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11. The J. A. Johnston and Family Window.
The J.A. Johnston and Family Window is one of two that shares space with a choir loft staircase. Like most other windows, it is 70 inches wide and 18 feet tall. Due to placement of the staircase rail, the family name inscription is closer to the vertical center of the window. As such, the inscription is visible from the church floor, the choir loft or the staircase itself. The Johnston family donors were John Aloysius Johnston and Teresa E. Speake Johnston. Compared with most to the other donors, their families had been in America for a long time. John was fifth generation Scottish and Teresa was seventh generation English.
Randy Dunavan has said: "If you are from the older Osage Mission - St. Paul Catholic Families you should be nice to one another. You are probably all related." [1] He is speaking of the large number of Catholics who arrived on the continent, passed through Maryland and eventually filtered through Kentucky or other areas to get here. Many of these Irish, Germans, Bavarians, Austrians, Dutch, Alsace-Lorraine's, Scots and Luxembourgers became acquainted along the way — there were quite a few marriages. |
Photo and Banner Photo - R. Brogan
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The Original St. Francis Catholic Church Sat Just West of the Existing Rectory. (Photo - Osage Mission - Neosho County Historical Society)
The longevity of the Johnston and Speake family stories, as they made their ways through St. Mary's County, Maryland; and eventually, to John and Teresa's wedding at the original St. Francis de Heironymo log church at Osage Mission on August 8, 1876, backs Randy's comment! Even after their arrival in southeast Kansas, they have crossed lines with a lot of our other older families. In researching this family, Randy found ties with his own Jarboe family, Parsons, South Mound, etc.. This is a web of information that cannot be covered here, but we will try to give you an idea of the the Johnston - Speake family details that are in Who's behind the Window?.
We won't go all of the way back here — too much for this web page. We begin with the grandparents of donor John Aloysius Johnson (1847-1923). William Waller Johnston (1764-1823) and his spouse Ann Buckner (1770-1834) were born in St. Asaph's Parish, near Bowling Green Virginia. Together, they raised ten children. Ann Buckner Johnston's Grandfather, William Buckner (1758-1843), was the Surveyor General of the colonies. After Williams death in 1823, Ann and family acquired land in the Wax area of Grayson County, Kentucky. This is where lines between the Johnston and Jarboe families began to cross. Records show a large number of Johnston's and Jarboe's interred in area Kentucky cemeteries — Ditto our own local cemeteries. [2]
Ann Speake's early family members were colonial settlers Thomas Speake and his wife Elizabeth Bowling, from England. They started a family in St. Mary's County, Maryland. As the family grew, subsequent generations spilled into Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and southward into the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. Who's behind the Window? goes into quite a bit of detail about the origins and variations of the Speake name and some of the family migration routes. But seven generations later Teresa Elizabeth Speake (1852-1938) was born in Grayson County, Kentucky to William (1810-1874) and Mary Eades Speake (1817-1858). After Mary's death, and the Civil War, William found his way to Osage Mission in about 1868.
Ann Speake's early family members were colonial settlers Thomas Speake and his wife Elizabeth Bowling, from England. They started a family in St. Mary's County, Maryland. As the family grew, subsequent generations spilled into Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and southward into the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. Who's behind the Window? goes into quite a bit of detail about the origins and variations of the Speake name and some of the family migration routes. But seven generations later Teresa Elizabeth Speake (1852-1938) was born in Grayson County, Kentucky to William (1810-1874) and Mary Eades Speake (1817-1858). After Mary's death, and the Civil War, William found his way to Osage Mission in about 1868.
Enough with lineage — that is what the book is for. The 1867 marriage of John and Teresa started one of the most respected families in Neosho county. They were known for excellence and innovation in farming. They had eight children: Pius Fredrick, Charles Roy, Paul Bertram, Francis A "Fanny", Mary Estella Johnston Brown, John Omer, Joseph s. and N.N. Johnston.
In time, the Johnstons migrated from Mission Township down to Lincoln. The Johnston's were farmers and cattle ranchers who also played an important part in the founding and early growth of South Mound, Kansas. In 1903, Teresa Johnson was active in soliciting to have a Catholic Church built in South Mound. On June 4, 1905 the New St. Joseph's Catholic Church held its first Holy Communion Service. By 1906 John was referred to as a Big South Mound Merchant in the St. Paul Journal; and he was instrumental in getting gas, telephone and water routed into town.
The following clip regarding a 1915 wolf drive will give you and example of the St. Paul, South Mound and Parsons names that appear in the Johnston section of Who's Behind the Window?:
"On Saturday February 13, a big wolf drive will be made east of Hertha, beginning at J. A. Johnston's corner, thence two mile east to Harry Dent's corner, thence three miles north to railroad bridge, thence two miles west along river to Nash' corner thence three miles south of beginning.
The line captains are:
• East Line: Harry Dent, Orson Clark, C. E. Hayden, W. B. Kennedy, John Quick and A. B. Evans.
• West line: Jack Lynch, Perry Allen, Nick Duffy, Lon Gregg, W. H. Shellhorn and Will Gough.
• South line: Dick Crandon, Bert Johnston Carey Johnston.
• North line: Ed Bolton, Rolla Nash, Ned Smith and Charles O'Brien.
• Everybody come. Lunch by Ladies of Liberty Sunday School."
In time, the Johnstons migrated from Mission Township down to Lincoln. The Johnston's were farmers and cattle ranchers who also played an important part in the founding and early growth of South Mound, Kansas. In 1903, Teresa Johnson was active in soliciting to have a Catholic Church built in South Mound. On June 4, 1905 the New St. Joseph's Catholic Church held its first Holy Communion Service. By 1906 John was referred to as a Big South Mound Merchant in the St. Paul Journal; and he was instrumental in getting gas, telephone and water routed into town.
The following clip regarding a 1915 wolf drive will give you and example of the St. Paul, South Mound and Parsons names that appear in the Johnston section of Who's Behind the Window?:
"On Saturday February 13, a big wolf drive will be made east of Hertha, beginning at J. A. Johnston's corner, thence two mile east to Harry Dent's corner, thence three miles north to railroad bridge, thence two miles west along river to Nash' corner thence three miles south of beginning.
The line captains are:
• East Line: Harry Dent, Orson Clark, C. E. Hayden, W. B. Kennedy, John Quick and A. B. Evans.
• West line: Jack Lynch, Perry Allen, Nick Duffy, Lon Gregg, W. H. Shellhorn and Will Gough.
• South line: Dick Crandon, Bert Johnston Carey Johnston.
• North line: Ed Bolton, Rolla Nash, Ned Smith and Charles O'Brien.
• Everybody come. Lunch by Ladies of Liberty Sunday School."
John Aloysius Johnston, businessman, stockman, farmer, family man and devoted Catholic passed away on June 18, 1823. Teresa remained at their farm in Lincoln Township with daughter Francis Johnston. She passed in 1938 and is buried by her husband in St. Francis Cemetery.
(Source: ww2dbaseUnited States National Archives)
Lt. Lawrence Raymond Johnston.
The Johnston section of Who's Behind the Window? concludes with an interesting but unfortunate article about John and Teresa's grandson Lawrence Raymond Johnston. Lawrence was the youngest son of Charles Roy Johnston and in 1942 he was a college student and roofer in Davenport, Iowa. On June 12th, 1942 he enlisted in the Marine Air Corp. By January of 1943 he was a second Lieutenant Corsair pilot and in July he married Mary E. McDonald. Lt. Johnston saw some quick transfers before assignment to Marine Fighter Squadron 113, Marine Air Group 31, Fourth Marine Base Defense Air Wing, Fleet Marine Force, San Francisco. Unfortunately, he was listed as missing in action in July of 1944. The book contains about three pages about Lt. Johnston and his fighter squadron. We salute Lawrence Raymond Johnston for his service and courage.
The Johnston section of Who's Behind the Window? concludes with an interesting but unfortunate article about John and Teresa's grandson Lawrence Raymond Johnston. Lawrence was the youngest son of Charles Roy Johnston and in 1942 he was a college student and roofer in Davenport, Iowa. On June 12th, 1942 he enlisted in the Marine Air Corp. By January of 1943 he was a second Lieutenant Corsair pilot and in July he married Mary E. McDonald. Lt. Johnston saw some quick transfers before assignment to Marine Fighter Squadron 113, Marine Air Group 31, Fourth Marine Base Defense Air Wing, Fleet Marine Force, San Francisco. Unfortunately, he was listed as missing in action in July of 1944. The book contains about three pages about Lt. Johnston and his fighter squadron. We salute Lawrence Raymond Johnston for his service and courage.
The J.A. Johnson & Family stained glass Window is Adorned with the Greek Symbol of Jesus
— IHΣΟΥΣ. This symbol is known as the I. H. S. Cross. (Photo R. Brogan)
Some Reference Information.
1. Randy Dunavan is the author of Who's Behind the Window?. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book, contact him directly at [email protected].
2. To further substantiate Randy's comment above, we have heard it said that walking through some Kentucky Cemeteries was similar to walking through St. Francis Cemetery at St. Paul. A few years ago we had the opportunity to walk through the cemeteries at Holy Cross and Manton Kentucky, as well as the Loretto Motherhouse Cemetery at Nerinx, Kentucky. There are many, many familiar names: Norris, Graves, Owens, Johnston, etc.
3. As with all of the website donor pages, the above is a snapshot. This entire page is about the size of a brief magazine article — about 900 words. The Johnston section of Randy's early draft is twenty-five pages long and was still under development when this page was laid out. There is much more information including research data, newspaper articles, obituary clips, etc., in the book.
4. In the early days of Osage Mission and St. Paul, there were many devout Catholics and an impressive number of religious vocations. The Johnston's are a good example. Three Johnston women entered the convent:
[email protected]
1. Randy Dunavan is the author of Who's Behind the Window?. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book, contact him directly at [email protected].
2. To further substantiate Randy's comment above, we have heard it said that walking through some Kentucky Cemeteries was similar to walking through St. Francis Cemetery at St. Paul. A few years ago we had the opportunity to walk through the cemeteries at Holy Cross and Manton Kentucky, as well as the Loretto Motherhouse Cemetery at Nerinx, Kentucky. There are many, many familiar names: Norris, Graves, Owens, Johnston, etc.
3. As with all of the website donor pages, the above is a snapshot. This entire page is about the size of a brief magazine article — about 900 words. The Johnston section of Randy's early draft is twenty-five pages long and was still under development when this page was laid out. There is much more information including research data, newspaper articles, obituary clips, etc., in the book.
4. In the early days of Osage Mission and St. Paul, there were many devout Catholics and an impressive number of religious vocations. The Johnston's are a good example. Three Johnston women entered the convent:
- Susan Ellen, Sister Crescentia (1845-1922) Sisters of Loretto
- Beatrice Long, Mother Mary Aloysius (1880-1962) Sisters of Mercy
- Mary Anne Long, Sister* (1870-1911) Sisters of Mercy
[email protected]
