A's
Anderson, Abram J., eldest son of
this family, was born at Rome October 9, 1838. He had but brief opportunities
for education, and left home at twenty to secure a home in the west. In
August, 1858, he arrived in Zumbro and at once purchased one hundred and
twenty acres on section 18. Four years later he sold this and settled where
he now dwells, on section 19. Here he has one hundred and twenty acres,
besides twenty acres timber in Mazeppa, a quarter-section in LacQui Parle
county, and two lots in the village of Appleton. He was member of the board
of supervisors in 1865, 1868-9, and chairman of that body in 1870-1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
Politically he is a democrat. September 23, 1873, he was united in
matrimony to Miss Melvina Mitchell, who was
born in Sangerville, Maine; her parents-Joseph S. and Lovina Mitchell-were
of Irish and English origin. Mrs. Anderson is a Universalist, but her husband
has no particular religious views-although not an atheist. Their children
were born as follows: Mott M., July 20, 1874; Blanche E., March 24, 1876;
Lynn R., July 12, 1880; Jesse S., August 6, 1882.
1884 book, "History of Wabasha County, MN."
William H. Anderson, proprietor of
the Anderson House, at Wabasha, and one of the city's leading citizens,
is doing his share toward the general prosperity of the community by conducting
an excellent hotel, which by its hospitality and service creates in the
minds of strangers a most excellent impression of the whole community.
He was born in Rome Township, Oneida County, N.Y., March 12, 1846, son
of Levi and Harriett (Carpenter) Anderson. His father dying when
he was 12 years, leaving a large family, young William H. went to work
when he was 14 and contributed his earning toward the family support.
In 1866 he came west and reached Rochester by rail. From there he set out
on foot for Wabasha County, and for several years worked as a farm hand
in Zumbro Township. In 1867 he purchased 80 acres of wild land, four
miles southeast of Zumbro Falls. He built a small board house, and
set to work with a will to clear and develop a good farm. To his
original tract he added a 160-acre tract and a 40-acre one, making in all
a place of 280 acres In addition to his farming operations, Mr. Anderson
made a specialty for many year of buying and shipping cattle. In
1896 he retired from farm work and bought the old hotel at Mazeppa, in
this county. In 1900 he moved the old building, and on the site erected
the present commodious brick-veneered building. In 1913 he sold out,
and purchased the old Hurd house in Wabasha, a pioneer hostelry which had
been erected in 1855 by B. F. Hurd, and enlarged and remodeled some years
ago by Mr. Hurd's son-in-law, Ziba Goss. This hotel, Mr. Anderson
has since conducted, ably assisted by his wife and daughters. He
changed the name to the Anderson House, and wrought many improvements and
alterations. He is genial, competent man, of wide acquaintance, and
is highly regarded by the traveling public of the Northwest, as well as
by the citizens of his own city. In 1915, desiring to establish for
his family a home life which even the excellent hotel conditions could
not entirely furnish, he erected across from the hotel, one of the most
beautiful residences in the city. It is delightfully situated in
the picturesque grounds on the banks of the Mississippi, and is of much
architectural beauty wrought in tile and stucco. The furnishings
are tasteful and restful throughout. He and his family find peace
and contentment away from the strenuous duties of the hotel management,
and here, in future years, he and his wife plan to spend their declining
days. Mr. Anderson was married in 1885 to Ida Hoffman, of Zumbro
Township and this union has been blessed with four children: Ora, Verna,
Belle and Effie. Ora died in childhood. Verna married Joseph
McCaffery and has two children, Jean Elizabeth and Ann. Mr. McCaffery
for the past 14 years has been in the railroad mail service on the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul, between St. Paul and Chicago. He and his
wife live two blocks from the hotel. The daughters of Mr. Anderson
have been given unusual educational advantages, not only in the Wabasha
County schools, but also in the College of St. Teresa in Winona.
Mr. Anderson has been unusually fortunate in his family life. His
was has been a true helpmeet in all his endeavors, and now takes entire
charge of the hotel kitchen. The daughters are competent business
mangers thoroughly versed in all departments of hotel management, in the
kitchen, dining room, guest rooms and office. All are interested
in church work. Mrs. Anderson and the Misses Belle and Effie are
members of the Episcopal church, while Mr and Mrs. McCaffery are members
of the Catholic church. Levi and Harriett (Carpenter) Anderson, parents
of William H. Anderson, were natives of this country, of Scotch descent.
They were married in Oneida County, N. Y. There Levi Anderson died
in 1858. His widow later came west and died in Wabasha County.
In the family were seven children, four sons and three daughters: William
H., Abram J., Fairfax and Welcome, Minica, Betsy and Phoebe. Abram
J. lives in Wabasha County; Fairfax in Carrington, N. D.; and Welcome in
Edgerly, N. D., all being prosperous farmers. Minica died in young
womanhood. Betsy lives in Sacred Heart, Minn., and is the wife of
D. H. Day. Phoebe is the wife of H. W. McGeorge of Washington D.
C. The Anderson House, in Wabasha, owned and managed by William H.
Anderson and his family is a hotel widely known for its excellence.
It is well situated and provides most excellent accommodations in every
department. Aside from the office, reception rooms, parlors and dining
rooms, it has 45 sleeping rooms is well equipped in the way of baths and
the like, and everything possible is done for the comfort of the guests."
Biography: History of Wabasha County, Minnesota,
1920 an update to the 1884 History of Wabasha County published by H H Hill
& Co.
Anderson, Welcome Wallace, farmer,
Zumbro, is a son of Levi and Harriet (Carpenter) Anderson, of New York,
and was born at Rome, that state, June 3, 1851. His youth was passed on
a farm there, with little opportunity for eduction. He is a man of natural
endowments, and is a good citizen; politically, a democrat. For six years
he has served as town constable, making an efficient officer, and has several
times captured offenders where others had failed. He came to this town
in 1866, and was several years employed as a farm laborer. In 1875 he bought
forty acres on section 18, where his home is, and four
years later bought eighty more. He is now
comfortably situated on a fine farm. October 12, 1873, he married Ellen
C. Pryor, whose parentage is elsewhere shown. The births of their children
is here given: Lessie May, November 24, 1874; Wallace Welcome, May 7, 1877;
Edith E., January 25, 1879; Harriet C., January 29, 1881.
History of Wabasha County, Minnesota
ELI AVERY Member of the Assembly in
1862
Mr. Avery is a native of the town of New
Hartford, Oneida county, N.Y., and is fifty-three years of age. He
is of Yankee descent, both his paternal and maternal ancestors having emigrated
to this state from New England. His educational advantages were only
such as the common schools of his native place afforded, and his occupation
has always been that of farming. He is a gentleman of respectability
and influence in the community where he resides, and was chosen a member
of the Assembly by a majority of upwards of thirteen hundred. He
was not one of the noticeable members of the House, but nevertheless was
always punctual and straight-forward in the discharge of his duties.
From BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES of the STATE OFFICERS
and MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE of the STATE OF NEW YORK In 1862 and
'63 By Wm. D. MURPHY Printed in Albany for the Author 1863 pages 35-37
Sheila Hoffman shoff@borg.com