California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 FRANK ELLIOTT ANDERSON. Prominent among the enterprising and wide-awake business men of Tulare is Frank Elliott Anderson, who through his own efforts has risen to his present position among the leading citizens of his adopted city. Endowed with good busi- ness judgment and tact, he has been uniformly successful in life, and is now carrying on a large and successful mercantile trade as head of the well known firm of Anderson & Scranton. A son of the late J. N. Anderson, he was born in Fairbury, Ill., October 17, 1867. A native of Ohio, J. N. Anderson was born near Hillsboro, Highland county, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. He was a lover of fine horses from his boyhood, and when a young man, about 1860, removed to Fairbury, Ill., where he embarked in business as a horse- man, importing horses, and breeding much fine stock. Settling in Holden, Johnson county, Mo., in 1870, he continued there for a few years as a horse breeder, raising draft and coach horses, making a specialty of Morgan horses. Coming from there to California in 1888, he was engaged in the same business in Tulare until his death, in 1899, being successful in his operations. He was a man of sterling worth, and a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married Columbia Morrow, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of James Morrow, a merchant, established first in Ohio, and later in Mc- Lean county, Ill. She survived her husband, and now makes her home with her son, Frank, in Tulare. Four children blessed their union, namely : James Morrow, a druggist in Tulare ; Frank Elliott, the special subject of this sketch; Grace, wife of Z. S. Cather, of San Francisco; and one that died in childhood. Col. James E. Morrow, a brother of Mrs. J. N. Anderson, served as colonel of an Illinois regiment during the Civil war, and was subsequently a banker in Pontiac, Ill., until his death. James Morrow Anderson, the eldest son of the parental household, was born in Pontiac, Ill., October 1, 1862. In March, 1886, he located in Tulare, and for nearly four years afterward worked at the carriage maker's trade with A. G. Woodward. In 1890 he purchased a half inter- est in R. L. Reid's pharmacy, which was established about the time that Tulare was incorpor- ated, being one of the pioneer business houses of the place. In 1892 Frank E. Anderson bought out Mr. Reid's share of the business, which has since been continued successfully by the two brothers. James Morrow Anderson is also proprietor of the California Gypsum & Min- eral Company, and manufactures the Diamond fertilizer and plaster, and is likewise president of the Tulare Oil Company. He married Lulu Schlageter, and they have one child, Morrow J. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. His parents removing to Holden, Johnson county, Mo., when he was but three years old, Frank Elliott Anderson was there brought up and educated. At the age of fifteen he began learning the dry goods business, for four years being in the employ of W. H. Etter, proprietor of a One Price Cash House. Coming to the Pacific coast in 1886, he was for four years en- gaged as a clerk for F. M. Schultz, in Tulare, the following ten years being similarly employed in the dry goods department of the store of J. Goldman & Co. Resigning the position in 1900, Mr. Anderson formed a co-partnership with Mr. Scranton, as senior member of the firm of Anderson & Scranton, and March 15 of that year opened a store on the corner of K and Kern streets. The business of the firm increased so rapidly that new quarters were demanded, and February 4, 1904, Messrs. Anderson & Scranton removed into their present store, which is 41x80 feet, with three floors. This enterprising firm carries a complete stock of up-to-date goods, in- cluding dry goods of all kinds, furs, and ladies' and children's shoes. As above stated, Mr. An- derson also has a half interest in the Anderson Pharmacy, owning it with his brother, James Morrow. He belongs to the Tulare Board of Trade ; is a stockholder in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank; and is a charter member and a director of the Tulare Building and Loan As- sociation. In Tulare, Cal., Mr. Anderson married Selina R. Belfils, who was born in Roseburg, Ore., a daughter of Lewis Belfils, a jeweler, who settled in Tulare in 1897. Politically Mr. Ander- son is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he is a member of Olive Branch Lodge No. 269, F. & A. M.; of Tulare Chapter No. 71, R. A. M.; and belongs to the Independent Order of For- esters. Mr. Anderson is a talented musician, and a clarionet player of note. For many years he was leader of the Tulare Band, and still leads the Tulare Orchestra. He formerly taught clarionet playing, but of late years has confined himself to orchestral work.