Name/Title
John Butler Johnson lettersEntry/Object ID
2021.96.01Scope and Content
3-ring binder filled with letters and typed transcriptions of correspondence between John Butler Johnson and O.C. Simonds, D.W. Lockwood, C.R. Comstock, 1st Lt. Suanh S. Huch, A.E. Syanmes, the Mississippi River Comm, W.A. Worner, A.P. Berry & Co., Mr. & Mrs Henby (requesting their daughter's hand in marriage), his daughter Marjorie Daw Johnson and others. The letters date from 1875 until 1902, when John Butler was killed in a horse-and-wagon accident while traveling from Pier Cove to Fennville. Some envelopes are also included as well as provisions receipts and accounts for U.S. Survey Boat "Pioneer".
More recent Johnson family documents include a transcription of J.B Johnson's will, letters and articles of agreement about the Phoebe Johnson estate book royalties, letters to/from David B. Johnson, Robert C. Johnson and Paul B. Johnson.
Letters transcribed by Robert D. Johnson in 2000. There is an index with duplicate entries in the first section of the binder.Context
John Butler Johnson and his friend O.C. Simonds studied Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan. They graduated in 1878 and secured a government contract to survey the Eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the 1880s. On this trip they encountered Pier Cove's deserted mill. In 1891 O.C. Simonds began purchasing land at Pier Cove. Johnson followed suit, buying lot 56 in 1897 and building "The Porches" cottage to be the family's summer home. In addition, the Johnson family has a long association with Pier Cove and the transcriber, Robert D. Johnson, is a descendant of John Butler Johnson.Collection
1900 Lakeshore communityCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2021.96Source or Donor
Johnson, Robert Dexter 1929-2008Acquisition Method
DonationRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Pier Cove 1839-Create Date
December 15, 2022Update Date
April 1, 2024
