Samuel Johnson was born on July 7, 1839. He attended Cazenovia Seminary in New York where he received a M.S. degree. He began his career in farming in 1864 when he began the Wilderness Farm in Dowagiac, Michigan. During this time, Johnson was involved in state and local government. He served as a township officer from 1864 to 1870, county superintendent of schools from 1871 to 1874, and was a member of the state legislature from 1877 until 1880. Johnson began his career at Michigan Agricultural College in 1879 as a Professor of Agriculture. He was appointed by the Board to run an efficient, orderly, and profitable university farm. He was successful in farming, but lacked background in science. Johnson believed a science background was needed for the other professors, but for him the focus was to be made on practical agriculture. This eventually led to disagreement among his students and fellow faculty members that resulted in his resignation in 1889, ending his career at M.A.C. Johnson passed away in 1916.
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