William Anderson

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM ANDERSON.

William Anderson is the owner of a highly improved and productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Cambridge township. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 27th of January, 1854, his parents being Eric and Anna (Peterson) Anderson, who were natives of Sweden. The paternal grandfather, Andrew Anderson, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Sweden when well advanced in years. Unto him and his wife were born seven children. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Peterson, who was likewise an agriculturist by occupation, died in Sweden at a ripe old age.

Eric Anderson, the father of William Anderson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1852, in company with his wife, and took up his above in Knox county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. His wife passed away there in 1854 and eleven years later, in 1865, he came to Henry county. In 1872 he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which his son William now resides and was successfully engaged in its cultivation until he was called to his final rest. The period of his residence in this county covered a third of a century and he became widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen. His demise occurred in 1899, when he had attained the age of sixty-nine years.

William Anderson, whose name initiated this review, was reared on his father's farm in Knox county and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. He lived with his father until the latter's death, when he came into possession of the old homestead farm in Cambridge township, which originally comprised eighty acres but now embraces a quarter section. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of success, for he cultivates the soil in accordance with modern methods of farming and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.

On the 28th of November, 1888, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wexell, who was born at Bishop Hill, this county, her parents being Peter and Martha (Peterson) Wexell, natives of Sweden. They came to the United States in 1846 and cast in their lot with the Bishop Hill colony, living there during the entire period of its existence. Peter Wexell had the honor of making the first dugout at Bishop Hill. About the year 1860 the colonists divided their property, and subsequently, about 1869, Mr. Wexell purchased a farm of two hundred acres northwest of Bishop Hill. He passed away there in 1885 at the age of sixty-eight years. The death of his wife occurred in Cambridge in 1897, when she had attained the age of seventy-eight years. They had three children who lived to maturity, namely: Martha, who is now deceased; Mrs. Anderson; and Caroline, the widow of John P. Gunnerson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been born a daughter, Selma Evalina Minerva Anderson.

Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Anderson gives his political allegiance to the republican party but at local elections cases an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office. His wife and daughter are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Having resided in this part of the state throughout his entire life, covering a period of fifty-five years, he is well and favorably known here, and is widely recognized as a prosperous and progressive business man as well as an upright and honorable citizen.

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.