Alexander Johnston, Jr. and Laura L. [Unk]

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Husband Alexander Johnston, Jr. ^{1 2 3}

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           Born: 4 Aug 1818 - Canal Twp, Venango Co, PA 1 2 3
     Christened: 
           Died: Nov 1893 4
         Buried: 

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         Father: Anthony Johnston (1796-1854) 1 2 3
         Mother: Mary "Polly" Ray (      -1826) 1 2 3

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       Marriage: 7 Oct 1886 - ??? Venango Co, PA 2 4

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   Other Spouse: Delia A. Hammond (      -1885) 1 2 4 - 5 Jan 1841 1 4

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Wife Laura L. [Unk] ^{2 4}

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1919
         Buried: 

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   Other Spouse: Rev. James Spear (      -Bef 1886) 2 4

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Children

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1 F Laura Zella Johnston ^{2 4}

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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General Notes: Husband - Alexander Johnston, Jr.

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He early became familiar with the rugged duties of farm life, attended the pioneer schools of Venango County, Pennsylvania, during his minority, and at the age of twenty-one purchased a tract of woodland on which in due time he cleared and developed a good farm. He subsequently added to his first purchase, and was proud of the fact that he had cleared in all over three hundred acres in Canal township alone. He early displayed good business tact, which he turned to advantage in buying and selling lands, and succeeded in accumulating a handsome competence, including some of the most valuable real estate in Canal township. In 1876 he located on a homestead near Hannaville, one of the best improved farms in the county. Originally an Abolitionist, and later a Republican, Mr. Johnston was a strong advocate of political prohibition. Ever an opponent of all secret societies, he was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church for over forty years, filled various official positions in that denom-ination, and was liberal in contributing toward the erection of church buildings in various parts of the country. [HVC 1890, 1059]

In his boyhood he passed his time in the duties of the home farm and attendance at the local country schools as opportunity afforded. When he reached his majority he struck out on his own account, buying a tract of woodland which he cleared and put under cultivation, and with this as a nucleus he became a well-to-do landowner and farmer, having the remarkable record of clearing over three hundred acres in Canal Township alone. He also dealt in lands advantageously, making judicious purchases which he disposed of profitably, some of the most valuable property in the township coming into his possession. In 1876 he made a permanent settlement on a place near Hannaville, one of the best improved farms in the county. He was not only active in business but also in all the important affairs of his day, and particularly liberal in his support of religious work, having from early manhood been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and zealous in its behalf. He filled a number of official positions in the denomination, and not only helped its local organizations but also contributed to the erection of churches all over the country. He was opposed to secret societies, and held strong convictions on all questions of large importance, as his political affiliations would indicate. Originally he was an abolitionist, later a Republican, and eventually a Prohibitionist. [HVC 1919, 533]

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General Notes: Wife - Laura L. [Unk]

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She had nine children with her first husband, seven were still living in 1890.
She was residing in Oil City, PA, in 1919.

1 J. H. Newton, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Columbus, OH: J. A. Caldwell Publishers, 1879), Pg 557.

2 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 1059.

3 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 532.

4 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 533.