Adolph F. Anderson

As printed in 1910

ADOLPH F. ANDERSON.

Among the influential citizens of Lynn township is Adolph F. Anderson, who is a native of Sweden, born January 1, 1851, and a son of Andrew J. and Britta (Munson) Anderson. When but fourteen years of age he was deprived of his father by death and unusual responsibilities settled upon his young shoulders. He was educated in the schools of his native country and as a youth learned the trade of machinist and blacksmith.

After gaining a livelihood through his trade for a number of years he decided to come to America, and in 1879 Pt this decision into effect. Upon his arrival he located at Afton, Iowa, where for six months he found employment as a section hand upon a railroad. In the fall of the same year he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where in the plow works of that city he found employment at his trade. He remained there for a number of years but on March 18, 1886, he came to Lynn Center, Henry county, which he soon became satisfied should be his permanent home. He established a small shop, equipped with lathes, drills and other machinery for doing such repair and other work as was needed in the locality, with a blacksmith shop in connection. His thrift, diligence and honorable methods gradually built up a good business which has expanded until it has assumed extensive proportions. In addition to the machinist and blacksmith work done by Mr. Anderson he handles a full line of goods, embracing every machine and implement used on the farm, together with fencing, salt, roofing, paints, pumps and windmills. He also manufactures wagons, hay-racks, water tanks and wagon shoveling boards. In a progressive farming district like Lynn Center such an establishment is almost indispensable and Mr. Anderson enjoys the good will and liberal patronage of the entire community.

Before leaving his native country Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Olson, a daughter of Olaf and Anna Olson, of Sweden. The ceremony was performed December 28, 1878, and the officiating clergyman was the Rev. Mr. Bull. Although some of the relatives of Mrs. Anderson came to America, her parents never left their native country. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born nine children, all of whom are living. Amanda is now the wife of Charles Ellstrom, an Oxford township farmer; Charles is the agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Lynn Center; Richard is telegraph operator for the same road at Lynn Center; Esther is the wife of Fred Peterson, of New Windsor; Olga is a popular and successful school teacher; Martin is a student at Rock Island College, while Melvin, Eleanor and Herman are at home. Mr. Anderson gives his allegiance to the republican party. Although very influential as a private citizen, few men being better informed than he upon current issues, he has never been one to crave the honors and emoluments of office. However, he does not shirk his public duty but for twenty years has served as a member of the Lynn board of education. He is identified prominently with three Orion organizations: Sherman Lodge, No. 535, F. A. & A. M.; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Mystic Workers. Mr. Anderson and his family are members of the Lutheran church at Andover and are active in both church and Sunday school. As a family they are a credit to the community, morally, intellectually and socially. Their home is one of the most attractive in the pleasant little village of Lynn Center and is the scene of much of the social life of the neighborhood. In 1885 Mr. Anderson's mother came to America to make her home and had a place in the family circle until her death May 16, 1903. She is interred in the cemetery at Andover. In summing up let it be said that Mr. Anderson is a representative citizen whose influence is always found on the side of progress and improved conditions.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.