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| Amos S. Johnson, President of Mecosta village and general merchant (G. Gilbert & Co.), is the son of Staton and Eliza (Gilbert) Johnson. He was born in Wyoming Co., N.Y. Nov. 24, 1847. When he was an infant his father died, leaving a widow with seven children. He was brought up on a farm, attending school winters. At 20 years of age he came Michigan and engaged with Messrs. Wood & Gilbert in Stanton, where he remained two years. He then formed a partnership with his employers and established a branch business house at Sherman City, Isabella Co., of which he was head manager. At the end of two years, this business connection ceased, and Mr. Johnson became sole proprietor of the concern by purchase, conducting its affairs singly. He owned in addition a farm of 240 acres, with good buildings, fences and promising crops, all of which was destroyed by the cyclone of Sept 19, 1878. The farm fixtures, and the store with its contents, were swept away, and Mr. Johnson was well nigh overwhelmed with financial ruin. In May 1878, he came to Mecosta as agent for the Village Company, real estate brokers, etc., and is still representing their interests. In March 1880, in partnership with E.L. Wood, he established a mercantile house, located at present near the depot. A year later Giles Gilbert was admitted a member of the firm. Their stock is valued at $10,000 and includes lumberman’s supplies, shelf and heavy hardware, etc. They also handle all kinds of lumber, shingles and saw mill products, and have a yearly trade amounting to $75,000. Mr. Johnson was Supervisor of the Township, and held the post since he came here until 1883, is also County Drain Commissioner, and when the village was organized in the spring of 1883 he was elected President. He was married at Elkhart, Ind., March 10, 1871, to Stella Russell, born in Cattaraugus, Co., N.Y. March 10, 1848. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic Order, and of the A.O.U.W. |