Stephan Johnston

Stephen Johnston was born in Ireland in 1782. While a boy he was apprenticed to a wheelwright, at which he served his full time of indenture. Some time after the close of his apprenticeship he sailed for the United States, and landed in Philadelphia about 1803, and located in Uniontown, Pa., where he remained about four years. Before leaving Ireland he had paid his addresses to a young lass in his native isle, and had promised to return as soon as he was able, and take her with him to the "new world," as they called it. After spending about four years in the United States, he bethought himself of his lass across the sea, and the promise had made to her, and determined to return to the green isle again to redeem his promise. Instead of going direct from Philadelphia, he made his way to Pittsburg. There he took passage on a flat-boat that was going to New Orleans, and worked to pay his passage. At New Orleans he set sail for Ireland. This was the year 1807.

When he arrived in Ireland he found that the maiden he had left behind was still true, and waiting for him. In the same year (1807) he was married to Miss Ann Armstrong. They remained in Ireland until 1822, when he started with his wife and five children for the United States, but not having means enough to pay their passage through, they landed at St. Johns, New Brunswick. Here they remained until 1831, when they set sail for New York; from there they came by river, canal, and lake to Newark, Ohio; from whence they came by wagon to Piqua, landing there July, 1831. Here they found some friends - Col. John Johnston - who had preceded them from Ireland many years. It was through the influence of Col. Johnston that they were induced to enter land, and locate in Shelby County, which they did in the fall of 1831. When Mr. Johnston landed in Piqua he had but $60 in the world. Col. Johnston loaned him $50. With this he entered eighty acres of land in Loramie Township, on which he settled with his wife and three children in the green woods. This farm they greatly improved, then sold, and removed to Mercer County in 1837, where they remained until 1864, when he again returned to Shelby County, where he died in 1869, his wife having died in 1856.