Robert Wood Johnson I
Encyclopedia
Robert Wood Johnson I was an American
industrialist. He was also one of the three brothers who founded Johnson & Johnson
.
. His father was Sylvester Johnson III, and his mother was Frances Louisa Wood. Johnson grew up with two siblings: James Wood Johnson
and Edward Mead Johnson
.
from his uncle James Wood
to work for the apothecary of Wood & Tittmer. This was a method to keep him from fighting in the Civil War
. However, this was to become his training for a lifelong career. He later left Wood & Tittmer in 1864, to work in New York City for Roushton & Aspinwall.
and they decided to leave the firm and go into business together under the name of Seabury & Johnson. Both Seabury and Johnson were interested in Joseph Lister
's discoveries and tried to make products that would assist in the surgery room. Johnson worked 12 hour days to try to invent aseptic surgery equipment. By 1878, the firm was making $10,000 a month (or in 2006 dollars $214,000.)
Both Seabury and Johnson couldn't agree on how to distribute the profits of the firm. Seabury also didn't approve of having Johnson's brother, James Wood Johnson in the firm. In 1880, Johnson sold his shares to Seabury, and agreed to not go into the medical business for ten years.
and Edward Mead Johnson
started a family business called Johnson & Johnson
. However, the firm was struggling to stay afloat, as it didn't have enough capital for a startup company. While the two brothers were going at it alone, Seabury was unable to pay RWJ the monthly payments that had been agreed upon when he left the partnership. Seabury agreed to let Johnson re-enter the medical industry if he didn't have to pay the monthly payments, anymore. Johnson agreed, and joined his brothers' firm, providing the capital for a fresh start.
The new partnership gave Johnson half of the company's shares in return for management of the company. His brothers would receive thirty percent of the company. Johnson worked all hours of the day going back and forth from the factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey
to the office in New York, and by early 1888, J&J was making $25,000 a month.
Kilmer was responsible for making many of the innovations in sterilized dressings. The first marketing items Kilmer introduced were medical manuals, guides for how to react when injured on board trains, such as when feet are squashed or when legs are broken at train stations or depots.
In time, Kilmer would influence most of America with his new products. By the late 19th century, railroads had taken most of the nation by storm. Americans were traveling more and farther than ever. To address the medical needs of travelers, Kilmer decided to introduce first-aid kits. The Red Cross symbol became as well-known as the Bald Eagle. Soon, people believed that the first-aid kits were as important to their daily lives as railroads, light bulbs, and family. It became an American way of life to grab a first-aid kit when in need of help.
In 1890, Kilmer received a letter from a colleague asking for advice on treating a skin irritation on one of his patients. The patient had used medicated plasters and it was assumed that the plaster caused the irritation. Kilmer sent him a small tin of Italian talc
. With the success of this treatment, J&J started including containers of talc with its plasters.
Johnson later married Evangeline Brewster Armstrong. They had three children: John Seward Johnson I
, Robert Wood Johnson II
, and Evangeline Johnson.
In 1910, Johnson died of chronic renal insufficiency (Bright's disease
) at the age of 64.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
industrialist. He was also one of the three brothers who founded Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
.
Early life
Johnson was born in Carbondale, PennsylvaniaCarbondale, Pennsylvania
Carbondale is a city in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. Carbondale is located approximately 15 miles due northeast of the city of Scranton in Northeastern Pennsylvania...
. His father was Sylvester Johnson III, and his mother was Frances Louisa Wood. Johnson grew up with two siblings: James Wood Johnson
James Wood Johnson
James Wood Johnson was an American businessman and one of the co-founders of Johnson & Johnson. In 1886, James Wood Johnson and his two brothers Robert Wood Johnson I and Edward Mead Johnson founded Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey.-References:...
and Edward Mead Johnson
Edward Mead Johnson
Edward Mead Johnson was an American businessman and one of the co-founders of Johnson & Johnson. In 1886, Edward Mead Johnson abandoned a career in law and joined his two brothers Robert Wood Johnson I, and James Wood Johnson to found Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey...
.
Career
In 1861, Johnson accepted an apprenticeship in Poughkeepsie, New YorkPoughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
from his uncle James Wood
James Wood
James Wood was an officer of the U.S. Continental Army during the American Revolution and the 11th Governor of Virginia.-Personal life:...
to work for the apothecary of Wood & Tittmer. This was a method to keep him from fighting in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. However, this was to become his training for a lifelong career. He later left Wood & Tittmer in 1864, to work in New York City for Roushton & Aspinwall.
Lister
While working for Rouston & Aspinwall, Johnson met George J. SeaburyGeorge J. Seabury
George John Seabury was a chemist and pharmacist.- Life :Seabury was born 1844 in New York City and grew up there where he received his initial basic education...
and they decided to leave the firm and go into business together under the name of Seabury & Johnson. Both Seabury and Johnson were interested in Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister OM, FRS, PC , known as Sir Joseph Lister, Bt., between 1883 and 1897, was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, who promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary...
's discoveries and tried to make products that would assist in the surgery room. Johnson worked 12 hour days to try to invent aseptic surgery equipment. By 1878, the firm was making $10,000 a month (or in 2006 dollars $214,000.)
Both Seabury and Johnson couldn't agree on how to distribute the profits of the firm. Seabury also didn't approve of having Johnson's brother, James Wood Johnson in the firm. In 1880, Johnson sold his shares to Seabury, and agreed to not go into the medical business for ten years.
Johnson & Johnson
James Wood JohnsonJames Wood Johnson
James Wood Johnson was an American businessman and one of the co-founders of Johnson & Johnson. In 1886, James Wood Johnson and his two brothers Robert Wood Johnson I and Edward Mead Johnson founded Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey.-References:...
and Edward Mead Johnson
Edward Mead Johnson
Edward Mead Johnson was an American businessman and one of the co-founders of Johnson & Johnson. In 1886, Edward Mead Johnson abandoned a career in law and joined his two brothers Robert Wood Johnson I, and James Wood Johnson to found Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey...
started a family business called Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
. However, the firm was struggling to stay afloat, as it didn't have enough capital for a startup company. While the two brothers were going at it alone, Seabury was unable to pay RWJ the monthly payments that had been agreed upon when he left the partnership. Seabury agreed to let Johnson re-enter the medical industry if he didn't have to pay the monthly payments, anymore. Johnson agreed, and joined his brothers' firm, providing the capital for a fresh start.
The new partnership gave Johnson half of the company's shares in return for management of the company. His brothers would receive thirty percent of the company. Johnson worked all hours of the day going back and forth from the factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
to the office in New York, and by early 1888, J&J was making $25,000 a month.
Kilmer
Dr. Fred B. Kilmer owned a local pharmacy in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Johnson met Kilmer in early 1887, and developed a lifelong friendship. After meeting Johnson, Kilmer became more involved in J&J. He eventually became an employee and he would introduce one of the first medical research laboratories.Kilmer was responsible for making many of the innovations in sterilized dressings. The first marketing items Kilmer introduced were medical manuals, guides for how to react when injured on board trains, such as when feet are squashed or when legs are broken at train stations or depots.
In time, Kilmer would influence most of America with his new products. By the late 19th century, railroads had taken most of the nation by storm. Americans were traveling more and farther than ever. To address the medical needs of travelers, Kilmer decided to introduce first-aid kits. The Red Cross symbol became as well-known as the Bald Eagle. Soon, people believed that the first-aid kits were as important to their daily lives as railroads, light bulbs, and family. It became an American way of life to grab a first-aid kit when in need of help.
In 1890, Kilmer received a letter from a colleague asking for advice on treating a skin irritation on one of his patients. The patient had used medicated plasters and it was assumed that the plaster caused the irritation. Kilmer sent him a small tin of Italian talc
Talc
Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg34 or Mg3Si4O102. In loose form, it is the widely-used substance known as talcum powder. It occurs as foliated to fibrous masses, its crystals being so rare as to be almost unknown...
. With the success of this treatment, J&J started including containers of talc with its plasters.
Personal life
In 1880, Johnson married Ellen Cutler. They had one child: Roberta Johnson.Johnson later married Evangeline Brewster Armstrong. They had three children: John Seward Johnson I
John Seward Johnson I
John Seward Johnson I was one of the sons of Robert Wood Johnson I . He was also known as J. Seward Johnson, Sr. and Seward Johnson...
, Robert Wood Johnson II
Robert Wood Johnson II
Robert Wood "General" Johnson II was an American businessman. He was one of the sons of Robert Wood Johnson I . He turned the family business into one of the world's largest healthcare corporations.- Early life :Johnson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey...
, and Evangeline Johnson.
In 1910, Johnson died of chronic renal insufficiency (Bright's disease
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
) at the age of 64.