The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-08
JOSEPH JOHNSTON DIES
AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Retired Shoe Merchant and War Vet
eran Expires at Residence
on Twenty third Street.
WAS NATIVE OF IRELAND
Comes From Old Country to Pitts
burg at Early Age and After War
Settles in Virginia-Prominent Ma
son and Church Worker.

After an illness of three months,
chant, veteran of the War Between the
States, and a widely known citizen OF
Richmond, died last night at o'clock
in his residence, $40 North Twenty
third Street His death was not I'M
expected. two of his sons, William NJ.
Johnston, of Tampa. Fla, and George
W. Johnston, of Clover, Va. having
been summoned home a few days ago.
Although Mr.. Johnston. who was in
his seventy-sixth year, was native
OF Desertmartin. Derry County. Ire
land. he came to the United States
when he was only seventeen years
old, and spent the major portion of
his LIE in Virginia. When he came
from the old country he settled in
Pittsburg. He had been employed in
the smoky City only a brief period
when hostilities started between the
Confederate and Federal forces. He
joined Pittsburg regiment and cast
his fortunes with the Union army.
He was at Appomattox Courthouse at
the time General Robert E. Lee sur
rendered.
AT the conclusion of the war, after
he had received his discharge from
the Federal army, he became so at
tached to Virginia that he decided
to remain here, settling in Halifax
County. After remaining in this coun-
~ for some time he removed to Hen
rico, where for a number of years
he was successful farmer and dairy
man.
Becoming tired of the farm, MI
Johnston sold out and entered into
business in Richmond. becoming a
member OF the firm of Dabney and
Johnston, retail shoe merchants He
remained as a member OF this firm
for twenty-five years, and later be-
came owner of the Joseph Johnston
shoe store, which was located on East
Main Street. While engaged in bust
ness Mr. Johnston purchased a lot
OF property in the East End, and
eight years ago retired from the shoe
business 20 devote his time to his
real estate. During the past thirty
years he was also interested in nu-
merous other businesses In Richmond
Church Worker and Mason.
Mr., Johnston was member OF
Trinity Methodist Church for a num-
Der of years. and for long time was
a steward in this church. He was
also prominent Mason. being a mem
Der OF St Johns Lodge.
He was twice married, his first wife
being Miss Emma Moore. of Pitts
burg. and his last one Mrs Emma
Brown, of Richmond. who survives
him. He leaves the following chill
dren
William NJ Johnston, of Tampa,
Fla. George W. Johnston, of Glover,
Va; James r. Johnston. Mrs. Emma
kepler, Mrs. w W. Brock, Mrs. Nell
lie n, kasey and Miss Jennie John
ston. all OF whom are of this city.
While no definite arrangements for
the funeral services have been com
pleted up to this time. there is a strong
proha bility of their being conducted
afternoon. either from the
residence or from Trinity Methodist
Church The arrangements will be
made today.
Mr.. Johnston was we'll known
throughout Richmond and Henrico
County and was one of the most be-
loved citizens on Church Hin He
has been interested in many Give en-
terprises in which this section of the
city was concerned and he has done
much for the East End. He had a
host of friends and his death has
caused universal regret on Church
Hill.