WILLIAM ALEXANDER ANDERSON

      Out of the depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote, "History is the essence of innumerable biographies;" and Macaulay has said, "The history of a nation is best told in the lives of its people. " It is therefore fitting that the sketches of California's eminent and distinguished men should find a place in this volume, and to the number belongs Judge William Alexander Anderson, a resident of Sacramento.  He holds a distinguished position as a member of the bar and has gained high honors in the prosecution of his chosen profession by reason of the marked ability with which he conducts his litigated interests.

      Judge Anderson was born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, on the 25th of February, 1846.  His parents were Hartford and Susan Anderson, pioneers of California.  His grandfather was a native of Scotland, his home being Edinburgh, and the paternal grandmother of our subject was born in the north of Ireland.  Hartford Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife Mrs. Susan (Atkins) Anderson was a native of Kentucky, but for some time they resided in the Badger state.  He was a wagon and carriage maker by trade, and in 1849, hoping to benefit his financial condition in the land which held forth golden promises, he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope, bringing with him his little family.  Mrs. Anderson did not long survive her arrival here, her death occurring in 1852 during the cholera epidemic.  Mr. Anderson, however, was a resident of Sacramento not only through the part of its early development, but also during the era of much of its latter day progress and advancement, his death occurring in October, 1896.

      Judge Anderson was only four years of age at the time when the family came to the west.  He obtained his literary education in the common schools, in Santa Clara College and at the Benicia Law College.  His earlier studies were directed in such a manner as to prepare him for the profession of civil engineer, but at a later date he determined to pursue the study of law and was graduated in the Benicia Law College in the class of 1865.  Immediately afterward he began practice and has since followed the profession with excellent success.  He was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in 1866, and to the United States circuit court in 1880, and has held a number of offices in connection with his profession.  His knowledge of law is comprehensive and exact and its scope is being constantly increased, for he is an earnest student.  His devotion to his clients' interests has been proverbial and in argument he has ever been forcible, logical and convincing.  The earnest preparation which he gives his cases enables him to present each case in a manner that will show it forth in its strongest light, and his keen analytical mind enables him to give to each point in controversy its due prominence.

      The Judge was first chosen to public office before attaining his majority, being elected county auditor in 1866.  He was assistant adjutant general in the Fourth Brigade of the California National Guard from 1868 until 1879, and was city attorney from 1875 until 1886.  In 1890 he was supervisor of the census, being one of the three supervisors for the state.  In 1893 he was elected to represent the eighteenth district in the general assembly, and his course in the house won him the commendation of his constituents, and the respect of his political opponents.  At the present time he is the police judge of Sacramento and is strictly fair and impartial in the discharge of the duties which devolve upon him.  In politics he has always been a staunch Republican and has canvassed the state in the interest of the party.  He was one of the originators of the McKinley movement in California, a member of the executive committee and has been a delegate to nearly every Republican state and county convention for thirty years.  In 1898 he was a delegate to the National Republican League convention in Omaha.

      Judge Anderson has been twice married, and by the first union had one son, Osmer W. Anderson, who was born August 22, 1871, and is a volunteer in the Philippines. On the 8th of September, 1880, the Judge married Miss Mary C. Cadwell.  Their home is the center of a cultural society circle and they occupy an enviable position in society where true worth and intelligence are received as passports.  The Judge is a member of the orders of Freemasons and Odd Fellows.  He was reared in the Episcopal faith, but is a man of broad and liberal views in religious matters and is not a communicant of any church organization at the present time.  A man of literary tastes and of broad  general, as well as classical, information, he finds considerable enjoyment in giving his time to literary pursuits and is a frequent contributor to the daily papers.  He was one of the founders of a literary journal called Themis, which was noted for its historical merit and for its clear-cut and literary editorials.  He has written some dramatic works, and is well known as a dramatic critic and lover of the drama.  He has studied from the art standpoint many of the most celebrated dramas of the world and has had a personal acquaintance with most of the great dramatists of a generation ago, including Edwin Booth, John McCullough, Lawrence Barrett, and other eminent actors and actresses.  His writings are fluent and entertaining, eloquent and versatile.  For thirty years he has been known to the public on the lecture platform and his lectures have created wide-spread interest.  He has borne a marked influence upon the literature and esthetic culture of the state and at the same time has given a practical support to the measures intended to advance the material interests of Sacramento.  In fact he deserves mention among the distinguished citizens who are honored and respected in every class of society.  He has for some time been a leader in thought and movement in the public life of the state, and his name is inscribed high on the roll of honor and fame, his honorable and brilliant career adding luster to the history of California.