David Kennedy Johnston and Bessie M. Murdoch

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Husband David Kennedy Johnston ^{1 2}

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           Born: 26 Oct 1851 - Erie Co, NY 1 2
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1914
         Buried:  - Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co, PA

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         Father: James Johnston (1813-1896) 3
         Mother: Jane Kennedy (1816-1901) 3

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       Marriage: 1917 - ? Venango Co, PA

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   Other Spouse: Catherine "Kate" Eckman (      -Bef 1914) 4 - 1881 4

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Wife Bessie M. Murdoch ²

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried:  - Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co, PA 5

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - David Kennedy Johnston

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He was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania. [HVC 1890, 902]

He lived in his native county until his thirteenth year, and up to that time attended the common schools. Accompanying his parents to Oil City in 1864, he was soon afterward at work drilling oil wells, and his occupation was thereafter always in the same line, his operations being principally in Venango and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, and in West Virginia and Ohio. As soon as possible he began drilling on his own account, becoming well and favorably known in the oil and gas fields, where he put down many wells. He also bored several large water wells in Centre and Huntingdon counties, Pennsylvania. His investments in oil producing property were entirely in Venango County and yielded well.
Early on he became identified with the administration of city af-fairs in Oil City, and showed himself so well qualified for such responsibility that he was retained in office for a long period. Before the city adopted the commission form of government he was elected to both branches of the old council, was one of the first councilmen under the new dispensation, elected in 1913, and while filling his third successive term, having charge of the water department and city property. For several years he was a member of the school board, and he was also a member of the health board, in both associations giving notable service in establishing up-to-date conditions in the community. Politically he was a Democrat in national issues. He was one of the organizers of the Home Savings & Loan Association of Oil City and served as one of its directors, having sincere faith in the value of such bodies for stimulating thrift. He was a member of the Ivy Club and Wanango Club, a trustee of the United Presbyterian Church, and a Mason in fraternal affiliation, holding membership in Petrolia Lodge, No. 363, F. & A. M., and Venango Lodge of Perfection, both of Oil City, as well as Pittsburgh Consistory, thirty-second degree. [HVC 1919, 838]

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General Notes: Wife - Bessie M. Murdoch

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from Oil City, Venango Co, PA

1 Editor, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 902.

2 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 838.

3 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 888.

4 Charles A. Babcock, Venango County, Pennsylvania, Her Pioneers and People (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1919), Pg 839.

5 Various, Grove Hill Cemetery Transcription (Oil City, PA: Privately published, ~1985).