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Amanuel James Anders

Amanuel James Anders, who is engaged in the practice of law in Oelwein, is a native of Ohio. He was born near New Philadelphia, October 11, 1850, and is a son of Amariah and Mary (Imler) Anders, the former born near Baltimore, Md. December 25, 1801, of German and Irish descent, and the latter born in Bedford, Bedford County, Pa., in December, 1808, of German parentage. The family removed to Indiana in 1853, Locating near Muncie, where they resided until 1858m when they emigrated to Iowa, locating in Buchanan County.  The father died June 4, 1861, and his mother subsequently removed to Fayette County where her death occurred May 5, 1887.  They had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, eight of whom lived to mature years: Daniel, the eldest, married Matilda H. Hearn and died in March 1889; John wedded Caroline Robinson and died in March, 1869; Sarah is the wife of C.W. Woolley,  of Hoskins, Neb.; William married Julia Burch, and resides in Harlan Township; Mary is the wife of Isaac Hearn, of Wetmore, Kan.; Elizabeth is the wife of Thomas Wheeler, of Jefferson Township; Amanuel J. is the next youngest; and Franklin Pierce, a widower, resides in Chadron, Neb.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, who by the death of his father was left at the early age of eleven years to make his own way in the world, unaided by fortune or friends. He was obliged to work at whatever he found to do and was variously employed until 1866, when at the age of seventeen he went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he engaged in railroading, working on construction and other lines for four years.  He then returned to Buchanan County, Iowa, determined to secure an education. After two years spent in the Independence High School he entered Hopkinton College, and after one term in that institution became a student in Ames Agriculture College where he spent three years, teaching school at intervals to meet the necessary expenses. In 1875 he located in Harlan Township, Fayette County, where he purchased a farm, which he carried on for ten years. Only a portion of this time was actually devoted by him to farm work, he being otherwise engaged but he directed its management. He had determined to qualify himself for the legal profession and to that end studied as opportunity afforded. In September, 1882, he was admitted to the bar at West Union and entered upon the practice of his profession.

On the 17th of October, 1883, Mr. Anders and Miss Arvilla J. Burch were married, the wedding being celebrated in Westfield Township. The lady was born in Jefferson Township, this county, October 20, 1857, and is a daughter of Lewis M. and Catherine (Johnson) Burch, who were among the earliest settlers of Jefferson Township, having there located in 1851.  Mr. and Mrs. Anders have only one child, a daughter, Alice J., born July 2, 1885.

In his political affiliations our subject is a Democrat, and manifests an interest in the success of the party but has never sought public office. He was elected a member of the Oelwein School Board and chosen its President during his absence from the city and is now filling the position.  He does general law and collection business, having a lucrative practice and is the owner of considerable real estate.  He was one of the proprietors of Martin's First Addition to Oelwein, of two blocks and twenty lots, which was platted after St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad was built to this place. He is also half owner of the Union addition to Oelwein, consisting of three blocks and thirty-eight lots, and fourth owner in the Union Block, including the residence in the rear.  The Union Block is a two-story brick structure, with a frontage on Charles Street of seventy feet.  He also owns his home in the city and a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated in Harlan Township. By close application to business, promptness and fidelity to the interests of his clients, and the observance of correct business principles founded on integrity, Mr. Anders has won success and a creditable place in the estimation of his fellow - citizens and all with whom he has had business relations.