Andrew Wallem Anderson 1855-1936

ANDERSON, IVERSON, JOHNSON, JORGENSON, LANGLAND, THOMPSON, SEVOLD, DAKIN, OSMUNDSON, PETERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/3/2013 at 19:56:46

Andrew Anderson (Wallem)
Andrew Anderson (Wallem) was born at Aaardal, Stavanger, Norway the 24th of March, 1855, a son of Andrew Osmundson and Helga Peterson. He was one of a family of eleven children, five boys and six girls. Baptized as a child Andrew Anderson continued in his preparation for live in the schools of his home community until his confirmation. Shortly afterwards he emigrated to America, coming first to Grundy County, Illinois, where an elder brother and sister had settled some years previously. In 1875 his parents came from Norway and as he at this time purchased a farm they made their home with him until they in 1899 moved to Hamilton County, Iowa, to live with a daughter. In 1874 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Christina Iverson, a daughter of Iver Langland of Grundy County, Illinois. They became the parents of nine children: Andrew N. of Winnebago, Minn.; Ed. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Henry of Janesville, Ia.; Olin of Wallingford; Julius of Estherville; Bert of Graettinger; Martha, wife of Andrew Thompson of Morris, Ill.; Anna, wife of Henry Sevold of Story City, Iowa; and Julia who died at the age of 9 years. The wife and mother of these children passed away in Grundy County, Ill., and was laid to rest at Saratoga cemetery in that state.

Mr. Anderson found a helpmate again in Josephine Brevik Johnson of La Salle County, Illinois. To this union was born twin daughters, one of whom died in infancy and the other, Clara, died at the age of 17.

In 1897 Mr. Anderson was married to Johanna Jorgenson. There were three sons and a daughter of this marriage: George of Ortonville, Minn.; Alfred of Huntington, Iowa; Joseph who died at the U.S. Veteran’s Hospital at Ft. Lyons, Colo.; and Myrtle, wife of M.G. Dakin of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

In 1901 Mr. Anderson moved with his family to Emmet County, Iowa. While actively engaged in farming here he was also interested in the Farmer’s Savings Bank, the Creamery and the Farmer’s Elevator at Wallingford. In 1917 Mr. Anderson retired from the farm and moved to Estherville into the home he had purchased on East Maple Street and where he has lived since.

Mr. Anderson experienced conversion as a mature man during his residence in Illinois. Rev. N.G. Nilson was his pastor at this time, later the Rev. Ole Andreson was his spiritual advisor. On moving to Iowa Mr. Anderson became a member of the Hauge’s Lutheran congregation at Wallingford, then served by Rev. G.O. Paulsrud. On moving to Estherville in 1917 he transferred this membership to the Estherville Lutheran Church of which he has been an active member since. In this church he took an active part while he was yet in full bodily vigor. He served as a Sunday School teacher and was for several years one of the deacons of the congregation. As such he was active in visiting the sick and helping in any way he could to promote the spiritual welfare of the congregation. He was an active participant in the prayer meetings, both within and outside the local congregation.

Mr. Anderson was a man of large frame and unusually rugged constitution. Twelve years ago he submitted to a serious operation but recovered quite fully after that. Four years ago he was again seriously ill with appendicitis and was not expected to live but he recovered from that without an operation. He has never been his former self since then, however. Shortly before last Christmas he was bought down with his last illness which brought about his death on the 10th of July at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 16 days. He leaves his devoted wife who has tenderly nursed him through these six months of illness and the above mentioned 11 living children, 48 grandchildren and 58 great grandchildren.

The funeral was held Monday, July 13 at 10 o’clock from the home and at 10:30 at the Estherville Lutheran church. Rev. L.A. Mathre preached the funeral sermon taking as his text the words of Paul from the 2nd Epistle to Timothy “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord and the righteous judge shall give me at that day.” Rev. Peder Nordsletten, pastor of the Wallingford Church spoke briefly. The special music consisted of two sons by Laurits Sunde, a duet by Jennie and Josephine Handeland and a quartet number by Jennie and Josephine Handeland , Loyd Handeland and Rev. Mathre. The pallbearers were Sam Tokheim, Anfin Egeland, Anfin Shaw, Carl Shaw, E.J. Enerson and Otto Olson. The interment was made in the family plot at the Wallingford Lutheran cemetery. Rev. G.O. Paulsrud drove up from Randall, Iowa, but arrived too late to have a part in the service. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 15, 1936)

Interment: Wallingford Lutheran Cemetery, Wallingford, IA