Johnston GINN-Death of an Old Citizen

Johnston Ginn, an old and well-known citizen of this city, died at 4:10 this morning, after a protracted illness, aged 82 years.  The funeral will take place from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Crawford, on Seminary Hill, on Monday next, at 2 p. m.  -Galena Gazette, July 5, 1879.

Johnston GINN-Death of Johnson Ginn

The death of this gentleman was an event long expected by his friends who had known his condition of health.  For quite a number of months he has been feeble, and on July 5th at 20 minutes to 4 a. m. he departed this life at the ripe age of 82 years.   Mr. Ginn has long been a citizen of this county, and has reared a family of children who are among the most respectable citizens of the county.   Mr. Ginn was a man of very strong impulses, firm in his likes and dislikes, and though a warm friend, he was just as bitter an enemy. He always aimed to be right and to do right, and through his strong likes and dislikes, his motives and actions were often misconstrued.  Of late years, an unfortunate marriage embittered him, and at times his friends thought his reason dethroned in consequences; yet amid his troubles there was the same desire to do right, that had characterized his life.  Of the unfortunate circumstance referred to, his enemies took advantage, and used every means to blacken his character, and being always desirous of the good opinion of others, it bore as a heavy weight upon him during the past few years of his life.  He has now gone to a court that will judge him impartially, and let those who condemn watch carefully lest the greater fault be not with them.  Mr. Ginn was a kind father, and a man who spoke of his children with feelings of pride, as well he might.  At one time he was a man of considerable means, but of late years, feeble health, with the trouble referred to had weakened him financially.  He leaves surviving him three sons and four daughters: Jas. Ginn, late Supervisor of Rice; Wm. Ginn, formerly City Marshall of Galena; Robert Ginn, of Iowa; Mrs. Crawford (Ann) of Galena, Mrs. Thos. Argent (Elizabeth) and Mrs John Argent (Eleanor) of Hampden (Franklin County) Iowa, Mrs. Jas. Hunter (Mary J.) of Mt. Carroll (Ill.)  -Galena Gazette, July 12, 1879.

NOTE-The unfortunate marriage referred to was Johnston Ginn's second marriage to Mrs. Selena Edwards.  It ended in divorce.

Submitted by Kathy Kuroda