Engle, William M., 1876-1945
Biography
Born: April 9, 1876 Preston, Minnesota
Spouse: Mrs. Nettie Engle
Children: James R. Engle
Deceased: April 14, 1945 Santa Barbara, CA
Before coming to CA he was affiliated with the Great Northern Railroad in Summers, Montana.
Occupation Substation operator of the Southern California Edison Co. and a resident of Santa Barbara for 26 years.
He is remembered by many long-time residents as the employee of the Southern California Edison Co. who made certain the City's power, a possible source of fire, was cut off following the 1925 earthquake. Engle was a substation operator at the time of the disaster. After the earthquake he ventured into the crumbling building, where he was slightly injured by falling bricks, to make certain the automatic power switch had turned itself off. Civic leaders drafted a letter of appreciation which they sent to Mr. Engle, and he also was rewarded by the State Underwriters Insurance Co. for his action.