California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


HON. ROBERT S. JOHNSON. Prominent among the pioneer settlers of California is Hon. Robert 
S. Johnson, of Fresno, the well-known proprietor of the Excelsior livery stables. Of pronounced 
business ability, he has been successful in mercantile pursuits, and as a breeder and trainer of 
standard-bred horses has acquired a wide reputation. He is a veteran of the Civil war, and has 
long been influential in public affairs, from 1886 until 1890, serving as a member of the state 
legislature. A native of England, he was born April 10, 1835, in Bedford, Bedfordshire, winch was 
likewise the place of birth of his father, R. B. Johnson. His grandfather, William Johnson, or 
Johnston, as the name was then spelled, was born in Scotland, but as a political refugee fled to 
England, which was afterward his home. R. B. Johnson spent the earlier years of his life in his 
native country, living there until after his marriage, and the birth of his children, of whom 
Robert S., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. With his family he emigrated to 
America, settling first in Montreal, Canada, and then in Chicago, Ill. Subsequently coming to 
California, he spent the later years of his life in Stockton. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Ann Smith, was born in Hertfordshire, England, and died in Stockton, Cal. 

Coming with his parents to this country when about seven years -old, Robert S. Johnson 
received his early education in Montreal, Canada. In 1850 he accompanied his parents to 
Chicago, which was then in its infancy, there being but one brick building then standing on Lake 
street. Entering the employ of Frank Newhall, a wholesale fruit dealer, he gradually worked his 
way upward, in course of time becoming manager of the business. While thus employed, he 
became a charter member of the old Chicago Light Guard, and was also a member, and for a 
year chief engineer, of the old volunteer fire department. Going from Chicago to Racine, Wis., 
Mr. Johnson was engaged in the manufacture of hollow wooden-ware for a few months. 
During the Pike's Peak excitement of 1857, he started across the plains with an ox-team train, 
and prospected for awhile along the South Platte, but not finding pay dirt he returned as far as 
the Missouri river with oxen, thence to St. Louis by boat, and from there by rail to Racine. 
Starting for California by way of Panama a short time after, Mr. Johnson landed in San Francisco 
in September, 1858, and for a year thereafter was employed in a wholesale fruit house. In 1859 
he embarked in the wholesale produce and fruit business in Stockton, and subsequently 
became a member, and first sergeant, of the Stockton Company California National Guard. 

In 1861 he organized Company K, First California Volunteer Cavalry, of which he was 
commissioned captain by Governor Stanford, and by an order issued from the war department 
was afterward commissioned major of the regiment. Believing, however, that there were men 
more competent for the position than he, he returned the commission, and remained captain 
of his company. Going to Arizona, he fought the Apaches, the Kiowas and the Comanches, in 
that territory, New Mexico and California, and was with Kit Carson on many of his scouting 
expeditions. With his regiment he was engaged in battle with Gen. Sterling Price at Kansas City, 
and afterward returned to New Mexico, where he, with the noted scout, Kit Carson, was 
employed in fighting Indians until the close of the war. Being mustered out of service at Fort 
Union, N. M., Mr. Johnson returned to Stockton, where, at the time of his enlistment, in 1861, 
he was making $50 a day. During his service as a soldier, he was wounded in a hand-to-hand 
fight with an Indian, the red man's tomahawk grazing his left temple, and coming within a 
quarter of an inch of killing him. 

For several years after his return to Stockton, Mr. Johnson was employed as a commission 
merchant, and then embarked in the livery business, budding up one of the largest and finest 
stables in the state. He paid much attention to raising thoroughbred horses, owning several 
that developed great speed for that day, being among the fastest trotters in California. Selling 
out in 1899, Mr. Johnson went to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he began contracting for concrete 
work. In this enterprise he was very successful, but being injured in an accident, and in addition 
taken ill, so that for four months he was unable to attend to his affairs, he sustained business 
losses. Under the direction of his physician, Mr. Johnson came back to California, locating in 
Fresno June 1, 1903, and there purchased the Excelsior stables, which are situated at No. 1234 I 
street. The main stable, a large brick building, 50x150 feet, is one of the finest in Fresno county, 
and is fully equipped in every department. 

Mr. Johnson has always taken an intelligent interest in public matters, and while living in 
Stockton was for seven years a member of the City Council, a part of the time serving "as 
president. He was a representative to the state legislature two terms, and for four years was 
one of the board of directors of the State Insane Asylum. He also belonged to the old volunteer 
fire department. Fraternally Mr. Johnson joined the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in 
Honolulu ; is a member of Rawlins Post, G. A. R., of Stockton ; of California Commandery, Loyal 
Legion ; and is past junior and past senior vice-commander of the Department of California. In 
Fresno he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr. Johnson has five children, namely : W. R., of Stockton who was colonel of the Sixth 
California Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American war; Giarles R., of Bakersfield; Mrs. 
Eva L. Brown, of Fresno; Mrs. Ida M. Davis, of Alameda; and Rov R., of Stockton.