James Ritchie Johnson

  General Notes:

Who's Who in Australia 1929.
JOHNSON, James Richie.
J.P. Mechanical Engineer, Mng. Dir. Johnson and Sons Pty. Ltd., props. of Tyne Foundry, General Engineers and Boilermakers, Yarra Bank, Sth. Melbourne, Vic. Est. 1865. Chairman for four years Footscray Tramway Trust. Took active part in securing the tramways in Footscray, and appointed Chairman till Govt. took over. Commissioner Metropolitan Board and member Water Supply Committee, Treas. Presbyterian Church of Footscray for 11 years. Born: Emerald Hill (now Sth. Melbourne), March 24 1856. Son of John Currie Johnson of Newcastle-on-Tyne (founder of Tyne Foundry), and Annie Johnson (nee Hughes). of Carlisle, Eng. Educated: Private School. Apprenticed to engineering trade with Langlands' Foundry, Melbourne, to 1876; joined father's foundry, then under name Johnson and Co. - later became foreman, works mgr. asst. mgr. and on father's retirement became Mgr. Business was taken over by Mr. Johnson and his brothers in 1901, and formed into limited pty., of which he was Mng. Dir. Served with Prince of Wales Light Cavalry at Melbourne for a number of years. Counciller at Footscray for 24 years, twice elected Mayor. In 1921, whilst occupying the Majoral chair purchased, on behalf of the committee and citizens of Footscray, his father's old home as Memorial Hall for returned Soldiers' Assoc. Married: Margaret Wood, second daughter of Thos. Wood of Melbourne, Sept. 3. 1880. Issue: Eight sons and two daughters. Two sons enlisted and served in Great War. Claude Cecil served as a mechanic with Austn Flying Corps., and Richard Leslie, as marine engineer with Transport Corps. Club: C.T.A. Society: Masonic (Past Grand Jr. Warden). Recreations: Gardening, motoring and polo. Politics: Democrat. Creed: Presbyterian. Home address: Geelong Rd, Footscray, Vic.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Friday 28 September 1945.
OBITUARY

MR JAMES R. JOHNSON
The death occurred on Wednesdayof Mr James Ritchie Johnson, 87, who was for 30 years a member, and
twice Mayor, of Footscray Council,and chairman of Footscray Tramways Trust when the line was built
before being taken over by the Tramways Board. He has left a widow,five sons, and one daughter. The
funeral yesterday at Footscray Cemetery, was attended by members of St John's (Footscray) Masonic Lodge, Mr Johnson having been an official of the lodge. The Masonic service was read by Wor Bro J. Evans, chaplain of the lodge. The burial service was conducted by Rev W. Stephens, of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Footscray. Walter A. Warne, Footscray, had charge of arrangements.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Engineer.

• connection.

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James married Margaret (Maggie) Wood, daughter of Thomas Wood and Mary Armstrong, on 3 Sep 1880 in Victoria Australia. (Margaret (Maggie) Wood was born in 1859 in Rochford, Victoria Australia, died on 28 Aug 1950 in 50 Geelong Rd, Footscray, Victoria Australia and was buried on 30 Aug 1950 in Footscray Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria Australia.)