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Dr. Eugene Kelso Anderson (1922)

ANDERSON, GRAHAM, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 10/10/2013 at 07:36:39

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, October 19, 1922
Page 1

Dr. ANDERSON DIES IN WRECK

Prominent St. Charles Physician Instantly Killed by Train at Crossing

Dr. E. K. Anderson of St. Charles, was struck by a Burlington passenger train two miles northeast of St. Charles on last Saturday evening, while returning to St. Charles, after having made a professional call. His body was literally cut to pieces and dragged a distance of nearly 400 feet before the train could be brought to a stop. The car, a Ford coupe, was thrown about fifty feet from the crossing and completely demolished.

Dr. Anderson had answered a professional call in Warren county and was returning to St. Charles, when the accident occurred, where the Burlington road crosses the highway about two miles east of town. Whether his brakes failed, or whether he failed to see the approaching train can only be conjectured.

He was traveling toward the south and as the railroad track crosses the highway from an angle, it is possible that the auto headlights prevented him from seeing the light from the approaching passenger train.

The unfortunate affair is not only a profound shock to the community but brings genuine sorrow to many homes in which Dr. Anderson has been the family physician over a long period of years. He was born in St. Charles fifty-five years ago, succeeding in the practice of medicine, his father, Dr. Wm. Anderson, who was one of the early settlers of South township, locating there in 1860. After completing a high school course, he attended Simpson college and the Drake University of Medicine, supporting himself during his college years by teaching school and then taking up his life work in the town where he was born and raised. He was quite well known here in Winterset and was prominently identified with the county Red Cross work during the war. His immediate family surviving his death are his wife and one son, Paul, who is a student at Iowa State college.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon. The Masonic lodge conducted the burial service and the pall bearers were chosen from the Madison County Medical Society.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, October 19, 1922
Page 9

St. Charles

This community was shocked Saturday evening by the tragic death of Dr. E. K. Anderson, a prominent physician of this place, when his auto was hit by the southbound evening passenger train, and he was killed and badly mangled, and his auto completely wrecked. The doctor was coming home and when crossing the railroad track just south of the Jim Young place about 2 ¼ miles northeast of town, the accident occurred. He was 55 years old and had lived all his life in St. Charles. He leaves his wife and one son; one brother, Hugh, and one half-brother, Jim Anderson of this place; also one half-sister, Mrs. Susie Graham of Dunbar, Nebr., and many other relatives and friends. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, October 26, 1922
Page 2

Mortuary

Eugene K. Anderson, the second son of Dr. William M. and Amanda J. Anderson was born on the fourth day of August 1867, and died on the fourteenth day of October, 1922, aged 55 years, 2 months and 10 days. His death occurred as the result of a railroad accident.

At a very early period in his childhood he was deprived of his maternal parents. It was not his misfortune, however, to lack the care and protection of a loving mother, since his stepmother, Annie C. Anderson, bestowed upon him an unstinted measure of tender regard, love and affection. Gene, in his youth, commenced to prepare for the medical profession. His education, the elementary part of which was received in the schools of St. Charles, his home town, was continued at Simpson college and in the medical department of Drake university, known as the Iowa College of Surgeons. His training in the science of medicine was further supplemented by a course in pharmacy. At various periods during the years of early manhood, he taught school and many persons who now mourn his death remember him as their school teacher. Upon the completion of his work, in college and study under his father, also a physician, Dr. Anderson commenced upon the work of the profession in St. Charles and vicinity. He ------ himself diligently to this worthy work from then until the day of his death. He was returning from a call to care for an injured boy when death overtook him.

Dr. Anderson was married Dec. 7, 1873 to Mary F. Smith. Six children were born to this union, but of these children, Paul Eugene alone survives. Four died in infancy and one, Donald, died in early childhood.

The doctor had many pleasing characteristics. Many are the persons that have felt the touch of this kind hearted and generous disposition. He took a particular interest in little folds and showed his genuine affection for them, both in the practice of his profession and in his daily walk through life. His love of nature is also worthy of mention. He took great delight in the culture of flowers, this fact being evidenced by the beauty of the grounds about his residence. It can truly be said that

Dr. Anderson had the interests of his fellow man at heart. He gave himself unstintedly to the alleviation of pain and suffering. Moreover he applied himself to the promotion of all community enterprises that appeared to him to be worthy of support. He was an active supporter of the humanitarian projects of the Red Cross and Salvation Army. The least that can be said is that he was untiring in his efforts to make his own community a better place to live in. Dr. Anderson enjoyed the fellowship of his acquaintances.

The old settlers’ reunions were gratifying to him. It is perhaps well to note in this connection that at the time of his death, Dr. Anderson was the oldest person living in St. Charles, who was born in the town. Though the doctor was taken from us in the prime of his manhood, the record of his life from the standpoint of service seems like the record of several generations. It is this record, coupled with the memories of his generous, cheerful disposition which causes the widow and son, the sister, Susie Graham of Dunbar, Nebr., the brothers, Hugh and James; aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, and a host of friends to mourn him.
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Coordinator's note: Middle name found in Madison County, Iowa birth records.
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The Osceola Sentinel
Osceola, Iowa
Thursday, October 19, 1922
Page 1, Column 3

DR. E. K. ANDERSON IS KILLED AT A RAIL CROSSING

Shenandoah Train Strikes Car Driven by St. Charles Physician Near St. Marys Last Saturday Evening.

CORN HID VIEW OF TRACKS

Funeral Held at St. Charles Tuesday Afternoon—Masons Officiate. Many Beautiful Floral Tributes.

Dr. E. K. Anderson, well known physician of St. Marys, was instantly killed when Chicago, Burlington and Quincy train No. 42 struck the light coupe he was driving last Saturday evening about 6 o’clock. The accident occurred at a crossing about a half mile north of the old Science Hill school. The crossing while said not to be particularly dangerous during the ordinary seasons has its view obscured at this time of year by a corn field.

Doctor Anderson was called to a rural home near Wick on Saturday afternoon and after completing his professional duties started on his return home. The noise of the automobile and the fact that the car was enclosed probably accounts for the fact that he did not hear the train. The tracks of the car show that when it was a short distance from the tracks and just in a position from which the oncoming train could have been seen, the brakes had been applied, but apparently too late to stop the momentum of the car.

The engineer of the train, L. Walsh, is said to have stated that he happened to look up just as the train struck the coupe. He is said to be unable to say if the car was moving when his locomotive struck it. Some witnesses seem to believe that the car stalled directly in the path of the train, while others are of the opinion that the physician was unable to materially slacken the speed of his car.

The accident is said to have been one of the most terrible occurring in this part of the state in recent years. The car was completely demolished while the unfortunate man was dragged under the train and horribly mangled. The train was stopped in the shortest distance possible and tender hands carried the body into the train where it was taken to St. Charles.

The funeral was held from the Methodist church at St. Charles Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. Hedges of Keosauqua, a life long friend of the doctor, officiating. The services were conducted by the Masons to which fraternity he was affiliated. The pall bearers were almost entirely comprised of medical friends of the deceased. They were Dr. Fee of New Virginia, Dr. Welpton of Des Moines, Drs. Davidson and Pendle of Winterset, Dr. Brooks of St. Charles, and Mr. Grant Kimmer of Indianola. Interment was made at St. Charles.

Dr. Anderson was born at St. Charles, receiving his education at Drake University and at Chicago. Returning he took up his profession in his home town and there has made his home ever since. During his many years of practice he has become known as one of the most faithful physicians and truest men that has ever enjoyed the respect of men. In token to this high esteem the bier and altar at the church were literally covered with flowers sent by those who knew and loved him. For two days before the accident it is said that he had been almost without sleep, while he ministered to the sick.

Although four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Anderson, but one is alive. That one, a son, is a student in the Iowa State College.

A few months ago he was one of the guests at the banquet in honor of Dr. Parrish and those present at that time will remember that one of the most delightful speeches of the evening was made by Dr. Anderson.

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