Charles Franklin Anderson, 1856

1918 HISTORY OF CLARK CO., WI

CHARLES FRANKLIN ANDERSON, a well-to-do resident of Unity village, is a man who has achieved success through energy and perseverance, overcoming many obstacles on his road to fortune. He was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., Nov. 25, 1856, son of Thomas and Lucy (Ross) Anderson. The father and mother were natives of England and Pennsylvania respectively, and' were married in Sheboygan County, this state, where they engaged in farming. Thomas Anderson was still a young man when he passed from this life in August, 1864. His wife remained on the farm for many years after his death, and then moved to Kenosha. She died at Milwaukee in 1901. Charles Franklin Anderson, in his boyhood, attended the public schools of Sheboygan County. Coming to Clark County at the age of 16 years, he here became connected with the milling business, being employed by D. J. Spaulding for seven years at Unity. He then removed to Dorchester in the northern part of the county, where he became head sawyer for O. D. Van Dusen in the latter's lumber mills, retaining this position for ten years.

In 1884 Mr. Anderson, then 28 years old, purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land in section 8, Unity Township, and went to work with a will to improve it. His method was deliberate and effective. He first cut over one acre, hauling the logs and wood back out of the way, and then, working late at night, he burned the brush. His next work was to dig a cellar and erect his first house, a small frame structure, in which he took up his abode. There, in time, he built up a good farm, clearing all his land, except a ten-acre tract, which he left for wood. He also made additions to his house and constructed good out-buildings, including one of the best barns in the community, measuring 40 by 70 feet over full basement, the basement wall being nine feet high and two feet thick. On this farm , he continued to reside and prosper, becoming recognized as one of the township's leading farmers. In 1912 Mr. Anderson sold his farm and purchased a twenty-acre tract of land within the village limits of Unity, and on this he is now erecting a fine bungalow of cement block, of the cobble-stone pattern outside, and with modern improvements throughout, including electric light, furnace heat, where he and Mrs. Anderson will spend the afternoon of life amid the comforts which they both so hard and earnestly worked for. For nine years Mr. Anderson rendered efficient service as clerk of School District No. 1, Colby and Unity.

He was united in marriage, Sept. 22, 1878, at Unity village, to Lucy Jane Brown, who was born in the state of Michigan, Aug. 19, 1862, daughter of O. M. and Ellen (Cuber) Brown, her parents being early settlers in Clark County. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been the parents of five children, Leon B., Earl F., Nellie I, Edward M., and Florence I. Leon B., who was born Dec. 29, 1880, died Dec. 5, 1881. Earl F., born Nov. 28, 1883, died May 10, 1912. He was united in marriage to Nellie M. Morgan and had two children, Vera O., aged 12 years, and Charles E., aged 10 years. Nellie I., born Oct. 13, 1886, is now Mrs. William Morgan of Unity Township, and has one child, Lucille, now eight years old. Edward M., born Mar. 10, 1889, is manager of the grocery department of a large store at Phelps, Wis. He married Gertrude Neldberg and they have two children, Willis E. and Ralph E. Florence I., born Aug. 22, 1890, is the wife of Gustav Dallman of O'Bleine Township, Marathon County, Wis.

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