California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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HON.
ALDEN ANDERSON Few
men have been associated more actively and none more honorably with the
financial and political history of Northern California than Hon. Alden
Anderson, president of the Capital National bank of Sacramento,
president of the Redding National bank at Redding, this state,
vice-president of the Red Bluff (Cal.) National bank, and presi- dent of
the Central California Traction Company, owners and operators of the
traction line between Sacramento, Lodi and Stockton. Wide has been the
influence exerted by him in the banking circles of his portion of the
state and varied as have been his commercial connections, they have been
equaled by his intimate identification with the public life of the
commonwealth and by his patriotic participation in movements for the
permanent upbuilding of his community. From the year 1902, which marked
his advent into Sacramento's commercial life, up to the present time,
his vigorous mind has been felt continually as an important factor in
civic progress, his public-spirited labors have promoted the community
welfare and his life has become a part of Sacramento that will find an
enduring place in the annals of local history. A
native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Anderson was born in Meadville, Crawford
county, in October of 1867, while bis parents were at their old home on
a visit. The family have been identified with the west ever since the
thrilling period of mining adventures, had an honorable identification
with the east through several successive generations, and genealogical
records indicate their patriotism and progressive devotion to the
country. His father, J. Z. Anderson, was born in Meadville, Crawford
county. Pa., September 30, 1829. At the time news came concerning the
discovery of gold in California he was at the threshold of manhood,
eager for adventure and ambitious to see something of the world.
Immediately there sprang into his mind a determination to seek the gold
mines, but it was not practicable for him to make the journey until
1852, at which time he left the scenes of happy youth for the untried
conditions of the undeveloped west. An
uneventful journey via Nicaragua found its safe termination in the gold
fields of Northern California, where the young Pennsylvanian endeavored
in vain to find the hoped-for fortune. Despairing of quickly gained
wealth, in 1854 he turned his attention to ranching and settled in
Solano county, where he placed a large tract of land under cultivation.
Shortly before the birth of their son, Alden, he and his wife removed to
San Jose, and from that time until his demise in 1897 he was interested
in the raising of fruit and in the packing business. During the
forty-five years of his residence in California he had witnessed
remarkable changes and, as a patient, purposeful pioneer, he had
contributed to the work of advancement by his personal efforts. Cities
had sprung up, as by magic; vast tracts of un- inviting lands had been
transformed into productive ranches or remunerative fruit farms;
railroads had superseded the old-fashioned stage-coaches and the
freighting vehicles drawn by mules or oxen. Out of the crude environment
of the frontier had arisen a common- wealth great in resources,
ambitious in purpose and rich in a citizenship of unsurpassed loyalty. With
such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools and
the University of the Pacific, Alden Anderson began to earn his own
livelihood at a very early age, his first occupation being that of an
assistant in the fruit business conducted by his father. During 1886 he
went to Suisun City, Solano county, and embarked in the fruit industry
for himself, later drifting from the growing of fruit into the shipping
of the same. From that place he came to Sacramento in 1902, and
afterward disposed of his interests in Solano county at intervals as
opportunity offered. From his arrival in the capital city until the year
1908 he acted as vice-president of the Capital National Banking and
Trust Company. When he disposed of his stock in that concern he removed
to San Francisco, where, until July 1, 1909, he held office as
vice-president of the Anglo-London Paris National bank, and later until
February of 1911 served by appointment as superintendent of the banks of
California. A
pleasant and protracted continental tour, which afforded him an
appreciated opportunity to enjoy the scenery and historical attractions
of Europe, Asia and Africa, was followed by the return of Mr. Anderson
to Sacramento December 1, 1911, at which time he purchased the Capital
Banking and Trust Company, and of this institution, under its present
title of Capital National bank, he officiates as president. The concern
has a reputation for reliability and high principles of honor. The
conservative spirit of its president appears in the caution exercised
for the protection of its depositors, yet he supplements caution with
progressive principles, so that he lends timely aid to worthy commercial
projects. His place in the banking circles of Northern California is one
of assured influence and in- creasing responsibility. In addition to the
organization of this popular institution of Sacramento, he helped to
organize banks at Red Bluff and Redding and acts as vice-president of
one and president of the other, besides being a director in both, as
well as a member of the directorate of his city concern. As president of
the company building the electric line from Sacramento to Stockton he
has aided an enterprise of the greatest importance to the permanent
upbuilding of the rich agricultural region through which it passes. In
addition, he holds the office of president of the Sacramento Hotel
Company, and is connected officially or as a stockholder with other
organizations important to the municipal growth. His home is graciously
presided over by the lady whom he married at Rockville, Cal., March 2,
1893, and who was Miss Carrie L. Baldwin. There is one daughter in the
family, Miss Kathryn, now a student in the state university at Berkeley.
Any account of the life activities of Mr. Anderson would be incomplete were no mention to be made of his association with the political history of the commonwealth. When only thirty years of age he began to serve his fellow-citizens in positions of honor and trust, and in every position accepted by him he gave the weight of his ripened counsel, keen intelligence and discriminating judgment. Elected to the assembly in 1897-99 and 1901, he soon became a force in the legislature. Measures for the benefit of his district received his stanch support, nor was he less earnest in the promotion of all movements for the welfare of the entire state. The possession of superior talents and the devotion displayed toward the state led to his selection as speaker of the house in 1899, and he tilled that difficult post with the same tact and ability displayed in every relation of public life. A still higher honor awaited him in 1902, when he was elected lieutenant-governor of California, and he filled that eminent position for four years, retiring with the good will of the party he had served with such fidelity and distinction. It would seem impossible for a citizen having so many duties in public office, in business connections and in banking circles, to enter with any activity into fraternal and social circles, but Mr. Anderson has not allowed his existence to be dwarfed into a tedious round of irksome cares. On the other hand, he has enjoyed society with the same enthusiasm characteristic of his identification with the other opportunities of life, and at different times he has been a leading member of the Bohemian, Pacific Union and Family clubs and Union League, all of San Francisco, and the Sutter club of Sacramento, also the Woodmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Practical philanthropy, whether exercised privately or through the medium of fraternal organizations, receives his stead- fast support, and movements inaugurated and inspired by a desire to help the needy, to encourage the depressed or to uplift the fallen, have benefited by his sagacious counsel and sympathetic participation. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |