EDWARD CARL JOHNSON

 

The division manager at Marysville for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company is Edward Carl Johnson, one of California’s native sons.  He was born on a farm near Suisun, in Solano County, August 17, 1886, his parents being Ambrose and Henrietta Johnson, both of whom are still living in this State.  The father was but a small boy when he arrived in Solano County.  After entering the business world he became an employee of the California Packing Corporation, with which he was connected for a number of years.

Reared in his native county, Edward C. Johnson there attended the grammar and high schools, and afterward took a course in the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa.,  specializing in electrical engineering.  After completing his studies he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, doing office work for three years, and then went to the southern part of the State, where he remained for a year.  In June, 1905, he became connected with the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and was assigned the task of digging post-holes at Davisville.  His ability soon won recognition, and as his experience increased he was intrusted with greater responsibilities.  For a time he acted as foreman, and in 1912 he was made superintendent of the old Marysville power division.  He next became district manager and in December, 1920, was advanced to his present office as manager of Colgate Division, in which connection he has charge of the activities of the company over an area comprising several counties in the Sacramento Valley.  He has the executive ability necessary for so important an office, and ably directs the labors of those under his charge, keeping the work of his department well in hand.  On December 31, 1913, he was engaged in repairing a pole, which broke while he was at the top; and his assistant, Henry Hoffman, was killed.  Mr. Johnson’s leg was fractured; but by great effort he managed to drag himself over the ground for a considerable distance, and finally secured aid.  Mr. Johnson has developed a twenty-acre peach orchard in Sutter County.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Estelle Carter, of Dunsmuir, and they have a daughter, Faye.  He is a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite Mason, and a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Sacramento, and is also a member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E.  He is likewise a member and Past President of Marysville Rotary Club, and represented the club at the International Convention of Rotary Clubs, convened in St. Louis in June, 1923.  His standing as a business man is indicated in the fact that he has been chosen president of the Marysville Chamber of Commerce, which office he is now filling.  He is a member of the National Electric Light Association and Pacific Coast Gas Association.  He is fond of baseball, hunting and fishing, and spends his leisure time in the great, open out-of-doors.  Mr. Johnson gives his political support to the Republican party, and keeps well-informed on matters of public moment.

 

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924

p 1007

 

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JAMES WILLIAM MILLS

 

It is not given to many, in the performance of every-day duties in a business world, to render to suffering humanity a service such as that which inspires the life of James William Mills, the thoughtful and painstaking superintendent of the [Marysville] City Cemetery, whose official activities and responsibilities bring him into intimate touch with the afflicted and the devoted, and among them a considerable number who for the time being at least find it difficult to think and act for themselves.  Mr. Mills was born near Apple River, Ill., on November 14, 1853, the son of Lafayette and Mary (Thompson) Mills, born at Rockford and Springfield, Ill., respectively, who came to California in 1875 and located at Chico. ;Mr. Mills was of a mechanical turn, and established himself in business to do general repairing, in which he continued until his death, in 1908, at the age of seventy-five years.  He was everywhere recognized as an excellent mechanic and a conscientious, dependable workman; and his services were in wide demand.  He served in an Illinois regiment in the Civil War, but by reason of an unusually scrupulous bent of mind would never accept a pension; nor did his widow, who survived him fifteen years.