California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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



ANDERSON, JAMES
In every nook and corner of the wide world is found a Scotchman. Everywhere he is master of 
circumstances, determined and industrious, and usually one of the worthy workers in a world of 
affairs. One of the representatives of this rugged land in Santa Barbara County is Mr. James 
Anderson, whose long and successful experience as a farmer and rancher deserves some 
special mention. 
 
A son of Charles and Elizabeth (Patterson) Anderson, both natives of Scotland and substantial 
farming people there, James Anderson was born in his native country August 18, 1866. He 
received an education in the Scotch schools.  

At the age of eighteen coming to the United States, he arrived in Goleta, California, and in 1885 
began employment with John F. More. After two years with More he entered the services of S. 
P. Stow, also another big rancher in Santa Barbara County, was with him eight months, and 
then for three years was with George S. Edwards. After that Mr. Anderson acquired some land 
of his own, and ten years ago, selling his other interests, he bought 240 acres near the head of 
Glen Anne Canyon, not far from Goleta. That has since been the stage of his successful part as a 
farmer in Santa Barbara County. Unlike many of the ranchers in this vicinity Mr. Anderson 
follows the mixed form of farming, and does not concentrate all his efforts upon one crop. His 
land produces beans, walnuts, hay, and also maintains some fine livestock, cattle, horses and 
hogs.  

Now rated as one of the most substantial and well-to-do citizens of the Goleta District, it is 
interesting to recall that Mr. Anderson landed in Santa Barbara with only sixty-two dollars as 
his cash assets. Hard work has been the key by which he has unlocked the door to success, and 
no man better deserves his present fortune.  

In Santa Barbara July 11, 1888, he married Elizabeth Rae, who was also born in Scotland and 
she comes from a long line of thrifty ancestors in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have six 
living children: Elizabeth, wife of Earl Bell, of Santa Barbara; Emma, living at home; Annetta, 
wife of T. B. Jamison, a farmer at Carpinteria; William, Walter and James, Jr., all of whom are 
now taking an active part in the responsibilities of their father's ranch; and a son, Albert, who 
died at the age of nineteen.  

Public spirit has gone along hand in hand with Mr. Anderson's material prosperity. He is a 
democrat, though not a hide-bound partisan, and is an active and influential figure in his 
district. He represented his party in several of its earlier county conventions.