Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: ANDERSON, Gustav (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 September 30, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 279-280 GUSTAV ANDERSON. The life record of Gustav Anderson is the story of rapid rise from obscurity to prominence. Starting out in the business world in a small way, he is now president of one of the largest laundries of the west. conducted under the name of the Silver State Laundry, and the strength of his purpose and ability finds its measure in his deserved prosperity. Mr. Anderson is numbered among the citizens that Sweden has furnished to the new world. He was born in that country February 8, 1872, a son of Andrew and Kerstin (Holmstrum) Anderson, both of whom were also natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in the occupation of farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife also died in Sweden. They became the parents of five children. Gustav Anderson. who was the fourth in order of birth, attended the public schools of his native country and also pursued a business course in a local commercial college. At the age of nine years he left the parental roof as his father died when he was eight years old and the mother's death occurred only one year later. He was nineteen years old when crossing the Atlantic and made his way direct to Denver, where he arrived in 1891. For a year he worked on a farm near the city and then returned to his native land to look after some important business matters. After putting his affairs there in shape he again made his way to Denver and secured employment at the home of General Pierce at Thirteenth and California streets. He remained with the general for two years and then purchased an Interest in the Silver State Laundry, located at Thirteenth and Platte streets, where a small frame building was occupied. In delivery a horse and buggy was used, with a small box in the back for the parcels. His duties at that time earned him the munificent salary of eight dollars per week. At that time the laundry employed about fifteen people in the busy season. Mr. Anderson paid strict attention to his work and rose steadily. All the time he was looking to the future and with the savings from his earnings he invested in the business and in 1897 was elected to the presidency of the Silver State Laundry Company. In 1901, owing to the growth of the business it was found necessary to secure larger quarters at Twenty- fourth and Walnut streets. A modern building was erected there and all the latest improved machinery installed. Since then the building has been enlarged several times by the erection of additions and always more modern machinery added. The building as it stands today has three floors with one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and fifty feet on the ground floor, while the second and third floors have a space of one hundred by one hundred and twenty-five feet. The plant also includes a large garage housing ten electric delivery cars and ten gasoline cars. The office is thoroughly modern in its elegant equipment, and something of the volume of patronage enjoyed by the firm is indicated in the fact that today they have one hundred and sixty- five regular employes to take care of their vast business. Mr. Anderson is also connected as vice president with the Pioneer State Bank at Seventeenth and Welton streets, one of the leading financial institutions of Denver and of which he was one of the organizers. He is recognized as a man of sound business judgment and of keen discrimination. In November, 1898, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Augusta Anderson, of Denver, whose parents came to the west from Kansas. They have a family of four children: Genevieve, who was born in Denver in 1901 and is a graduate of the Manual Training school; Norma, who was born in 1904 and is attending high school; Evelyn, who was born in Denver in 1907 and is attending school; and Gladys, who was born in 1909 and is also pursuing her education. The family occupy a fine home in Denver. Every year Mr. Anderson takes a much needed vacation, driving to the North Park and Middle Park country and enjoying fishing there. He is an enthusiastic fisherman who has brought in many fine strings of rainbow trout, evidence of his skill being found in many photographs taken of his catch. Mr. Anderson is much interested in civic and community affairs. He is serving as one of the directors of the state board of training schools, under appointment of Governor Carlson in 1915. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is a firm believer in its principles but not a politician in the sense of office seeking. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Denver Athletic Club, the Lakewood Country Club, the Civic and Commercial Association, the Manufacturers Association and several others looking to the welfare and benefit of the community at large as well as to the development of the social life of the city.