Solano County Biographies

JOHN EDWARD WILLISTON

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
the subject of our memoir, was born in Portsmouth, Norfolk county, Virginia, 
October 14, 1841, where he continued, with the exception of three years, until 
1855, when he went to Boston and there attended school.  On April 20, 1858, he 
embarked for California.  Came up on this side on board the steamer �John L. 
Stephens,� arriving in San Francisco May 15th of that year, and came directly to 
Vallejo, to join his father, who was at the time Assistant Civil Engineer on 
Mare Island Navy Yard.  On July 4th of the same year Mr. Williston, Sr., with 
his son, left for Victoria, en route for the Fraser river, on board the clipper 
ship �E. F. Willetts,� but returned from British Columbia in the following 
November, per steamer �Santa Cruz,� and settled in Vallejo, where the latter has 
since resided.  Mr. John E. Williston was employed in various branches of 
business up till 1866, when, in partnership with Mr. H. B. Bell, he opened a 
grocery store, but, unfortunately, in 1869, the establishment was destroyed in 
the great fire; with that perseverance, however, for which he is so famous, Mr. 
Williston immediately rebuilt his grocery and continued its business until 
January 25, 1879, when, on account of failing health, he sold his interest to 
Mr. D. W. Harrier.  He was elected Sheriff of Solano county, by the Democratic 
party at the general election of September 1, 1875, and the like honor was for 
the second time conferred upon him on September 5, 1877; he has also served for 
two years on the Board of Trustees for the City of Vallejo.  Mr. Williston is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mount Moriah Encampment, as 
also a member and Secretary of the San Pablo Lodge of Odd Fellows.  He was also 
a member of Naval Lodge and Naval Chapter F. & A.M., and a member of California 
Commandery No. 1, of San Francisco.  Married March 29, 1869, Miss Sarah E. 
McLeod, by whom he has Edgar, Eugene, John E., and Alice B.
 
History of Solano County � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley  & Co., East 
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 398