Sacramento County
Biographies
HON. ALDEN ANDERSON
HON. ALDEN ANDERSON.--Few men have been associated more actively, and none more
honorably, with the industrial and political history of northern California
than Hon. Alden Anderson, who grew up and was educated in San Jose, Santa
Clara County, and is now president of the Capital National Bank of
Sacramento, and actively associated with a number of other financial
institutions and enterprises that aid in the advancement of the county and the
state. Wide has been the influence exerted by him in the banking circles of
this part 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 the upbuilding
of his community.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Anderson was born in Meadville, Crawford County, in October, 1867, while his parents were at their old
home on a visit. When he was three months old, his parents returned to California and settled at San Jose. 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 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, as well
as shipping of the same. The evolution of the business carried him to Sacramento in 1902. Soon after his arrival in the capital city, and
until the year 1908, he acted as vice-president of the Capital Banking and
Trust Company. In that year he disposed of his stock in that concern and all of
his fruit interests, and moved to San Francisco, where, until July 1, 1909, he
held office as vice-president of the Anglo & London Paris National Bank,
and until February 1911, served by appointment as superintendent of banks of
California. During 1911 Mr. Anderson made a protracted continental tour of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Returning to Sacramento, December 1, 1911,
he assisted in organizing the Capital National Bank, which institution
purchased the site and business of the Capital Banking and Trust Company, and
under its present title of the Capital National Bank he officiates as
president. Mr. Anderson's place in the banking circles of northern California is one of assured influence and increasing responsibility.
He purchased and helped to organize a number of other banks in the Sacramento
Valley, in the management of which he actively participates. He was
president of the company building the electric line from Sacramento to Stockton, an enterprise of the greatest importance to the permanent
upbuilding of the rich agricultural region through
which it passes. His home is graciously presided over by the lady whom he
married at Rockvale,
Cal., March 2, 1893,
and who was Miss Carrie L. Baldwin. There is one daughter in the family, Miss
Kathryn.
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. Elected to the Assembly in
1897-1899 and 1901, he soon became a force in the Legislature. In 1899 he was
selected as Speaker of the House, and he filled 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 general good-will of the people he had served with such
fidelity and distinction. He is at present a Regent of the University
of California, and the civilian member of the Veterans' Welfare Board.
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 contrary, he has enjoyed society with the same enthusiasm
characteristic of his identification with other spheres of life. He is a member
of the Pacific-Union and Family Clubs, of San Francisco, and the Sutter Club of Sacramento. He is a member of
nearly all Masonic Orders, and of the Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Foresters. Practical philanthropy, whether
exercised privately or through the medium of fraternal organizations, receives
his steadfast support, and movements inaugurated and inspired by the desire to
help the needy, to encourage the depressed, or to uplift the fallen, have
benefited by his sagacious counsel & sympathetic cooperation.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento
County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Pages 300-303.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.