HON. WILLIAM JOHNSTON

Sacramento County

Biographies

HON. WILLIAM JOHNSTON

HON. WILLIAM JOHNSTON. It is the privilege of comparatively few to devote a lifetime of activity to the cultivation of the same acreage. Change is the unwritten law of the world. A certain restlessness of temperament, common to most races and peoples, finds expression in the seeking of new environments. None of this restlessness, however, was apparent in the life and acts of William Johnston, for from the time of coming to the coast country during the memorable days of 1849 until his death, November 15, 1905, with the exception of the first year, made his home on the same estate, quietly following the occupation of agriculturist and finding in the improvement of his lands and the care of his property his crowning pleasure in an existence of activity. The family homestead lies a few miles south of Sacramento in the county of the same name and possesses an important moneyed value by reason of the fertility of the soil as well as its proximity to the capital city of the commonwealth.

While, as previously stated, Mr. Johnston became a resident of California during the stirring days of 1849, he was by birth and parentage an easterner, descending from an old family in the regions of the Alleghany mountains. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Allegheny county, near the village of Wilkinsburg, eight miles from Pittsburg, the date of his birth being June 2, 1829. Little occurred of especial importance in his boyhood years, which were passed beneath the home roof and in attendance upon the neighboring schools. When news came of the discovery of gold in California he at once determined to seek a home in the great unknown region beyond the mountains and the plains, and early in the spring of 1849 he left the east with a party of three hundred bound for the mines of California. After a tedious but comparatively uneventful journey he arrived safely at the mines of Eldorado county, where he experienced the varying fortunes of a miner for a year.

Not content to devote himself to mining as a permanent occupation, about 1850 Mr. Johnston bought a squatter’s title to a quarter section of land situated a few miles south of Sacramento and here he made his home until his death, meanwhile witnessing the transformation which a half century of progress has wrought in the development of the Sacramento valley and the entire state. In this growth he, with other progressive pioneers, was an important factor, not alone through the improvement of a farm, but also through service in other lines of activity. From the time of the organization of the People’s Savings Bank of Sacramento he held the office of director and for a number of years was its vice-president. His success as an agriculturist brought him into prominence in the Grange, in which he was honored with election to the principal offices in the state, besides twice serving as delegate to the National Grange, and for some years also he held office as president of the Grangers’ Co-Operative Business Association.

In fraternal relations Mr. Johnston had no associations except with the Masons, whose high principles of brotherhood he upheld and in whose grand lodge he officiated as grand master. Politically he supported the principles of the Republican party from the time that organization was founded and the enthusiasm he always displayed in his support of its platform brought him into prominence among leading party workers in the state. In the earlier years he was frequently called upon to serve in public positions, all of which he filled with fidelity, tact and energy. Notable among these public offices were those of member of the lower house of the legislature in 1871 and 1872, and of the state senate in 1880 and 1881. During his service in the senate he was honored with the position of president pro tem. In both houses he gave his ardent support to measures for the benefit of his constituents and the state, and was ever to be found upon the side of right and justice. During 1883, he acted as a member of the State Board of Equalization, which position, as all others, he filled with characteristic ability.

Mr. Johnston was united in marriage near Sacramento in 1854 to Elisabeth S. Hite, a native of Macon county, Ohio, born March 11, 1833, the daughter of Alexander Hite, who was born in Virginia. With his parents he located in Ohio in an early day, and was raised on the parental homestead in Macon county. In 1853, with his family he crossed the plains with ox-teams to California, locating in Sacramento county, where he carried on farming the remainder of his life. Mrs. Johnston died in Sacramento March 13, 1905, having become the mother of seven children. Those living are M. Bella; William A. at home, and Matie, Mrs. Frank Edinger of Sacramento.

Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Page 1526. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.