Biography - Jonas F. Anderson
JONAS F. ANDERSON, fashionable restaurateur and confectioner, Galesburg, came
to America from Sweden in 1855 and to this city in 1856. His mother, who
accompanied him hither, spent her last days in Galesburg. Jonas F. Anderson was
born Sept 7, 1841; his boyhood in Sweden was spent principally in school, and
since coming here, like his industrious people, he has gathered a pretty fair
knowledge of English. After several years in biographical work, covering all
classes and nationalities, the writer unreservedly pronounces the Swede as the
most apt of all foreigners who come to our shores in gathering an English
education and adapting himself to American ideas. The industry and good
citizenship of these people are marked, and their loyalty in the discharge of
every obligation incumbent upon them makes their patronage in commerce and
traffic of the highest worth.
Mr. Anderson farmed for three years after coming to Knox County. He then removed
to Monmouth and engaged in the restaurant and confectionery business. In the
fall of 1862 he went out with the 14th Ill. Cav., as sutler for H. H. Mayo, of
Peoria, and remained about a year and a half. In February, 1864, he opened a
restaurant on Cherry Street, this city; was there about a year, when he removed
to 128 East Main street, and from there in 1876 to his present elegant quarters,
140 East Main street. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. At Princeton, Ill., Sept. 26, 1865, he
married Miss Christina Spaka, a native of Sweden, and their children are named
respectively Fred H., Lillie V. and Walter R.
[On page 1034, Jonas F. Anderson is listed as a charter member of Vesper Lodge,
No. 584, A., F. & A. M. that was chartered on Oct. 6, 1868.]
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 793.
