Near Rutherford in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Donald Allerton Johnston 1874-1957

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

1. Donald Allerton Johnston 1874-1957 Marker

Inscription. 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".

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 42° 39.322′ N, 82° 7.548′ W. Marker is

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near Rutherford, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is at the intersection of Lambton Line and Dawn Mills Road, on the right when traveling east on Lambton Line. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4579 Lambton Line, Rutherford ON N0P 1M0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rutherford United Church Bell (a few steps from this marker); The Founding of Dresden (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); Henson House (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); Spirituality and Community (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); Sawmill (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); Josiah Henson (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); Harris House (approx. 9.7 kilometers away); The Dawn Settlement / La Colonie de Dawn

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

2. Donald Allerton Johnston 1874-1957 Marker

(approx. 9.7 kilometers away).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.