ANDERSON, Alexander

ANDERSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 12:13:54

Alexander Anderson
born 1858

Alexander Anderson, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser living on section 26, Silver Creek Township, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1858, son of Alexander and Mary (Henderson) Anderson, natives of Ireland, and whose ancestors can be traced back to the Scots. His parents remained in the old country, the father dying in 1863, and the mother March 20, 1873. Our subject received his early education in the common schools of Ireland. At the age of twenty-three he wended his way to America, leaving the land of his nativity and the friends there to battle with the world of strangers. Mr. Anderson landed in New York in 1881 and proceeded to Sac County, Iowa, in the same year, but afterward settled in Ida County, where he operated a farm of 160 acres, improving and fencing the same. He now has one of the best farms in this county, it is well watered with natural springs and a branch of the Elk flows through a portion of it. The residence and barn are surrounded by a beautiful grove of about two acres and an orchard of one and a half acres. Our subject was married September 11, 1884, to Miss Agnes Kerr, of Sac County, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Elleson) Kerr, natives of Ireland, where the father still resides, the mother having died when her daughter was but a small child. Mrs. Anderson is a descendant of the worthy chiefs of Scotland, in which country she spent part of her early life. At the age of eighteen she bade adieu to her family and numerous friends and left her native heath (Ireland) and made her way to this country to battle with the world of strangers. She landed in Quebec, Canada, and immediately proceeded to Odebolt, Sac County, Iowa, where she arrived in safety. To this worthy couple have been born three children: William A., born June 27, 1885; Mary A., born July 5, 1886; Effie Z., born July 17, 1891. Mr. Anderson and wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church. On this fine farm, before mentioned, Mr. Anderson carries light grade of stock and is in every respect an ideal farmer. Mr. Anderson is the first to establish the family name in this country. By his industry and integrity he has become successfully, financially and gathered about him a host of friends. He is held in high esteem by all who know him.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.564