Joshua Johns, farmer; P. O. Charleston; was born in Pendleton Co., Va., June 6, 1821. When he was 18 years of age, he went to Bath Co., Virginia, working on the farm of William Friel, whose daughter Isabel he married, Sept. 15,, 1840, and after living there for three years moved to Pleasant Grove Tp. in this county, remaining there for twelve years when he came to Hutton Tp., and after settling on Sec. 33 remained there fourteen years, and in March, 1867, came to his present farm on Sec. 9; he owns 692 acres; has held the office of Supervisor one term, and School Director for many years, and is so at the present time. His wife was born Aug. 19, 1824; they had fourteen children – seven boys, four living – George A., born March 19, 1848; James H., July 13, 1851; Leander, Dec. 21, 1853, and Edwin S., born Sept. 23,1867; three deceased-James W., born Jam 27, 1844, died Sept. 28, 1846; Seton, born Oct. 11, 1858, died Nov. 28, 1859, and one that died in infancy; and seven girls, five living – Jemima (now Mrs. Wm. Bishop), born April 12, 1855; Virginia, (now Mrs. Frederick Thompson), born Aug. 27, 1857; Sarah Ann, born Sept. 13, 1860; Mary E., Dec. 19, 1863; and Emily A., born Nov. 18, 1869, and two deceased-Martha E., born June 16, 1841, died March 10, 1865; Minerva, born April 27, 1849, died Sept. 28, 1849. Mr. Johns’ parents, James and Jane, came to Coles Co., in November, 1844, and settled on Sec. 33 in this township, where they both died, his father, March 24, 1859, his mother, Sept. 13, 1872; they had three sons-James and William, deceased, and Joshua, the subject of this sketch.
