The Anderson Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

GILBERT A. ANDERSON.

Gilbert A. Anderson belongs to an old pioneer family of Winneshiek county, his parents coming here at an early date, and is now located on a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 15, 16 and 22, Highland township, near the Minnesota border. The property is known as the Bear Creek Farm and Mr. Anderson devotes his time to raising of live stock, making a specialty of horses, although he gives considerable attention to cattle and hogs. He was born in the house in which he now lives on July 10, 1867, and is a son of Thurston and Maria (Nelson) Anderson, natives of Norway. The father was born December 30, 1837, and the mother July 5, 1843. She went to Wisconsin with her parents in

1853, at the age of ten, and the father arrived in Illinois in the same year. In 1854 the mother came with her people to Winneshiek county, the father arriving here after having spent three years in Illinois. The parents were married in Winneshiek county and settled on the farm which Gilbert A. Anderson now occupies, having bought part of it of a man who had previously preempted it. There the father engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits until his means permitted him to retire, both he and his wife removing to Decorah. There the former died on April 14, 1913, while the latter still makes her home in that city. The father was a republican all his life and held various township offices, including that of trustee. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church. In their family were three children: Gilbert A., our subject; Martha C., who married O. I. Ness and died in ik)io; and Thea H., the wife of G. N. Kjome, of Decorah. The parents made their way to Winneshiek county in wagons at the time when the cholera was heavy upon the country and the paternal grandfather of our subject died of that sickness in Ohio. The mother's mother came to this section via the Great Lakes and died of the same terrible plague on Lake Michigan. In Chicago the cholera was so prevalent that people were carried off like animals after having succumbed to the disease. The father while in Illinois suffered with the ague and from that state went by boat to Lansing, Iowa, and from that place in company with a freighter walked most of the way to Decorah. When he first located here he made his home in a log house. His land was entirely unimproved then but he gradually put it all under cultivation and made it a valuable farm. How scarce money was in those pioneer times is evident from the fact that as high as forty per cent interest was paid as a bonus. In those early times the pioneers had to make all they needed in the line of clothing and they practically raised all of their provisions. When a neighbor could afford to buy a new wagon and harness it was considered in those days equivalent to a man buying an automobile nowadays. How different the present prosperous condition of the agriculturist, who has at his command all modern conveniences, including the telephone and regular mail delivery, when compared with the hardships and inconveniences the first settlers of the section had to overcome.

Gilbert A. Anderson has made his home all his life upon the farm which he later bought from his father. He was reared under the parental roof and early became acquainted with agricultural pursuits, being assigned the minor duties on the home place. Since taking charge of the property he has greatly enhanced its value, instituting modern improvements and up-to-date equipment. The property, which is known as the Bear Creek Farm, comprises one hundred and eighty acres on sections 15, 16 and 22 in Highland township, and is largely devoted to stock-raising. Mr. Anderson makes a specialty of horses although he also raises cattle and hogs. He breeds shorthorn cattle and has done so for the last fifteen years. Fie was president of the Rock Spring Cooperative Creamery Company but at the annual meeting of 19.13 declined reelection.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Anderson is a republican and takes a laudable interest in the public life of the township. In the primaries of 1910 he was a candidate for county recorder and he has also held several school and road offices. His religion is that of the Lutheran church, his membership being in the Highland township organization. He, has done much for Winneshiek county toward promoting the progress of agriculture and while he has won individual success has been a force for good in his locality. He enjoys the high respect and esteem of all who know him, the sterling traits of his character having won for him many friends Not only has he been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred in the onward march of civilization but he has been a helpful and cooperant factor in bringing about the general advancement.

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

ANDREW P. ANDERSON.

Andrew P. Anderson, although a native of Norway, has been a resident of the United States since 185 1, when his parents located in Illinois. A few years later he was brought by them to Sumner township, Winneshiek county, and here he has ever since made his home. He now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy acres, one hundred and sixty of which are under cultivation and highly improved. A modern two-story house greatly enhances the value of the property and adds to its prosperous appearance. Mr. Anderson was born in Norway, August 24, 1849, and is a son of Peter and Augusta (Olson) Anderson, natives of that country. The parents came to America in 1851 in order to profit by the opportunities which are held out on this side of the Atlantic to those who are willing to work. They located in Illinois, which state they made their home for three years before removing to Sumner township, Winneshiek county. Here the father died in September, 1866. The mother survives and makes her home with the subject of this review, being now in her eight-fifth year. During all of his life the father followed agricultural pursuits. In their family were nine children, of whom Andrew P. was the oldest. The others were, Ole, Louis, Betsy, Martin, Annie, Andrus, Annie and Citona, all deceased.

Andrew P. Anderson secured his education in Winneshiek county, having come here before he was of school age. He subsequently decided upon an agricultural career and engaged in that line. When he was twenty-four years of age he came to his present farm on section 3, Sumner township, buying sixty acres at that time. As his means have increased he has subsequently added thereto and now holds title to one hundred and seventy acres, one hundred and sixty of which are under a high state of cultivation. He has a most conveniently appointed house, modern and up-to-date in every particular, substantially constructed barns, sheds and outhouses and has installed up-to-date equipment in order to facilitate the labor upon the place and receive the highest possible returns. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, following scientific and approved methods in obtaining results.

On January 25, 1875, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Berdahl and to this union were born eleven children: Peter, of South Dakota; Anna, the wife of John Albertson, of Sumner township; Emily and Mary, deceased; Emily, the wife of C. T. Trytten, of Ridgeway, Iowa; Iver, of Sumner township; Carl, deceased; Tilda, who married H. M. Halverson, of Lincoln township; Minnie Berdina, deceased; and Albert and Lena, at home.

For twenty years Mr. Anderson served as road supervisor, doing much towards promoting good roads in this section and early recognizing the importance of having good transportation facilities. He also served as trustee of the township, as constable and as president and director of the school board. He gives his adherence to the republican party, upholding its principles stanchly and endorsing its candidates. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church,, to which his family also give their allegiance. Coming here at an early date in the history of the county, Mr. Anderson has seen much of its growth and development and has in no inconsiderable way contributed thereto. He enjoys in a large measure the respect and esteem of all who know him for he is a man of high principles whose success has been entirely builded upon industry and honesty.

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

PETER L. ANDERSON.

Among the younger agricultural fraternity of Winneshiek county is Peter L. Anderson, a native of South Dakota, who owns a valuable farm property on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township. His birth occurred on October 25, 1882, and he is a son of Louis P. and Ellen Albertson, both natives of Norway, who upon coming to America located in Winneshiek county on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township. Later the father was for two years in South Dakota in order to test out its agricultural possibilities but subsequently returned to this county. He died in January, 1908, being survived by his wife, who now makes her home in Ridgeway. He followed agricultural pursuits during all his life and was in a large measure successful. In their family were nine children: Ida, the wife of Henry L. Ellingson, of South Dakota; Peter, our subject; Henry, of Madison township, this county; Sievert, Edwin and Alfred, all of whom reside in South Dakota; Emma, of Ridgeway, Iowa; and Elsie and Anton, at home.

Peter L. Anderson was reared under the parental roof and early grounded in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry by his worthy parents. He spent his early years upon his father's farm, becoming acquainted with the minor duties upon the home place under the latter's guidance. Upon leaving the farm he engaged in the restaurant business in Ridgeway, and continued in it for about a year, at the end of which time he rented land. After renting for about three years he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, where he farmer for four years and then sold the property, subsequently acquiring title to the one hundred and forty-six acres on sections 2 and 11, Sumner township, which he now farms. He is progressive in his methods and brings to his work a ready understanding of the principles involved in modern agriculture. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and obtains gratifying results along both lines. His fields are highly cultivated and his buildings kept well in repair, giving evidence of the practical spirit of the owner.

On September 1, 1906, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Fjulstul and to this union have been born three children: Edric, whose birth occurred in January, 1908; a daughter who died in infancy; and [name withheld], born April 29, 1913.

Vol. II— 20

In his political affiliations Mr. Anderson is a republican and is ever deeply interested in the general welfare although he has never aspired to public office. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he is otherwise interested in all matters which make for the moral and intellectual betterment of the people. He is a young man of agreeable manner, frank and open, and has therefore made many friends who esteem him highly.

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

Anon Anderson, residing upon a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 32, Orleans township, and giving his entire attention to its improvement and development, was born in this township April 2, 1873. He is a son of Anon and Carrie Anderson, both of whom have passed away. To their union were born six children: Ellen, who married K. L. Gruna, of Allamakee county; Tohn and Albert, both of whom reside in Alberta, Canada; Ole. who makes his home in Saskatchewan, Canada; Hannah, deceased; and Anon, of this review. After the death of his first wife Mr. Anderson, Sr.. married Sarah Tuck and to this union were born four children: Freeman, of Alberta; Roy, who resides in Saskatchewan; and Mabel and Ethel, who have passed away. The mother of these children having died, the father of the subject of this review took for his third wife Miss Emma Johnson, who survives him and lives in Ellensburg, Washington. To this union were born four children, Bernard, Ethel, Lawrence and Clarence, all of whom reside in Washington.

Anon Anderson remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age and then his father gave him one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section $2, Orleans township. In 1909 he rented out this property and moved to Alberta, Canada, where he purchased a section of land upon which he remained for three years, selling his property at the end of that time and returning to Winneshiek county to take up the development of his farm here. He has since added to it eighty acres and the land under his able management has become a productive and valuable property, reflecting everywhere the intelligent care and labor he has bestowed upon it. He has made substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and his farming and stock-raising interests are important, classing him with the most successful farmers of his locality.

Mr. Anderson married Miss Marie Melaas and they have become the parents of four children: Amos Herbert, who was born August 13, 1898; Spencer Clement, born on the 25th of May, [901; [name withheld], born July 26, 1908; and Agnes M., whose birth occurred July 4. 1913. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lutheran church and is a republican in his political views. He is a man of exemplary character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and faithful to all ties and obligations, and he commands and holds the confidence and regard of all who are associated with him.

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

OLE HENRY ANDERSON.

Ole Henry Anderson is the owner of a farm of two hundred and ten acres on sections 12 and 13, Orleans township, and since 1897 has operated this property, making many substantial contributions to the general agricultural development. He was born in Norway, December 9, 1879, and is a son of Henry and Randy (Olson) Anderson, natives of that country. The father was a sailor and lost his life at sea, after which the mother brought their only son, the subject of this review, to America, locating near Rochester, Minnesota. There she afterward married Martin Isaacson and to this union was born a daughter, Mary, who resides in Lanesboro, Minnesota.

Ole H. Anderson is in all essential respects a self-made man for from an early age he has earned his own livelihood, attending district school during the winter months and spending his summers at farm labor. He came to Winneshiek county in 1892 and after renting land in Fremont township for five years came in 1897 to Orleans township, where he has since resided. He bought two hundred and ten acres of tine land on sections 12 and 13 and engaged in general farming and stock-raising, his practical methods and untiring labor being attended by well deserved and substantial success.

On the 22d of November, 1904, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna McCabe and they have become the parents of four children. Garner, Clarence, Alary l.utile and Joseph Orville.

Mr. Anderson is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. His life has been one of well directed activity and intelligent effort, resulting in the attainment of a good measure of success, and wherever he is known he is honored and respected by reason of his genuine worth and his many excellent qualities of mind and character.

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