Mr. Johnston was born in Madison county, Ohio, October 13, 1839, and is a son of Alexander and Susan Johnston. His father was a native of Ireland, but being brought to this country at an early age was principally reared in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he came to Illinois and settled in Ghristian county, where he b.ecame the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he operated quite successfully up to the time of his death in 1872. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio.

      In the schools of his native state D. W. Johnston began his education and continued his studies here after the removal of the family to Illinois. At the age of twenty years he commenced farming and continued to follow that occupation for several years. He spent about seven years in the gold mines of Colorado, IMontana and Idaho, and then turned his attention to the cattle business, driving his stock from Texas to Kansas. He dealt in southern cattle for about four years and in 1872 returned to Christian county, his time being taken up by his farming interests in Johnson township during the following seven years. At the end of that time he removed to Taylorville and has since been identified with several business enterprises that have proved successful He is president of the Christian County Coal Company of Taylorville and vice president of the Farmers' National Bank of this city. He owns considerable property, including twenty-six hundred and sixty-five acres of fine farming land in Christian county and over one thousand acres in Mississippi. While residing on his farm he gave considerable attention to the raising of stock for the market and found that business quite profitable.

      Mr. Johnston was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah E. Wilson, who was reared in this state, and to them have been born two children : Roy A. and Cleona. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Masonic fraternity. As a Democrat he has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics and for eight terms served as supervisor of Johnson township. He was also president of the board of education for three years. The record of Mr. Johnston is that of a man who by his own efforts has worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business methods he has followed have won for him the confidence and respect of all.