Dr John Howard Johnson
(1871-1936)

Died aged c. 65

Dr. John Howard Johnson was born in 1871 in Springbelt, Ohio and graduated in 1897 from the Cleveland University Medical Department. He was a member of the Wauseon, Ohio Board of Education and a surgeon for the Wabash Railroad Division. In 1910 he visited Florida and Windermere with John Calvin Palmer, also of Ohio. They bought 2,000 acres (240 acres within the town) for $10,000 in 1911. Palmer remained in Windermere to develop the property and Dr. Johnson returned to Ohio where the headquarters of the Windermere Improvement Company remained until 1925. The Johnsons moved to Windermere in 1925 where Dr. Johnson served as mayor in 1935 and 1936. Dr. Johnson and Cal Palmer donated land for four parks in town and for the woman’s club. In 1923 they gave land for the Windermere Union Church. Dr. Johnson died March 22, 1936.

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