OBITUARY.....
David M.Johnston, York County's oldest Confederate Veteran and perhaps the oldest man of the county, passed over the river at the home of his grandson, Dr. David A. Bigger, in Rock Hill on Tuesday evening at 7:00 o'clock, in the 96th year of his age, having celebrated his 95th birthday on February 22nd. Death was due to pneumonia and he was ill only a few days. Mr. Johnston had been making his home for some time past with the family of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chambers, York, SC, Mrs. Chambers being his grandaughter, and was taken to Rock Hill the first of the week after having become ill, by Dr. David Bigger, at whose home he died.
Funeral services were held at Bethel Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon, the services being conducted by Mr. Johnston's grand-nephew, Rev. W. G. Hamilton Johnston, assisted by Rev. A. Hal Key, Pastor of Bethel Church. Interment was in Bethel Church Cemetery. Active pall bearers included Messrs. S. S. Glenn, Thomas J. Glenn, T. Howard Riddle, Robert Saye Riddle, Arthur C. Barnett and I. Howard Campbell.
David M. Johnston had long been a prominent figure in York County. He was a son of the late David Johnston, Jr. and Mary Glenn Johnston, and he was born in Bethel township near the Catawba river in what is known as the "Point Section". When he reached maturity he joined the Catawba Light Infantry and at the outbreak of the War Between the States his company, commanded by the late Captain Robert H. Glenn, was detailed to Sullivan's Island. After the surrender of Fort Sumter his company volunteered for service in the Confederate army. This company was later reorganized and placed under command of Captain James Bowen, and finally was designated as Co. B, Fifth S.C. Infantry of Jenkin's Brigade. Leaving Charleston the company was sent to Virginia and became a part of Longstreet's Corps. Young Johnston finally became regimental color sergeant and during his sevice as a soldier was engaged in 22 battles, besides many minor skirmishes. He was wounded in the face at the Battle of the Wilderness, and following the dressing of his wound remained on the battlefield for 21 days, being later transferred to a hospital where he remained for six weeks. After a time he was invalided home, and a few months later he was honorably discharged from the army, his discharge being officially signed by President Jefferson Davis, General Longstreet, and other officers down to his captain.
Following the close of the war David M. Johnston played his full part as a citizen. He was always a staunch Democrat in politics and a gentleman who always stood for the right. In December, 1866, he married Miss Martha Jane Thompson. Of the six children born to them only two are now living, these being Mrs. Charlie Price(Sarah) of Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, NC, and Mrs. John J. Campbell(Jane) of Tirzah.
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