Joseph Johnston
It is with pleasure that we present the following sketch of the life of the above-named, who is one of Shelby County’s pioneers, and one among the leading farmers of Green Township. He is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born, near Dayton, on the 18th day of December, 1818. He was brought to Shelby County in the spring of 1821 by his parents, William and Sarah Johnston, who located in Orange Township about two and a half miles south of Sidney, remained two years, then in 1823 they removed and settled on the farm now owned by their son William Johnston, near Sidney, where the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days. On the 27th day of March, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Jane Doren. Miss Doren was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 15, 1826, and came to this county in 1832, and located in Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston moved on the farm in section 20, Green Township, shortly after their marriage, where they have since resided. They had a family of ten children: Jane, William T., Ellen (deceased), Caroline, Olive, Edgar, Anna, Kate (deceased), Grant, and Nettie. When Mr. Johnston moved on the farm there were only a few acres cleared. He has now one among the best improved farms in Green Township, which is principally the result of his own labor. He has made farming and stock growing his avocation through life.
History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883