James M. Dawson

James M. Dawson was the father of canning in the Santa Clara Valley. His two companies, San Jose Fruit Packing and J. M. Dawson Packing Company both influenced the development of the industry, and many of the early employees went to other companies to push the state of the art, including the Golden Gate Packing Company and California Fruit Canners Association.

A full biography appears in Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World.

Timeline

Year	Event
1871	Started in 1871 in building behind his house.
1872	Moved to 16th and Julian, worked with W. S. Stevens, brother in law.
1873	Lendrum, Burns, + Co joins in. Firm moves to new, large building at 5th and Julian, incorporated as J. M. Dawson & Company
1874	Company changes its name to San Jose Fruit Packing.
1877	W.S. Stevens goes to form Golden Gate Packing Company.
1878	Dawson has health problems, steps back from San Jose Fruit Packing.
1879	Dawson restarts as J. M. Dawson Packing Company, again behind his house.
1880	E. L. Dawson, his son, joins the business, plant fronts on Myrtle.
1883	J.M Dawson retires.
1885	J.M .Dawson dies.
1887	140,000 cases of fruit packed at J. M. Dawson Packing Company
1891	J. M. Dawson Packing Company owns most of block at Montgomery and Cinnabar.
1895	Company goes under. Sale of Cinnabar at Montgomery plant.