Vaughn Ellis & Mildred Opal (SHIELDS) JOHNSTON
Vaughn Ellis JOHNSTON, the youngest of Ellis Irvin and Ida Jane (MAXWELL) JOHNSTON'S two sons, was born January 8, 1905, on the
JOHNSTON farm located 1 1/2 miles south of Ellston, Iowa. He attended school in Ellston where he developed a love of
sports and played on the Ellston High School basketball team. He graduated from Ellston High School in 1924.
Mildred Opal SHIELDS, the youngest of Joseph Hopkins "Joe" and Clarinda "Clara" (BEAMAN) SHIELDS' five children, was born on August 17, 1902. She attended
country school at the Llone Star and Frog Pond Schools. The family moved to Ellston 1918 so Mildred could attend high school.
A classmate of Vaughn JOHNSTON, Mildred also graduated from Ellston High School with the class of 1924. on March 3rd of
1926, Vaughn and Mildred traveled through the mud to Mount Ayr where they were married. Vaughn and Mildred resided with his
parents where Vaughn farmed with his father. Here, their eldest child, Don Ellis JOHNSTON, was born on December 4, 1926.
In August of 1928, the JOHNSTONS loaded their belongings on a hayrack and moved one mile east to a farm in the Beaconsfield
school district. Betty Lu and Eugene were born after the family moved to the
farm. Vaughn farmed and drove a school bus periodically. He was a member of the school board. Mildred played the
piano for the Tingley Kitchen band and the Friday singers.
Vaughn Ellis JOHNSTON died at the age of 69 years on January 24, 1974, at Mount Ayr.
Mildred married second in 1978 to Quentin Bayard ABARR (31 Oct 1903 - 21 Jan 1988).
Mildred Opal (SHIELDS) JOHNSTON ABARR died at the age of 98 years on July 5, 2001.
Vaugh and Mildred were interred at the Ellston Cemetery.
Don Ellis JOHNSTON Naomi (McALEXANDER) & Don Ellis JOHNSTON
Naomi (McALEXANDER) JOHNSTON was born on August 29, 1926, Percival, Iowa, the only daughter of Riley and Ora (PADDOCK)
McALEXANDER. Naomi and Don Ellis JOHNSTON were graduates of Beaconsfield High School.
After graduation, Naomi attended
Captial City College and worked in Des Moines. Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Don and Naomi were married in 1947 and moved to
a farm located northwest of Beaconsfield, then, in 1959, moved a mile north to a farm where they still reside.
SOURCE: Ellston Centennial Book, Pp. 189-90.
Submitted by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010
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