Illiam Lamson a capitalist of Garden Grove, was born at Mt. Vernon, New Hampshire, October 1, 1810, the eldest of six children of John L. and Nancy (Bradford) Lamson. At the age of twenty-one years, after having been an industrious worker for his father, he started out in life for himself, his father taking him as far as he could in one day, giving him $2 and telling him not to drink or to gamble, and to do the best he could for himself. With the $2 Mr. Lamson went about half way to Boston and hired out for one year, at $10 per month. At the end of the year he had saved $100, which he put out at interest, and it is still drawing interest in some of his mortgages! After his first year’s work he entered a glass factory, where he exhibited the sterling qualities which have characterized him as a business man all through life. The superintendent of the glass works was a careless, in temperate man and wasted a great deal of material. Mr. Lamson saw this, and when all the other men had quit work he remained and gathered up what was about to be wasted and put things in order. The company, observing him in the performance of these chores, appointed him superintendent of the work at their next meeting, and this position he held for seventeen years.The next twenty-two years he was a resident of Woodford County, Illinois, engaged as gardener, in settling estates, buying tax titles, making collections, etc.
Twelve years ago he came to California and bought 160 acres of land at Garden Grove, where he now has a fine stock and fruit farm. He has also interests in the First National Bank and the Commercial Bank at Santa Ana, and the bank of Anaheim. Ile has been eminently successful in life, and he says that his success is due to his observance of the rule, ” Keep out of debt.”
He was married May 28, 1835, to Miss Sarah Starrett, of New Boston, New Hampshire, and their children were: William Bradford, George S., Sarah Frances and Gustin W. Mrs. Lamson died June 6, 1883. Mr. Lamson is now eighty years old, and well preserved in body and mind.
