G. W. Anderson

As printed in 1909

G. W. ANDERSON.

G. W. Anderson, of Spencer, is prominently connected with the banking interests of the county, having been one of the organizers of two substantial banks here. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence here has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements that are sought in schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr. Anderson has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.

Mr. Anderson is numbered among the worthy citizens that Michigan has furnished to Iowa. He was born in the former state, being a native of St. Joseph county, where he started on life's journey on the nth of August, 1860. On the home farm there he was reared to manhood and he supplemented his early educational privileges by study in the high school at Constantine, Michigan. When he had reached adult age he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for several years in his native state, and through much of his life he continued an active factor in agricultural lines.

In March, 1884, in DeKalb county, Indiana, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie B. Tess, who spent her girlhood days there and pursued her education in the locality in which she was born and reared. Previous to his marriage Mr. Anderson had visited Iowa and had purchased land here, becoming the owner of a tract of wild prairie. With his bride he returned to this state and at once began the cultivation and improvement of a farm which he continued to develop until 1894. His labors were effective factors in transforming the raw prairie into productive fields, from which he annually gathered good crops of wheat, corn and other cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here. In 1894, however, he sold his farm for the purpose of retiring from agricultural life and becoming identified with business pursuits in the city. He therefore removed to Spencer and for five years. was engaged in the real estate business, during which time he, with others, organized the Citizens State Bank of Spencer, which was opened for business March 4. 1897. Said bank was changed to a national bank in 1903. He opened up and took charge of the Fostoria Bank June 1, 1899, and there built up a good business, acting as manager and cashier, while in the conduct of the bank he is ably assisted by his son. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson was blessed with three sons.

As printed in History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.