Description:This is an abridged version of Councillor Johnstone's biography from the Handsworth Magazine. The full biography is available as a download.
He was born in 1841, in a picturesque old cottage, which lay back from the high road, in what was then called Frederick Place. Frederick Place has long since been “improved” off the face of the earth and upon its ashes stands Thornhill Road.
Mr Johnstone commenced his business career with the old established firm of Hammond, Turner & Sons, button manufacturers. In 1860 he embarked in the jewellery trade and steadily worked his way to the front. The important firm of G H Johnstone & Co, Northampton Street, of which he is the head dates back to about 1870 and has ever been increasingly successful.
He is Justice of the Peace for the county of Stafford and represents St Paul’s Ward upon the City Council. He is Chairman of the Art Gallery Purchase Committee, Chairman of two Finance Sub-Committees and Chairman of the Stable Sub-Committee, member of the Museum and School of Art Committee and also of the Health Committee.
For twenty years he has been on the Handsworth Bridge Trust and has acted as vice-chairman of the Handsworth School Board since its formation some four years ago.
In his home life Mr Johnstone is exceedingly fortunate. His residence at Hamstead Hill (called Headingley) stands in its own beautiful grounds and everything there betokens the man of refinement and gentle tastes. It is of such men that Handsworth is proud and justly so.