Anderson, Harold R.

ANDERSON WILLIAMS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 17:04:48

Monona County History 1982
Harold R Anderson

I was born three miles southeast of Whiting, Ashton Township, Monona County, November 20, 1900. My parents were Otto and Hedvig Anderson having emigrated from Sweden in the 1880s and later married in this country. An older brother Edgar of Whiting; a younger sister Alice (Mrs. Raymond Letterly) rural Castana; an older sister Anna (Mrs. Merrill Dickson) deceased, Polson, Montana.

My first teacher was Bertha Bailor in the Ordway School, Ashton Township. The county superintendent was F.E. Lark, Onawa. His small automobile was a chain drive “Bush”—an attraction in those days. Playing ball was often a game for recess and noon; nearly always playing cross out because lack of players for a full team. Once when Mable Watson taught she brought her Bible Class from Whiting; the game was played in our pasture. Her boys were much larger than we and we lost the game 36 to 6.

Before the Whiting school consolidated with the rural area Edgar and I with others passed the High School entrance test given by Dora Crawford. Many remember her—a long time teacher in Whiting.

We drove horse and buggy to Whiting; after consolidation, the district furnished horse drawn buses. On one occasion in a snow storm, the team and bus went into the ditch and upset. Pupil power arighted the bus and we continued; no injuries. Following high school graduation I did get some University schooling in Ames in Mechanical Engineering. My father was a competent carpenter as well as a good black-smith so training and natural aptitude has helped me in the repair of equipment used in farming.

August 19, 1934 Alice Williams and I were married. She was born on the Omaha Indian Reservation 3 miles north of Bancroft, Nebraska August 19, 1910; graduated from Whiting; attended State Teachers College at Cedar Falls and taught school Dist. #8 in Lincoln Twp.

Our son Robert born April 17, 1943 also graduated from Whiting. He received a diploma from Humbolt Institute, Minneapolis and drove a student’s bus from his rooming house; he later drove a Minneapolis city bus. He enlisted in the U.S.A.F. serving 1964-1968; one year in Vietnam. He owns and operates a second-hand car lot in Minneapolis. He married Patricia Fritiza, Parkston, South Dakota November 20, 1972. Their daughter Dawn Evon was born May 5, 1978.

We are part of the Whiting Church of Christ where Alice has played piano and organ many past years. I presently teach adult Bible Class and serve as elder. We went through the depression of the 30s are still engaged in farming and enjoy life with reasonable good health.

Submitted by Harold R. Anderson