William Johnson, Esq., an aged & highly respected citizen of Petersburg, Va., died in that city on yesterday afternoon. He was a brother of our fellow citizen, Albert Johnson, Esq.
The Daily Times, Raleigh, N.C.,Saturday Evening,December 4, 1897
Mr. Johnson Dead
He was the oldest Engineer in America
Was An Active Mason
Ran The First Train That Ever Came To Raleigh
Universal Regret Expressed-He was 85 Years Old and Leaves a Wife and Three Widowed Daughters
Mr. Albert Johnson is dead. This morning the news spread over the city that this good old man had passed away shortly after 9 0'clock. He was one of the oldest, probably the oldest citizens of Raleigh and was loved by thousands in and out of the city, by rich and poor, high and low, young and old.
In 1836 Mr. Johnson first came to Raleigh, but left in a year or so to return again in 1842 on the first railroad engine that entered our city's limits. He at once entered the service of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad and ran the famous engine, known as the "Toranado" which has since been a curious exhibit it all over(sic) the country. Mr. Johnson was in the service of the Raleigh and Gaston and Seaboard Airline for over 50 years and when he was retired was placed on a pension by the Railroad company.
Mr. Johnson was an acting member of Hiram Lodge, No. 40 and was a Camelite. He had never connected himself with any church in this city, but was a faithful Christian and yielded a great influence for good, among those with whom he was associated. Among all classes this morning, sympathy was expressed for his wife and children and many were the kind words spoken on the street corners, where little groups gathered to talk about this good old man. At the time of his retirement from active work, as an engineer Mr. Johnson was the oldest and among the ablest of Engineers of America, always holding the confidence of his employers and the public.
Mr. Johnson leaves a wife, aged 83 years, and three children, all widows, Mrs W.R. Richardson, Mrs. Pattie Andrews and Mrs. Bellamy all of whom reside in this city. Among his grandchildren several are in in Atlanta, and in Washington City. Miss Lizzie Bellamy of this city, who teaches in the public schools, Mrs. H. H. Crocker and Mr. Walter Richardson, a telegraph operator in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the First Baptist church and Mr. Johnson will be buried with Masonic Honors. The pall-bearers named are as follows: B. R. Lacy, J.A. Briggs, R.H. Bradley, W.S. Primrose, Charles Klupperberg, Jovas Mathews, J.F. Cuthrell, W.T. Harden. Rev. A.M. Simms, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist church and a prominent member of the same Lodge will officiate. After the services in the church the remains will be conveyed to Oakwood Cemetery where the interment will take place.
The News And Observer issue of Dec. 5, 1897
OLDEST ENGINEER IN AMERICA
He Died in This City Yesterday Morning
MR. Albert Johnson
Ran the first locomotive in North Carolina
Has lived in Raleigh sixty years
A Model of His Engine the "Tornado" was exhibited here during the Centennial and Later at the Atlanta Exposition.
The oldest engineer in America and the first man to run a railroad engine to North Carolina died yesterday. He was also the oldest citizen in Raleigh and one of the most beloved and highly respected. No man was ever more closely associated with the city and it's history, having been a resident of it for nearly sixty years.
Mr. Albert Johnson passed away at his home on Hillsboro Street shortly after 9 o'clock yesterday morning in his 84th year.
The end was caused by heart failure and came suddenly. Mr. Johnson had been sick only two days and even up to the moment of his death his illness was not considered serious. The doctor called and told Mr. Johnson just before leaving him that he was getting along well. Ten minutes later the spirit of his venerable man was in eternity.
The incidents in the life of this veteran railway man are most interesting. He was born in Virginia in 1813, but came to Raleigh in 1836. Except for a short absence from the city soon after that, he has lived here continuously ever since.
It was about this time that he became connected with the first railway built in the State and in 1839(?) when the first engine was run on this road from Weldon to Raleigh, Mr. Johnson was the engineer.
Of this Mr. Johnson was very proud in his last years - being the oldest railroad engineer in the world. He made a model of his engine the "Tornado" was shown at the Centennial here..
William Johnson, Esq., an aged & highly respected citizen of Petersburg, Va., died in that city on yesterday afternoon. He was a brother of our fellow citizen, Albert Johnson, Esq.
The Daily Times, Raleigh, N.C.,Saturday Evening,December 4, 1897
Mr. Johnson Dead
He was the oldest Engineer in America
Was An Active Mason
Ran The First Train That Ever Came To Raleigh
Universal Regret Expressed-He was 85 Years Old and Leaves a Wife and Three Widowed Daughters
Mr. Albert Johnson is dead. This morning the news spread over the city that this good old man had passed away shortly after 9 0'clock. He was one of the oldest, probably the oldest citizens of Raleigh and was loved by thousands in and out of the city, by rich and poor, high and low, young and old.
In 1836 Mr. Johnson first came to Raleigh, but left in a year or so to return again in 1842 on the first railroad engine that entered our city's limits. He at once entered the service of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad and ran the famous engine, known as the "Toranado" which has since been a curious exhibit it all over(sic) the country. Mr. Johnson was in the service of the Raleigh and Gaston and Seaboard Airline for over 50 years and when he was retired was placed on a pension by the Railroad company.
Mr. Johnson was an acting member of Hiram Lodge, No. 40 and was a Camelite. He had never connected himself with any church in this city, but was a faithful Christian and yielded a great influence for good, among those with whom he was associated. Among all classes this morning, sympathy was expressed for his wife and children and many were the kind words spoken on the street corners, where little groups gathered to talk about this good old man. At the time of his retirement from active work, as an engineer Mr. Johnson was the oldest and among the ablest of Engineers of America, always holding the confidence of his employers and the public.
Mr. Johnson leaves a wife, aged 83 years, and three children, all widows, Mrs W.R. Richardson, Mrs. Pattie Andrews and Mrs. Bellamy all of whom reside in this city. Among his grandchildren several are in in Atlanta, and in Washington City. Miss Lizzie Bellamy of this city, who teaches in the public schools, Mrs. H. H. Crocker and Mr. Walter Richardson, a telegraph operator in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the First Baptist church and Mr. Johnson will be buried with Masonic Honors. The pall-bearers named are as follows: B. R. Lacy, J.A. Briggs, R.H. Bradley, W.S. Primrose, Charles Klupperberg, Jovas Mathews, J.F. Cuthrell, W.T. Harden. Rev. A.M. Simms, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist church and a prominent member of the same Lodge will officiate. After the services in the church the remains will be conveyed to Oakwood Cemetery where the interment will take place.
The News And Observer issue of Dec. 5, 1897
OLDEST ENGINEER IN AMERICA
He Died in This City Yesterday Morning
MR. Albert Johnson
Ran the first locomotive in North Carolina
Has lived in Raleigh sixty years
A Model of His Engine the "Tornado" was exhibited here during the Centennial and Later at the Atlanta Exposition.
The oldest engineer in America and the first man to run a railroad engine to North Carolina died yesterday. He was also the oldest citizen in Raleigh and one of the most beloved and highly respected. No man was ever more closely associated with the city and it's history, having been a resident of it for nearly sixty years.
Mr. Albert Johnson passed away at his home on Hillsboro Street shortly after 9 o'clock yesterday morning in his 84th year.
The end was caused by heart failure and came suddenly. Mr. Johnson had been sick only two days and even up to the moment of his death his illness was not considered serious. The doctor called and told Mr. Johnson just before leaving him that he was getting along well. Ten minutes later the spirit of his venerable man was in eternity.
The incidents in the life of this veteran railway man are most interesting. He was born in Virginia in 1813, but came to Raleigh in 1836. Except for a short absence from the city soon after that, he has lived here continuously ever since.
It was about this time that he became connected with the first railway built in the State and in 1839(?) when the first engine was run on this road from Weldon to Raleigh, Mr. Johnson was the engineer.
Of this Mr. Johnson was very proud in his last years - being the oldest railroad engineer in the world. He made a model of his engine the "Tornado" was shown at the Centennial here..
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