Individual Details
Roscoe Conklin Johnston
(19 Sep 1891 - 14 Apr 1945)
[It is noted that in and around Hazard, Kentucky there were a number of JOHNSON and JOHNSTON families. Often the JOHNSTON families were reported without the "T" in the last name, which caused some amount of confusion in trying to trace the family lines. Roscoe's last name was definitely JOHNSTON as shown in the family bible.]
From the Hazard Herald Newspaper, Hazard, Kentucky November 2, 1911: Daring Rescue at Buckhorn. During the recent big water Roscoe Johnson had a narrow escape from drowning near Buckhorn, and his rescue was so thrilling and exciting that it made a lasting impression upon the many spectators.
Several men were working with rafts and loose logs in the Middle Ford, and Mr. Johnson started to swim across the river through the racing current. When he had gotten within about fifty feet of the bank his intense [two lines of the newspaper clipping are unreadable] rose and sank two or three times in the wild waters, forty or fifty men stood on the bank paralyzed with the suddenness of the misfortune that had overtaken the daring swimmer, whom they had been admiring only a moment before. Jesse Baker, brother of R. C. Baker, of this place, was the first to recover his presence of mind, and plunging into the river, reached the imperiled swimmer in time to prevent his sinking finally. William Johnson had followed him closely, and came to his aid in time. They joined hands, Baker holding Roscoe Johnson, and by that time others on the bank had pushed a pole out so William Johnson could reach with his free hand and they were all drawn ashore. Roscoe Johnson was unconscious when gotten on shore, but was ultimately revived and he will recover.
On the World War I draft registration on June 5, 1917, Roscoe C. Johnson states he is single and a farmer. He is of medium height and medium build. He has blue eyes and black hair. He registered at Laurel Co., Kentucky.
On the 1920 Census of McKey, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma Roscoe C. Johnson appears with his wife Alva D. He is 28 and a farmer, she is 17. Census taken 5 January 1920, eight days before their daughter was born. The household listed before theirs was Alva's parents and siblings.
On the 1930 Census of Gore, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma Rosco, Alva, Bonnie and Luther Johnson appear. Rosco's occupation is Post Master at the Post Office.
On the 1940 U. S. Census of Campbell, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma, Roscoe C. Johnston appears with his wife Alma [Alva] and children Faye and Luther. Roscoe is a farmer and Alva is an operator of a cafe.
On the World War II draft registration taken on April 27,1942, Roscoe Conklin Johnston is living and working at Nubieber, Lassen Co., California. He is working for Associated Lumber and Box Co. He is 5' 9" tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has blue eyes, ruddy complexion and brown hair. He registered at the Mount Lassen Hotel Bldg. at Susanville. The name and address of person who will always know your address is Mrs. J. W. Miller, Concord, California. This is his daughter Faye.
Obituary not found at genealogybank.com or newspaperarchive.com, June 7, 2018.
From the Hazard Herald Newspaper, Hazard, Kentucky November 2, 1911: Daring Rescue at Buckhorn. During the recent big water Roscoe Johnson had a narrow escape from drowning near Buckhorn, and his rescue was so thrilling and exciting that it made a lasting impression upon the many spectators.
Several men were working with rafts and loose logs in the Middle Ford, and Mr. Johnson started to swim across the river through the racing current. When he had gotten within about fifty feet of the bank his intense [two lines of the newspaper clipping are unreadable] rose and sank two or three times in the wild waters, forty or fifty men stood on the bank paralyzed with the suddenness of the misfortune that had overtaken the daring swimmer, whom they had been admiring only a moment before. Jesse Baker, brother of R. C. Baker, of this place, was the first to recover his presence of mind, and plunging into the river, reached the imperiled swimmer in time to prevent his sinking finally. William Johnson had followed him closely, and came to his aid in time. They joined hands, Baker holding Roscoe Johnson, and by that time others on the bank had pushed a pole out so William Johnson could reach with his free hand and they were all drawn ashore. Roscoe Johnson was unconscious when gotten on shore, but was ultimately revived and he will recover.
On the World War I draft registration on June 5, 1917, Roscoe C. Johnson states he is single and a farmer. He is of medium height and medium build. He has blue eyes and black hair. He registered at Laurel Co., Kentucky.
On the 1920 Census of McKey, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma Roscoe C. Johnson appears with his wife Alva D. He is 28 and a farmer, she is 17. Census taken 5 January 1920, eight days before their daughter was born. The household listed before theirs was Alva's parents and siblings.
On the 1930 Census of Gore, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma Rosco, Alva, Bonnie and Luther Johnson appear. Rosco's occupation is Post Master at the Post Office.
On the 1940 U. S. Census of Campbell, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma, Roscoe C. Johnston appears with his wife Alma [Alva] and children Faye and Luther. Roscoe is a farmer and Alva is an operator of a cafe.
On the World War II draft registration taken on April 27,1942, Roscoe Conklin Johnston is living and working at Nubieber, Lassen Co., California. He is working for Associated Lumber and Box Co. He is 5' 9" tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has blue eyes, ruddy complexion and brown hair. He registered at the Mount Lassen Hotel Bldg. at Susanville. The name and address of person who will always know your address is Mrs. J. W. Miller, Concord, California. This is his daughter Faye.
Obituary not found at genealogybank.com or newspaperarchive.com, June 7, 2018.
Events
| Birth | 19 Sep 1891 | Buckhorn, Perry Co., Kentucky |  | ||
| Marriage | 22 Dec 1918 | Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma - Alva Dessie Cowan | | ||
| Divorce | 1943 | Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co., Oklahoma - Alva Dessie Cowan | |||
| Death | 14 Apr 1945 | Hanford, Kings Co., California | | ||
| Burial | Hanford Cemetery, Hanford, Kings Co., California | |
Families
| Spouse | Alva Dessie Cowan (1902 - 1990) |
| Child | Bonnie Faye Johnston (1920 - 1990) |
| Child | Luther Wayne Johnston (1923 - 1983) |
| Father | Isaac D. Johnston (1865 - 1897) |
| Mother | Martha Johnston (1869 - 1905) |
| Sibling | Myrtle Johnston (1887 - 1923) |
Endnotes
1. Death Certificate of Roscoe Conklin Johnston.
2. Verbal from Alva D. Cowan.
3. Death Certificate of Roscoe Conklin Johnston, 1652 Reg 55.
4. Death Certificate of Roscoe Conklin Johnston.