Does anyone hae any information on my great-great grandfather Dr Theodore Johnson of Matanzas and his father-in law Dr Emanuel Larralde who was a doctor in Matanzas. Period about 1850 to 60

Teodoro Johnson was also my great-great grandfather! His son, Dr. Manuel Johnson Larralde, founded the Drogueria Johnson in the 1880's sometime in Havana Vieja on Calle Obispo. My grandfather Victor Manuel Johnson (his son) emigrated to the U.S. around the time of World War I. He had two sons, my father Victor Johnson born in 1919, and Manuel Johnson, born in 1925. Both are now deceased. I was born in 1956. I have a sister, Elizabeth Johnson who was born in 1948. My sister has no children, but I have three sons born in 1987, 1990, and 1993.

I'd be interested to know your history, since we appear to be distant relatives!

Kathy

Dear Kathy, how exciting that you made contact. My grandmother was especially fond of Victor and kept in touch with him when he moved to Chicago. Your father certainly visited the family in England and I have the details of you and Elizabeth on the family tree that my uncle made before he died in 1977 - so it is pretty out of date now. I also have a family history which I would like to send you. What is your direct e mail address and I will get it over to you all the best, Eleo.

Eleo,

It has brought tears to my eyes to have made contact with you. My grandfather emigrated from Cuba so long ago, and he passed away in 1956. I know my father did know and keep up with a few relatives, but he kept no notes or addresses. Neither did my uncle Manuel. So, since my dad passed away in 1980 my sister and I have had no contact with anyone from our Cuban family. I truly thought that connection was lost to me. I have some papers about the Drogueria Johnson building and when it was seized and its value at that time, etc. I also have some amazing photos of Manuel and Mercedes from the late 19th century. I also have some newspaper articles about Theodore Johnson (my great-uncle) when he was President of the University of Havana. I just came across an article that said there was a huge fire this last March in the Drogueria Johnson building and the exquisite woodwork was all lost. It had been restored in 2000. Anyway, I had never known the Larralde name, but there it was in the article as Manuel Johnson Larralde as the founder. So, I was just beginning to look things up when I came across your posting right in front of me. Imagine my surprise and excitement!

I would be honored to have a copy of the family tree and to know more about you and who your grandmother was (was she Victor's sister?), etc. My direct email is: johnson2@uillinois.edu

Kathy

Dear kathy, I too am thrilled about our contact. I will e mail you at your address but am posting this up in case there is anyone else out there who is connected with Theodore - or Manuel - Johnson of the Drogheria Johnson in Obisopo, Havana. Eleo

Dear Kathy, in case you won't open your office e mail until tomorrow I am replying on this post board tonight.

I knew your grandfather died in 1956 but no other details. I heard that he emigrated to America from Cuba because he fell out with his brother Theodore. Theodore was the most astute of the brothers and worked closely with his father (Manuel) but he sided with his father when he (Manuel) took a mistress (Sarita Heredia) and virtually cast out his wife Mercedes (ie Victor's mother).
My grandmother Margarita was the eldest of the 7 legitimate Johnson children (there were 2 illegitimate ones also) and remained close to all her siblings including your grandfather. On her marriage to Charles Lumb they settled in England near London though they returned regularly to Philadelphia where Charles Lumb came from and to Havana to see the family. The brothers and sister Mercedes were all educated in Europe as I am sure you know and after my grandparents' marriage they all frequently came over to England to visit. With one exception - the father Manuel who never forgave my grandmother for marrying a Protestant and not a grand Cuban family! He cut her out of his will and swore never to visit her in her English home! Beastly old man!
any how I will e mail you more and also the Cuban family history which I have researched and typed out.
where do you live by the way? I see you were born in Minneapolis! and your sister in Chicago.

Your photographs sound fascinating. I would love to know if you have snippets of information to boost mine so in my direct mail I will ask questions, love Eleo

JOHNSON Y LARRALDE, MANUEL . (Matanzas, 9.9.1869 – La Habana , 3.11.1922)

Destacado químico farmacéutico. Obtuvo el grado de doctor en farmacia en la Universidad de La Habana con el tema “¿Tienen lugar verdaderos fenómenos químicos en la vida de los vegetales y en la formación de los productos que a la farmacia suministran?”
Esta tesis aparece publicada en 1883 por la imprenta matancera de Soler.
Fue profesor de la Universidad de La Habana y electo Miembro Numerario de la Real Academia de Ciencias Médicas, Físicas y Naturales de La Habana el 25.6.1884 ingresando en la Sección de Ciencias.
A los dos años, el 22.8.1886, presentó su renuncia a este honroso cargo, desconociéndose sus motivos.

L Atenas - Sitio del Historiador de la Ciudad de Matanzas
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JOHNSON Y LARRALDE, MANUEL . (Matanzas, 9.9.1869 – La Habana , 3.11.1922)

Very well known Pharmacist- Chemist .
He obtained his Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Havana with his study :

It really happens chemical phenomenal in the life of the vegetables and in the formation of the products that they bring to the Pharmacies?

His tesis was published in 1883 in Matanzas by the Soler Printing Co.

He was a profesor at the University of Havana and also was elected Numeral Member (?) of the Royal Academy of Medical , Physics and Natural Sciences of Havana.

And on August 22, 1884 he was inducted into the Science Section. (Dpt.?)

Two years later , on august 22, 1886 he resigned this honorable position without any explanation or reason.

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I was checking by accident the Scientists and famous people from Matanzas and this is what I got.

http://historiador.atenas.cult.cu/reciente.php

-No more references to the Larraldes. Sorry.

Reply to Maria Miranda Thank you for your e mail Maria. The details about Manuel Johnson's thesis are interesting The date of the publication of the thesis seems strange - 1883. If he was born in 1869 he would have been only 14 which seems a bit young?? Also that he became a professor at Havanae university etc and was inducted on 22 August 1884 - he would have been only 15? This is strange don't you think?