ND Ag Hall Of Fame Inductees

Andrew Johnston

Andrew Johnston was born near Taylor, North Dakota, in 1885 and lived most of his life in western North Dakota.  Andrew spent many of his youth years herding cattle in the summer months and going to school in the winter.  Later he and his family settled in the Watford City area, where he ranched for most of his life.  It has been said that Andrew was the one man most responsible for the organization of the N.D. Stockmen's Association in 1929.  He served as the first secretary-treasurer of this group and later was elected its president.  Andrew sold his ranch in 1943 and moved to Arizona, where he managed a ranch for six years.  Upon returning to North Dakota, he purchased and operated the Western Trading Post in Dickinson.  Andrew also authored two volumes of "50 Years in the Saddle", which covered the rich history of the cowboy era of western North Dakota.  During his career, Andrew was given the "Pioneer Cattlemen's Award" by the National Cattlemen's Association; a life-time honorary membership by the N.D. Stockmen's Association and he was a charter member and founder of the '50 Years in the Saddle Club’.  He died in 1970 and was remembered as a true western cowboy and an early leader of the cattle industry, who had high moral values.

Year Inducted: 2000