Santa Clara County
Biographies
JOHN ZUINGLIUS ANDERSON
Descended from Scotch progenitors and early identified with the history of America, the Anderson family possess the high principles of honor characteristic of the one race, and the independent and enterprising spirit of the other nation. Loyal to the land of their adoption, they have furnished representatives to aid the country in almost every war of its history. The great-grandfather of J. Z. Anderson was a Revolutionary solider, enlisting with a regiment from Old Virginia. The grandfather, George S., removed from that state to Pennsylvania and settled among the pioneers of Crawford county. When the war of 1812 began he was prevented from becoming a participant by his responsibilities as the head of a family, but two of his sons responded to the call for volunteers and showed the fighting spirit of their Revolutionary ancestor.
When the family settled in Pennsylvania, George, father of J. . Anderson, was a child of two years. Early in life he became interested in general farming and the stock business, and for a number of years was engaged as a drover over the mountains. The dairy business also claimed his attention for many years. His life passed uneventfully but busily in the same locality and he lived to be eighty-nine years of age. Politically he was an old line Democrat, but national problems that arose caused him to identify himself with the Republican party. In religion he was a member of the Baptist Church and officiated as a deacon. His marriage united him with Elizabeth Freeman. She was a native of New Jersey, of English extraction, and accompanied her father Thomas Freeman, to Pennsylvania when thirteen years of age, settling on a farm in Crawford county.
In a family of eleven children, of whom he was the only one to establish his home in California, J. Z. Anderson was fourth in order of birth. He was born in Crawford county, Pa., September 26, 1829, and grew to manhood on the home farm. When only ten years of age he began to help his father in driving stock over the mountains. However, his education was not neglected, for in the winter months he was sent to the country schools and at the age of sixteen entered the Kingsville (Ohio) Academy. Two years later he relinquished his studies and returned to his home, his father’s failing health making it necessary for him to take the responsibility of the place. In the pursuit of his occupation he often drove cattle over the mountains into central Pennsylvania and on to Philadelphia. Cheese was manufactured on the farm and shipped from there to Pittsburg. Following the trend of emigration westward, in 1852 he gave over the management of the home place to the younger children and started out in the world for himself. First he went to New York, from there via the ship Daniel Webster to Greytown, where he crossed Nicaragua, and then boarded the vessel Pacific for San Francisco. When the ship cast anchor he hastened to the mines on the American river and for nine months followed the adventurous life of a miner. Failing, however, to find the coveted gold in sufficient quantities to be paying, he turned his attention to general farming and for four years cultivated rented land near Suisun.
Returning to Pennsylvania via Panama in the fall of 1856, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Sloane in Crawford county in April of 1857, Mrs. Anderson being a descendant in the second generation of Cornelius Van Horne, the first white settler in Meadville, Pa., and a native of New Jersey, who was captured by the Indians during one of their marauding expeditions in Pennsylvania. Accompanied by his wife, Mr. Anderson returned to California via Panama and settled at Suisun, where he bought a valley farm and for six years engaged in raising grain. On selling out that place he engaged in teaming four years between Suisun and Nevada. From there he returned to Pennsylvania in 1867 and remained for a year in Crawford county, renewing the associations of his youth. When he returned to California in 1868 he settled in San Jose and embarked in the fruit business, renting land and planting an orchard. After two years he began buying and shipping fruits, and has since engaged extensively in that industry, shipping to points all over the country. The first carload of cherries sent out of California was shipped by him. Probably no resident of this valley has done more than he in opening up new markets for the products of the orchards. His success and recognized familiarity with the fruit industry led to his election as president of the California Fruit Union, and for five years he filled that position acceptably and well, meanwhile forming many warm friendships among the nine hundred growers comprising the membership of the organization.
Of the ten children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson only four are living. The eldest son, Hon. G. H. Anderson, who is a partner with his father in the fruit packing business, has served as a member of the state legislature ad is prominent in public affairs. Hon. Alden Anderson, who is secretary and manager of the California Fruit Distributors, is a leading public man of California, and from the office of state representative, when he served as assemblyman for three consecutive terms, being speaker of the house one term, and in which he proved himself a man of keen discrimination, he has risen to his present position as lieutenant governor of the state. The youngest son, Elmer, is a successful fruit packer and at this writing acts as manager of Concord (Cal.) Fruit Company. The only daughter, Callie, resides with her parents in San Jose. While Mr. Anderson is a pronounced Republican, his interest in politics is not of an aggressive nature and solicitations to accept office have invariably been declined. Among the members of the Santa Clara County Pioneer Association, to which he belongs, and with the citizens of the valley he is popular, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masons, in the latter order being associated with San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M., Howard Chapter No. 14, R. A. M. and San Jose Commandery No. 10, K. T. Since he was made a Mason in the local lodge he has been a firm believer in the high principles of the order and has exemplified in his life its teachings of charity and kindness toward all.
Transcribed by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1309-1310. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.