Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Anderson, William A. 1875 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 5, 2005, 3:42 am

Author: Tom Gregory

WILLIAM A. ANDERSON

    Prior to the discovery of gold that made California the Eldorado for the
aspiring purposes of the youth from many lands, there crossed the plains with a
large expedition of wagons and oxen, a sturdy young man of eighteen years,
Thomas Anderson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a member of a pioneer family
whose limited means prevented him from receiving any great educational
advantages or any business training except such as appeared in an apprenticeship
to the trade of a carriage-maker. However, the lack of means did not prove a
handicap to one possessing resolution of spirit and energy of character; with
the courage characteristic of the frontiersman he left the associates of early
life to cast in his fortunes with an unknown land. About two years after his
arrival in California gold was discovered at Slitter's camp, and the tide of
emigration swiftly turned toward this point from all portions of the civilized
world. The incoming of settlers created a demand for vehicles and he found
employment in the making of wagons and carriages. For some years he had business
headquarters at Sacramento, where at one time he owned the site of the Western
hotel. The floods and fires of early days caused him heavy losses, but it was
his privilege to live until prosperity had cast its benediction upon the west,
and when he died in 1886 the town which he remembered as a typical headquarters
for miners had developed into a populous, refined and progressive city. With a
distaste for politics, he had never allowed his name to be presented as
candidate for any of the local offices, but on one occasion he accepted a
position as deputy in the office of the county treasurer, and during the several
years of his service in that capacity his books were said to be models of
accuracy and neatness.

    For a long period subsequent to his arrival in the west Thomas Anderson
remained a bachelor, but eventually he established a home of his own, choosing
as his wife Miss Katherine Leigh, who was born in Louisiana and came to
California with her parents during the early '50s. Her death occurred in 1879,
at which time her son, William A., who was born August 6, 1875, was too young to
realize the heavy bereavement that had fallen upon the family. There were nine
children altogether, but only three are now living. Lillie is the wife of E. F.
Haswell of Rumsey, and Rose married T. D. Parker of Winters. The only surviving
son, who is now one of the most prominent attorneys of Woodland, received his
education primarily in the public schools, later under a private tutor, and
finally in the San Francisco Business College, from which he was graduated in
1891. Immediately afterward he took up the study of law, which he completed in
the office of C. W. Thomas of Woodland. Since being admitted to the bar, in
January of 1897, he has engaged in the practice of his profession at Woodland,
where he has risen to influence among the members of the bar. Near the city on
Cache creek he has a finely improved vineyard, and to it he gives personal
attention, finding recreation and relaxation in the change from arduous mental
labors to interesting outdoor activities.

    Two children, Wilella and George Clark, comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Anderson, the latter of whom was Ella Armstrong, a native of Reno, Nev., and a
graduate of the San Jose Normal school. She is a daughter of Alexander
Armstrong, one of the leading pioneers of Yolo county. The family are identified
with the Christian Church, and Mr. Anderson is numbered among the liberal
contributors to its work in Woodland. As past president he holds official
relations with Woodland Parlor No. 30, N. S. G. W. Besides being connected with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is also a member of Woodland Circle,
Companions of Foresters, the Foresters of America, and is now serving as Junior
Beadle of the Grand Court of California.

   The principles of the Republican party always have received the intelligent
support of Mr. Anderson, who, while not entering into partisan affairs,
nevertheless is numbered among the leading men of Woodland in civic and
political affairs. When in July of 1898 District Attorney Hopkins left Yolo
county on account of illness, Mr. Anderson took charge of the office for the
balance of the term, retiring in January of 1899. During April following he was
elected city attorney of Woodland and served for a term of two years. Nominated
for district attorney in 1902, on the face of the returns he was elected, in
evidence whereof a certificate of election was tendered him. Eventually,
however, he was counted out through a technicality, but not until he had filled
the office for two years, attending to all of the work incident thereto and
drawing his salary at regular intervals. When the final decision was rendered he
relinquished the office, but in the autumn of 1906 he was elected by a most
emphatic majority. A service of four years proved satisfactory to the people,
and he retired in January of 1911 with every evidence of success in the
important position. He was the first district attorney for fifty years who
obtained a sentence of hanging in the prosecution of murder in Yolo county. One
of his most important responsibilities was the planning for and signing of a
contract for the erection of a steel railroad bridge over the Sacramento river,
the same to cost $1,000,000. Much to the discomfort of the railroad officials,
he held off from signing a contract until he had secured one that was
satisfactory and protected the people's rights. Not only in this matter, but in
all enterprises of grave importance to the taxpayers, he represented the people
with fidelity, intelligence and tact, while as a private citizen, no less than
when in public office, he has proved patriotic, loyal and alert to advance the
prosperity of city and commonwealth.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
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
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]

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