Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson (21 December 1819 – 3 November 1894) was a politician in the British colony of South Australia. Early life He was born in Thirsk, Yorkshire, and served an apprenticeship as a currier, then acted as a leather merchant in Bermondsey, London. He emigrated to South Australia on the Dutch ship Fopsmit, arriving in August 1853; fellow passengers were W. H. Sharland (1828 – 29 July 1911), Joseph Grundy and William Townsend. Commercial interests Johnson and Townsend opened a boot and shoe shop in Rundle Street, then a retail premises in King William Street next to the Gresham Hotel, with his "Pantheon" boot and shoe factory opposite. He later moved to premises on North Terrace. In 1883 he sold the business to Corris, Craig & Co. and retired from commercial life. Politics Johnson was elected to the Adelaide Council for the Gawler ward 1874–1875.