The following information is based on the research of Linda Miller and Carolyn Jackson and was provided due to their wonderful generosity:

Born in Chinguacousy Twp, Peel County, Ontario, Canada.

Married at age 20 to Mary Ann Dennett on October 13, 1866 by George I. Collins, Justice of the Peace at St. Clair Michigan.

Residence in 1871 at age 25: Lambton, Ontario, Canada

Death: 8 Jan 1944 at age 97 in Harrison County, Missouri. Buried in Payne Cemetery adjoining Lone Rock Church.


“ EVENTIDE”

The following tribute, written in a simple, truthful manner was read by a life-time friend. Elder Moroni Traxler, who conducted the final rites for “Uncle Johnny” Johnston from the Lone Rock church, Jan. 11, 1944.
It is a rare event in any community when friends can gather as we do today at the bier of one who has lived so long a time among us as to have passed many years beyond the four-score-and-10-year period---and in all whose life there has been recognized only the highest worth.
Men whom the poisoned arrow of gossip has not sought for a target at one time or another, are few. But this man to whom we pay our last respects today lived a life that was entirely above reproach. He has always been recognized as one of our best citizens. Coming to our country as a young man, taking out his naturalization papers a few years later, he became one of us, and not once has he ever betrayed the confidence of the people. One may ask, “To what do we attribute his ability to do this?” Allow me to answer that question. Did not Jesus say, “Lay up for yourselves, treasures in Heaven”? This “Uncle Johnny” Johnston tried most faithfully to do, and into the land beyond, he carried with a good character, a happy, contented disposition, a triumphant faith in God and love for Christ that caused him to have high esteem for the obligations of the brotherhood of man. Let us then today hold sacred this lesson left to us by the one whose sojourn on earth soon consign his body to the earth, his soul reclines in the bosom of God.

“ So live that when thy summons comes to join.

The innumerable caravan, that moves

To that mysterious realm where each shall take.

His chamber in the silent hall of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approached the grave

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

He had been a member of the L. D. S. Church since early manhood; having united, with the companion, in his native land. Besides the seven children, he is survived by 38 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
The church from which these services were held was one where “Uncle Johnny” had been a member for many years and which he gave his time and funds to help erect. L. E. Casady of Bethany, with whom the family had been closely associated many years, was one of a quartet that sang comforting hymns. Those carrying him to his final resting place in the cemetery adjoining the churchyard were members of his family---William Marshall, Richard Marshall, Oran Johnston, Bert Todd, Oral Tull and Emmett Morgan.
(unknown portion missing)
over the period lacking a few years of being a century, was spent in laying up treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
John Johnston was born near Port Dover, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 22, 1846. He was one of eight children. All, with the parents, preceded him in death. He grew to manhood in the land of his birth and was a young man of prominence. On Sept. 16*, 1866, he united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Dennett, the ceremony being performed at St. Clair, Mich. They resided in the land of their birth seven years, during which time three sons were born to their union---John, Robert, and Albert. In the spring of 1873 he, with his family, came to Harrison County, Missouri, locating on a farm near the Missouri and Iowa line known as the McKien farm, where they resided 13 years. They then purchased a farm four miles east of Hatfield, where the remainder of their married life was spent. Seven other children were born to them in their Missouri home, making a family of 10 children. Nephi died when quite small, Albert at the age of 19, and Robert met a tragic death in 1933. The seven living are John and Hannah (Mrs. Eddie Marshall) Lamoni, Iowa; David, Samuel and Cora Belle, Hatfield, Mo; Joseph, Natrona, Wyoming; and Lizzie (Mrs. Al Simpson) Vancouver, Wash.
The companion was called home March 19, 1919, and “Uncle Johnny” and daughter, Miss Cora Belle, continued to live in the old home until three years ago they came to his son, Samuel's, where the daughter was assisted by the son and wife in making his declining years happy. Always rugged and enjoying good health, he was able to take care for himself until recently when he became ill with the flu, but even then he was only confined to his bed a short time. Death came to him quietly and peacefully, seemingly without pain or suffering, Jan. 8 at the ripe old age of 97 years, four months and 17 days.
Let us not mourn for him, but rather rejoice that death has unlocked for him the portals of eternal life and while we will (the remainder is illegible and missing).

(Book) St. Clair County, Michigan,
Marriages 1843-1893

* 13 Oct 1866, St. Clair
John Johnson, 22, Mooretown, Canada West
Mary Ann Dennitt, 20, Mooretown, Canada West
Elvira L. Collins & James Hearmitton; George Collins, JP

Missouri Death Certificate