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William M. Anderson (1897)

ANDERSON, CALLAWAY, MILLER, RITCHIE

Posted By: Cay Merryman
Date: 7/22/2004 at 17:47:00

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 9, 1897
Page 1, Column 4

THE LAST OF EARTH
Something of the Life and Death of Dr. Anderson

William M. Anderson was born in Antrim, Guernsey county, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1835, and died at his home in St. Charles, Iowa, Wednesday morning, Dec. 1, 1897.

He left home at the age of 16 years going to live with his uncle, Dr. H. P. Anderson, then of Lexington, Ohio, with whom he read and began the practice of medicine. In 1858 he first set foot on Iowa soil, coming to his father's home, who by this time had moved to Greenbush, Warren county. Here he taught a number of terms in the village school. In February, 1860, he located in St. Charles, buying the property of Dr. J. S. Callaway, where his residence now stands, and continued to practice medicine until the time of his death.

Dr. Anderson was twice married, first in February 1863, to Amanda J. Richie. To them were born four children, three sons and one daughter, the latter living but a few hours. His second marriage was in Dec., 1871, to Annie C. R. Miller. To them were born seven children, Fred W. dying in his second year, three in early infancy and two sons and one daughter are still living. His six surviving children were present at his funeral.

Deceased had complained on Monday before his death of a pain in the back, but in the afternoon, feeling better, he walked out to his farm one mile east of town to see how his son, A. R., was getting along butchering. The next day he again complained of his back, as before, lying down at times, and evidently endured considerable suffering. About 5 o'clock in the evening he put on his wraps and went to see John Hartman on business, returning in a little while. During the fore part of the night he was restless, but before dawn he had taken a short sleep, although he continued to grow worse during the night. The three married sons were summoned, also Drs. Roberts and Sayre, but he rapidly sank, and about 5 o'clock in the morning breathed his last.

The funeral took place at the residence at noon Thursday, December 2nd, Rev. Cochran officiating. A large concourse of friends and relatives followed his remains to their last resting place in the cemetery one mile west of St. Charles. Relatives present from a distance were: Harper Miller, of Seward, Nebraska; J. P. Anderson, of Colfax; Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Anderson, J. M. Anderson, Maggie Harper and R. E. Anderson of Indianola. Capt. and Mrs. Browne of Indianola were also present.

Dr. Anderson was one of the best known men in the eastern part of Madison county. His name has been connected with St. Charles ever since it was a town. He was a remarkable man in many ways. He always had the interests of his home town at heart, and was ever diligent toward building up the community. He was a warm hearted, whole-souled man, and possessed a natural genius which was peculiar to himself. He will be missed in that village and in his home. When he passed out the oldest human landmark of St. Charles was removed.

May a halo of peace and quiet shed a mild radiance about the last resting place of Dr. Anderson.
________________________

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, December 1, 1897
Page 5

DEATH OF DR. ANDERSON

Prominent Physician of St. Charles Dies Suddenly of Congestion of the Spine.

A St. Charles special to the MADISONIAN this afternoon says: Dr. Wm. Anderson dies of congestion of the spine at his home at 5 o’clock a.m., December 1; was only complaining some twelve hours; was up town in the evening; in the early part of the night he began to grow rapidly worse, and the efforts of Drs. Roberts and Sayre were unavailing as to relief. Funeral Wednesday at 1 p.m. Further information next week.
_____________________

Winterset Reporter – December 2, 1897
Pg 4

Dr. Anderson Dead

An Old Settler of This County Passes Away at St. Charles.

St. Charles, Iowa, Dec. 1.—Special to REPORTER. Dr. Anderson died at his home in this city this morning at 5 o’clock, the cause of death being spinal congestion. The news was a great surprise to everybody as his illness was very brief, lasting but a few hours, and only a very few of his nearest neighbors were aware of his being sick at all. The day previous to his death he was apparently in good health, with fair prospects for years of life before him, but the summons came suddenly and he was gone—a husband and father had passed into the great beyond –a neighbor and friend had solved the mystery of life and death. The funeral will be held to-morrow (Thursday) at 1 o’clock.

Dr. Anderson was about 62 years old, and leaves a wife and six children, all of whom live here, to mourn his death. He has lived here for many years and in all that time has been closely identified with the best interests of the town and community.
________________________

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 2, 1897
Page 8

The death of Dr. Anderson was a shock to the entire community. He was an old settler here and for many years was closely connected with the upbuilding and growth of the town and community.

His death will not only be mourned by wife, children and relatives, but be deeply regretted by hosts of lifelong acquaintances and friends, by many who have listened to and been helped by his words of counsel and advice and wisdom. Peace to the ashes of Dr. Anderson.
________________________

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, December 8, 1897
Page 6

St. Charles News

The sudden fatal illness and death of Dr. William M. Anderson came to this community as a flash from clear sky. None, not even his family, had more than a few hours’ notice. Owing to his knowledge as a physician it is probable that he himself realized his condition more clearly than any one else. His sufferings as the end approached were intense. Drs. Sayre and Roberts were called as soon as his symptoms became alarming and pronounced his case to be spinal congestion and beyond aid. He had been a resident and practitioner of this place for almost forty years and many of his first acquaintances and friends have gone before. At the time and for many years after he located at St. Charles the surrounding country was sparsely settled, physicians scarce, roads bad, streams unbridged and the winters long and severe.

Consequently his practice was large, his patients scattered over much territory and he was compelled and did unflinchingly undergo countless dangers and hardships in order to promptly and carefully visit and administer to the many under his care and treatment. His remains were interred in the family lot in the St. Charles cemetery on the afternoon of the 2nd inst.

Funeral from the residence. Discourse by Rev. Cochrane of the U. P. church. The pall bearers were Drs. Roberts and Sayre, Samuel Martin, Francis Powers, John Hartman and J. F. Johnston. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather there was a large attendance. A number of relatives and friends from a distance being among the number; notable, T. T. Anderson, accompanied by Mrs. Anderson and J. M. Anderson brothers, John and Ralph Anderson, cousins, Miss Maggie Harper, Capt. J. M. Brown and other friends all of Indianola, and Mr. Harper Miller, brother-in-law, of Seward county, Neb. Kind neighbors did all that was possible to assist and comfort the bereaved.

As is testified to by scores of persons who know whereof they speak, Dr. Anderson was a man of culture, ability and energy. He was always prepared to address an assemblage when needed or required and his words were full of meaning and to the point. His skill as a physician was of a high order, and his universal cheerfulness at the bedside of an invalid was beneficial. No warmer friend to the dependant, the unfortunate or the stranger could possibly be found. The aged, the poor, the children and the new comer into the community never failed to receive from him a helping hand or a word of encouragement. It is needless to say that he will be missed by all and it is unnecessary to add that his wife, his children and relatives are accorded heartfelt sympathy. He was one of the very few residents of St. Charles that were here thirty years ago and he had contributed his full share to the upbuilding and prosperity of the city and home of his choice and adoption. He has done all in his power to prepare his children for the battles and work incident to lives of respectability and usefulness.

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