From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 844-845
 
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.  One of the progressive and scientific farmers and stock 
raisers of Troy township and one of Walworth county's representative citizens 
is William H. JOHNSTON, a worthy native son and creditable representative of 
an excellent old family.  He was born in 1864 two miles from Troy Center, this 
county.  He is the son of William P. and Susan (KERIN) JOHNSTON, the father 
born in Scotland and the mother in Canada.  The former was about four years 
old when he accompanied his parents to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1840.  His 
mother was known in her maidenhood as Margaret PORTER  The father, Alexander 
JOHNSTON, started the JOHNSTON Bakery of Milwaukee, which has been well known 
there for many decades, and there he followed this business until his death.
 
The father of the subject began life as a baker, in which business he 
continued many years.  When seventeen years old he came to Walworth county, 
and here worked for his uncles on the mother's side, who were pioneer farmers 
here.  Mr. JOHNSTON later returned to Milwaukee and was there married to the 
matron who accompanied his family to Milwaukee.  The father of the subject 
then came back to Walworth county and located two miles west of Troy Center, 
buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres.  He later changed locations 
several times, and for many years lived retired in East Troy.  He was a 
general farmer and raised sheep extensively.  He was a Democrat, but would 
never accept public office.  He was a Catholic in his religious relations.  He 
family consisted of eight children.
 
William H. JOHNSTON was educated in the district schools of Troy Center and at 
Sacred Heart College, at Watertown, Wisconsin.  He then returned home and 
remained there until he was twenty-two years old, then went to North Dakota, 
where he spent four years, then spent four years to Spokane, Washington, 
farming in the former state and engaged in the commission business at 
Spokane.  He then returned to East Troy and teamed between that town and 
Milwaukee for six years.  He then bought the fine farm where he now lives in 
1900, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, and here he has been very 
successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.  For some time he made a 
specialty of raising sheep; now he carries on dairying on a large scale, and 
is well fixed for the same.  He has kept his farm well improved and well 
cultivated and he has a pleasant home and good outbuildings.  For a time he 
was treasurer or the local creamery.
 
Mr. JOHNSTON was married in October 1894 to Anna KESSLER, who was born at Port 
Washington, and to this union the following children have been born: William, 
Francis, Charles, Margaret, and Robert.
 
Mr. JOHNSON belongs to the Catholic church and he is a Democrat, but he has 
never accepted public office, except that of membership of the local school 
board.
 
Submitted by Carol