W. C. JOHNSTON, proprietor of tannery, is a native of Canada, where he learned his trade. He came to the United States when twenty-two years of age, going to Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed two years, subsequently going to Spencerport, a town near Rochester, where he remained twelve years, working at his trade. In 1864, he came to Kendallville, where he has since resided. He was employed at first at his trade, subsequently, 1871, formed a partnership with Mr. Oviatt, which lasted two years, at the expiration of which he bought out his partner, since which time he has conducted business alone. Mr. Johnston has a complete institution of its kind, and manufactures superior grades of leather, also doing custom tanning. He is an honorable business man, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the order of Masonry he is a Master. Mr. Johnston was married in New York State to Miss Mary Kinney in the year 1852. They have one child--Mrs. Dora Waltman, wife of J. G. Waltman, cashier First National Bank of Kendallville.
Counties of La Grange and Noble, Indiana, Historical and Biographical, Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, © 1882, Part 2, p. 305-306.
Transcribed by Denise Wells, May 2013.