Westmoreland County PA Archives Biographies.....Johnston, John Williams May 22, 1820

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COL. JOHN WILLIAMS JOHNSTON, a faithful and efficient officer in two great wars
of the American revolution and one of the gallant band that planted the Stars
and Stripes over the halls of the Montezumas, is the ninth son of Alexander and
Elizabeth (Freame) Johnston. He was born at Kingston House on the Loyalhanna in
Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pa., May 22, 1820. Alexander Johnston,
whose history and ancestry is given in sketch of Andrew A. Johnston, reared
eight sons, whose superiors for physical manhood and distinguished civil and
military service cannot be found in the State of Pennsylvania. Alexander
Johnston had twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, of whom two sons died
in infancy. Those sons who grew up to manhood were: Thomas, who was educated at
West Point and served in the United States army; Alexander, who was a West Point
graduate and served in the regular army; Hon. William Freame, ex-governor of
Pennsylvania (see sketch); Hon. Edward of Iowa; Alexander A. (see sketch);
James, who was a prominent man and a correspondent for the Eastern papers; Col.
John W. and Lieut. Richard Henry Lee, who was killed at the head of his company
while storming the Mexican works at Molino del Rey, September 1, 1847.

   John Williams Johnston was educated in private and select schools and
Greensburg academy. At twenty-one years of age he engaged in the mercantile
business in Clarion county, Pa., which he followed one year and then (1843) was
appointed deputy sheriff of this county. In 1840, when war was declared with
Mexico, he volunteered in the “Westmoreland Guards” and was unanimously elected
its captain. This organization was composed of ninety-four men and was mustered
into service January 1, 1847, as Co. E, 2d reg. Pa. Vols. They left Pittsburg
January 8th and landed at Vera Cruz March 9th. The company was under the
personal command of Capt. Johnston and fought bravely in the battles of Cerro
Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec and at the storming of
the city of Mexico. On July 14, 1848, Capt. Johnston’s company, numbering but
forty-four men, was mustered out and returned home. At the close of the war
Capt. Johnston engaged in the grocery business at Pittsburg, but soon became a
contractor in the construction of the Allegheny Valley railroad and then went to
Missouri where for five years he was an extensive contractor on the Iron
Mountain railroad. In 1858 he returned to Kingston House and on the first call
for volunteers in 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co. G, fourteenth reg., Pa.
Vols., which was raised at Youngstown. He was immediately elected captain and
upon the organization of the regiment at Harrisburg, Pa., was made its colonel.
The regiment first came into action at “Falling Waters” and bore itself
gallantly on that field of conflict. At the expiration of the three months’
service Col. Johnston entered the Ninety-third Pa. as its lieutenant-colonel. He
was offered its colonelcy but declined in favor of Col. McCarter, under motives
of personal consideration. He served under his second enlistment for over two
years and then resigned. During a part of this time the Ninety-third was under
Col. Johnston’s personal command and was conspicuous for its bravery on many of
the “Peninsula” battlefields. Since his services in the Army of the Potomac he
has resided at Kingston House and has been engaged in farming.

   In 1867 he married Sarah Rebecca Byerly. Their union has been blessed with
two children: Richard H. and Annie E.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from
Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Compiled and Published by John M. Gresham & Co.
Samuel T. Wiley, Chief Assistant
1890


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