William David Johnston, who for the past eight years has been city
clerk of Carlinville, was born in Polk township, Macoupin county,
Illinois, on the 20th of May, 1878, and is a son of David R. and Lucy A.
(Knowles) Johnston. The father is a native of Kentucky and the mother of
Illinois, while the paternal grandfather, Isaac Johnston, was also born
in Kentucky; the maternal grandfather, Albert Knowles, came from Ohio.
The boyhood and youth of William David Johnston were spent in
the town where he is now residing, and to its public schools he is
indebted for his education. He began his career as a wage earner in 1895
when he entered the employment of R. O. Purviance, a commission
merchant. In 1898 he entered the law office of Samuel Pitman, where for
a time he devoted himself to the mastery of Blackstone. Three years
later he went to Alton, Illinois, to work for the Illinois Glass
Company, returning later to Carlinville to again read law in the office
of Mr. Pitman. In 1903, he was the successful candidate for the office
of city clerk, of which he has ever since been the incumbent.
Mr. Johnston was married on the 6th of April, 1907, to Miss Jessie
Johnston, a daughter of Francis Newton and Lizzie (Weller) Johnston of
Macoupin county, and a granddaughter of John Johnston of Kentucky. Four
children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston: Melvin
Coy, Thelma Jewell, Lucy Violet and William David.
Fraternally
Mr. Johnston is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in
which organization he holds high rank. He is past chief patriarch,
Trumbull Encampment, No. 42, I. O. O. F. and past grand, Carlinville
Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Rebekahs, being
identified with Carlinville Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F. and the Modern
Woodmen of America, Carlinville Camp, No. 125. In politics he is a
republican, while both he and his wife affiliate with the Baptist
church, among the members of which they number many friends.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 421-422.
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