Fred G. Johnston, who is successfully carrying on general farming in Melrose township, his home being on section 18, was here born August 23, 1857. His father, F. G. Johnston, now deceased, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and came to Illinois in 1837, traveling hither with a party who intended settling in Marion City. He was a carpenter by trade and instead of taking up his abode at his intended destination he established his home in Quincy, where he was engaged in building operations from 1837 until 1850. During that time he erected many of the early structures of the city and he also built the stairs in the old Quincy Hotel. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California and was engaged in mining for three years in Sacramento valley on the north fork of Feather river. After three years of pioneer life in the far west he returned to Adams county and in 1857 he purchased the farm upon which his son Fred now resides and there he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 13, 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sallie A. Alexander, was born in Indiana and was a daughter of Samuel Alexander, who was the first land agent of Adams county and arrived here in 1833.
Fred G. Johnston is indebted to the public school system of Quincy for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth and which fitted him for life’s practical duties. He has always lived upon the home farm and is now the owner of a good property, comprising ninety acres which is pleasantly and conveniently located one and a half miles south and east of the city. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits and has met with very gratifying success in his chosen work.
Mr. Johnston was married in March, 1884, to Miss Anna Hodges, who was born in Quincy, and is a daughter of Jonah Hodges, who came to Adams county in 1861. He was a millwright by trade and engaged in the grain business in Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been born five children, namely, Daniel H., who is a member of the United States Navy; Sallie, Francis, Margaret and Mabel, all at home.
Mr. Johnston gives his political support to the democracy and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day is enabled to support his political position by intelligent argument. He has served as town clerk, as commissioner of highways and as member of the school board. He is a man of intellectual force, marked business enterprise, and is recognized as a leading and valued resident of his native county.
Source: Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, pp 853-854; by William H. Collins, Cicero F. Perry, joint author; John Tillson. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]. Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. 1905.
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