Ventura
County
Biographies
HENRY ALBERT JOHNSON
Ventura is fortunate in having for
its fire chief a man of the type of Henry Albert Johnson, who has been at the
head of the department for eighteen years, and is also serving as building
inspector. He was born in Marshall, Lyon
County, Minnesota, December 17, 1881, and at the age of six years was brought
to California by his parents, George E. and Lorena (Fletcher) Johnson, who
established their home in Ventura. The
father, a carpenter contractor, contributed materially toward the upbuilding
and improvement of this locality and stood high as a businessman and as a
citizen. He has passed away and the
mother is also deceased. To Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson were born three sons: Henry Albert;
George W., who lives on a productive ranch situated five miles from Ventura;
and Walter E., who had charge of the Ventura branch of the Southern Pacific
Milling Company for thirty years, and was known and esteemed, throughout the
county. He met an accidental death July
5, 1932, while on a hunting trip, leaving a widow and two children.
After obtaining a high school
education Henry A. Johnson learned the plumbing trade, which he followed for
twenty-three years, eventually becoming a member of the Ventura Plumbing and
Hardware Company. He successfully
managed the plumbing department of the company until 1915, when he was
appointed chief of the fire department, and no higher testimonial to the worth
of his services could be given than the fact that he has been retained in this
capacity to the present time. During his
tenure of office the department has been systematized and greatly improved and
due to his untiring efforts Ventura has a modern fire station, complete in all
of its appointments, while all of the equipment has been motorized. Since 1926 he has also served as building
inspector and his direction of these departments of municipal government has
been marked by a soundness of judgment and devotion to duty that have gained
for him the unqualified commendation of his fellow citizens and placed him with
the leading men of his community.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage
to Miss Katherine Sanchez, a daughter of J. Z. Sanchez and also a member of an
honored pioneer family of Ventura. They
reside at 958 East Main Street, occupying an attractive home which is a center
of the social life of the city.
Fraternally Mr. Johnson is identified with the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a past president of the Ventura Rotary
Club, exemplifying in his daily life its motto of “Service before self.” Modest and retiring by nature, he has never
sought public acclaim but is esteemed and respected for his high standards and
for what he has accomplished.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 225-226, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPHIES