Gertrude (Anspach) Anderson ~ daughter of Milton and Ella (Dickson) Anspach
NORTHWESTERN
IOWA
ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION
VOLUME III
1804-1926
T. A. ANDERSON
The life history of Thomas A. Anderson was closely identified with the
history of Ida county, Iowa, which was long his home. He began his career here in
the pioneer epoch and through the years which followed was closely allied
with its interests and upbuilding. He was of the finest type of progressive
citizen and was held in the highest measure of appreciation by his fellowmen.
Mr. Anderson was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the 4th of January, 1873, and
was a son of James and Mary (Fair) Anderson, both of whom were natives of the
north of Ireland. The family came to the United States in 1873, locating
first in Delaware county, Iowa, where they remained about five years, and then
came to Ida county, where the father engaged in farming. To him and his wife
were born the following children: Margaret Jane, who is the widow of the
late Robert Hall, of this county; Mary Eliza, who is the wife of Robert Lipton,
of Ida Grove; William J., of Ida Grove, and Thomas A., the immediate subject
of this memoir.
Thomas A. Anderson was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his
education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He followed farming
throughout his active life, being enterprising and progressive in his methods,
and achieved notable success, being numbered among the wideawake and up-to-date
agriculturists of his locality. He made many good improvements on his farm
and developed it into a valuable and productive property. His death occurred
May 26, 1911.
On March 4, 1896, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude
Anspach, daughter of Milton and Ella (Dickson) Anspach, the former of whom was a
native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. They came to Ida county in
1874 and the father here engaged in farming for many years. During the
period of his residence in this locality he passed through varied experiences,
one of which was the terrible scourge of grasshoppers which in early days
completely devastated the crops. Mr. and Mrs. Anspach are now retired and live at
Long Beach, California. To them were born seven children, namely: Gertrude,
Mrs. Anderson; Royal Glenwood, of Colfax, Iowa; Edith, the wife of Albert
Kuhlman, of Lake Benton, Minnesota; William E., of Colfax, Iowa; Raymond, of
Long Beach, California; Cuma, the wife of Ross Heck, of Brookings, South
Dakota; and Vivian, of Long Beach, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born
five children, as follows: Burdette, of Sioux City, Iowa, Vera, the wife of
Veirl McClow, of Ida Grove; and Hobert G., Theda and James, who are at home
with their mother.
Politically Mr. Anderson was a lifelong supporter of the republican party
and took an active interest in local public affairs, having served as a member
of the city council. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He was eminently
public-spirited, contributing of his efforts to the prosperity and
upbuilding of the community and held an enviable place in public confidence and esteem.
IAGENWEB: Special History Project:
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