Anderson was a one-time Indiana farmer who came to Missouri's southeast "bootheel" to found an industrial empire and aid in reclaiming 500,000 acres of swamplands. President of the Gideon-Anderson Lumber Company, Mr. Anderson mortgaged his farm to buy his first sawmill and then moved the mill to Gideon which was at that time an almost impenetrable swamp. At Gideon he was joined by a brother-in-law, F. E. Gideon, in establishing the sawmill. In addition to the sawmill, they owned large stores, grain elevators, a cotton gin, a power plant, a hotel and a factory which was one of the largest makers of wooden beverage cases in the world. For many years, the firm issued its own currency, known as Brozine, for use by employees. Counterfeiting of it brought about the ultimate abandonment of the different denominations.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson and his family came to St. Louis to make their home and he became active in a number of business interests there. He was one of the organizers of the National City Bank and was a director until its merger with the Franklin-American Bank.
He also helped to organize the Little River Drainage District in southeast Missouri, serving as its president for many years. It was this project that drained off swamp waters from 500,000 acres, converting the area into the highest yield, non-irrigated cotton district in the country.
In addition, he founded and was president of the Commercial Bank of Gideon and the Clarkton, Missouri Bank, of which he also served as president.
Affiliated enterprises of the Gideon-Anderson Company were established in Arkansas and Florida. While Mr. Anderson resided in St. Louis for many years, he always maintained an affection for the "bootheel," where he was regarded as one its most outstanding developers.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson and his family came to St. Louis to make their home and he became active in a number of business interests there. He was one of the organizers of the National City Bank and was a director until its merger with the Franklin-American Bank.
He also helped to organize the Little River Drainage District in southeast Missouri, serving as its president for many years. It was this project that drained off swamp waters from 500,000 acres, converting the area into the highest yield, non-irrigated cotton district in the country.
In addition, he founded and was president of the Commercial Bank of Gideon and the Clarkton, Missouri Bank, of which he also served as president.
Affiliated enterprises of the Gideon-Anderson Company were established in Arkansas and Florida. While Mr. Anderson resided in St. Louis for many years, he always maintained an affection for the "bootheel," where he was regarded as one its most outstanding developers.
Anderson was a one-time Indiana farmer who came to Missouri's southeast "bootheel" to found an industrial empire and aid in reclaiming 500,000 acres of swamplands. President of the Gideon-Anderson Lumber Company, Mr. Anderson mortgaged his farm to buy his first sawmill and then moved the mill to Gideon which was at that time an almost impenetrable swamp. At Gideon he was joined by a brother-in-law, F. E. Gideon, in establishing the sawmill. In addition to the sawmill, they owned large stores, grain elevators, a cotton gin, a power plant, a hotel and a factory which was one of the largest makers of wooden beverage cases in the world. For many years, the firm issued its own currency, known as Brozine, for use by employees. Counterfeiting of it brought about the ultimate abandonment of the different denominations.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson and his family came to St. Louis to make their home and he became active in a number of business interests there. He was one of the organizers of the National City Bank and was a director until its merger with the Franklin-American Bank.
He also helped to organize the Little River Drainage District in southeast Missouri, serving as its president for many years. It was this project that drained off swamp waters from 500,000 acres, converting the area into the highest yield, non-irrigated cotton district in the country.
In addition, he founded and was president of the Commercial Bank of Gideon and the Clarkton, Missouri Bank, of which he also served as president.
Affiliated enterprises of the Gideon-Anderson Company were established in Arkansas and Florida. While Mr. Anderson resided in St. Louis for many years, he always maintained an affection for the "bootheel," where he was regarded as one its most outstanding developers.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson and his family came to St. Louis to make their home and he became active in a number of business interests there. He was one of the organizers of the National City Bank and was a director until its merger with the Franklin-American Bank.
He also helped to organize the Little River Drainage District in southeast Missouri, serving as its president for many years. It was this project that drained off swamp waters from 500,000 acres, converting the area into the highest yield, non-irrigated cotton district in the country.
In addition, he founded and was president of the Commercial Bank of Gideon and the Clarkton, Missouri Bank, of which he also served as president.
Affiliated enterprises of the Gideon-Anderson Company were established in Arkansas and Florida. While Mr. Anderson resided in St. Louis for many years, he always maintained an affection for the "bootheel," where he was regarded as one its most outstanding developers.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
