Text from the Plaque
Born on a nearby farm, Johnston became a co-founder and, in 1915, the first president of the world's first Kiwanis Club. He spent his childhood in this area, and in 1892 emigrated to Detroit, Michigan. Employed in the insurance business, he gained prominence in that field, and assisted in forming a club of local businessmen which became the first Kiwanis Club. Johnston served as an international trustee 1916-18 and governor of Michigan Kiwanis in 1923. During his lifetime he saw the Kiwanis grow into an international organization, among whose objectives are "promoting the adoption and application of higher, social, business and professional standards", and the development of "intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship".
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