The Arvid Johnson Family

Written by Arvid Johnson for 2000 Golden Memories in the year 2000.

Albert was born in Golden on December 8t,h 1898, in a small log house which was the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Pratt. He attended school in Golden until 1913 when he started to work for the CPR as a messenger boy under Agent Mr. Wells. In March of 1914, he had to help his mother with the housework as she was not well. In April of 1918, he went to work with Gus Larson at the Columbia River Lumber Company’s lath milll, earning $5 a day for ten hours of work. He worked here until October of 1918, then started working as a section laborer with our father. He moved to Larkin BC in January of 1921. Albert started out as a relieving section foreman at Kelowna in 1936 he worked as permanent foreman at Palliser and Armstrong. In 1952 he went to Kelowna as yard foreman and retired in 1959 after forty-one years of service. Albert remained a bachelor all his life. After living many of his retirement years in Kelowna, he now lives at the Lloyd Jones home, also in Kelowna.

Ernest Johnson was born in Leanchoil on May 18th 1900 in a CPR outfit car. He started school in 1906 in a small schoolhouse located between the old roundhouse and a Swedish boarding house operated by Mr. and Mrs. Engbloom. This school was only for younger children. He was later transferred to a larger schoolhouse located on a lot behind where the United Church stands today. Then he was transferred to a school near the courthouse, then in 1909 to the Lady Gray School.

Ernest started off working for Johnny Anderson, delivering milk around town. He helped with the milking morning and evening. He worked at Chittock’s Bakery, which was located at the north end of the bridge, helping with the baking and working in the store. Bread sold at 12 loaves for $1. In 1915, fire destroyed the building. He was injured while working as a wiper for the CPR at Field so he returned to Golden. Ernest worked as a traveling salesman for Matheson and Neville Tailors, selling suits to the section crews between Field and Beavermouth. He traveled by handcar with the section crews, stopping overnight with some of the crews. In 1917, he started working for D.R. Rolston General merchandise store in Golden as delivery man and store clerk. The store was formerly Rolston and Mitchell Limited but their partnership had been dissolved and Pat Rolston took over. Arthur Wixon had held the job before but had resigned. Deliveries were made by horse and wagon, then later, a Model T Ford truck with solid tires was purchased from A.C. Hamilton. This was the second or third truck used in Golden at the time. Farmers from the Columbia Valley and West to Moberly would bring in their homemade butter, eggs, vegetables, beef, and pork to exchange for groceries or clothes.

Ernest married Peggy Rowan in Golden in 1922. She was a sister to Jessie Cross and had been working for Cross’s Home Bakery since coming out from Glasgow, Scotland. In 1924, they moved to San Francisco, California, for health reasons. Here he worked for a manufacturing company. He retired in 1965 as vice president of this company. Ernest and Peggy reside in their own home in San Carlos, California.

Annie was born in Leanchoil BC in 1902 in a CPR outfit car. She started school in 1908 in the school near the government courthouse. She was unable to complete public school as she was needed to care for the family.

In 1920, she moved to Larkin with Dad to keep house and care for the younger ones. She married Archie Clinton in the fall of 1927, and moved to Armstrong, BC, where her husband was involved in the cartage business. They had one son, Stanley Clinton. Her husband drowned accidentally in Okanagan Lake in 1930, where many families had gone to enjoy a Sunday picnic. Two years later, she returned to Kelowna to keep house for dad and the others who were still at home. She kept house for brother Albert until the home was sold in April, 1976.

Arvid was born in Golden on June 2nd, 1904 in our little old home. I attended Lady Grey’s school but did not continue further schooling in high school. I started to work in the CPR Depot in July 14, 1917, as a telegram messenger boy under Agent Harold Clark. I replaced Clement Maxwell. A year later I started to work in the freight shed replacing Jimmy Burnstill. In 1919, Sammy Shaw returned from overseas after the war, and was given back his job in the Golden Freight Shed. I was sent to Ducks BC, now Monty Creek. I worked in various areas as relieving operator. Finally I had enough seniority to bid on a permanent operator’s job at Armstrong. In 1955, I transferred toOsyoos BC, as station agent, then in 1963 to Kelowna as Carload freight agent. I retired in 1969 with fifty-two years service. Prior to retiring I was presented with the 50 year gold pass by the company.

In Armstrong I married Florence Patton, daughter of a pioneer family there. We had one son, Laurie, and one daughter,Gwenn. Laurie works in the CPR depot at Golden as operator. He and his wife Audrey have two daughters, Patty and Carol. Gwen lives in Westbank, married to Alan Dewburst they have two sons, Randy and Gary, and one daughter,Brendaa. I continued to be involved in music in Armstrong, playing saxophone in the City band. I played for many years, in the dance orchestras.

My wife passed away in 1970 I continue to live in my home on Jennings Road in Westbank.

Alban, known as Beans, was born in Golden on February 10th, 1907. He attended Lady Gray School from 1914 to 1920, when he moved to Larkin where he finished his schooling, later going to the Armstrong Consolidated School. He worked for a few months at the Palace Hotel in Kelowna, then went to Field to work as a train clerk for the CPR. His career was short as he passed away on June 29t,h 1929, following an operation for appendicitis.

Mabel was born in Golden on January 6th, 1909. She attended Lady Grey school for three and a half years. She moved with the rest of the family to Larkin in 1920, and finished her schooling there and at Armstrong. She kept house for Dad after Annie was married, then in later years married Tommy Trimble who operated grocery stores in Kelowna and Enderby. He passed away in 1963.

Ellen was born in Golden on September 25th, 1910. She is married to Walter Stranaghan, a farmer now retired. They have two sons, Douglas and Billy.

Ruth was born in Golden on March 19 1913. She, too, attended school in Larkin, Armstrong and Kelowna. She is married to Walter Mikkelson CPR train conductor at Revelstoke.

Myrtle was born in Golden on April 17th, 1914. She is married to Stanley Ernst.