Robert Johnston

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: ERVIN, HUME, JOHNSTON, REED

ROBERT JOHNSTON, of the firm of Johnston & Karr, dealers in grain and stock, and located at Seymour, Ill., is a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated with his parents to the United States when a boy. They first located in Canada, where they remained five years and became residents of Champaign County in about 1859. Mr. J. is the son of George and Esther (ERVIN) JOHNSTON, natives of Ireland, where the father died. The mother afterward emigrated America with her family, and departed this life four miles north of Seymour, this county, in about the year 1863.

Our subject, during his earlier years worked on a farm in this county, and in about 1871 settled in what is now the village of Seymour, where he has since lived. Later he engaged in the grain and stock business, and in July, 1882, formed a partnership with James Karr, with whom he has since conducted business profitably, and with a steadily increasing trade. They handle most of the grain which is brought to the market in Seymour. Mr. J. owns eighty acres of improved land, besides his village property.

Mr. Johnston was married, in Mahomet, Ill., to Miss Rachel A. HUME, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1858. She is the daughter of John and Martha (REED) HUME, the former of whom died in Juniata, Neb., while there on business. The mother still survives, and is a resident of Mahomet. There were seven children in the household, Mrs. J. being the fourth in order of birth. Her parents removed to Mahomet when she was quite young, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. J. have five children-Nina, Maude, Jessie, Winnie and Robert H. Our subject was Postmaster at Seymour for several years. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously a member in good standing of the Methodist Church.