Charles O. Johnson, proprietor of the bottling works at Big Rapids, was born in Norway, April 27, 1852. He is the son of John and Annie Johnson, and in his native country was engaged in farming and in various other occupations. In 1873 he came to this country and settled at Big Rapids, where he had friends residing. He found employment as a farm laborer, and so after made an engagement with O. Seman to work on the farm and in lumbering, which lasted five years. He opened a bottling establishment on Hutchinson street in Jan., 1879, and on the 16th day of July following moved to his present location opposite the Big Rapids Iron Works. He manufactures soda water and ginger ale, and puts up an average of 10,000 bottles monthly for the trade in this and adjoining counties. Mr. Johnson was married at Big Rapids, Aug. 8, 1883, to Mary Strange, who was born in Canada, April 3, 1862.
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