San Francisco County
Biographies
PROFESSOR
JAMES WRIGHT ANDERSON
PROFESSOR JAMES
WRIGHT ANDERSON.–It is universally conceded that the progress of the century is
due first of all to the advancement of education among the people, and the
surest test of a nation’s rank in civilization is seen in the condition of its
public schools. America certainly has no reason to be dissatisfied when the
moral and intellectual state of its people is compared with that of other
countries, and indeed it is claimed on good grounds that the wonderful
prosperity of this continent is due to its great educational
opportunities. For these reasons it is always our object to represent as
fully as possible the educational and school departments, in a work of this
nature, and to accord to the painstaking and efficient teacher a prominent
place in our pages, as will be seen by a reference to another part of this
work.
Professor Anderson,
who was at the head of the school department of San Francisco, as
Superintendent of Public Schools from 1887 to 1891, maintained during his term
of office the relatively high state of efficiency in his department that
reflects not less credit upon himself that upon the material he had to work
upon. He is a gentleman of extended experience and tried ability in his
work, as will be seen from the following statement, which we are glad to
present to our readers, even if in somewhat brief form.
Professor Anderson
was born in Pittsburg,(sic)Pennsylvania, and comes of
good family in the Keystone State. After a thorough grounding in the
elementary branches, he entered Jefferson College, now Washington and
Jefferson, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts at the end of the usual
course, with honors. He later took the further course prescribed for those
desiring the fuller degree of Master of Arts, which he received
. After leaving college, Professor Anderson taught school for some
time in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, but as at that time the gold fever was
drawing many to California, it is not surprising that,
like many other young men, he decided to visit the coast and see for
himself. He left home in February, 1852, and joining a party bound for
California he came across the plains, arriving in this State September,
1854. He was but little over his majority at that time. Going, as was
natural, to the mines, he tried mining for some three months, but it was
neither a congenial nor profitable occupation. He mined in the usual way
near Placerville, or Hangtown, as it was then
called. In the spring of 1855 he moved to Solano county, and there
accepted a position in the public schools. He taught for but a short
period there, when he was chosen as Superintendent of Schools of the
county. Solano county was his home for many years
after this. In 1861, upon the election to the principalship
of the Sacramento Grammar School, he removed there, selling the buildings he
had erected at Vacaville in the Methodist Church (South). He was
subsequently chosen principal of the high school, Sacramento. This
position he afterward resigned to accept the presidency of Hesperian College,
Woodland, Yolo county.
Professor Anderson
remained in Woodland some two years and then resigned his charge to establish a
private school at Healdsburg, which he called the Sotoyone
Institute. From 1864 to 1868 he was engaged there. Afterward he
removed to Santa Rosa, on his election as Principal of Schools at that
place. He filled this position eight months, and then removed to Petaluma,
to a similar position, where he resided until 1873. In July, 1873, he
accepted a position in connection with the school department of San Francisco,
since which time his life has been intimately associated with the progress of
our schools. That he has won the confidence of the community to the
fullest extent in his ability and energy, is shown by the size and character of
the vote by which he was elected superintendent in 1887. Professor
Anderson enjoys the warm support and co-operation of all.
Although his has not
been an eventful life in the ordinary acceptation of the term, still Professor
Anderson has always watched with interest the course of events in this
State. He took keen interest in every movement that was likely to have a
bearing on our progress.
During the troublous
times of 1856 he was in sympathy with the Vigilance movement in its purifying
endeavors. Still he never approved of extreme lengths. In war days a
stanch Union man, he certainly would have joined the army had there been need
of men from this State. Professor Anderson belongs to none of the clubs,
for in home life he finds greater pleasure. He is a member of several
benevolent societies, however. He was Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of
Masons for two years prior to his being elected State Superintendent of Public
Instruction, in 1890; and for four years was Inspector of San Francisco Masonic
District. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F., and A.O.U.W. In the
fall of 1890 Professor Anderson was nominated and elected State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, which position he now holds. He is a member of the
State Teachers’ Institute, and also of the Mechanics’ Institute. Genial
and pleasant in manner, he naturally has many friends. He has the
reputation of being an honest, fearless and effective public officer, one who
fills his post ably and honorably.
Having now attained
the highest place in the gift of his profession, he proposes to discharge his
duties in that with the same degree of zeal and fidelity to the cause of public
education that has always characterized him.
Transcribed
by 8-17-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 326-327, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.