About John Johnston
Lived 1791 – 1880 (aged 89). John Johnston was an American engineer and farmer.
John Johnston (11 April 1791, Knocknalling, near Dalry, Galloway – 24 November 1880) was a Scottish-American farmer. He is credited with the first public introduction of agricultural drainage in the United States. He did so in 1838.
John Johnston was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in 1821. His farmhouse in upper Geneva, New York is now a museum of his life and drainage tiles.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Johnston's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Johnston?
Scottish-American farmer, born 1791
When was John Johnston born?
John Johnston was born on 11 April 1791 in Dalry.
When did John Johnston die?
John Johnston died on 24 November 1880.
What was John Johnston's occupation?
John Johnston was an engineer and farmer.
What nationality was John Johnston?
John Johnston was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Johnston (farmer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Johnston. https://biography.guide/john-johnston-engineer/
MLA: "John Johnston." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-johnston-engineer/.
Chicago: "John Johnston." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-johnston-engineer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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