Biography - Ole Anderson
OLE ANDERSON. The little kingdom of Norway has contributed her quota of
sturdy, energetic men who have done their part toward the development of this
country. In Sparta Township that country is well represented, and as one of the
representatives of that country, and in fact we might say, one of the foremost
men in the county, is the subject of this notice.
Ole Anderson, who is at present residing on his fine farm on section 12, Sparta
Township, was born in Norway, in 1820. His parents were Andrew and Harriet
(Christian) Olaf Anderson, natives of that country. Our subject lived there with
his parents until 16 years of age, after which he worked out for four years. His
ambitious spirit at this age of life prompted him to engage in other than hard
labor, and he turned his attention to the buying and selling of stock, which he
followed for four years. In 1846 he purchased a farm in his native country and
for three years was occupied in its cultivation. He then sold his place, and,
expecting to better his financial condition in the land beyond the salty waters
of the Atlantic, he concluded to emigrate. He set sail for this country, and in
1849, after disembarking at an Eastern seaport, he came almost directly to this
county. On arriving here, his funds being exhausted, he commenced work for Mr.
B. Leighton. He remained with the latter gentleman but a short time when he
purchased 80 acres of land and once more engaged in farming.
The judgment of Mr. Anderson, on first coming to the country, was that the
broad, uncultivated prairie lands were not only productive, but would in a short
time rapidly increase in value. He consequently has been engaged in the buying
and selling of land ever since he came here, together with the raising of stock.
At the present time he is the proprietor of 1,400 acres of land in the State,
and on his fine farm, on section 12, has some splendid improvements, his
residence and barn costing him about $5,000. On his home farm he has a herd of
about 180 head of cattle, 150 head of hogs and 30 head of horses. In addition to
his real possessions in the State, he owns a large tract of land in Texas, which
he is improving. His Texas land amounts to 12,500 acres, which he intends to
make a stock ranch. It is all under fence, and 2,500 of it joins the town of Big
Springs.
The marriage of our subject took place in Norway. A short time after coming to
this state his wife died of cholera; she lies buried at Ottawa. By their union,
one child was born - Mary, now Mrs. H. Mitchell. The second matrimonial alliance
of Mr. Anderson was with Betsy Anderson [the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index
lists a Ole Anderson marrying a Ellen Anderson in Knox County on July 12, 1856],
born in Norway. The issue of the latter union was 11 children, named Willie,
Henry, Andrew, Alfred, Christian, Arthur, Harriet, Annie, Jennie, Sophia and
Emil.
Ole Anderson is a self made man in every sense the word implies. His motto has
always been, "Never put off until to-morrow what can be done to-day." He is
independent in politics, and has held the office of Roadmaster and School
Trustee, and is one of the well-known and respected citizens as well as an
energetic and successful farmer of Sparta Township.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 410.
