Sample of a Certificate of Deposit signed by J. W. Annis of Osage (IA) National Bank
Annis Family Biographical Reference Materials
Arthur Annis Comes to Town
"An idea so dominatingly different and almost unbelievable..."
Although 1929 is usually associated with the catastrophic Wall Street Crash, this year had positive connotations for the people of Brisbane {California}. For, in 1929, Arthur Annis came to town.
Annis is best remembered as a realtor who helped develop the area and as the man who gave Brisbane its name. But his real impact upon the community can only be described by the people who felt his influence directly.
In the March 3, 1934 issue of the Brisbane Sun, Arthur Gledhill, the founding editor of that paper, paid his tribute to Annis:
"Our beloved Brisbane, now a husky 5-year-old youngster, was not a 'happenstance.' For twenty long years, known as Visitacion City, it lay dormant --waiting for the opportunity to be of service to substantial home-loving people who could be happier if they could, with small means, be independent.
Then in 1929, happily, Arthur Annis came along, popularly known as the 'Daddy' of Brisbane, and a really truly Santa Claus to Brisbane's pioneer children numbering 28 in 1929; steadily increasing to 230 in 1933 (which is but one example of what a good 'idea' will do)!
Annis's idea was extremely simple -- to permit good citizens of small means to build their homes, without unreasonable restrictions, as soon as they contracted to purchase their lots.
What an idea! What a basis for establishing a new community of virile people with similar aims and ambitions, paramount of which is independence. Many of Brisbane's pioneer residents built their own homes with their own hands and the help of neighbors -- representing the true community spirit which has prevailed ever since.
Was this idea a success? Not immediately, because the idea was so dominatingly different and almost unbelievable that it took another idea to bring it into full significance. Annis realized the handicap of the name 'Visitacion City' --being so close to a San Francisco city district of similar name that people confused the two locations. Then one night an inspiration! 'Why not change the name?'
Then 'What name?' Something easy to say, to remember, and entirely different from any other western city. Happy thought - Ah! - BRISBANE!"Arthur Butler Annis was born July 29, 1881 at Union, Kossuth County, Iowa, the son of George Merritt Annis and Minetta L. Butler. As a young man he removed to Idaho and was employed as a "druggist" at St. Marie. He spent time working in various trades in Kennewick, WA before moving to California and entering the real estate business at Brisbane.
Lineage: George Merritt Annis 1852-?, Chauncey Lavoy Annis 1816-1888, James Annas 1774-1862, James Annis 1743-1829, John Annis 1700-c.1771, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
The following story was found in the History of Blue Earth Co., Minnesota. It relates a story about the hardships that Ira Annis (1816-1882) had to endure in his pioneering into Minnesota in 1856. The next time I go to the store for a loaf of bread, I will remember this and try not to whine about running an errand for my wife. You can read more about Ira Annis at the web site under "Annis Pioneers"
"Following the tide of emigration toward the west, Ira Annis in 1853, removed to Wisconsin, accompanied by two brothers, Azro and Darius, and they became pioneers of Ripon, Fond du Lac county. During 1856 Ira and his family and his brother, Azro, traveled with wagon and oxen to Minnesota, where they proceeded to Blue Earth county and joined the pioneers near the Maple River, arriving there on the 20th of June. Azro settled in Sterling Township four miles west and two and one-half miles south of the present town of Mapleton. Ira selected as his location a tract of land four miles south and one mile west of Mapleton, the Maple River running through his farm. To his original homestead he added by purchase until he became the owner of several farms in his immediate vicinity and held rank with the most extensive land owners of the county.
The deep interest in religious affairs which Mr. Annis displayed throughout his entire life led him to aid generously in all work for the benefit of the church and the spiritual uplifting of humanity. In the building of the Free Baptist church at Mapleton he was a large contributor and afterwards remained one of its strongest supporters until his death.
The early days of the residence of the family in Minnesota were marked by many hardships. The winters were bitterly cold and the cabins of the pioneers were illy fitted to withstand the rigors of the weather. Suffering fell to the lot of all, but were borne without murmur and sacrifices were made cheerfully. No braver heroes ever fell on field of battle than those men and women who bore without a whisper of discontent the suffering caused by cold and hunger.
When the Annis family found themselves in the midst of the desolate conditions prevalent during the `50's in Blue Earth County, they began the task of making a home. For a few months they lived in a tent. Meanwhile they built one of the first houses in Mapleton township. This was a crude structure, scarcely more habitable than the tent. When they moved in, December 4, 1856, it was necessary to place the tent inside the house in order to withstand the extreme cold of the winter. The cabin was plastered outside and inside with mud mortar mixed in a hole intended for a cellar. While the father applied the mortar to the outside of the building, the mother was similarly engaged inside the cabin. Soon afterward it became necessary to secure flour. St. Paul, about one hundred miles distant, was the nearest market, and Hastings was an equal distance from the frontier settlement. With a neighbor, Mr. Samuel Atkins, Mr. Ira Annis started with horses for Hastings, and accomplished the first half of their journey successfully.
Mr. Atkins proceeded on to Wisconsin. On Mr. Annis' return alone he had reached old St. Mary's when he and another party were caught in a severe snowstorm. All day they wearily pushed forward through the blinding snow, but the drifts became so deep that at night they were forced to return to the place they had left in the morning. About noon of the following day he alone started out, unloaded his flour, piled it up against a small oak tree, and started onward as rapidly as the condition of the weather permitted. That night he was overtaken by a terrible blizzard. Unable to face the storm and darkness coming on, he tied his horses to the sled, wrapped blankets around his limbs and all through the long night ran around the sled to keep from freezing to death. By the next day the storm had passed and he was able to proceed to his home in safety. When spring came he returned and found his flour under the tree where he had left it during the blizzard of the winter. This is a record of but one experience; were all related the present generation would realize to what extent they are indebted to their fathers and grandfathers, who endured such dreary isolation from civilizing influences, such exposure to the rigors of winter, and such continued hardships and privations, in order that the civilization of the twentieth century might be made possible to this part of our state."
Men of Vermont: An Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of Vermont.
PART III - BIOGRAPHIES OF SONS OF VERMONT
Jere Wright Annis received his education at the district schools of Westfield, VT and Westfield Academy. Upon obtaining his majority he removed to Osage, IA and formed a partnership with E. O. Hitchcock in a merchantile business, which was successfully conducted until 1868, when he formed a partnership with Judge Hitchcock and J. H. Johnson and conducted a large hardware business under the name Johnson and Annis. This was continued until 1885 when he received an appointment as assistant cashier of the Osage National Bank, which was followed in 1891 by his promotion to cashier, and directorship of the bank.
Sample of a Certificate of Deposit signed by J. W. Annis of Osage (IA) National Bank
Politically, he was affiliated with the Republican party, and was elected Mayor of Osage in 1881 and 1893. He was President of the Board of Trade, President of the Mitchell County Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company and Agricultural Society, a member of the Osage Lodge #102, F. & A. M., and Eminent Commander of Coeur de Leon Commandery, #19.
Upon attaining his majority he removed to Osage, Iowa, and there formed a partnership with E. O. Hitchcock in the mercantile business, which was successfully conducted until 1868, when he formed a partnership with Judge Hitchcock and J. H. Johnson, and conducted a large hardware business under the firm name of Johnson & Annis, which was continued until 1885, when he received the appointment of assistant cashier of the Osage National Bank, which was followed in 1891 by his promotion to the position of cashier, a position he still holds, as well as a directorship in the same institution.
Politically Mr. Annis has affiliated with the Republican party, and at the hands of his party was honored by an election to the mayoralty of Osage in 1881, and again in 1893, being the present mayor. He is president of the Osage Board of Trade, president of the Mitchell County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Agricultural Society.
He is a member of Osage Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M., and Osage Chapter, No. 36, and is Eminent Commander of Cœur de Leon Commandery, No. 19.
Mr. Annis was united in marriage Nov. 24, 1864, at Westfield, to Lucia S., daughter of Hiram and Harriet Hitchcock. Four children have blessed this union: Franklin W., Fanny, Laura L., and Homer B.Lineage: Abiathar Wright Annis 1814-1876, Nathaniel Flood Annis 1788-1877, David Annis 1754-1824, Daniel Annis 1711-1790, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
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