Bergman, Hans.  "History of Scandinavians in Tacoma and Pierce County with brief
history of Tacoma and early settlement."  Tacoma, WA, 1926. pp. 91-92.

John D Anderson

Was born in Ryssby, Smaland, Sweden, April 15, 1864. He finished his common
school education at the age of twelve years. At the age of eighteen, or in 1882,
he emigrated to America, locating first in Geneva, Illinois. There he worked on
a farm for a time. He was told he would be paid what he was worth, and after
having worked hard some time he decided to find out how much he was worth and
was told that the pay would be three dollars a month. This pay however, was to
be raised to four dollars per month, and if he proved satisfactory, he was to
get five dollars a month. He was to milk nine cows twice a day, besides working
in the field, and the grub was very slim. He left this farmer and hired out to
another and stayed there for three years. There he milked eighteen cows twice a
day, hauling the milk to a cheese factory, besides working in the field from
early till late. Amusements and recreations were scarce, and he came into town
only about twice a year, walking twenty miles in dust or mud, according to the
season of the year. From this place he went to Nebraska, where he got a position
as clerk in a grocery store, as the salary of $50.00 for six months. Besides
waiting on customers in the store he had to do the chores around the farm, such
as milking of the cows, but Anderson learned the business while there. He held
the position there until he could command the highest salary paid those days. In
1894 he went into business of his own, which did not prove a success, owing to
crop failures and other reasons. He therefore decided to move out to Washington
and bought a small grocery in Tacoma. He sold out and went back to Nebraska for
a short time, but came back to Tacoma again, here he has lived ever since.
During the first years here Anderson was a traveling salesman, but later engaged
in business of his own under the firm "Anderson Market", on 11th and Market
Streets. The last twelve years he has leased the entire building. There Anderson
has worked up a trade until he now has one of the largest retail grocery
businesses in Tacoma. He now employs seven or more salesman, himself being in
active charge.

Mr. Anderson has by hard work and strict attention to business made financial
success in real estate ventures as in teh mercantile field. Mr. Anderson was
married February 22, 1890, to Margareta Anderson, who was born in Ockelbo,
Gestrickland, Sweden, June, 28, 1861. She dies in Tacoma, October 4, 1925. They
have four children living, namely, Ray and Harry, employed in their father's
business, Audrey (Mrs. C. Knutson), and Jennie, living at home. Mrs. Anderson
has a fine residence at 2345 South Sheridan and has a fine summer home near
American Lake.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in September 2005 by Teressa Lenkey.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.