William Anson

ANSON, PARALEE, MARTIN, WHITE

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 09:35:20

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
WILLIAM ANSON
William Anson, a farmer and stock raiser of Henry Township, residing on Section 9, has spent almost his entire life in Van Buren County. He was born in Pike County Missouri, December 10, 1827, and at the age of seven years accompanied his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Paralee Anson, to Iowa. Being the youngest, in a family of twelve children, the advantages, which he received in his youth, were necessarily limited. The first school that he attended was taught by Dr. Comstock in a leg building, the dimensions of which were 8 x 8 feet. He there conned his first lessons and in the district schools of the neighborhood, acquired knowledge of the common branches. The companions of his boyhood were mostly Indian lads, for the red men were still numerous in the neighborhood having not yet left for their western reservation. He became well acquainted with the Chiefs, Black Hawk and Keokuk, who frequently came to his father’s home and remained for a meal.
At eighteen years of age Mr. Anson began life for himself. By that time his older brothers and sisters were almost all married and left the parental roof for homes of their own and he took upon himself the management and care of the homestead farm. In 1862 he was united in marriage with Miss Charlotta Martin a daughter of Abner and Louisa White Martin, who are numbered among the pioneer settlers of Van Buren County. The same spring he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of partially improved land in Henry Township which constituted a portion of his present farm and began its development, transforming the wild prairie into rich and fertile fields. As his financial resources were increased, the result of his energy and industry, he extended the boundaries of his farm and purchased other lands until his possessions now aggregate seven hundred and ten acres. The homestead is one of the finest farms in the community, having good buildings, well kept fences and the latest improved machinery, which together with his comfortable residence plainly indicates that the owner is a man of thrift and enterprise. In addition to general farming he carries on stock raising, keeping on hand only improved grades. In political sentiment, Mr. Anson is a Republican and in the success of his party manifests a deep interest. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and any worthy object calculated to benefit or build up the county may feel assured that it will receive his hearty support and cooperation.
Mr. and Mrs. Anson are the parents of five children now living and the lost on son, Grant, who died in 1864. Those who still survive are Belle, Owen, Iowa, Curtis and Fred.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.