Alameda
County
Biographies
GEORGE JOHNSTON
While the allurements offered by the
gold mines brought Mr. Johnston to California, the competency he now possesses
has been acquired in an occupation other than that of mining. For many years he
has been engaged extensively in the sheep business and recently has also become
interested in the raising of cattle, having a large range near Livermore which
he utilizes for the pasturage of his large flocks and herds. His specialty has
been the raising of French and Spanish merinos, the lambs from which he sells
in the San Francisco markets. Since 1870 he has made his home in Pleasanton,
where in 1887 he erected the neat residence now occupied by his family. In 1896
he also built the Johnston block, a two-story brick business structure.
At the age of fourteen years Mr.
Johnston came to the United States from Ireland (where he was born in March,
1830), and in company with a brother and sister settled in New Orleans, La.,
where he secured employment in checking coal for a steamship company. In 1853
he came to California via the Nicaragua route, and for a time worked in the
mines on the Yuba river, but the location proved unhealthful. On account of
suffering from chills and fever he abandoned mining and came to Alameda county,
where he was employed as a farm hand for three years. In 1856 he embarked in
the sheep industry. His beginning was upon a very small scale and his first
purchase numbered only a few head. These he pastured on the range in the
vicinity of what is now Dougherty (then known as Dublin), which town he made
his home from 1856 until his removal to Pleasanton. In the early days of his
operations he owned large herds of sheep, which he pastured on his own property
and on the government lands, but he is now content to keep what he can on his
own land—from three to four thousand sheep and about two hundred head of
cattle. When the Southern Pacific Railroad was built through the county in 1879
he bought three thousand acres near Livermore, and also leases a considerable
tract, affording him altogether the use of a range of five thousand acres. When
he arrived in the Livermore valley only about four families lived here, and of
these he and Hiram Bailey of Livermore alone remain, the others having died or
moved away. He and his wife have no children of their own, but have taken into
their home and are caring for three children of relatives.
During the early days of his
residence in California Mr. Johnston was active in the local ranks of the
Democratic party and still votes that ticket with the devotion of his youth.
When the entire township had only from fifteen to twenty voters, it was his
duty to carry the ballots to the county seat, and in recalling reminiscences of
olden times he relates among other things that some voters made a point of
voting in as many precincts as possible, in order to make the showing necessary
to secure a post-office. This could be done easily, as votes were not sworn in
at that time. On several occasions Mr. Johnston was selected to serve as a
delegate to county and state conventions of the Democratic party. Though
prominent in public affairs, he steadfastly refused to accept office for
himself and, among other positions, declined that of assemblyman when he was
urged to become a candidate with every hope of winning the election. On the
organization of the original blue lodge in Pleasanton he identified himself
with Masonry. When later the lodge was moved to Livermore and became Livermore
Lodge, he transferred his membership to the latter organization. On the
re-organization at Pleasanton he became associated with Alisal Lodge, No. 321,
F. & A. M., with which he is still connected. In point of years of
association with the blue lodge he is the oldest Mason in Pleasanton.
Notwithstanding his advanced years he is robust, energetic and vigorous, far
more active than many of his years, a genial companion, interesting
conversationalist, and possesses the hospitality of the typical California
pioneer.
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., Page 907. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Cecelia
M. Setty.
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