The Anderson Families of Des Moines County, Iowa

JAMES A. ANDERSON, a prominent fruit grower residing on section 30, Burlington Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa, was born in Carrollton, Ky., Nov. 1, 1834, and is a son of Selh and Emily (Goddard) Anderson, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of Maryland. They were the parents of three children: John F., a farmer near Salem. Ore.; Matilda A., who died at the age of eleven years, and our subject. The two former were born in Des Moines County. Seth Anderson, with his wife and son James, came to this county in the spring of 18.36, in company with the family of William Garrett. They resided near the Cascade for one year, Mr. Anderson afterward entering 160 acres on section 30, where our subject now resides. Seth Anderson only lived about two years after coming to Des Moines County, his death occurring in 1838. He was a public-spirited man, always doing his share in public enterprises. His widow subsequently married Comfort Peck, a native of Massachusetts, and to them were born three children: Elizabeth, wife of Martin Ryarson, a farmer of Union Tovvnshi] and mother of two children — Paul and Edna; Hubert C. wedded Ellen Kyle, a native of Mercer County, Ill., and two sons were born to them; Ray Clarence is a farmer in Burlington Township. Mrs. Peck is yet living,.and resides in Burlington Township. She has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker for her Master.

At about the age of twenty-three our subject began the bottle of life for himself, and well has this battle been fought. Always industrious, he soon gave his attention to fruit-growing, and is now extensively engaged in raising fruit and garden products. About the year 1843 he and his mother made a trip to Mississippi, visiting there until 1845, when they returned to this county, and in 1846-47 they traveled through Arkansas. In the fall of 1 849 the house that afterward became the home of Mr. Anderson was erected. The timber composing the house is oak and hickory, and the roof is made of shaved pine shingles. But little does the present generation know of the privations and toils which made up the life of the pioneer settler. Indians were numerous in this part of the country at that time. Where once was unbroken timber, now, as far as the eye can see, stretch broad, cultivated farms, the trees being filled in the daytime, and the brush burned at night. The flowers path of knowledge was untrodden in those days, the little education received being obtained under great disadvantages. Mr. Anderson attended the log school-house, with its slab seats, luncheon floors and huge fireplace. The boys in those days were compelled to rise before daylight, saw logs until school time, then run to school, back again at night, sawing logs until dark, when the chores li.ad to be done, and then after supper shell corn until 10 or 11 o'clock.

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Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are both members of the INIethodist Episcopal Church, in which he has alw.ays been an active woikcr. His life is worthy of commendation, and one that the young men of today would do well to follow. With scarcely any early advantages, he has yet gained an honorable place in the business world, and his rank in the social world is as high. In his temperance principles he is firm, having never used tobacco in any way, and as much can be said of his use of liquors. Tills is a record any one might be proud to possess, and such a legacy given to the children is more priceless than gold. Mr. Anderson attributes his good health to his temperate habits; during his whole life his doctor bills only amount to 5. Politically, in early life he was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been an earnest advocate of its princi[)les. Mr. Anderson has witnessed the many changes that have taken place in Des Moines County, and as a pioneer, a gentleman, and a respected citizen, we are pleased to place the record of his life on the pages of one of Iowa's best counties.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Nils Anderson, long known as a highly successful business man and leader in public life of Des Moines county, was born in Christianstad, Sweden, Nov. 10, 1848, a son of Sven and Lucy (Tufveson) Anderson. He was one of a family of seven children, of whom only one other now survives, this being Anna, wife of Anders Nilson, of Sweden. The father, who was an architect, died in Sweden about the year 1833,.ged forty-four years. He was survived for a few years by his wife, her demise occurring in September, 1857, in the thirty-ninth year of her age. Both were members of the Lutheran church, by whose teachings they guided the course of their lives.

A paternal grandfather of our subject, Anders Lock, was in the regular army, and later took part in the war of the Allies against Napoleon I. Born in 1775, he died in 1880, having attained to the remarkable age of almost one hundred and five years. lie Mirvived a iininber of his own children. of whom there were twelve. The maternal grandfather Tiifvesun likewise reached old age. and died in his native land at the age of seventy years.

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In 1875 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Matilda Thornquist, who died two years after marriage, her death occurring Dec. 1, 1877. This union was blessed with one child, who is also dead.. On Nov. 6, 1883, he married Miss Augusta Thornquist, a sister of his first wife, and to them have been born three children, as follows: Carl I'lato, Lillie Matilda, and Roscoe Isedore.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson arc both consistent members and among the principal supporters of the Swedish Lutlieran church, in which the former has held the responsible position of trustee for many years. Mr. Anderson is of a very patriotic family, having had two uncles who defended their adopted country throughout the Civil War. One, Gustaf Anderson, was killed at the battle of Shiloh; and the other, Carl Boja, was fatally wounded, and died in a hospital near Gettysburg. As a business man he stands among those who have achieved notable success. He is a man of broad and liberal views, public-spirited, quiet, and unpretentious, one whom it is a pleasure to know, and an honor to count among one's friends, and stands high in the confidence and counsels of his fellow-men.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES JOHN ANDERSON.

Charles Johx Anderson, well kncAvn to many- of the people of Burlington as a worthy member of the Swedish element, which forms so large and valuable a portion of the city's population, was born Aug. 20, 1827, in Sweden, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Mansdaughter) Anderson. It was in his native land that he received his education, his teacher being his mother, as there were at that time no public schools in Sweden, now so justly famed for her marvelous educational system. The years of his youth and early manhood he devoted to the work on a farm, and also did considerable repair work for neighboring property owners. His parents having died a short time before, he came to America in 187 1, coming direct to Des Moines county, where he worked on a farm near Burlington for

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Mrs. Anderson, like her husband, is a native of Sweden, where she was born Dec. 27, 1828, and was trained by her mother in reading, writing, and arithmetic, besides weaving and all kinds of domestic employments. She came to Ainerica and to Burlington in 1868, and was here employed in a number of well-known families until her marriage with Mr. Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have relinquished their part in active affairs, and are now leading a retired life at their pleasant home. They are consistent members of the Swedish Methodist Ejjiscopal church, and Mr. Anderson takes an interest in public affairs as a supporter of the Republican party. He has been successful in a pecuniary sense, and enjoys the general regard and esteem for Ills tint, inaiilv character.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANDREW PETER ANDERSON.

Among the many citizens of Swedish birth, to whose virile strength, endurance, and ability to overcome all hardships of nature Des Moines county owes so much of her present-day prosperity, the name of Andrew P. Anderson stands out prominently as a worthy example of what a man can accomplish by his own unaided effort, when he is gifted by nature with pluck and determination to succeed. From the most lowly of beginning, Mr. Anderson has fought his way up the ladder of success, round by round, till now he occupies a position that many a man, not handicapped in the beginning as Mr. Anderson was, may well envy.

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His excellent management, constant industry, and careful economy made his success certain from the start, and by 1892 he had accumulated enough money to purchase from John Swanson a large farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Section 27, which he now owns. His prosperity has never left him, but has increased from year to year, as is evidenced by the many improvements that he has made on the place since it came into his possession. He has built a large and comfortable dwelling-house, now barns, and other farm buildings: lias purchased the old parsonage and moved it onto the farm; and so tended the land as to increase rather than diminish its fertility; as well as making many other improvements.

Besides carrying on a very successful general farming business, he has begun to take an interest in stock-raising, having twenty-seven head of Shorthorn cattle, and twenty-eight head of Poland China hogs.

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Mr. Anderson is possessed of a genial disposition, which, together with the reputation he enjoys for strict uprightness and integrity in all his dealings, has won for him the friendship of many, and the respect of all who know him. The record of his life achievements, showing how by constant effort and rigid determination a man may overcome obstacles of poverty and misfortune that seem almost insurmountable, may well serve as a lesson of encouragement to the young of this and succeeding generations.

Mr. Anderson has never had any trouble in any way, never allowing anything to be brought into court. He believes that honesty is the best policy, and to avoid trouble saves money.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CARL AUGUST ANDERSON.

For a third of a century Carl August Anderson has been a resident of Burlington and in the intervening years has gradually worked his way upward until he stands as one of the leading general contractors of the city. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished by reason of his close application, his thorough reliability and the intelligent direction of his activities.

He was born in Westergotland, Sweden, January 1 1;, 1857, a son of A. Johnson and Johanna (Anderson) Anderson. His father, also a native of Westergotland. born in 1821, was a cabinetmaker by trade and spent his entire life in Sweden, where he passed away in 1909. His wife, who was born in Westergotland in 1823, died in 1906. They were the parents of four children: Amelia, who came to America in 1893 id is now the wife of C. J. Ostrin, of Salem, Oregon; John, who died in Sweden; and Carl August and A. Anderson, who both came to the new world, the former in 188 1 and the latter in 1883, and live in Burlington.

Carl A. Anderson attended the public schools of his native place until he had graduated and later was a student in a polytechnic school in Stockholm, in which city he lived for seven years. When his textbooks were put aside he took up the trade of cabinetmaking under his father and afterward was employed in various factories and on different buildings in Stockholm. In addition to cabinetmaking he learned carpentering and became an expert workman in both lines. He also occupied a position in Sweden which afforded him a great deal of mill experience, which he has since found to be exceedingly valuable to him.

While Mr. Anderson advanced steadily in business in his native country he felt that there were still better advantages to be enjoyed in the United States and accordingly in 1881 he sailed for the new world, arriving at Boston in November of that year. He at once crossed the country to Burlington and during the intervening period, covering a third of a century, has made his home in this city, where he is today known as one of the leading contractors. He entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the construction of their shops and later was employed by various contractors, during which period he was gaining a knowledge of conditions in relation to the builder's trade in /America. He began contracting on his own account in 1891 and stands today in a prominent position among the builders and contractors of the city. He has received contracts for the erection of a number of notable public buildings as well as others of individual ownership. He erected the county poor farm building at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars for the contract work, the county furnishing the material, and later, when it burned down, he erected the present building at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars. He built the Lincoln school at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars and has built churches and many other important edifices in the city. He was also the builder of large churches in Monmouth and Galesburg, Illinois, and a school in LaHarpe, Illinois, and has also erected a large number of the fine homes in Burlington. Me erected his own residence in 1894 " '"" owns a number of other buildings, which he rents.

On the 9th of June, 1882, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Louise Larson, who was born in Sweden in 1860 and died in 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born three children, all born in Burlington. Hulda is now the wife of Anthony C. lugenheimer, of Burlington, and they have a daughter, Virginia Louise Charlotte, seven years of age. David Gordon, a contractor and builder of Burlington, married Hortense Richter and they have a son, Gordon Richter, four years of age. Ruth is the wife of Albert J. Grulke, who is engaged in the clothing business in Atlantic, Iowa. They have a son, Carl Albert, a year old. Mrs. Anderson was a member of the Swedish Baptist church and a lady of many good qualities, so that her death was deeply regretted.

On the 17th of June, 1896, Mr. Anderson married again, his second union being with Miss Bothilda Johnson, who was born at Skone, Sweden, January 27, 1868, a daughter of Bengt and Inga (Bengtson) Johnson. Her father was born in Sweden about 1831 and died in 1871. The mother's birth occurred in Sweden in 183 1 and she passed away in the same country in 1910. They were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Anderson came to America in 1893 and her sister, Sigrid, in 1896. The latter married Charles Helander, of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson three children have been born. Anna Lydia, who was born October 1 1, 1897, is attending high school. Eva Virginia, born April 4, 1902, and [name withheld], born July 18, 1906, are also in school.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Swedish Baptist church and are much interested in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Anderson is now serving as church treasurer, is deacon of the church and for a number of years has been a teacher in the Sunday school and is now superintendent, doing all in his power to further the cause and advance the interests of the organization. They have a beautiful home in Burlington and although Mr. Anderson came to America in very moderate financial circumstances, he has steadily worked his way upward and through his industry, capability and fidelity to his contracts has won a liberal patronage that now supplies him with all of the comforts of life. He no longer finds it necessary to do actual work in the execution of his contracts but still gives personal direction to the labors of those in his employ. In 1912 he and his wife returned to Sweden, spending three months in the land of their birth, renewing the acquaintances of youth and winning many new friends. Their Burlington home is a hospitable one whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by those who know them. Mr. Anderson is genial, cordial and always approachable, and his social qualities have won him personal popularity.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CARL AUGUST ANDERSON.

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Mr. Anderson was very successful in his native country, but feeling that better opportunities for self-development and advancement awaited him on this side the Atlantic, he came to America in 1881, landing at Boston on November 10 of that year and coming direct to Burlington, where he has since resided without interruption. Here he began work for the ChicagtJ, Uurlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the construction of their shops. On the completion of that engagement he was in the employ of various contractors for a number of years while familiarizing himself with.American conditions.

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Mr. Anderson has been twice married, first on June 9, 1882, to Miss Emma Louise Larson, daughter of Peter and Anna Charlotte Larson, by whom he had three children: Hulda, now Mrs. Gugenheimer, of Burlington; David G., now an apprentice to his father in the carpenter's trade; and Ruth, a student in Elliott's Business College of Burlington. Mrs., Anderson died Dec. 3, 1890, when a young woman, she having been born Dec. 31,

June 17, 1896, Mr. Anderson wedded Miss Tillie Johnson, daughter of John and Inga (Bengtson) Johnson, and to them have been born two children: Lydia, aged seven years; and Eva, aged three.

As a man of enlightened intelligence and education, Mr. Anderson has always taken a lively interest in public questions, and in matters of national politics supports the Republican party, although in local affairs he preserves an independent attitude. He has never aspired to public preferment, but during the two years from 1900 to 1902 acted as building commissioner for the city of

Burlington, a position in which he rendered efficient service.

Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in his religious relations is identified with the First Swedish Baptist church, and has been for many years one of its deacons and trustees, which offices he now holds. A man of high personal character, his record is one of honor, integrity, and unfailing uprightness; and while he has achieved a pronounced success in business, he has ever held to the highest principles and rules of conduct, so that his is a reputation unsurpassed.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

CARL ALBERT ANDERSON.

Though but recently an acquisition to the business life of Mediapolis, Des Moines county. Carl Albcrt Anderson has demonstrated his ability to lead in commercial life, and his activity and skilled workmanship is known to all. He is the son of Andres Peter Cbind and Carolina Matilda (Nelson) Antlenson, and was born Sept. 2, 1873, in Smolen, Vesteveek, Sweden. He received a substantial education in the public schools of his native city. At an early age he developed an aptitude toward the harness trade, and accordingly entered upon a five-years' contract with a reliable firm in his home place. During this period he became an expert in every part of the trade, and received a good recommendation from his employers as a first-class workman.

In 1892 he started for the New World, and landed in Xew York, coming at once to Burlington, Iowa, where he immediately obtained employment with Richard Hassel, a harness dealer, with whom he remained for eight years. At the end of this time he was well acquainted with the people, and also with the business methods of his trade; in fact, had acquired a general conception of business equalled by few in so short a time. By his energy and great economy he was, at the end of these years enabled to start in business for himself, choosing the city of Mediapolis as his location. He is on the main street of the town, and his store contains all grades of fine harness and saddlery, and is said to be one of the largest stores of the kind in the comity, his stock being valued at several thousand dollars.

Oct. 9, 1 901, Mr. Anderson was wedded to Miss Augusta Charlotte Swanson, the accomplished daughter of Mr. Swanson, of Burlington, who is now dead. This union has been graced with one bright little boy, Russell WilIiam by name, who was born in Mediapolis, Iowa, Nov. 11,

Politically. Mr. Anderson is an ardent Republican, casting his first presidential \TDte with much pride forWilliam McKinley. Since coming to Yellow Springs township he has taken considerable interest in politics, and has held the office of councilman for one term, being elected in 1902.

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As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.