Local History

John Mott, a Quaker preacher, bought a large tract of land in the area, intending to found a Quaker colony, he was commonly called John by his brethren, and early settlers and land-seekers referred to this locality as John's Town.  So, with the creation of the township in 1838, it was named Johnstown.  But he did not go through with his plan, and the first actual settlement was made by Harlow Merrill who purchased his land in 1835-36.

The village which developed was given a post office as Johnstown on February 12, 1839, with Stephen V. R. York as its first postmaster, succeeded by Emory Cherry on April 13, 1843, the office operating until July 25, 1864.  The Bristolville post office was transferred to Johnstown on January 9, 1865, but was closed on May 25, 1874.  It was restored from May 18, 1875, to April 6, 1887.

Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.

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