Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-25
BENJAMIN johnson.

BY the death of Benjamin Johnson,
Gardiner loses another of it's most
prominent and respected citizens and
one whose loss will be felt in no small
way. Mr.. Johnson had been ill with
pneumonia only since last Saturday and
the cause of his sickness was the con-
tracing of a cold during that day.
His death occurred about 8 o'clock Fri
day morning, and was not unexpected,
as his critical condition was known for
few days.
Mr.. Johnson'S life was an eVentful
and successful one and he would rank
among the foremost in the city as
public spirited business man. He was
born in South Gardiner, Feb. s, 1925,
the son of Daniel and Eliza (Waite)
Johnson, and during his younger days
attended the public schools of south
Gardiner and later for a short time was
an attendant at the Litchfield
Academy.
When IS years of age Mr. Johnson
went to sea and remained in that oc-
cupation some seven years, when he
left for California and with the many
who went in search of gold. His re-
turn to this city was in 1858, when
he purchased what was the old Cob
bossee House on Water street. This
building was one of wood with COM
mon pitch roof.
Mr.. Johnson's career as hotel keeper
began in that year and was continued
until about 10 years ago. In 1860 this
old house was entirely remodelled and
in it's place stood a brick building OF
four stories. The Johnson Opera house
was built by Mr.. Johnson in 1864 ana
at the time of it's erection it was con-
sidered one of the finest amusement
halls in Kennebec county and at its
dedication many prominent citizens of
the city and vicinity were present.
The stable which was located under
the Opera house was removed under
Mr.. Jahnson's direction in 1885 and the
fine store which now stands under the
hall was built and leased to Il. II.
Little who was succeeded by the pres
ent occupants. f. S. Smith & Co. In
1889, Mr. Johnson spent a large sum OF
money in remOdeling the Opera house
and put that hall in condition to
make it one of the best suited halls III
this district for Il city of the size OF
Gardiner. The Johnson hotel was inn
proved from top to bottom in 1900 by
Mr., Johnson and all the improvements
added. The deceased's term as landlord
extended over a period of nearly half
q century of successful proprietorShip.
Mr.. Johnson's first marriage was to
Miss Mary Ada Harris of Litchfield in
1856 and one child was born to them
but died in infancy. His first wife died
in 1860. Twenty years after Mr.. john
son married again and Miss Henrietta
Loring of Gardiner, became his wife.
She is direct descendant on he:'s
fathers side of John Alden and Pris
ella Mullen and on her mothers side
of the Choate family. His wife survives
him. Besides Mrs. Johnson he is sur
vved by one sister, Mrs. e. D. Haley
of this city, and three brothers, Fred
erick of Everett, Mass; Francis E., OF
Brunswick, and Jesse s., of Augusta.
Mr. Johnson had been a constant at
tendant at the Universalist church I'M
til about a year ago when his health
almost failed MIN; and in politics he
was a Democrat. AS public spirited
man who wanted to see Gardiner built
up, Mr. Johnson will be long remem-
bered and likewise as a smart and
capable business man.
The funeral services will be held al 8
o'clock Sunday afternoon, from his late
home on Neal street, and will probably
be conducted by Rev. f. E. Barber of
West brook. who was a former pastor
of the Universalist church of this city.
The Masonic burial service will also
be used and Hermon Lodge, F. and A.
NJ, of which Mr.. Johnson was one of
the older members, will attend in
body