Samuel A. Anderson

As printed in 1910

SAMUEL A. ANDERSON.

Samuel A. Anderson, who since 1901 as a general merchant has been connected with the commercial interests of Green River, Edford township, Henry county, was born on a farm in the province of Lanneberga, Sweden, near a station of the same name. April 16, 1866, was the day of his birth. His father, Andrew P. Oleson, was a son of Olaf Nelson. The father died when Samuel A. Anderson was a lad of nine years, but the mother, on whom devolved the burden of rearing her family unassisted, is still living in the old country.

Samuel A. Anderson received a good common-school education in the land of his birth but was compelled to work hard during the summer months. Through relatives and friends the stories of the opportunities for young men of ambition in America came to his ears, and at the age of eighteen, alone and with no knowledge of the English language, he started on his journey to the United States. He came direct to Mercer county, Illinois, where his uncle lived, who gave him employment on his farm and taught him the English tongue. For seven years he worked as a farm laborer both in Mercer county and in Henry county, and then for a few months clerked in a grocery store in Galesburg. The experience opened to him a new field and in that city he started in the grocery business for himself. For ten years he carried on a good trade there, becoming known as a surveyor of fine articles of trustworthy grade. In 1901 he sold his interest in the Galesburg business and came to Green River, where he established himself as a dealer in groceries and general merchandise. In 1905 he built the store he now occupies and also his residence, and as his undertakings prospered he invested more largely in Green River real estate and bought several other dwellings.

While engaged in business in Galesburg Mr. Anderson married Miss Anna C. Mahlstedt, with whom he had become acquainted during the years he worked on a farm. She was a native of Rock Island county, Illinois, was born on a farm and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Kirchoff) Mahlstedt. The marriage ceremony was performed in Green River on the 6th of April, 1892, and the union has been blessed with three children: Lawrence, born in Galesburg, September 4, 1893, who has now finished the eighth grade in the public school; Ralph, also born in Galesburg, June 22, 1895; and Marie, born in Green River, May 31, 1907.

Mr. Anderson and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Green River. He affiliates politically with the republican party and always exercises his right to vote as a citizen of this republic. Still he is not an office seeker nor does he take much interest in public matters, being content if by his own efforts he makes a reputation as a merchant in whom the people may place confidence. He aims to give satisfaction in every instance, and the success that has attended his operations during the seven years he has been in Green River bears witness to the degree in which his aims have been realized.

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.