Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-06
36 Next Friday.

MT. Johnson becomes S6 next week Friday. He is of English descent and ancient lineage. The emigrant ances- tor was John Johnson. who came to America in the fleet with Winthrop, and settled in Roxbury. Mass. in 1881. Horace Johnson is a n<of Henry Johnson and Mary Whitemore both or whom were born in Middletown. He was the eighth of a family of nine children. and was born at Middle Had dam May 13, 1924. Until he reached the age of Is his only educational ad- vantages were obtained at the district school. On leaving school he went to Hartford and entered the store of Cat lin & Spencer at a salary of $50 a year He had an innate fondness for mathematics and after working hours it was his practice to study by the light of candles purchased from his scanty earnings.
 Mir. Johnson remained with Catlin & Spencer for seven years. and al the end of his engagement there his salary had been increased to $500 a year. With money saved he began his first speculation in needles. He made enough out of this venture to buy house, ard since then he has continued investments in real estate and has erected IT buildings in the city of Hartford alone. For many years he conducted a business in second hand goods and was a general auctioneer in Hartford. .Tn civil war times he in
 
 New York and Savannah, which at one time was used as a despatch boat by General Sherman. He relates his sat isfaction that at one time he was the only civilian travelling on a train with President Lincoln.
 Studied Meteoroioey Half Century.
 For more than half a century he has made a study Of meteorolOgy and has gained more than local renown as a forecaster in weather conditions. 4 by the press throughout the state.
 Mir. Johnson was first brought proni- nently before the public when he pre- dicted the great blizzard of 1858. MT Johnson owns property on the west side of the river in what is known as the Straits" and has often contem- plated the erection Of an observatory to carry on his studies.
 Mir. Johnson takes great pride in his town and village and has in con- provenents. He has considered open ing up and giving to the village the tract of land in front of his residence for library, church or public build ing Some years ago he offered to the state a tract of land of about 200 to 300 acres, on the top of Cobalt noun tain for an observatory, if the state would accept it for that purpose, but it was finally rejected. He has said that he will give this tract to the state for deer and forest reservation for he considers that it is time that we did something for the protection or deer. He appears very enthusiastic over the subject, and has in mind oth- CT similar donations if this is accept ed. for he owns considerable land in and around the village of Middle Haddam. A feldspar mine has re- gently been opened and is producing some of the best mineral in the state, which is located on his property.
 Connecticut Valley interests.
 MT Johnson takes great pride in the historic interests of the Connecti- cut valley, and speaks of the genera tions his family has lived in the vicin- fty, he being born in the house in which he now lives. He says the view from his village is the. finest in the United States. excepting nothing. one can look for miles up the Connecticut river see it's many windingS at this section, and it would be hard to find a finer view than the one from the hills surrounding this village.
 Mir Johnson has made 1t a point to secure historic relics and furniture, having a private collection which would be hard to duplicate. He has num- Der of rare pieces of furniture, among them a sofa he says belonged to Gov ernor Pond. Tsirror which was orig mother a settee out of the old state house a pair of tongholders which belonged originally to Commodore Me Donough, etc. He also has a pair of door handles which he says were on the coach of General Jackson: a pair of knee buckles owned by General lafayette; perfect drum sticks picked off the field at Antietam; guns from HarperS Ferry; Chinese gods (which he says he does not worship. and many curious seashells. some of im- mense size and rare.