The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-08-22
ROBERT A. JOHNSTON
CALLED BY DEATH
.SUCCUMBS TO ANAEMIA AT HIS
SUMMER HOME AT LAKE
BEULAH.
GAVE MUCH TO RELIGION.
Pioneer Manufacturer of Crackers Who
Defed Powerful Trust, Made
Name for Himself

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Aug. &c.
Robert a. Johnston, president of the
Robert A. Johnston company, one of the
largest cracker concerns in the country,
died Thursday afternoon at his summer
home at Lake Beulah. He had been i'll
several months. His death was due to
anaemia. and though every effort known
TO medicine was put forth il his behalf,
1t was impossible to arrest the progress
of the disease which ended his life.
The death of Mr.. Johnston closes a
career of great business activity. and one
which IN later years was marked by Il
display of generosity seldom excelled.
During his long life in business he en-
countered many obstacles, but by sa-
gacity and incessant struggling, managed
to build up Il business which does credit
to his name and has made it possible
for him TO devote many thousands of
dollars to charity.
One of his greatest benefactions was
gilt through his eldest son, Rev. Robert
Story Johnston, :. j., OF $4,000 TO
Marquette university. His gift made 1t
possible to erect the beautiful building on
Grand avenue, recently finished, for the
use of the university.
Gave to Religion.
He also gave large sums TO Gesu
church and aided very materially in
bringing to completion this inspiring
piece of architecture. Among his unos-
tentatious benefactions were gifts to the
House of the Good Shepherd. The in
sttution is indebted to him for many of
its most valued Improvements. These
gifts were never made public, 1t being
his request that nothing be said.
AS manufacturer of crackers, Mr..
Johnston assumed control of Il plant left
by his father, Alexander Johnston, and
built up what is now one of the largest
factories in the country of its kind. The
plant left by the senior Johnston was,
In its day, a considerable enterprise, but
in the hands of the young man, it was q
mere nucleus from which the present
highly successful institution was devel-
oped.
Struggle with Trust.
1t was when the American Biscuit
company was forming, that the Johnston
factory was turned into the trust. Mr..
Johnston went to Europe but he soon
longed for his old life of activity. He
resolved to build a new factory and fight
the trust. A fine building was erected
on Florida and Clinton streets and ma
chlnery was purchased in England No
one knew the purpose of the building
and it was not until the factory was
about ready to begin operations that the
trust woke up and started fight on
the new enterprise. Mr.. Johnston sue
ceeded IN fighting the trust and by his
slogan, Not in any trust" captured a
large share of the cracker business of
the country.
Made Money Rapidly.
He made money rapidly and was en-
abled to carry on his charitable enter
prses, in which he became interested.
with a free hand.
His eldest son, Rev Robert Story
Johnston, was one of the brightest stu
dents Marquette ever had, and in course
OF time he entered the order of
Jesuits. 1t was through him that TIE
versity. Father Johnston and the other
children, Walter and Harry s., and Mrs
Paul II. F'retz, wife of Lieut.. Paul
F,retz of the United States army, and
Mrs. Johnston were at the bedside Of
the dying man.
Came From North Carolina.
Mr.. Johnston was Il native of Beau
fort, \. {. He was born I'll years ago
In July, 1917, Robert Johnston and his
father came to Milwaukee, where the
father established a bakery and confec-
tionery. Shortly after the close of the
Civil war the elder Johnston died and
the business passed into the hands of the
sons, Robert and II. l.. Johnston. and
bNNdllc luc JOllllSlOn brothers company,
which continued until it went iuro the
hands of the cracker trust.
In 1878 Mr. Johnston was united in
marriage with Miss Ella A. Story, a
daughter of II. G.. Story Of the town of
Nauwatosa. Besides the members Of
his immediate family he is survived by
one brother, Alexander Johnston. and Il
sister, Mrs. S. II. Tallmadgc
For some time prior TO his death Mr.
Johnston had not been well man and
when the disease, which ended his life
became acute, he repaired TO his sum
mcr home at Lake Beulah. Several ply
sicians were in attendance but they
could do nothing to prolons his life
Son to Sing Requiem Mass.
Rev. Father James Foley, 5. j.. of the
Sacred Heart college in Chicago will
preach the sermon at the funeral of Mr..
johnson, which will be held in the Gesu
church Monday morning at $3.50 O'Clock.
1t is expected that Rev. Father Johnston,
son of the deceased, will sing the requiem
mass. The body will be Inferred in Cal
vary cemetery.
DIV nDOINTMC Mt DITNJC