OBIT: Benjamin M. JOHNSTON, 1880, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ HOLLIDAYSBURG HAPPENINGS. B. M. Johnston died at the St. Cloud Hotel, Philadelphia, at 10 o'clock on Saturday night. His remains will be brought home this morning. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, April 5, 1880 HOLLIDAYSBURG HAPPENINGS. The funeral of the late B. M. Johnston will take place this Tuesday, at 10:30 o'clock, A.M. Religious services will be held in the Presbyterian church by Rev. [D. H.] Barron, after which the remains will be conveyed to the Presbyterian cemetery. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, April 6, 1880 BENJAMIN M. JOHNSTON Was born in Water Street, Huntingdon county, September 2, 1823, being at his death 56 years and 7 months old. He came to Hollidaysburg when a mere boy and began his business life at the Portage Iron Works in the capacity of a clerk, having previously boated on the canal. Relinquishing at Portage, he became manager of the old Ashland Furnace, and subsequently, in the year 1860, returned to this place, laying, in the humblest manner, the foundation of the present Hollidaysburg Iron and Nail Works. Prudent and intelligent management, added to an indomitable energy that never faltered in the face of the greatest difficulties, brought him up step by step, until he became the most prominent individual manufacturer and merchant in this portion of the State. 'Tis the oft-told story of a penniless boy beginning the battle of life with nothing but an honest heart, willing hands and an iron will. He achieved a success in business and an exalted position among his fellow men that should commend his example as a lesson of instruction and profit to the living. A less vigorous and untiring energy would have yielded to repose and rest to a shattered frame like his, but with him labor was recreation and business but a pleasure, until his physical organism became exhausted from the insidious disease that was undermining it, when there came to his bedside the summons of all-conquering death - and his life struggle being ended, eternity was revealed to his liberated spirit as a joy and not a terror. No feeble words of mine can express the great loss which this community sustains in his death. A faithful friend, a wise counselor, an upright citizen, a just employer, and an honest, Christian man, has paid the last debt of nature and "sleeps the sleep that knows no waking." Every one familiar with his life will recall his characteristic kindness and courtesy, and remember his devotion to his family as one of the strongest and most beautiful manifestations of his character. Sad as we all doubtless feel over the open grave of this lamented man, infinitely intensified is the sorrow of those whose daily association with him taught them to bless the name and revere the memory of him who has gone to Rest in the bosom of God till the brief sleep Of death is over, and a happier life Shall dawn to awaken his insensible dust. B. M. Johnston is dead, but the record of his pure, unselfish life will live - more endearing than the shaft that may be raised above his tomb. Sorrowing employes, acquaintances and friends will to-day, as they gather around the open coffin and take a last look at the eye that was ever open to an appeal for help, and the hand that never refused to respond to the sympathy of his generous heart - when the last tear shall have been dropped on his noble brow, 'twill be but a faint tribute to the hallowed memory of his spotless life. W. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, April 6, 1880 1880 Hollidaysburg, Blair County census - Benjamin Johnston, 46 Maria Johnston, 29 Robert Johnston, 6 Maggie Johnston, 2 See http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/vitals/marriages/johnston-crawford.txt