JOHN JOHNSTON was born in Section 9, Portage township, January 2, 1844, and is the son of James and Susannah (Durler) Johnston. Mr Johnston spent his youth attending the district schools and working on the farm until July 25, 1862, when he enlisted at Portage, in Company A; 100th O. V. I:, under Capt. John A. Shannon.
The regiment was ordered to Covington, Ky., where its first duty was performed. The first engagement was entered into between Lexington and Fort Sterling, and the first battle took place at Limestone, Tenn. Our subject was with his regiment all through the war, with the exception of ten days. He enlisted as a private, and was made a corporal at Knoxville, Tenn., September 5, 1864. He was confined ten days in the hospital at Lexington, Ky., with the measles, and was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C.: June 20, 1865, and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 2, 1865. After his discharge he came to Portage township, where he was married July 19, 1866, to Miss Mary A Miller, who was born in Scipio township, Seneca county: October 18, 1847, the daughter of Amos B.; and Nancy (Shaffner) Miller, her parents being from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Johnston located on forty acres of land in Section 9, and lived there until October, 1892, when he moved to Section 10, where he now lives and has 200 acres of land, 160 of which are cleared. The children of this couple are: Nancy A, is now Mrs. John Cox, of Milton township; Grant E., is a farmer in Portage township; Sherman M. resides at home; Mabel A.is also at home. Our subject has always been a Republican, being an ardent believer in sound money and protection, and has served seven years as trustee of the township and of which he has been clerk since April, 1894, also holding the office of clerk of the township board. He has been president of the school board, and was for eighteen years director in District No, 2, of Portage township. He is a member of Wiley Post No. 46, at Bowling Green, and was formerly commander of the G. A. T., Post at Portage, he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, Mr Johnston is a well-known man, a respected citizen and is most successful farmer. He has a wide acquaintance, made while carrying out contracts in ditching throughout his section of the county. He has a family of which any man might be proud, and they all live happily on the home farm.
Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1897, pp1218-9