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DEATH OF REV. DR. JOHNSTONE
A Veteran of the American Civil War
Former Rector of Holy Trinity, Welland
[People’s Press, 7 January 1913]
The Rev. Gabriel Johnstone, D.D., of Welland, passed peacefully to rest in the early hours of Sunday morning, January 5th, 1913, after a long period of failing health.
Re. Dr. Johnstone was born at Edenton, North Carolina, in 1843, and was educated at the University of North Carolina, where he graduated in 1861. He left the University of North Carolina in his junior years and took part in many memorable events of the Civil war that were prevailing in the United States. He volunteered as a private in Co. “G” of the 38th N.C. Regiment, and out of 159 who volunteered with him, only 18 survived the war. His regiment took part in all the principal battles which were fought in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, including Cedar Run, Antietam, Hagerstown, Shepherd’s Town, the two battles of the Wilderness and Gettysburg. He was appointed Ordnance Sergeant as soon as the 28th Regt was formed by Gen Lane, but carried a rifle and took an active part in every battle is which his regiment was engaged. He was elected Colonel of the 73rd Regiment in ’63, at the age of 21 years, as a reward for conduct on the field.
At the close of the war he resumed his studies, took the degree of B.A. from Trinity College, N.C., and was ordained to the sacred ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church on the 18th of May 1870, by Bishop Atkinson in Edenton, his native town. He was called to Grace church, in Utica, N.Y., where he was pleasantly received and known as “the young rebel.” After remaining there for a short time he was called to the Colorado Diocese and held parishes in Laramie City and Georgetown. During that time he received calls from Sacramento, Cal., and Canada. He came to Canada in 1877 and was first stationed at Jarvis, Ont., where he remained until 1885, when he came to Welland, and took charge of Holy Trinity church, of which he remained rector until about three years ago when he was obliged to retire owing to poor health. Whilst in Welland he accepted an invitation of the S. G. to lecture throughout England the society’s interest, and visited the principal cathedrals.
For several years he held the position of Chaplain of the 44th Regiment (Lincoln and Welland) and his retirement was appointed honorary major. He was also prominent in local Masonic circles.
In 1871 he was married to Alice K. Killaly of Ottawa, daughter of late John Sackville Killaly, survives, also three daughters-Mrs. W. Mencke of DeWinton, H.B. Sidey of Welland and Miss Emma of Yonkers, N.Y., and two sons, Irdell K. Johnstone of Portland and George H. of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Helen Perry, Atlanta, Ga.
The funeral will take place this Tuesday afternoon, service at the residence of Mr. H.W. Macoomb at 2 o’clock, and interment in the Church of England cemetery, Welland. The services will be conducted by Bishop Clark of the Diocese of Niagara, assisted by Rev. Mr. Thompson, rector of Holy Trinity. The Masonic ritual will also be rendered by the Brethren of Cope-Stone lodge of which deceased was a member.
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