A. M. Anderson

As printed in 1916

A. M. ANDERSON.

Jt is a difficult task to do justice to any individual within the limited space accorded in a volume of this character, where so many must be given the credit which they have honestly and deservedly earned. To Mr. Anderson, however, especial honor is due because of the struggle through many hardships through which he has passed, and the eminent financial success which he has achieved, thus enabling him to pass the remaining years of his life in comfort.

A. M. Anderson, farmer, Fergus Falls, Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, was born on January 8, 1856, in Norway, and is a son of Michael and Julia (Olson). Anderson. He came with his parents to America in 1 86 1, locating in Allamakee county. Iowa. His opportunities for receiving an education were limited, attending for a short period at the public schools in Iowa, and about the same length of time in Minnesota. As a young man ii was always necessary for him to work very hard, and in 1885 he began farming for himself on his father's farm in Martin county, Minnesota, which he afterward bought, and which he sold in 1902, coming to Carlisle township, Otter Tail county, where he bought a tract of two hundred and eighty acres, eighty of which he sold in 1913, and now owns two hundred acres, on which he has put all the buildings and other improvements. In addition to following general farming, Mr. Anderson conducts a dairy, and is a stockholder in the Fergus Falls Creamery. Politically, he is a strong Democrat, while his religious views are in accordance with those of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he takes a deep interest. He has put out a new orchard, and is considered a progressive farmer.

Michael and Julia (Olson1) Anderson, parents of the subject of this sketch, were both born in Norway, the former coming to America as a day laborer, arriving at New York City in 1861, and going from there to Allamakee county. Iowa, where he bought a farm of eighty acres and lived until 1882, when he moved to Martin county. Minnesota, taking a homestead of eighty acres, where his wife died. Mr. Anderson then moved to Pine county, where he lived for a few years and then sold out. moving to

Wheeler, Wisconsin, where he died. This union was best with but one son, A. M. Anderson. Politically, Mr. Anderson was a Republican, and in religion he belonged to the Norwegian Lutheran church.

A. M. Anderson was united in marriage, in 1880, with Elizabeth Knoff, daughter of Peter and Melena (Berg) Knoff. She was born on May 23, 1861, in Norway. Eleven children have been born to this union: Julia M., who became the wife of Edward Thompson, and is the mother of six children, Janice E., Marion E., Ruby E., Lila I., Palma V. and George Edwin; Christian, the second child of A. M. and Elizabeth Anderson, was united in marriage with Emma Paulson, which marriage has been best with two children. Carlyle E. and Mario: Albert T.: Emma P.. who became the wife of Augustus Siems. and ik; the mother of two children, Delna L. and Arvid H.; Melvin O., Helmar, Carl L., Hazel M., Alma E., Howard E. and George D.

Mr. Anderson enjoys the reputation of being one of the industrious and thrifty agriculturists in his community, where he holds the high regard of all who know him.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.