Tulare County Biographies

EDWARD L. BRANDON

Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Among those who have been especially active in the development of the public 
utilities of Tulare county in recent years is Edward L. Brandon, general 
superintendent of the Central Counties Gas Company, with headquarters in 
Visalia.  He was born June 2, 1873, on a farm in Mercer county, Ohio, a son of 
Lewis and Mary E. (Downing) Brandon.  The father was a farmer, and also worked 
at times at the trade of mason.  Both parents are deceased.
 
Edward L. Brandon attended the district schools until he was seventeen years of 
age, when he was forced by circumstances to become the architect of his own 
fortune and found employment in running a steam engine.  Since then he has 
learned many lessons in the school of experience, which by reading and 
observation he has acquired a practical knowledge of men and affairs.  He 
continued to follow the occupation of stationary engineer until he came to 
California in 1908.  His first employment in this state was as a well driller in 
Porterville.  He was then with the Porterville Gas Company for about six months, 
when he resumed well drilling in the oil fields for the Standard Oil Company.  
Six months later he returned to the gas company in Porterville and was employed 
there until the company passed into the hands of a receiver.  For the next three 
years he followed trucking with fair success.
 
The Central Counties Gas Company was formed in 1918 and soon afterwards Francis 
H. Hunger, vice president and general manager of the new corporation, induced 
Mr. Brandon to accept the position of superintendent of the plant at Visalia.  
Mr. Hunter afterward became president of the company, and Mr. Brandon, since 
May, 1922, has occupied the position of general superintendent.  The company 
supplies six towns, and the entire outfit, including buildings, transmission 
lines, etc., is under Mr. Brandon�s immediate supervision.  The company owes 
much of its success to his tireless energy and knowledge of gas works.
 
Before leaving Ohio Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Etta G. Harshbarger, and 
they have three children:  Edgar Leroy, Nellie Marie and Ralph Loree.  While Mr. 
Brandon takes a commendable interest in all questions affecting the public good, 
he is not a politician.  In local matters especially he places the man of good 
character and reputation above party considerations.  His fraternal relations 
are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
 
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen Edwards Small & 
J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 
327