Jay Johnston

JOHNSTON, CALLWELL

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/16/2011 at 17:32:07

Jay Johnston, an enterprising merchant of Estherville, is engaged in the sale of jewelry, drugs, wall paper and paints. He has always lived in this state and the spirit of western enterprise finds an expression in his business career. He was born in New Hampton, Iowa, August 25, 1877, a son of A. W. and Margaret Johnston, both of whom are natives of this state, although representatives of old families of Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish origin. The father is a carpenter by trade and he and his wife are still residents of New Hampton, Iowa. Their family numbered two sons and a daughter.

After pursuing his education in the public schools of his native city until he had completed the high school course, Jay Johnston entered the Highland Park College at Des Moines, while his practical experience in commercial circles came to him through an apprenticeship in a drug store at New Hampton. He came to Estherville in 1901 and entered the employ of F. H. Richman, with whom he remained until 1903, when he bought out the business, which he has since conducted at the same place, carrying a well selected line of drugs and jewelry, wall paper and paints. He is careful in the selection of his stock and his reasonable prices and fair dealing have won for him constantly increasing success.

On the 15th of June, 1904, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Anna E. Callwell, a daughter of R. B. and Anna Callwell, both now deceased. Her father was a civil engineer. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston has been born a son, George Barklie, who is now attending school. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Episcopal church.

Mr. Johnston exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and he belongs to the Commercial Club, thus manifesting his deep interest in the welfare and progress of his city. He has membership also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a prominent Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and the consistory and in the lodge has filled all the chairs, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed.

Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.