San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1116
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 9/26/2009
JAMES A. ANDERSON
A brief review of the success of James A. Anderson, one of the early settlers and developers of the San Joaquin Valley, who passed to his reward in December of 1905, is interesting in that it shows what may be accomplished by fair dealing, close application and unremitting industry. He was a native of Missouri, born in Livingston County on January 4, 1849, a son of James and Margaret (Scott) Anderson, farmers of that county, where he remained until 1874, when he removed to California. He located in Sacramento and entered the employ of the Williamson Company, proprietors of the Capital Nursery, and during the nine years that he worked for them, he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. During the year of 1883, he removed to Clements, San Joaquin County, and conducted a nursery business until 1887, when he moved to Lodi. There he leased a portion of the Stoddard place, northeast of Lodi, on the river; here he set out an orchard of peaches, plums, cherries and apricots, and many of these trees are still standing and producing crops each season. His nursery was on a part of the George E. Lawrence ranch adjoining, and a sales yard was maintained in Lodi. Mr. Anderson was a pioneer in the nursery business in San Joaquin County, as well as the first manager of the first packing-house in Lodi. When the Earl Fruit Company opened their packing-house in Lodi, he became their manager; this was in 1898. They occupied a part of the old freight depot as a packing-house. Mr. Anderson's duties were numerous and responsible, for he not only managed the packing-house, but was also outside man, buying fruit, covering the territory on a bicycle. After four years of service with the Earl Fruit Company, he established his own business in Lodi, as an independent packer and shipper, first packing his own fruit, and later packing and shipping for other growers. Twenty years ago the fruit industry was in its infancy and few cars were filled and shipped from Lodi; frequently a half-loaded car was sent on to Sacramento to be filled for shipment east. He erected a packing-house on East Oak Street and represented Sgobel & Day of New York; this plant was destroyed by fire in 1921, and on the same site a modern $20,000 packing plant was erected, constructed of hollow tile and with a cement cellar, one of the most complete packing plants in the valley.
Mr. Anderson's marriage united him with Miss Mary L. Hummer, a native of Illinois; and they are the parents of five children—four daughters: Alta; Hattie S.; Ora B., now Mrs. Charles L. Villinger; and Mary L., the wife of W.A. Spooner; and one son, James G. Since Mr. Anderson's death in December of 1905, the business has been carried on by his daughter, Miss Alta Anderson, and his son, James G. Anderson, and has grown from a small beginning to great proportions.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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