Sacramento County
Biographies
ALEXANDER FRANCIS JOHNSTON
ALEXANDER FRANCIS JOHNSTON.--A typical representative of the self-made men of this prosperous state, occupying a well-deserved place of prominence in Sacramento County, is Alexander Francis Johnston, captain and owner of the boat "Feather Queen." He was born on a farm at Nicolaus, in Sutter County, on August 7, 1885, the son of Alexander and Mary (Hennessey) Johnston. Grandfather William Johnston was known to the pioneers as Tula Johnston, and he came to California across the plains in 1852. At Salt Lake his son Alexander was born, necessitating their remaining over the winter, and then they came to California the next spring, settling on a ranch twelve miles north of Sacramento. Alexander Johnston was a successful farmer until 1897, when he became part owner of a fish market in Sacramento, which he conducted until he passed away in 1917. His widow now resides on a farm they owned at Nicolaus.
Alexander Francis Johnston was educated in the grammar and high schools of Sacramento, and then took a business course at Atkinson's Business College, and for three years was employed by Shaw Batcher Company. While living in Marysville, as "Rube" Johnston he was a player on the Marysville baseball team, and was employed in a wholesale grocery concern operated by J. R. Garrett. He returned to Sacramento and engaged in business with his father under the firm name of Johnston & Son. Soon after his father's death, he sold the business and engaged in freighting and wholesale and retail wood business, and for the transportation uses two boats, the "Feather Queen" and the "Marie." His business necessitates the employment of from ten to forty men and the business extends from Colusa to San Francisco.
In Sacramento, on February 7, 1908, Alexander Francis Johnston was united in marriage with Miss Winnie Isabella Leavitt, the daughter of Capt. E. J. Leavitt, and a native daughter of the Golden State. She was reared and educated in Sacramento, being a graduate of Howe's Business College, and held a position with Shaw Batcher Company of Sacramento until her marriage. She is deeply interested in the cause of education and is therefore a member of the Parent-Teachers Association. They are the parents of four children: Harvey Francis, Roy Edward, Robert Alexander and Irene Elizabeth. Mr. Johnston adheres to the Democratic party. He is an enthusiastic baseball fan and is very fond of the great out-of-doors. Deeply interested in the welfare of the community, he is an active worker and his public spirit is well-known to all with whom he comes in contact.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 825. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.