Gilbert H. Anderson 1835-1926

ANDERSON, OLSON, MATTESON, NELSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/14/2012 at 19:11:32

Superior
Obituary
Again we are called upon to chronicle the passing of another of the splendid pioneers of this vicinity in the passing of Gilbert H. Anderson, who expired at the home of his son, Conrad, late Saturday [April 17, 1926], at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Mr. Anderson was widely known in this community where he spent the greater part of his life. He was always identified with all measures that tended to promote the interests of the community in which he lived.

Gilbert H. Anderson was born in Norway, January 22, 1835, and came to America with his parents, two brothers and one sister, in 1853, being ten weeks and three days crossing the ocean. They settled in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. October 8, 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Olena Olson. To this union eight children were born, five of whom are living: Jeanett Matteson, Anna Nelson and [unreadable] of Jackson, Andrew of Wilmot, S. Dak., and Conrad of Superior, Ia. Henry died November 21, 1916, George July 7, 1890, and one child died in infancy. Mrs. Anderson passed away August 24, 1916. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Anderson united his services with Company E, 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Isaac Messmore. He participated in numerous battles, among them Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah, and Bentonville, and was with General Sherman on his march to the sea. He was faithfully in the ranks of the regiment to which he belonged, was severely wounded, and was captured and taken prisoner to Andersonville. In June 1865, at Louisville, Ky., he was discharged and at once returned to his home in Wisconsin. In 1873 the family moved to Dickinson county. Soon after settling in Iowa the country suffered severely from grasshopper raids, many of the pioneers abandoning their farms. The Anderson family, however, stayed and where needed, assisted willingly assisted neighbors who were less fortunate then they. Mr. Anderson was actively engaged in matters of public interest. He was chairman of the town board for fourteen years, and for six years he held the office of school treasurer. He was also an influential member of the G.A.R. During pioneer days Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were instrumental in starting a church in their community. In 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson moved to Jackson where they lived until 1916 when Mrs. Anderson passed away. Mr. Anderson continued his residence in Jackson, making his home most of the time with Henry Olson. He is survived by five children, twenty-two grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Funeral services were at Jackson, Tuesday afternoon in charge of Rev.S.C. Eastvold, and the remains laid to rest by the side of his wife in Riverside cemetery. The following out of town relatives and friends were present: Giles H. Anderson, Castlewood, S.D., Ole Olson, Mrs. Sarah Lynch and Mrs. Henry Olson, of Estherville, LeRoy and Henry Olson, of Wallingford. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, April 21, 1926)