ANDERSEN, George 1891-1918

ANDERSEN, PETERSDATTER, RING, RUSTAD, MAHLUM, OLSEN, HUSOM, JOHNSON, SEIM, LEE

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 3/6/2012 at 08:28:41

George Andersen was born March 17, 1891 to Hans Andersen (born October 30, 1953 Akershus, Norway, died October 11, 1907, Baden, Ward, North Dakota) and Gena Petersdatter (born January 22, 1854 Akershus, Norway, died January 3, 1908 Spencer, Ward, N. Dakota) on a farm near Meltonville, Newburg township, Mitchell County, Iowa. George was the seventh of ten children.

His siblings were:

1. Inga Caroline (born February 14, 1875 Akershus, Norway, emigrated abt. 1883 to Mitchell Co, Iowa, married Samuel Nelson Ring August 29, 1896 St Ansgar, Iowa; married Johan Olaf Olsen Rustad June 29, 1907 St Ansgar, Mitchell, Iowa, died October 31, 1941 Minot, Ward, N. Dakota);

2. Anna Susan (born March 26, 1878 Akershus, Norway, emigrated abt 1883 to Mitchell Co, Iowa, married Peter Mahlum June 1, 1904 N. Dakota, died April 3, 1913 Spencer, Ward, N. Dakota);

3. Peder (born December 13, 1880 Akershus, Norway, emigrated abt 1883 to Mitchell Co, Iowa, died April 29, 1968 Kenmare, Ward, N Dakota);

4. Clara (born March 9, 1885 Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, married Kristian Olausen Olsen 1905 Osage, Iowa, died February 7, 1952 Osage, Mitchell, Iowa);

5. Helena (born September 27, 1886 Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, married Hans Husom October 4, 1905 North Dakota, died February 3, 1943 Kenmare, Ward, N. Dakota);

6. Maria (born January 29, 1889 Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, married Ole W Johnson April 1, 1906 Ward, N.Dakota, died July 14, 1960 Kensett, Worth, Iowa);

7. Adolph (born August 27, 1893 Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, married Inga Josephine Seim February 5, 1927 Minot, Ward, North Dakota, died August 28, 1955 Minot, Ward, North Dakota);

8. Nina (born March 21, 1896 Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, died April 4, 1896 at Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa), and

9. Selma Nora (born August 16, 1900 Ward, North Dakota, married Louis Lee August 29, 1927 Vashon, King, Washington, died March 27, 1949 Longview, Cowlitz, Washington).

George first found in the 1895 census living at Newburg, Mitchell, Iowa, age 3.

In 1898, George moved west with his parents to Palermo, North Dakota where they planned to homestead. George attended a country school there and worked on the farm.

Found in the 1900 census at township 159, Ward, North Dakota, age 9, living with his family.
Found in the 1910 census at Baden, Ward, North Dakota working in a coal mine.

George enlisted in the army in September of 1917 and trained at Camp Dodge, Iowa. (His brother Adolph also served in WW I). George started in field artillery and advanced to machine gun training. He was transferred to further training at Camp Cody, Deming, Luna, New Mexico. The whole camp in New Mexico was quarantined for the measles. George may have had them, too. He did get sick with 102 degree fever on January 21, 1918.

Telegram sent from the camp to the family on January 23, 1918:
"Mrs. Inga Rustad, Private George Anderson dangerously ill. Not expected to live, if possible come at once."

Second telegram sent January 27, 1918 to Mrs. Inga Rustad (George's oldest sister):
"Your brother, George Anderson, died of pneumonia at the Camp Cody base hospital, Deming, Luna, New Mexico. Notify commanding officer of Coc 126 M.G.B.N. as to what disposition you desire made of remains and effects, the body will be shipped to any address you designate.

H. Floyd Stone, 2nd Lieut., Co. 126 New Mexico."

The soldier's name accompanying the body was Maxwell Morrison. He told the family that George did not want to go out and train on the 21st. The camp manager said he either had to train, chop wood or go down and see the doctor. George chose the hospital and the doctor examined him. He died January 26th at 11:45 p.m. at the base hospital in Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico. His cause of death was bronchi-pneumonia.

George Andersen was brought by train to Palermo, ND. He was embalmed before he was shipped. He was in uniform, in a black coffin, with a black cloth outside it. All his clothes were sent back also. His brother, Adolph Andersen was there when the train arrived and helped get him off of the train. The family bought a flower pillow for him. The school teacher and children sent to Minot for fresh flowers. Mrs. Doarn brought some house plants and his sister, Mary, made some flowers.

The funeral was on the nicest day of the winter and was officiated by Rev. A.C. Korsrud. Selma wrote to George's sister, Clara Andersen (still living near St Ansgar): "I'm sure he has it good because he sure was a good boy." The neighbor children sang at the funeral "Nearer My God to Thee" and "How Blessed Is Thy Little Flock" in English.

George was buried February 5, 1918 at Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, Ward, North Dakota, which was across the road from his parent's farm. George was 26 years, 10 months, and 10 days at the time of his death. He never married and had no children.

A poem "George Brave Heart" was written in remembrance:
"Because you died, I will not let the roses that blossomed in the garden fade and die;
I will not heed the blackbird's song is ended.
Because you passed along and said Good-bye.

Because out there a little mound lies named.
Because I loved you once, I love you still. I'll treasure up your smiles, your mirth, your laughter, and spread them o'er the future for my fill.

Because you died, I will not shade the sunlight. And keep a veil about my face to hide the world about my feet. You never loved the shadows; I will not weep the while, because you died.

Oh, blessed one! Oh pure, oh, young sweet lover! Oh man that went out as a boy and fell. I'll do my bit toward the great endeavor. Because you loved and laughed, I'll laugh as well."

George's service record from North Dakota Military Men:
George Anderson, Army #: none; Registrant: yes, Mountrail county; Birth Place: St. Angar, Iowa; Born March 17, 1891; Occupation: farmer. Comment: inducted at Stanley, ND on Sept. 18, 1917; sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa; served in Battery A, 338th Field Artillery, to (date not given); Company C, 126th Machine Gun Battalion, to death. Died of pneumonia, on Jan. 26, 1918 at Camp Cody, Deming, Luna, New Mexico.