Yolo County
Biographies
JOHN L. LYNDE
During
the eight years of his residence in Davis, John L. Lynde has been a forceful
factor for progress, development and improvement and brings to his important
duties in connection with the engineering department of the Davis Agricultural
College broad experience as well as marked ability in the field of professional
service. He was born in Sioux City,
Iowa, March 15, 1892, and after attending the grammar and high schools of
Norfolk, Nebraska, took up the study of civil engineering in the University of
Nebraska. His first practical experience
along that line was gained in the office of the county surveyor of Madison
County, Nebraska, and this was followed by railroad surveying in New Mexico and
Arizona. From 1915 until 1918 he was
connected with the county surveyor’s office of Greenlee County, Arizona, and he
then enlisted for service in the World War, entering the Sanitary Corps of the
United States Army. He was identified
with camp sanitation work at Fort Riley, Kansas, and at Newport News, Virginia,
remaining on duty in this country until mustered out of the service, and then
returned to Greenlee County, Arizona.
The
year 1921 witnessed his arrival in California and in 1922 he became identified
with the engineering department of the Davis Agricultural College. Since assuming his duties in this connection
he has accomplished much important work, including the supervision of the
installation of a central heating plant, the building of sidewalks, curbs and
gutters, the perfecting of a sewer system and irrigation service, and the
paving of streets. When he came here he
found dusty streets, and has wrought a marked change in the appearance of the
place, which is now supplied with all modern improvements. His technical knowledge and skill have been
enhanced by practical experience and wide reading and study, so that he readily
solves the difficult problems which are constantly arising in connection with his
work. In 1930 he was elected to the
office of county surveyor, and is the present incumbent in that position.
On
the 1st of June, 1920, Mr. Lynde was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth McKeen, a native of Leadville, Colorado, and both are prominent in
social circles of Davis. Mr. Lynde belongs
to the American Legion but has few interests outside of his profession and
although young in years he has already established an enviable reputation as a
civil engineer, while his well developed powers and energetic nature insure his
continued progress in his chosen line of endeavor.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 Pages 420-421. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies