JOHNSTON, BENJAMIN, attorney, Keosauqua; born March 9,1845, in Keosauqua; his parents came from Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1842. At his country's call, he enlisted in Co. E, of the 15th Iowa V. I., Oct. 13,1861, and re-enlisted as veteran, in December, 1863, and, the following March was promoted as 1st Lieutenant of Co. G, in the 67th U. S. C. Regiment; he was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 14, 1865; returned to Keosauqua and engaged in the drug business, which he continued till 1869, and the following two years he traveled for a Burlington book and stationery house; in 1872, engaged in the dry goods business and continued for one year; he then assumed the charge of the engineer corps for the St. L, K. & St. P. R: R., after which he traveled through Kansas; returned and clerked for Mr. Ed. Manning one winter; in 1875, again commenced the drug business; sold out in 1877, and commenced reading law with Judge Robert Sloan and was admitted to the bar in April, 1 1878; he was recently commissioned as Captain of the military company of Keosauqua ; is also member of the A., F. & A. M. Order; is Generalissimo in the commandery. Was married to Miss Anna Purviance Nov. 7, 1867; she was born in August, 1845, in Jefferson Co , Ohio; have four children — Margaret, James A., Mary B., and Ella C. Member of the Episcopal Church; Republican.
SOURCE: The History of Van Buren County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1878, p. 520
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