Anderson, Augustus (1836-1904)

ANDERSON, OLSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Stratford Courier, January 28, 1904

DEATH OF HONORABLE AUGUSTUS ANDERSON

After a long and lingering illness, which he bore most patiently, Hon. Augustus Anderson passed to his final reward Friday morning at 9 o'clock, clinging with all the faith of a grand and good christian to his great Redeemer. He passed away smilingly greeting the visage of his Savior with never a tear for the leaving of this world. His last conscious moments were spent in holy communion. On awakening in the morning, shortly before his death, he said to an attendant: "We are going to move today." and a short time afterward breathed his last.

He was kind and considerate to everyone. Upright in all his dealings, he won the confidence of all people. His life was as pure as the purest. His presence was as the rays of sunshine dispelling clouds and bringing in its stead, a wealth of good cheer. He was indeed a grand old man.

Deceased was born November 13, 1836, in Mörlunda, Småland, Sweden and died January 22, 1904, at 9 o'clock, a.m., at the age of 67 years, 2 months and 9 days. He emigrated to America in 18--, coming directly to Burlington, Iowa, and settled in Webster County in 18--. In 1862 he moved into Hamilton County and commenced farming on his own account in Marion Township, in which precinct he has resided continously to the present time. He was a member of the Twenty-first and Twenty-second General assemblies, representing Hamilton County in the House of Representatives, and was noted for his sterling integrity and honesty. Mr. Anderson for more than twenty-five years has been a central figure in Hamilton County politics; always a conciliator, depracating factional strife and doing his utmost for the principles he loved. He was elected president of the State Bank of Stratford in 1892, at the time of its organization, and has held that office continously to the present time.

This community mourns the loss of its distinguished citizen. "All were his friends, he had no enemies."

The funeral was held from the M.E. church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and every availabale seat in the church was filled in spite of the severe weather. The services were conducted by Rev. C.J. Messenger, assisted by Rev. J.E. Berggren. Both preached fine sermons. The remains were interred in the Olson Cemetery. The pall bearers were J.T. Drug, E.N. Teander, P.A. Swanson, Sam Swedlund, Edward Peterson and C.P. Peterson. The church was very prettily decorated with black, and the floral decorations given by admiring friends were beautiful. They were from the State Bank of Stratford, an anchor from Town of Stratford, pillow from E.E. Wade and wife, wreath from the Ladies Aid Society and a cross from a friend. A choir rendered several beautiful selections.

At the cemetery a male quartet sang while the casket was lowered in the grave and with the words, "earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes to ashes," all that was mortal of a good a truly grand man was confined to the earth to await the dawn of Resurrection.

EULOGY BY REV. E.A. HOELSCHER

"Augustus Anderson died today," so reads the telegram which lies before me. My first impulse is to leave all else and go and look once more into the face of my dear friend and speak if possible, a word of comfort to the ones who mourn. But duty near at hand presents itself. Special meetings demand of me that I remain at my post. It is a time when duty seems to speak with double tongue; the one voice saying "go," the other "stay." I try to calmly think it over and decide No, I cannot go, but this, at least, I can do, I can send a word of tribute to the dead.

Augusuts Anderson was a man of sterling worth, a gentlemen in every sense. But more than this, he was a devoted christian. His nature was as open, as frank, as simple, as confiding as that of a little child, and yet he was a man of intelligence, of great good sense and of much experience in the affairs of life. But contact with men did not rob him of faith in man. To see the evil designing side of men was foreign to his nature, he saw the better side; beheld first of all, the good.

Augustus Anderson had many friends. Such a man always will. No one appreciated friendship more. Some little act of courtesy or kindness bestowed on him was never forgotten, but was treasured up as a priceless gem. He trusted God. To him the things of the spiritual life were an absolute reality. Religion was no mere formal thing with him, it was a vital part of his whole being. Heaven was to him more than a shadowy possiblity. By faith he saw the city of his God and often spoke with shining face of the mansion that was building for him over there.

A good man has gone to his reward. The Master, it seems, had his mansion ready. The visit I had planned to have with him will have to be deferred for a little while, but I can see already the love-lit smile and the outstretched hand with which he will great me when tired of traveling, I too shall hasten Home.

[married to Brita Olson - buried South Marion Cemetery, west side, Stratford, Iowa]