Napa County Biographies
Henry Eben Alden
Henry Eben Alden - The son of Lyman and Elizabeth Williams Alden, was born in Lincoln, Enox County,
Maine, April 4,1847. There he received a good common school education, and resided-until the age of twenty.
Mr. Alden then branched out for himself and proceeded to Bangor,in his native State, and secured a position
in the wholesale mercantile firm of Thomas Hersy & Co., as salesman, and after three years close application
to business, was promoted to head salesman, a position he held for three years. He was then given sole charge
of a branch retail store for the same firm for two years more. Mr. Alden then purchased the store from his
former employers, and embarked in the mercantile trade, and did an extensive and successful wholesale and
retail business until, through the dishonesty of his head salesman and book-keeper, he was swindled out of
not only the profits but part of the capital of the store. This, in connection with his failing health,
prompted him to remove to this coast, which event occurred in June, 1875. He first located in Vallejo and
followed several different occupations, and his health being somewhat improved he concluded to go into
the mercantile business again. He first entered the employ of A. P. Voorhees, of Vallejo. In a few months
after a brother of the subject of this sketch bought a half interest with Mr. Voorhees. The new firm then
started a branch store in St. Helena, with the subject of our sketch as manager, until 1878, when Mr.
Merriam bought a half interest in the business, and January 17,1878, Mr. Alden bought his brother's interest,
and then was created the present well-known clothing and furnishing house of Alden & Merriam, and it is but
just for us to say that Mr. Alden enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people of Napa County, and to
his perseverance and energy belongs much of the extensive business they now enjoy in their well-appointed
store under the Windsor Hotel Mr. Alden was united in marriage in Vallejo, October 12, 1875, to Miss Carrie
S. Jones, a native of Maine, and by this union they have one living child and one deceased: Sarah M., born
September 4,1876; died December 4,1876. Alice M., born January 12,1878.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Page 373
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Last updated February 1, 2007