THE VALLEY OF HEART's DELIGHT

Bio-Sawyers
Surnames:MORRISON, BEACH, BEMENT,  JOHNSON,


A rancher whose assidu-ous application to the problems of intensive agri-culture and consequent success have entitled him to the satisfaction in retirement, is William A. Rice, now living at Morgan Hill. He came to California to reside about twenty years ago, and since then he has been more and more identified with the development of the Golden State's resources. He was born at Delton, Wis., on August 3, 1857, the son of Jacob and Nellie (Morrison) Rice, both natives of Ohio; and his father served with credit in the War of the Rebellion. He went as a volunteer from Wisconsin, returned home in 1864, but died soon after as the result of the hardships in his lot as a soldier warring in defense of the Union. All who ever knew him testified to his sterling character, and he thus bequeathed to his family the priceless legacy of a good name. Mrs. Rice died at her home in Minnesota in 1918, at the age of eighty-four years.

Handicapped through the necessity of having to work for others when he was a mere boy, William Rice nevertheless acquired a fair public school education; and then he entered the employ of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway and for eight years served as section foreman in Monroe County, Wis., where he had charge of construction and road building. He then removed to Lyon County, Minn . and acquired by purchase 160 acres of railroad land near Marshall, in that state. He farmed there for nineteen years, served as school trustee for many years and was also treasurer of his township. In 1902, he came out to California; and inasmuch as a son-in-law, M. R. Beach, had preceded him four months to Morgan Hill, he too located there with his family. He has since improved several very desirable ranches, and he now owns twenty-five acres of fine prune orchard. He belongs to the California Prune and Apricot Association, and for sixteen years has conducted a neighborhood drying ground and yard, handling as high as 300 tons of fruit in one season.

At Black River Falls, Wis., in 1882, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Minnie Bement, who was born at Madison, Wis., by whom he had one son, Arthur Rice, now married and living with his wife and two children at St. Paul. Mrs. Rice passed away in Wisconsin thirty-eight years ago. Mr. Rice again married in 1888, taking for his wife Miss Mary Johnson, who was born near Marshall, Minn. Five children have been born to this second union: Ella is the wife of E. A. Johnson(see bio below), the contracting teamster who resides at Morgan Hill, and they have one child. Alice is Mrs. M. R. Beach, of the same locality. William A. Rice, Jr., saw faithful service in the late war, and now, married, has a ranch near Morgan Hill. Earl and Robert are at home.

Bio-Sawyers
SURNAMES: ERICKSON, RICE

.-For the past twenty years Emil A. Johnson has resided in Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, and has conducted a teaming con-tracting business up to the present time. He was bom in Chicago, Ill., July 26, 1878, a son of August and Emma (Erickson) Johnson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. Both the Johnson and Erickson families emigrated to America in the early '50s and settled in the vicinity of Chicago, and followed farming pursuits. His father learned the shoe-maker's trade and followed it in Chicago, Ill., for many years, having his own shop. The home place of the Johnsons was located on Lawrence and Kedzie(?) avenues, and what was the Johnson farm is now cut through by some of the main thoroughfares.

Emil A. grew up on the farm and received what education he could in the schools of Chicago, but on account of his delicate health, his schooling was lim-ited. During the early part of 1901, he removed to California and settled in Morgan Hill, and for the first three years of his residence was employed by the Gorham estate in ranch work. By hard work and economy he saved enough to buy a team and wagon and engaged in teaming and hauling between Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Jose. Since 1904, Mr. Johnson has conducted his teaming business and has  met with success. He has also had considerable experience in the orchard business and has just recently sold his ranch on Dunne Avenue.

Mr. Johnson's marriage occurred October 14, 1908, and united him with Miss Ella Rice, a daughter of William A. Rice, whose sketch also appears in this work [see above], and she was born and reared in Marshall, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of one son, Clarence Robert. Mr. Johnson owns a fine residence in Morgan Hill and the family are highly respected citizens of that city. In his political affi-liations he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and he is a member of the Foresters.


Transcribed by cferoben from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page  1610