Contra Costa County
Biographies
CAPT. LUDWIG ANDERSON
Although for many years a successful sea captain and riverman, to which the whole of his early life was devoted, Capt. Ludwig Anderson, now an influential and retired citizen of Pacheco, Contra Costa county, Cal., has for nearly half a century been closely identified with the business interests of this county, particularly with the lumber industry and the development of the natural resources of this section. Born August 26, 1825, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Captain Anderson is the fifth child in a family of seven children born to Andres Yepsen and Anna Maria (Croser) Anderson, both of whom were also natives of Denmark, the former having been born on the Isle of Fae, near Copenhagen. He was a sea captain by occupation and always followed a sea-faring life. His death took place in Denmark, and the sole survivor of his family is Captain Anderson. He attended the public schools of his native city for seven years, and at fifteen followed in the footsteps of his father and went to sea.
Starting at the foot of the ladder as a cabin boy, he filled the different positions until he rose to be a captain, and in the course of his travels landed in San Francisco in 1850.
Soon after his arrival on the Pacific coast, Captain Anderson engaged in running a line of cargo schooners on the Sacramento river and also on San Francisco Bay. After following this business there quite successfully until 1863, he discontinued river life and turned his attention to other pursuits. In looking about for a safe and paying investment the lumber industry appealed to him strongly and appeared to offer superior advantages, and soon afterward he established a lumber yard in Pacheco, which has been his home ever since. Prior to the great flood which caused such loss in that vicinity, Captain Anderson conducted a thriving business there, but subsequently moved his lumber yard to Martinez. Some time later he established two branch warehouses, one at Concord and one at Danville, and thus the business was enlarged and extended, proving very profitable. After the retirement of Captain Anderson from active pursuits, the business continued to prosper under the management of his son and latterly under Edward J. Randall. By his marriage in San Francisco, Captain Anderson united his fortunes with those of Miss Honora Troy, a native of Ireland, and of the nine children born of this union, six are living. Although a Democrat in his political preferences Captain Anderson has never been an office seeker, preferring rather to spend his energies and talents in the business world, and today he ranks among the substantial men of Contra Costa county, and is one of her most honored citizens.
Transcribed
10-29-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1361-1362. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Contra Costa County Biographies