Claus H. Anderson

As printed in 1910

GLAUS H. ANDERSON.

No resident of Osco holds a more responsible position in business circles nor a higher place in the esteem and regard of his fellowmen than does Claus H. Anderson, the president and cashier of the Farmers Bank of Osco. He belongs to that class of representative American citizens who claim Sweden as the land of their nativity, his birth there occurring in 1860. His parents were John and Mary (Larson) Anderson, both natives of Sweden, the former born in 1814 and the latter in 1817. The family came to the United States in the fall of 1865, settlement being made in Andover, Henry county, Illinois, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise. His death occurred in 1903 while his wife passed away in 1895, both being interred in Andover township. Their family consisted of five children: August, a retired farmer of Red Oak, Iowa; Alfred, a farmer residing in Nebraska; Ephraim, also a retired far-

I mer, making his home in Nebraska; Qara, the deceased wife of C. G. Johnson, of Linn township, her death occurring in 1895; and Qaus H., of this review.

Claus H. Anderson is indebted to the public schools of Linn township for whatever educational advantages enjoyed during the period of his early youth, continuing his studies until thirteen years of age, when he put aside his textbooks and thus early in life crossed the threshold of the business world, earning his own livelihood as a farm hand, being employed by the month, in which capacity he continued for a number of years. He then rented a farm in Linn township, which he operated for fifteen years, at the end of which time he had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase a farm of his own. He invested in one hundred and twenty acres of land in Osco township and at once directed his entire energies to its further cultivation and improvement. As the years passed he became very successful, his fields yielding rich harvests that proved a source of very gratifying remuneration to him. He still makes his home upon the farm although its active management is left to his son and daughter, his time and attention being fully occupied with his duties as president and cashier of the Farmers Bank of Osco, in which capacity he has served since the inception of that institution in 1908. He is proving himself an excellent official and one in whom his fellow citizens have implicit faith. He is thoroughly identified with the affairs of the institution of which he is chief executive and yet at the same time is true to the interests of each depositor. His opinions are frequently sought by the patrons of the bank and he has become very popular because of the careful consideration and courtesy which is universally extended to the largest and smallest depositor alike.

It was on the lath of March, 1884, that Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Johnson, a native of Sweden, born in 1862. The parents of Mrs. Anderson were Peter and Molina Johnson, both natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1868 or 1869, settling near Andover, Illinois. They were farming people who at the time of their death were living retired, the father passing away in 1903 and the mother surviving until 1907. In their family were six children, namely: Christine, the wife of Victor Hultgren, residing in Andover township; Emily, who married Charles Eckman of Nebraska; Frank, of Andover township; Tilda, the wife of Bengt Anderson, of Andover; Otto, residing in Andover; and Maggie, who married the subject of this review.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born four children, namely: Ada, born on the 12th of December, 1886, who attended school in Minnesota and is now at home with her father; Anna, born March 24, 1887, the wife of Elmer Gustafson, of Andover, by whom she has two children, Lester and Chester, twins; Jesse, born December 14, 1889, who is at home and operates his father's farm; and Benjamin, who passed away at the age of two years and was interred beside his mother. Mrs. Anderson was called to her final rest on the 30th of January, 1896, and was buried in Andover township cemetery. She was a most estimable woman, a loving wife and mother and a true friend, and her death was the occasion of deep regret on the part of her many friends.

The religious faith of Mr. Anderson is indicated in his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church of Andover, in which he is serving as deacon. His political affiliations are with the republican party to the principles of which he gives stalwart support. He has served as collector both of Linn and Osco townships and also as a member of the school board in Linn township, and he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen whose influence and activity are always upon the side of progress, reform, improvement and advancement. Starting out in life to earn his own living at an age when other lads are still busy with their textbooks, Mr. Anderson has worked his way steadily upward through the intervening years until, entirely through his own energy and well directed efforts, he has reached a foremost place among the substantial and well-to-do residents of the township. He not only occupies one of the most responsible positions of trust in the town of Osco, but is also the owner of a very valuable farming property and a fine dwelling in town which he rents, his various interests returning to him a most gratifying annual income. And yet his efforts have not been devoted to his own advancement entirely but have been potent factors in the growth and development of the community at large, the consensus of public opinion according him a high place among the honored and valued citizens of Osco township

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.