Milton ANDERSON

ANDERSON, FLEAGER, SHAW, MENDENHALL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/23/2011 at 21:06:24

March 23, 1838 --- October 23, 1915

SHELDON MOURNS HONORED CITIZEN

Milton Anderson, Banker, Realty Owner, and Former Railroad Man Closes Earthly Career

After a lingering illness of several weeks' duration, Milton Anderson of Sheldon, Illinois very peaceful passed away at the family residence on Saturday evening, October 23, 1915. By his death Iroquois county loses one of it's honored and highly respected citizens.

Mr. Anderson was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, March 23, 1838. His father and mother were natives of Kentucky. His own mother died when her son Milton was but three years old. Mr. Anderson attended the common schools but he was largely a self-educated man. He remained in his native state until he was 14 years old, and then came to Illinois, settling at Bloomington in 1850. He continued to reside in that city until the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in the union army under Capt. McNulta, but as the quota of his county was full his company was rejected. He the ran military trains in and out of Indianapolis during the entire war. After the war he took up his residence in Indianapolis and entered the employ of the Bee Line R.R Co., as a conductor, and spent eight years thus employed. He afterward entered the employ of the Panhandle R.R. Co. in the same capacity and continued with that company for 16 years.

May 1, 1872, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Arminda J. Fleager of Sheldon, and they have since made their home in Sheldon. To them were born four children, three of whom, Mary L., of Sheldon, Harry F. of Los Angeles, Calif. and Bertha, Mrs. F. G. Shaw of Kankakee, survive their father. Their second daughter, Helen, Mrs. E.E. Mendenhall, preceded her father in death passing away March 1, 1906, leaving one daughter, Catherine, who has since made her home with her grandparents.

Mr Anderson was a stalwart republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He was a charter member of the Modern Woodman camp at this place. In 1888 he was instrumental in establishing the Farmer's Co-Operative Grain Association in Sheldon and was one of the board of directors from its beginning. The later years of his life were devoted to his farming interests and to his duties as president of the Citizens Bank and the State Bank of Hardy, Iowa. Mr. Anderson was a man of good habits, plain and unpretentious in his tastes. He was loyal to his friends and was also interested in his home town. He was liberal toward the poor and helped many to get a start in the world. He leaves a good record and one that is worthy of emulation. He was especially fond of his children and interested in their welfare.

He leaves to mourn his loss beside his immediate family, two half brothers and one half sister. Funeral was held at his home at 3:30 Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. W.D. Smith of the Presbyterian church. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Interment was in the Sheldon cemetery. All the surviving children were present, Harry Anderson arriving Thursday night from California.