Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-06-22

PETE JOHNSTON TO BECOME
HEAD OF CHURCH AT la GRANDE

Peter @. Johnston OF BIackfoot,
we'll known over Idaho as q business
man and political leader. is to leave
this state to become president of the
LaGrande stake of the Mormon
church. The story is told in the
LaGrande Observer as follows:
The outstanding feature OF gem
eral interest and Importance OF the
L. d. s. quarterly conference which
concluded its sessions yesterday af-
ternoon at the tabernacle was the Sc
lection and appointment of a sue
cessor to the late Stake President
George Stoddard.
The man selected for this respon-
sibility, the highest church authority
to reside in this section and preside
over the spiritual affairs of his peo-
pie, was the honorable Peter @. John.
ston, well-respectAd and influential
citizen of Blackfoot. Idaho. The
selection of Mr.. Johnston was unani-
mously approved by the large mem
bership OF the church which was
present from all the various bran
ehes OF the church In this locality. He
chose as his counsellors or immed-
late assistants William d. Hanks. of
Union, and Lewis NJ. Jensen. of this
city, with Jacob Fl. Trayner as clerk
In speaking of the new appointee
Bishop c. w Nibley said: THE
people of your city and valley will
find In Mr.. Johnston. q man OF un-
assuming ways. steadfast. forceful
and withal valuable man for the
community. At the call OF his
church Mr.. Johnston will likely dis
pose of many OF his interests and
holdings in Idaho and become a
permanent resident of your city"
Peter G. Johnston was born in the
Orkney Islands OF Scotland In 1864
and having been converted to the
principles Of the Mormon faith at
the age OF 16 years, although his
father had Joined the church IN 1851
he decided to emigrate to the center
of Mormondom which he did In 1888.
He resided in Salt Lake City for
Is years when he moved to Black
foot. Idaho. In an ecclesiastical way
be has served his church as a for
eign missionary spending over two
years in his native land and in Ire
land. He has served four years a.
bishop OF Blackfoot ward, for the
past 10 years = member of the high
council OF that stake and az the last
general conference Of the church in
Salt Lake during April was appoint
ed as one Of the members of the gen.
eral church auditing committee.
Livestock and farming has engag-
ed his attention In a business way
with interests In mercantile and
J banking establishments He ia di.
rector Of the First National bank oi
Pocatello. Rexburg State bank. and
. only recently been engaged IN help
; ing with the organization Of the
Blackfoot City bank which win open
its doors for business on July
next He In q director Of the Black
foot Mercantile company.
Politically Mr.. Johnston i o Re
publican. having served for fivs
consecutive terms in the Idaho leg
IslatuFe and is now 3 member Of tia
body For four sessions he serYec
as floor leader OF the house and a
> the last election was one Of the yerJ
; few Republicans from his section u
I be returned 10 the Legislature.
+ He Ia the father Of three sons D.
his first wife who died seven year
ago. About three years ago be mar
ried again. Mr.. Johnston left 20
Blackfoot ON the last evening TRAN
where he win begin 70 arrange hi
! business. in response % this unez