J. GILBERT JOHNSON, Bradford, Pennsylvania.
J. Gilbert Johnson, son of L. A. Johnson, was born in Jamestown, New York, August 31, 1857, and secured his education in the public schools of that place. At an early age he began to look out for himself, and his first employment was as a wood worker, learning the trade of turner and bender. After working at this some years he commenced braking on the Buffalo & Jamestown, now the Southwestern Branch of the Erie. He was then about 18 years of age, and retained this place until July, 1882, when he was given a position as fireman on what is now the Allegheny Division of the Erie, where he worked in that capacity for the next four years. In March, 1886, his general efficiency was rewarded by a promotion to engineer, and he was assigned to a run on the Bradford Branch, now the Bradford Division, where he is still running from Bradford to Buffalo. Mr. Johnson is considered one of the best freight engineers on the division, and has the esteem of his fellow engineers and superiors.

He was united in marriage in January, 1886, to Miss Fleta Harmon, of Tonawanda, New York, daughter of William Harmon, deceased, of Harrison, state of Maine. They have an interesting family of four children, three boys and one girl, two of whom are attending school. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Bradford Division, No. 280, B. of L. E., and is a highly respected citizen of Bradford.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.