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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Anders Emil Anderson

Anders Emil Anderson, engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 1, Paton township, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, claims Sweden as the land of his nativity, his birth having there occurred on the 3d of September, 1863. His parents were John and Lansie (Salomon) Anderson, both of whom are yet natives of Sweden, the father being sixty-five years of age, while the mother has attained the age of sixty years. In their family were seven children, of whom four are yet living.

Anders Emil Anderson, the only representative of the family in this country, was born and reared on the farm and was given the advantages of a common-school education in his native country. His training in the work of the fields was not meager and his practical experience qualified him to engage in business on his own account in later years. A desire to better his financial condition and the favorable reports which he heard concerning the opportunities of America led him to seek a home in the new world when twenty-six years of age. Bidding adieu to friends and native country, he sailed for the United States in 1889 and, making his way to Iowa, secured employment at farm labor in Webster county, where he remained for seven years. Saving his earnings during that time, on .the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Webster county, which he owned for four months. He then sold it because of the fact that the Newton branch of the Northwestern Railroad was built across it. He next bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 1, Paton township, Greene county, and now has a fine place, free from all indebtedness. He has remodeled the house and has spent altogether two thousand dollars on improvements until he now has a well equipped place. He has accomplished all this without assistance and although he came to the United States a poor man he has gained a place among the substantial residents of his community. The secret of his success is not hard to guess - it is due to his untiring labor and perseverance. These are the characteristics of the Swedish people, who are widely recognized as a most valuable element in American citizenship. Lab or - unfaltering and well directed - constitutes the basis of the prosperity which the great majority of Swedish people attain and the same elements have been the source of Mr. Anderson’s success. In addition to tilling the soil he is also interested in stock raising, making a specialty of Hereford cattle and also raising some horses and hogs of high grades.

Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Thilda Carlson, who was born in Sweden, March 26, 1864. Her father, Carl Johnson, is still living in that country but the mother is now deceased. In their family were seven children, of whom six survive, namely: Hulda and Ada Carlson, who are residents of California; Mrs. Ida Berglund, living in Brockton, Massachusetts; Emil, also of California; Mrs. Anderson; and Mrs. Hannah Swanson, whose home is yet in Sweden. Mrs. Anderson came to America when a young lady of twenty-two years, making the journey alone. She spent three years in Brockton, Massachusetts, with a sister and then came west to Iowa, where she afterward gave her hand in marriage to the subject of this review. Six children have been born unto them: Eric Joel, born March 5, 1893; Elin Oliva, born December 15, 1894; Enoch Emanuel, who was born in 1896 and died at the age of three years; Edla Matilda, born March 11, 1899; Elmer Emanuel, January 29, 1903; and Evald Samuel, September 8, 1906.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Swedish Mission church and he votes with the prohibition party. Tnese associations indicate much of his character and of the principles which govern his conduct. He stands as a champion of all that tends to uplift humanity and benefit the race and his influence is ever given on the side of order, justice, truth and advancement.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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