Rufus Zenas Johnston (June 7, 1874 – July 4, 1959) was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1895. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Johnston is also a recipient of the Navy Cross and served in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, Boxer Rebellion, Philippine Insurrection and World War I.
Medal of Honor citation: Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander Organization: U.S. Navy Born: 7 June 1874, Lincolnton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina Date of Issue: 12/04/1915
Citation:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914; was regimental adjutant, and eminent and conspicuous in his conduct. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.
(Source: Wikipedia)

JONAS, Charles Andrew, (father of Charles Raper Jonas), a Representative from North Carolina; born on a farm near Lincolnton, Lincoln County, N.C., August 14, 1876; attended the public schools, Ridge Academy, Henry, N.C., and Fallston (N.C.) Institute; was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1902; taught school 1902-1906; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1906 and commenced practice in Lincolnton, N.C.; postmaster at Lincolnton 1907-1910 and later editor of a newspaper which he helped to establish in 1906; city attorney of Lincolnton 1908-1912; member of the State senate 1915-1919; delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1916, 1932, and 1936; member of the board of trustees of the University of North Carolina, 1917-1947; unsuccessful candidate for election to the Sixty-sixth Congress in 1918; assistant United States attorney for the western district of North Carolina 1921-1925; served in the State house of representatives 1927-1929 and 1935-1937; member of the Republican National Committee; elected as a Republican to the Seventy-first Congress (March 4, 1929-March 3, 1931); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1930 to the Seventy-second Congress and for election in 1932 to the Seventy-third Congress; served as United States attorney for the western district of North Carolina from April 1, 1931, to July 1, 1932; unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate in 1938; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1942 to the Seventy-eighth Congress; resumed the general practice of law at Lincolnton, N.C.; died in a nursing home near Charlotte, N.C., May 25, 1955; interment in Hollybrook Cemetery, Lincolnton, N.C.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)

JONAS, Charles Raper, (son of Charles Andrew Jonas), a Representative from North Carolina; born near Lincolnton, Lincoln County, N.C., December 9, 1904; graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1921; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, A.B., 1925, and from the same university law school, J.D., 1928; was admitted to the bar in 1927 and commenced practice in Lincolnton, N.C., in 1928; assistant United States attorney for the western district of North Carolina, 1931-1933; member of the North Carolina National Guard since 1927; entered active duty in the Army of the United States as a captain, September 21, 1940, and was separated from the service April 20, 1946, as a lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps; president, North Carolina Bar Association, 1946-1947; member, Board of Law Examiners, 1948-1950; resumed the practice of law; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1952; elected as a Republican to the Eighty-third and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1953-January 3, 1973); was not a candidate for reelection in 1972 to the Ninety-third Congress; was a resident of Lincolnton, N.C., until his death there September 28, 1988.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)