Short Biography of John G. Reid

JOHN G. REID.—A representative California business man, both in respect to his relation to the Pacific commonwealth by birth and his contribution to the development of important interset which had added to the wealth and glory of the Golden State, is John G. Reid, the superintendent of the American Can Company in San Jose. He was born in Monterey County on July 31, 1877, the son of Robert M. Reid, a native of Indiana, who crossed the plains to California in 1850 and engaged in buying and selling cattle. He had married Miss Annie Gregson, who was born at Sutter's Fort in 1846, the first child of English parents born in the state of California—a very interesting couple of pioneers who were here before the Donner party. Mr. and Mrs. Reid had fourteen children, among whom John G. Reid was the eighth in the order of birth. Mr. Reid died in 1890; Mrs. Reid, who still survives, lived here for sixteen years, but now resides in San Francisco.

John attended the grammar schools of his locality, and then passed a year at the high school and later studied at the Watsonville Commercial School. He worked for four years at the miens in Angels Camp, and two years in Chinese Camp in the reduction works, next applied himself to various jobs for a year, and in 1904 entered the service of the American Can Company. For over four years he was in Honolulu as that company's general foreman in their shops, and having first come to San Jose about twenty-five years ago, he has been superintendent of the San Jose plant since 1915. He belongs to the Rotary Club and may always be relied up to stand behind any movement making for the commercial development of San Jose and Santa Clara County.

At Thanksgiving, in 1910, Mr. Reid was married to Miss Edith Drew, a native daughter and an accomplished lady, the center of a large circle of friends. Mr. Reid is a Mason and is also an Odd Fellow. In politics he stands above mere party limitations, which fact enables him to pull a long and steady stroke against narrow partisanship and in favor of the best man and the best measures for the community. Fond of hunting and fishing, he is first, last, and all the time for the Golden State which affords him such wonderful opportunities for sport.

Source: "History of Santa Clara County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" ⁶⁷¹⁶