John F. Johnston
John F. Johnston, London, Sheriff of Madison County, was born in Range Township, this county, June 15, 1844. His father, John Johnston, a native of Ross County, Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He came to this county with his parents, William and Margaret (McClimans) Johnston. They located in Range Township, where they reared a family of eight or nine children, and lived till death called them away from earth. Seven of this family of children are yet living. John Johnston has resided in Range Township all of his life. He married Elizabeth Mathers, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Our subject is the seventh child and second son of a family of eleven children ten of whom are living. He obtained a good English education in early life, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1881, when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County on the Democratic ticket for the term of two years, being the only man elected on that ticket. He took possession of his office January 2, 1882. Mr. Johnston is a member of Chandler Lodge. No. 138, of the Masonic fraternity, and has always taken a great interest in church matters. He was married, March 19, 1872 to Ella, daughter of William and Massey Warner. Of their five children, the following four are living Myrtle, Eva, Howard and Florence. Pryor died at the age of six years. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]