Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-08-23
ROBERT 4. JOHNSTON
CALLED BY DEATH.
SUCCUMBS TO ANAEMIA AT HIS
SUMNER HOME AT LAKE
BEULAH.
GAVE MUCH TO RELIGION.
Pioneer Manufacturer of Crackers Who
Defed Powerful Trust, Made
Name for Himself.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Aug. 10
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 in his behalf
it 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 a
display of generosity seldom eyceIled
countered many obstacles, but by sa-
gacity and incessant struggling, managed
to build up a 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
gift through his eldest son, Rev Robert
Story Johnston, s. j., of $4,000 to
Marquette university. His gift made it
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
stitution is indebted to him for many Of
its most valued improvements These
gifts were never made public, it being
his request that nothing be said
As manufacturer of crackers, Mr..
Johnston assumed control of plant left
by his father, Alexander Johnston, and
built up what is now one of the largest
factories in the country of it's 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 a
mere nucleus from which the present
hlghly 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 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 a 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
prises, 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
JeSults. 1t was through him that tie
versity. Father Johnston and the other
children, Walter and Harry S., and Mrs
Paul II. Fretz, wife of Lieut.. Paul
Fretz of the United States army, and
Mrs. Johnston were at the bedside of
the dying man.
Came From North Carolina.
Mr.. Johnston was q native of Beau
fort, \. {. He was born 81 years ago.
In July, 1917, Robert Johnston and his
father came to Milwaukee, where the
father established bakery and confec-
tlonery. 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
which continued until it went into the
hands of the cracker trust
In 1873, Mr.. Johnston was united in
marriage with Miss Ella \. Story. a
daughter Of II. @. Story Of the town of
Wa9Watosa. Besides the members cf
his immediate family he is survived by
one brother, Alexander Johnston, and a
sister, Mrs. S. II. Tallmadge.
For some time prior to his death Mr..
IL
when the disease which ended his life
became acute, he repaired to his sum
mer home at Lake BeuIah. Several ply
slcians were in attendance but they
could do nothing to prolong his life.
Son to Sing Requiem Mass.
Rev. Father James Foley. S. J.. of the
Sacred Heart college in Chicago will
preach the sermon at the funeral of Mr..
Johnson, which will be held in the Cesu
church Monday morning at 9:30 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.