the subject of this sketch, is one of the
young men to whom Toronto is really indebted for building its dry goods
trade. Mr. Anderson was born at Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland, on the 2nd
of April, 1849, and received his education in the parish school. On
leaving this institution, he entered a lawyer's office, not, however, with
the intention of studying law, but simply with the view of acquiring more
knowledge, and in this position he remained for three years. Then, like
many of his young countrymen, he was seized with the desire to travel, and
resolved to visit America, and he landed in Montreal in 1867, and resolved
to make that city his home for some time. On his arrival there, young
Anderson found a relation of his carrying on a large wholesale dry-goods
business, - the head of the firm of Ogilvy & co,. - and he was soon
installed as one of his clerks. Mr. Anderson devoted all his energies to
this new sphere of operations, and soon rose in the estimation of his
employers. The business began to assume large proportions, and it was
ultimately decided, to meet the growing trade in Ontario, to open a branch
establishment in the City of Toronto. Accordingly in 1871 this idea was
carried out, and Mr. Anderson, though then only twenty-one years of age,
was appointed the assistant-manager. Since then business had grown
immensely, and our Brechin lad - having been taken into partnership in
1877 - is now one of the leading and most public spirited mercantile men
in the "Queen City of the West". Mr. Anderson is an active
member of the Board of Trade; is a member of the St. Andrew's Society; and
being a keen curler, is a member of the Granite Curling Club. In politics
Mr. Anderson is a Reformer, and fails to see, when everything is
considered, that the country has gained anything by the national policy.
In religion he is of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Anderson married in 1874,
the eldest daughter of the Rev. William Inglis. |