Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-06-17
OF
PETER JOHNSON.
Une of the Oldest Business
/ Men of Richmond Passes
] Away Sunday---Sketch
s of His Life.

/ Peter Johnson. the we'll known
F-ove dealer, died Sunday evening
h6out Is clock.
MIR. Johnson was born in Pough
Eeepsie, y. Y, 81 years ago and came
F. Ohio with his father After that he
ksent to Milwaukee, Wis, where be
gas apErenticed at the aye of L
fears to Sidney Sheppard to learn
|the timer 5 trade He came here in
1899. He married Matte Woodhurst.
SISTER of Theodore Woodhurst, in
satier county, Ohio, and they re
bowed TO Yellow Springs, Ohio, and
vent into business there. In 1850
se came to this city and went into
tle stove and tinware business with
| payid Nordyke, where Gilbert Dun
san store now is. He sold out to
Yeah 5. Leeds in 1868 and in 1869
| T. and Theodore Woodhurst went
| mo business together, continuing
| + partners for many years. In 1866
IS first wife died, and in 1869 he
| aarried her sister Mary, who died IL
lf96. By his first wife he had three
CAIldren-Walter Johnson, Mrs Sam
tri Buckley, and Miss Clara johnson.
Hy his second wife he had one daugh-
tfr, Miss Stella Johnson; all sur
4 e him. When and Mr. Wood
hhrst started in business
they opened store in
an old frame which stood where the
Vaughan building now is Sam Toles
had an ice cream store in the other
half OF the building, which stood
right where the main stairway in the
Vaughan building now is When the
present building was started they
removed to the present Gilbert Dun
ham room, and in 1871 removed to
the location still occupied by Mr.
johnson 5 store. In June, 1899, the
partnership was dissolved, Mr..
Woodhu S going into the eal estate
business and Mr. Johnson continuing
where he was. The latter concern is
the Oldest established stove aud tin
store in the state, and Mr.. Johnson
was perhaps the oldest active busi-
ness man on Main street. His death
wipes out the oldest business firm in
Richmond, though it will be con
tinued by his family, we understand
In this business be educated many
prominent Richmond business men
in the same line. Among those who
were his apprentices were Theodore
Wocdhurst, Thomas Johnson, W. W
Alexander, a. S. Johnson, Ed Lo-
zier. Marcellns Bethel of Ccnterville.
Il. ". Hopkins of Portland and Fred
Aeia..e q 9 =asass g M M Many arc
them.
He was a charter member of Rich
mond lodge of Odd Fellows and con
tinued a member to his death. He
was also member of the Patriarchal
Circle during its existance; and Il
memberQ of Proental Encampment
from first to last. He was not a
member of any church, but was a
consistent Christian; his acts of
charity, known only to himself and
those who were closest to him, were
many. The poor will miss him. His
even temper and patience under all
circumstances were remarkable; even
the sufferings of his last illness were
not sufficient to make MIN complain
He leaves his FIRMLY well fixed. The
business is unencumbered,t there are
several pieces of real estate, and his
life was insured for so, 900.
He had been ailing for some time.
Last year, while uperintending
some work at the Colonial build
ing he fell from the second story
to the basement, breaking his
ankle, and was always weakly
since. His last illness was peculiar,
When it became evident that
surgery must be employed for his re-
If, if relief were possible, the best
| surgical skill was summoned. His alb
domen was cut open and after all that
it was found that there was no help
possible for him, and nothing further
| was done He died from gangrene
which set in. An autopsy held yes
terday revea ed very peculiar con
dition A fungous growth had started
from the spinal column and extended
the width of the hand and half an
inch thick, encircling the liver and
| grasping the bowel in such manner
as to completely close it. 1t was {
spongy sort of growth, something
new to surgery; and it Terminated
his life after infiicting upon him {
great deal of suffering.
The funeral will take place Tues
day afternoon at 3 O'Clock at hi:
home, los south ninth street, Rev.
| NJ. II Hlghes officiating. Friends ma,
call this evening from q until
o clock, and tomorrow morning from
9 until II o clock Richmond Lodg
of Odd Fellows will hold memo, ia
services at the house at o'cloc
this evening. Intarment in E trlham