Alameda
County
Biographies
CAPT. JAMES JOHNSON
The greater part of the foundation of the
fortune which was established by Capt. James Johnson, whose name is now only a
memory in Alameda county, his death having occurred July 18, 1898, was an
ambitious and enterprising spirit, an indomitable will and a hardy courage
which admitted no defeat nor shrank from any hardship. For many years prior to
his death he was a familiar figure in the business activity of San Francisco,
beginning empty-handed and in a strange country and rising to a position of
importance in his chosen work. He amassed a fortune, and in so doing won the
esteem and respect of all business associates by the strict integrity which
characterized all his business dealings; became an earnest citizen ever anxious
to advance the general welfare of the public; and established a cultured home
and reared a family of whom any parent might well be proud. He left behind him
that which is more to be desired than great riches---a good name, honored
wherever it is known.
A native of Denmark, Capt. James
Johnson was born in Ballum, August 26, 1836, a son of
James Johnson, who was captain of a vessel and was always connected with a
seafaring life. As a lad of twelve years James Johnson accompanied his father
on a trip from Copenhagen to Iceland on a fishing vessel and thereafter was
connected with this occupation. A year later he was confirmed in the Danish
schools and then began at once his seafaring life; at fifteen going to England,
whence he shipped for Australia. While in the western seas he heard many
glowing reports of the wealth in California and the opportunities that existed
for advancement, and at the age of sixteen years he came as second mate on the
ship Catherine Mitchell to San Francisco Bay. On arriving in San Francisco he
left the ship’s service and shortly afterward found a position in a butcher
shop, but soon took up a seafaring life once more. Being very ambitious and
anxious to succeed, he saved his earnings and was soon able to purchase the
schooner Selma, which was used as a general freighter plying between Sacramento
and San Francisco; and later he became the owner of the St. Thomas. In 1869 he
settled at Rio Vista, and from that time on he rapidly grew in prominence and
wealth, becoming associated with others in various schooners. Later he
established a warehouse for the firm of Johnson & Emigh,
which interest is now owned by Mr. Johnson’s son, Frederick C., this being
succeeded by a commission house in San Francisco, where he removed his family,
purchasing a home on Fourteenth street, this still being in the possession of
his heirs. Two years later they bought their present beautiful home on
Claremont avenue, formerly the Lusk property, this
location being selected on account of its proximity to the university where he
educated his children. Until a short time prior to his death Captain Johnson
was an active figure in business circles, well known in both San Francisco and
Oakland, and esteemed and respected by all. In connection with his other
interests he purchased, while in Rio Vista, a large grain ranch, which he
conducted for some years.
The marriage of Mr. Johnson united
him with Catherine C. Lorentzen, a native of Denmark,
and daughter of Fred C. Lorentzen. She is a woman of
rare worth, highly esteemed by all, and has endeared herself to a large circle
of friends. The children born of this union are as follow: James, Jr., who died
at the age of thirty-one, married Annie M. Iversen,
and they were the parents of the following children, namely: Julius, Harold and
Esler, and have also lost one son; Hannah married
Albert Gruninger, a member of the firm of Pfister Knitting Company, and they have one child, Eva H.;
William is connected with C. J. Henry & Co., a chandlery firm of San
Francisco, and married Madeline Kent of Oakland; Adeline E. married F. G.
Wight, and they have two children, namely: Lynda S. and Gordon A.; Helene
married Dr. F. R. Woolsey of Berkeley and they have two children, namely:
Catherine H. and Marian J.; Catherine M.; Selma L.; Julia V.; Dagmar A. married
Walter D. Reed; and George W. Fraternally Mr. Johnson was prominent, being a member of Live Oak Lodge, F. & A.
M.; he served as master of Rio Vista Lodge for two terms; Oakleaf
Chapter No. 8, O. E. S.; and was a member and past grand of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in Rio Vista.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 280-283. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia
M. Setty.
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