manual, Arizona. Reuben served several years in Vietnam and Korea. At the present time he is with 242 Aviation Company in Alaska. William or "Billy" served two years in Vietnam. Josephine Marie was born October 24, 1914 at Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She married Ellis Burch. Reva was born at Ridgway September 12, 1916. She married Clare Fruit, son of Grace and Claud Fruit who was born at Albion, July 3, 1911 and raised in the Albion and Alzada area. They own and live on a sheep ranch twenty miles northwest of Alzada, established by his father in the fall of 1917. One son, Vernon C., was born to them December 19, 1936. He served four years in the U.S. Navy. He married Florence Strobel from Terry. They live at Libby, Montana. Vernon works for the Hy-Dro Electric Power at Libby Dam. They have four children. Margaret Annie was born at Ridgway December 12, 1918. She married Ammon M. Blackford, twin son of Maud and Ammon Blackford born and raised on the former Blackford ranch now owned by R.O. Burch families. Two daughters, Margaret Ann and Ashley Clair, and two sons, Ammon M. and Ernest R., were born to them, Margaret and "Fat" live and own an apartment house in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Ammon served four years in the U.S. Army. Ernest served six in the U.S. Navy. Warren Paul was born October 12, 1920 at Ridgway. he married Mava Walter, born and raised in the Ekalaka area. They own and live on the old established Johnston ranch formerly Ridgway, now P.O. Hammond. two daughters, Marilyn and Deborah, and two sons, Myron and Bryce, were born to them. Walter F. Was born January 19, 1929 at Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He married Meretta Scott form Wolsey, South Dakota, a teacher. She taught in the Capital School for a term. One son, Dell Allen, was born to them. They live at Mills, Wyoming where they own a mobile home court. Belle Resident Succumbs Sunday William H. Johnston, 75-year-old Belle Fourche resident died Sunday at a Rapid City hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Frost and Son Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Salme of the Baptist Church officiating. Mrs. S. B. Ritts and Mrs. Sam McMaster will sing "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Someday We'll Understand". Pallbearers will include Warren, Walter and Clarence Johnston, and Ellis Burch, Claire Fruit and A.M. Blackford. Burial will be in Pine Slope Cemetery. Johnston was born June 24, 1881 at Central City and at the age of six weeks the family moved to a ranch near Alzada, Mont. As a young man he worked for the Three-V cattle outfit and in 1904 entered a partnership with his father and a brother on a ranch near Ridgeway, Mont. On May 11, 1911 he was married to the former Annie Hoffman at Belle Fourche and the couple lived on the ranch at Ridgeway until his retirement in 1948 when they moved to Belle Fourche. Survivors include three sons, Clarence, San Manuel, Ariz; Warren, Ridgeway, and Walter, Aladdin, Wyo; three daughters, Josephine Burch, Ekalaka, Mont; Mrs. Reva Fruit, Aladdin, and Mrs. Margaret Blackford, Belle Fourche; four brothers, John, Billings, Mont; Clarence, Tigard, Ore; Allen, Manitou Springs, Colo; and George, Spearfish, two sisters, Mrs. Caroline White, Castro Valley, Calif, and Mrs. Margaret Harrington, Belle Fourche, 18 grandchildren and one great grand child. A memorial to the Heart Fund has been established.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Hodge “Will” Johnston's memorial?
William Hodge “Will” Johnston's memorial is located at: Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA.
When did William Hodge “Will” Johnston death?
William Hodge “Will” Johnston death on 21 Apr 1957 in Belle Fourche, Butte County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Hodge “Will” Johnston's memorial?
Latitude: 44.6460991
Longitude: -103.8666992

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas Johnstone Jr.

(1851 - 1925)

Margaret Hodge Johnstone

(1854 - 1941)

Spouse

Anna “Annie” Hoffman Johnston

(1890 - 1972)

Siblings

Mary Johnstone Holman

(1875 - 1898)

Thomas Johnston Jr.

(1877 - 1943)

Caroline Henrietta Johnstone White

(1879 - 1963)

Margaret “Maggie” Johnston Harrington

(1883 - 1959)

John Henry Johnston

(1887 - 1970)

(unknow - unknow)

Children

Josephine Marie Johnston Burch

(1914 - 2005)

Reva Johnston Fruit

(1916 - 2009)

Margaret Annie Johnston Blackford

(1918 - 1986)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Pine Slope Cemetery
Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6460991, -103.8666992

2. Saint Paul's Catholic Cemetery
Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6461000, -103.8667000

3. Riverside Cemetery
Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6631012, -103.8636017

4. Minnesela Cemetery
Belle Fourche, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6549988, -103.8080978

5. Snoma Cemetery
Fruitdale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6330986, -103.6844025

6. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5353000, -103.7237000

7. Danish Cemetery
Fruitdale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6408005, -103.6485977

8. Rose Hill Cemetery
Spearfish, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4802180, -103.8509270

9. Beulah Cemetery
Beulah, Crook County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5441550, -104.0754550

10. Little Dane Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5252500, -103.6705540

11. Anderson Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4747009, -103.6896973

12. Nisland Cemetery
Nisland, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6769010, -103.5580410

13. Carbonate Cemetery
Maurice, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4000000, -103.8680500

14. Whitewood Cemetery
Whitewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4617820, -103.6330030

15. Crook City Cemetery
Crook City, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4432100, -103.6241500

16. Saint Ambrose Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3821983, -103.7266998

17. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3760986, -103.7253036

18. Preston Ghost Town Cemetery
Preston, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3577500, -103.8871670

19. Bear Gulch Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3819008, -104.0325012

20. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3891983, -103.6766968

21. West Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3484001, -103.7779999

22. Beals Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6185989, -103.4366989

23. South Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3478510, -103.7606260

24. Kimball Family Cemetery
Aladdin, Crook County, USA
Coordinate: 44.7177800, -104.2887700