Benjamin Easter Johnson

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Northcote Mayor (1912 - 1913 & 1928 - 1929)

Benjamin Johnson (1865-1939) was one of Northcote’s early pioneers. He was born in the town about 1865, to parents Robert and Emma Johnson (nee Beazley). Benjamin began his working career as an apprentice baker before joining his father’s business in the plastering and building trade. 

In 1891 the opportunity arose to purchase the old Bastings general store, which had been operating at the time as the Brady Brothers bakery. With his savings and some money borrowed from his father Johnson was able to build the business to such a degree that he soon had the largest cake manufacturing businesses in the Commonwealth. He later opened a second cake business in Sydney. 

In 1910 Johnson was elected onto the Northcote Council, a position he held until his retirement in 1939. He was twice Mayor of Northcote (1912/13 and 1928/29) and was an active participant in many Council activities including being representative of the Weights and Measures Union, chairman of the Financial and Legislative Committee and chairman of the magistrates of the Children’s Court.

In March 1916, he missed an important Council vote about conscription because

“…his flour mill was on fire.”

It was probably a fortuitous event as conscription was a bitter issue in the community (and Australia wide) and led to many feuds and fights within the Northcote Council.

Johnson was ever on the move with his business ventures and amongst his many investments he was able to include:

• Being an investor in the building of the Northcote Picture Theatre opposite his bakery in High Street Northcote.  R. J. Whalley, the proprietor of the Northcote Leader was another investor;
• Establishing the Gray & Johnson Real Estate Agency with Councillor W. J. Gray;
• several bakeries in nearby suburbs;
• and even business interests in Brisbane managed by his son Harold.

Despite his varied and extensive business and Council operations Johnson still found time to be involved in numerous sporting and community activities including cricket, football and bowls and was a member of the Lord Northcote Masonic Lodge and a trustee of the Northcote Rechabites. 

Johnson died in October 1939, the funeral service being conducted by his brother Reverend G. Johnson, with the internment at Northcote cemetery in Separation Street.

Lemon, Andrew (1983). The Northcote Side of the River. North Melbourne: Hargreen.

(1939, December). Northcote Leader (Northcote, Vic. : 1882 - ).

Image of Johnson's bakery, Northcote

Johnson's bakery, Northcote. [LHRN1384]

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Image of Basting's General store 213 High Street

Basting's General store 213 High Street [LHRN655]

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Image of Johnson's Bakery - 93 Plenty Road Preston c1916

Johnson's Bakery - 93 Plenty Road Preston c1916. [LHRN4991]

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Image of Benjamin Easter and Eleanor Johnson Nee Agar and family. Left to right: George, Tom, Eleanor, Ettie, Emma, Fred, Gertie, Ellie, Benjamin [LHRN5320-1]

Benjamin Easter and Eleanor Johnson Nee Agar and family. Left to right: George, Tom, Eleanor, Ettie, Emma, Fred, Gertie, Ellie, Benjamin [LHRN5411] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Benjamin Easter Johnson and Eleanor Johnson nee Agar in Mayoral robes [LHRN5319-1]

Benjamin Easter Johnson and Eleanor Johnson nee Agar in Mayoral robes [LHRN5410] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Benjamin Easter Johnson and Eleanor Johnson nee Agar in Mayoral robes [LHRN5319]

Benjamin Easter Johnson and Eleanor Johnson nee Agar in Mayoral robes [LHRN5410-1] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Benjamin Easter Johnson in 1930s [LHRN5321]

Benjamin Easter Johnson in 1930s [LHRN5412] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Eleanor Johnson, Mayoress of Northcote 1912 [LHRN5322]

Eleanor Johnson, Mayoress of Northcote 1912 [LHRN5413] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Eleanor Johnson [LHRN5323]

Eleanor Johnson [LHRN5414] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Harold and George Johnson [LHRN5324]

Harold and George Johnson [LHRN5415] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of George, Walter, Harold, Ellie, Tom, Benjamin, Gertie, Eleanor with Fred, Ettie and Emma Johnson [LHRN5325]

George, Walter, Harold, Ellie, Tom, Benjamin, Gertie, Eleanor with Fred, Ettie and Emma Johnson [LHRN5423] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Robert Johnson and family. Reverend George, Grace, Ben, Robert, Will, Ellen and Ern [LHRN5326]

Robert Johnson and family. Reverend George, Grace, Ben, Robert, Will, Ellen and Ern [LHRN5416] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer

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Image of Behind Johnson's bakery circa 1970 [LHRN5327]

Behind Johnson's bakery circa 1970 [LHRN5419] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Benjamin Easter Johnson [LHRN5328]

Benjamin Easter Johnson [LHRN5421] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Ellie Hinton, Fred, Emma Hutton, George, Gertie Hamon, and Walter [LHRN5329]

Ellie Hinton, Fred, Emma Hutton, George, Gertie Hamon, and Walter [LHRN5424] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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On the lawn of Nagambie House Lance is Hinton, Louis Hamon, Walter Johnson, George Johnson, Bert Hutton [LHRN5330]

On the lawn of Nagambie House Lance is Hinton, Louis Hamon, Walter Johnson, George Johnson, Bert Hutton [LHRN5425] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Benjamin Easter Johnson's bakery [LHRN5331]

Benjamin Easter Johnson's bakery [LHRN5420] (courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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The Northcote Ratepayers Association presented to Benjamin Easter Johnson [LHRN5332]

The Northcote Ratepayers Association presented to Benjamin Easter Johnson [LHRN5422] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of the daughters of Benjamin Easter Johnson. Gertie Hamon, Ellie Hinton and Emma Hutton [LHRN5333]

The daughters of Benjamin Easter Johnson. Gertie Hamon, Ellie Hinton and Emma Hutton [LHRN5417] (courtesy Felicity Farmer)

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Image of Johnson family in 1907 on Bay View Street [LHRN5334]

Johnson family in 1907 on Bay View Street [LHRN5418] (Courtesy Felicity Farmer

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