A native of Scotland, where he was born March 10, 1846, and growing to manhood in that country and thereafter for a number of years working at his trade in its principal cities, David Anderson, of Plateau Valley, Mesa county, came to this country in the full maturity of his powers and with his perceptions sharpened by practical experience with men so that his naturally strong mind had additional preparation for the emergencies he was likely to meet with in a new country. He is the son of Peter and Betsy (Henry) Anderson, both natives of Scotland, where the whole of their lives were passed in the pleasing and independent occupation of farming, the father dying there in 1854, and the mother in 1902, after she had passed her eightieth year. They were the parents of ten children, of whom David was the sixth. He grew to manhood in his native land and received a common-school education there. After leaving school he learned the trade of a blacksmith, and for several years followed it near his home and in all the leading cities of the country, as has been stated. In 1867 he emigrated to the United States, locating at Lynchburg, Virginia, and there working at his trade two years. In 1869 he moved to Kansas, where he engaged in ranching some time, then, under direction of his brother-in-law, learned the trade of a stone mason, at which he wrought until 1878. In that year he became a resident of Colorado, and after living for a short time at Denver, went to mining near Aspen and also did some freighting in 1880 and 1881. In the spring of 1882 he moved to what is now Mesa county, continuing work at his trade for about ten years in various parts of the state. He had located a ranch on Plateau creek, about two and a half miles below, where Plateau City now stands, and there his family lived during the time he was working at his trade. He was among the pioneers of that part of Mesa county, there being but one other family in Plateau valley at the time he located there. In 1892 he purchased his present ranch on Grove creek. Here he has since resided and been occupied in ranching and raising stock. During the last six years he has also been employed by the United States government in guarding the forest reserve. He has been active and persistent in his efforts to secure public improvements in the section at all times, and was particularly forceful and effective in pushing through the construction of the Grove creek reservoir for irrigating purposes. In 1868 he was married to Miss Jessie Scrimgeour, a native of Scotland, living at the time of her marriage at Lynchburg, Virginia. They are the parents of four children, Grace, David, Mary and John.
Source: Bowen, A. W. Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1905.