James M. Anderson

ANDERSON, BLODGETT, HARPER, HOAGLAN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/16/2011 at 21:57:42

1908 History of Warren County, Iowa

James M. Anderson, the junior partner of the firm of Anderson Brothers, owners and publishers of the Indianola Herald, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1846, and as stated, the family came to Iowa in 1854, he, being then a youth of eight years. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days.

He worked in the fields aiding in plowing, planting and harvesting the crops, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he learned the trade of saddlery and harness making, and followed it continuously until 1882, when he again went upon the farm. Four years later he joined his brother Thomas T. Anderson, in the purchase of the Indianola Herald from the firm of Baker & Knotts, and since that time they have continuously conducted this journal. They have a well appointed printing establishment and the Herald, neat and attractive in appearance, bright and newsy in the content and thoroughly up-to-date in every particular, is now enjoying an extensive circulation and an excellent advertising patronage.

James M. Anderson was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah E. Harper, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Harper. Mrs. Anderson was born in Ohio and died on the 27th of August, 1897, at the age of fifty-three years. There were five children of that marriage, of whom three are still living; Andrew C., the oldest, is the owner and publisher of the Fort Collins (Colo.) Courier in partnership with Charles D. Miller, present foreman of the Indianola Herald, Maud E. is involved with her brother, Andrew on the Courier, and Mary Pearl, is now a teacher in the schools of Fort Collins.

Having lost his first wife, Mr. Anderson afterward married Mrs. Viola Blodgett, nee Hoaglan, of Indianola, formerly of Clarke county, Iowa.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workman. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and upon its ticket he was elected to represent his district in the legislature in 1899 and again in 1901. He is the author of the famous road law of Iowa, which caused considerable resentment throughout the state, and during his two terms as a member of the house he was connected with much important constructive legislation as accomplished in the committee rooms.

In professional lines, he is associated with the Southern Iowa Press Association. In his attitude everywhere is manifested in the true spirit of altruism and although aggressive in every sense of the word, he has always avoided even the semblance of that popular tendency so detrimental to humanity, namely the sacrifice of friendship or principle for the promulgation of selfish interests.