San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JOHN ANDERSON.
 
        Distinguished among the representative educators of his time in 
California, the late John Anderson, formerly superintendent of schools of San 
Joaquin County, made such an enviable record for efficient, conscientious 
service that the story of his own progress has been accepted as typical of the 
progress of education in the Golden State during his period. He was born near 
Suisun in Solano County, and was a mere child when the family located in San 
Joaquin County. He attended the Linden school and a preparatory college in 
Stockton, and then went for a year to the University of California. Afterward, 
he pursued courses for three summer sessions of the law school at the University 
of California, intending to equip himself for the practice of law; but he became 
interested in educational work, and gave up law as his goal. He first taught in 
the Linden school, part of the time as principal. In Stockton, he was principal 
of the old North school, on the site of the El Dorado school of a later period; 
and subsequently still, he was head of the Lodi grammar school. Later, he became 
assistant postmaster under Postmaster F. E. Ellis at Stockton.
        In the fall of 1910, Mr. Anderson was elected county superintendent of 
schools, entering upon his duties with the confidence, esteem and good-will of 
thousands; and after having amply demonstrated not only what he was able to do, 
but what his high principles and exceptional sense of honor demanded of himself
in the performance of his duties in his high trust, he was serving his third 
term in office at the time of his death, which occurred on August 24, 1921. He 
not only stood high as a practical educator, but he had rare executive ability, 
the most desirable tact, and thus was an efficient officer.
        In 1907 Mr. Anderson married Miss Effie Stillson, a native of 
Sacramento, a graduate of both the Sacramento High School and the San Jose 
Normal School, and a teacher at Lodi; and on the death of her lamented husband, 
she was appointed county superintendent of schools, a choice giving great 
satisfaction to many. She is fully qualified for the position, for she was her 
husband's deputy during his term of office. Superintendent Anderson was also 
prominent in the Masonic order. He was a member of Stockton Lodge of Perfection 
No. 12, S. R.; the Albert Pike Chapter No. 6, Knights of the Rose Croix; 
Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M.; and Lodi Chapter, Eastern Star. He was a past 
master of Linden Lodge of Masons, and past patron of Lodi Chapter, O. E. S.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p     543
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.