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Richard Johnson

JOHNSON, RICHARD, starch manufacturer, Madison, was born at Belfast, Ireland--a place noted for the number of business men of prominence it has given to this country--January 11, 1829. He is the eldest son of John and Margaret (Waring) Johnson. His father was a soap merchant, and educated him with a view to a profession. But, preferring mercantile life, he went into the office of Mr. O'Neill Bayley, of Belfast, with whom he served his time. After this he went into the produce business on his own account. In 1850 he concluded to sell out and go to America. He was offered, as inducements to remain at home, situations with some of his relatives, who were extensive ship-owners and shippers, doing business with the East Indies and America; but these offers could not make him alter his determination to strike out for himself and seek his fortune among strangers. Shortly after his arrival in New York he obtained a situation in a commission house, where he remained for more than a year, and then came West. After traveling through different parts of the Western States, he finally settled at Madison, Indiana. Here he was employed in the pork-packing establishment of Mr. O'Neill Bayley, with whom he had served his time at home. He remained with Mr. Bayley several years, attending to his por business here, and in different cities of the West, and, during the summer months, when business was dull--there was no summer packing in those days--would seek such other employment as it was offered. He could not endure idleness, and often worked as a laborer during the day and attended to his bookkeeping at night. In 1856 Messrs. O'Neill Bayley & Co. purchased the Crystal Starch Works at Madison, and appointed Mr. Johnson superintendent, which position he held until the failure of that firm in 1859. The next year Mr. Johnson and Mr. John Clements, under the firm name of Johnson & Clements, purchased the same starch works. This had hitherto proved a failure and a bad investment for its owners, but, under their careful and judicious management, a large and profitable trade was established. In 1872 they talked of moving their works to some other locality, and, after looking around for some time, they finally chose Leavenworth, Kansas, as being a suitable place. When the citizens of Leavenworth heard of this possibly large addition to their manufacturing interests, they sent a committee of three citizens to confer with them in regard to the advantages of that locality. Upon the return of this committee, the city of Leavenworth made Messrs. Johnson & Clements the flattering offer of a gift of about fifty thousand dollars to locate their works there. An act of the Legislature was passed to enable them to issue bonds for that purpose. This offer was taken into consideration, but, on account of the possible failure of crops in that state, they decided to remain at Madison, and a short time afterwards dissolved partnership. The same offer was then made to Mr. Johnson to build at Leavenworth that was made to Messrs. Johnson & Clements, but, for the above reason, was not accepted. He then associated with him his son John, under the firm name of R. Johnson & Son, and erected at Madison one of the largest corn-starch works in the country, with all the modern improvements, and in a locality unsurpassed for convenience by that of any other establishment in the state, having the Ohio River on one side and the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad on the other. The starch bearing their brand is well and favorably known, and finds a ready sale in all the principal markets of the world. Mr. Johnson is engaged in other enterprises, but the starch business receives the most of his attention. He has always been very successful and persistent in his undertakings, and his opinions and judgments are formed only after the most careful consideration. Having once decided upon a course of action he pursues it with fortitude, devoting his whole energy and constant efforts to the attainment of his object. He has been twice married, and is the father of seven children, five of whome are still living. He is a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and has always given liberally for charitable and other objects.