Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN CRAWFORD JOHNSTON
JOHN CRAWFORD JOHNSTON.--A dairyman who prides himself on his practical methods and his
up-to-date, thoroughly sanitary plant, is J. Crawford Johnston, living six
miles east of Galt. He is a native son,
and was born at Pleasant Grove, in Sutter County, on November 7, 1899, the
son of John and Ella (Metcalf) Johnston.
John Johnston is also a native son, and first saw the light at Fort Sutter, his father having come to California across the great plains about 1858.
Mrs. Ella Johnston was born north of Sacramento, the daughter of a pioneer
who came to California when he was a small child,
and near Pleasant Grove his folks settled, and there Ella Metcalf was
born. Her maternal grandfather, Calvin
James, crossed the continent in 1853, and settled near Hayward, and there her mother was
born. Calvin James was the first man in
that district to have a registered brand for his cattle; and he chose the
design of a diamond, with a letter J in the center. He was a large property-holder at Hayward; but he sold his holdings,
and purchased a small place at Pleasant Grove, where he spent the balance of
his days. Mr. and Mrs. John Johnston
were married at Sacramento, on October 22, 1897. Mr. Johnston had a ranch eight miles south of
Lincoln, and he later removed to Riego,
and established himself in sheep-raising.
When he sold the Riego place, he moved his
stock to Eldorado County, north of Placerville; and there he has about
4,000 acres at present, and deals in sheep.
In 1920
John Johnston purchased a 450-acre ranch six miles east of Galt, and there he
placed sixty head of choice cattle; and our subject, J. Crawford Johnston,
conducts this ranch for his father, while John Johnston spends most of his time
on his Placerville ranch. A brother and
a sister of J. Crawford Johnston make up the rest of this progressive family,
and each boasts a circle of good friends.
Norma is a graduate of the San Jose Normal, class of ’23 in home
economics, and Stanley is studying at Galt. J. Crawford Johnston is a supporter of the
Democratic party.
Transcribed by Suzanne Wood.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 672. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Suzanne Wood.