Sacramento County
Biographies
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 president 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 equalled
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 his 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 1851 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 uninviting 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
commonwealth great in resources, ambitions 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 increasing 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 Kathyrn, 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 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 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, 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 steadfast 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.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 789-792. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.