A thrifty citizen of Pomona who has always felt a deep interest in and affection for the thriving town ever since he came here to settle in the late eighties, is John E. Adamson, the experienced orchardist in charge of the Lemon House at the Pomona Fruit Growers' Exchange. He was born near Guelph, Ontario, Canada, on December 31, 1867, the son of Thomas Adamson, the brick manufacturer. His wife was Lydia Shepherd before her marriage, like himself of English natiionality; and both are now deceased. There were nine children in the family, and John is the youngest of the two boys. He began his education in the excellent public schools of Canada, and later studied assiduously privately. He first took a course in mechanical engineering, then in electrical, and later studied hydraulic work. Coming to Pomona in 1888, he has always considered it his home, although his professional work frequently took him far away.
Mr. Adamson was engineer for the San Antonio Power Company in 1894, then worked for the San Diego Electrical Railroad Company, beginning with 1896, and the San Diego Land and Town Company in 1899. In 1901 he returned to Pomona as engineer for the Del Monte Irrigation Company, with which concern he continued for five years.
In 1906, satisfied that he had worked long enough for the development of other people's interests, Mr. Adamson decided to give all of his time in the future to the improving of his own groves; and being splendidly fortified through study and practical experiment, has been able to bring his holdings to a high state of cultivation, and to make of his ranch properties show places worthy of the great show county. This reputation for experience and success and a live interest in the progress of California has naturally brought about a demand for Mr. Adamson's services in the Chamber of Commerce; nor has he failed to give his heartiest cooperation there.
In Pomona on July 11, 1892, Mr. Adamson was married to Miss Margaret W. Reid; and three children have blessed their union. John Edgar was in the United States Medical Corps at the Presidio Base Hospital; Helen Frances is attending the high school; and Dorothy R. is in the Jr. high school. Mr. Adamson is non-denominational, but he and his family seek to support all Christian endeavor.
In national politics a Republican, Mr. Adamson seeks to make civic duty something above partisanship. He served two terms as a member of the Pomona School Board, and he has been president of Orange Grove Tract Water Company since 1907. Fond of both fishing and mountain climbing, Mr. Adamson favors the cultivation in our popular education of "a sound mind in a sound body."
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 9/2/08, Pages 320-323
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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