El Dorado County
Biographies
JOHN W. LANDIS
John W. Landis, one of the leading merchants and influential citizens of Diamond Spring, has for three decades owned the largest mercantile establishment in the town and is regarded as one of its most prosperous men. A native of California, he was born at Weaverville, Trinity county, on the 22d of October, 1877, and is a son of James S. and Bertha (Loveridge) Landis. His father crossed the plains to California in 1858 and located in Yuba county, where he engaged in mining. Later he mined at Rough and Ready, in Nevada county, and from there went to Trinity county. He is deceased and his widow is residing at Lincoln, Placer county.
John W. Landis attended the public schools of Butte county, after which he followed mining for a number of years. In 1898 he joined the rush to the gold fields of Alaska, where he remained for two years. He head previously been in Eldorado county and on his return from Alaska came to Diamond Spring and established his present general mercantile business. Beginning on a modest scale, by close attention and careful management he succeeded in building up an extensive and important business, enlarging his store from time to time until his business occupied a block of space on the main highway. In April, 1930, the entire building, with its contents, was destroyed by fire, its destruction occurring on the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the business. Mr. Landis is now rebuilding on a larger and more substantial scale than before. He has always carried a thoroughly modern stock of goods, catering carefully to the demands and tastes of the local trade, and by his uniform courtesy and accommodation winning the good will of all who patronize him.
Mr. Landis was united in marriage to Miss Hattie S. Neil of Arizona, and they are the parents of four children: Mrs. Edith Mitchell; Jack, who is associated with his father in business; Adele C., who is attending high school; and Janette. Politically Mr. Landis has always supported the republican party and has been actively interested in local public affairs. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the grammar and high schools and has served as postmaster of Diamond Spring continuously since 1915. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is one of the leaders of his community in all matters affecting the public welfare and to a marked degree commands the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.
History of the Sacramento Valley California Biographical, Vol. III by Major J. W. Wooldridge, Chicago: The Pioneer Historical Society Publ. Co., 1931
pp 25-26
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler ©, September 2004
CLIFTON H. WILDMAN
Clifton H. Wildman, a well known mining and civil engineer, living in Placerville, was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, on the 26th of December, 1874, and is a son of Judge S. A. and Helen E. (Howe) Wildman. His father, who is still living, was common pleas judge in Norwalk, and was later elected judge of the appellate court of his state. His mother passed away in 1919.
Clifton H. Wildman attended the public and high schools of Norwalk and then entered the Case School of Applied Sciences, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Mining Engineer in 1899. In that year he came to Placerville, California, and for about ten years devoted his attention to mining engineering, in connection with some of the large mining companies of this section of the valley. Since then he has confined his attention largely to civil engineering, in which branch of his profession he has done some notable work. From 1912 to 1919 he served as county surveyor and since 1920 has filled the position of city engineer. While county surveyor he built the Kelsey grade, a fine piece of grading and road building in the mountains of California. All the street paving of Placerville since 1920 has been done under his direction and this city is well paved. However, Mr. Wildman’s best work and for which he is directly responsible was in securing and building the filtration plant for Placerville, thus providing this city with the pure water for which it is famous. In many other instances also he has shown himself a master of his profession and he is highly regarded in engineering circles.
Mr. Wildman was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Goodnow, who belongs to an old and well known Ohio family, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Marian E., who graduated cum laude from the University of California and is the wife of P. S. Grant, living in Berkeley, this state; Mary K., who also graduated cum laude from the University of California; Samuel, of Placerville; and Sylvia, who is in high school. There is also one grandchild. Politically Mr. Wildman is a republican and has shown a keen interest in local public affairs, having served one term as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Lions Club, is popular among his associates, and throughout the community in which he lives he is greatly esteemed.
History of the Sacramento Valley California Biographical, Vol. III by Major J. W. Wooldridge, Chicago: The Pioneer Historical Society Publ. Co., 1931
pp 17-18
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler ©, September 2004