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Author: HuntingtonV
Surnames: Anderson, Snorf, Swank, Raisor,Schoenauer, Alberts, Rice
Classification: biography
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From Biographical Memoirs of Huntington County, Ind., 1901, pages
474-476
To trace the life of a successful man is a pleasing and interesting task, because its
record will contain much to encourage others whose future is yet to be achieved. Such a
life is that of the gentleman whose name introduces this article.
William E. Anderson is a native of Pennsylvania, born November 1, 1832, on a farm in the
county of Juniata. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he followed that vocation in his
native county until twenty-two years of age, at which time he went to Darke county, Ohio,
where for two years he farmed on land leased for the purpose. During the two years
succeeding he was employed in a bending factory in the city of West Baltimore, and while
there met and married Miss Nancy Snorf, who bore him one child, Warren R., at this time a
prosperous business man of Oklahoma. This union was sadly terminated by the death of Mrs.
Anderson after a wedded life of only eighteen months duration. June 4, 1861, Mr. Anderson
married his present wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Swank, who was born in Montgomery
county, Ohio, August 5, 1839, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Raisor) Swank. The year in
which the second marriage was solemnized witnessed the arrival of Mr. Anderson in
Huntington county, Indi!
ana. Reaching his destination he located in the township of Clear Creek, on section two,
consisting of eighty acres which he purchased and began improving. The land was heavily
timbered, but little work had been done thereon previous to his taking possession. After
building a little log cabin for the reception of his family, he at once proceeded to
enlarge the area of tillable land, and in due season cleared and brought into cultivation
nearly all of the eighty acres. To do this necessitated the hardest kind of work, attended
frequently by exposure and hardship such as few men of the present day fully realize and
appreciate. Endowed by nature with a strong and vigorous physique and with a will which
knew no such word as fail, he continued uninterruptedly in his labors until a fine farm
and comfortable home, supplied with many of the comforts and conveniences of life, was
transformed out of the former wilderness of wood and swamp.
Mr. Anderson continued to reside on this farm until 1891, when he sold it and invested the
proceeds in the place where he now lives, in section thirty-two, Jackson township. His
present place, consisting of one hundred and fifty-seven acres, all but thirty now under
cultivation, ranks with the best farms in the township, showing its proprietor to be fully
abreast with the times in all things pertaining to his calling. Mr. Anderson has long been
recognized as one of the leading men of the county; he carries on general farming, pays
considerable attention to live stock, and by thrift and economy has succeeded in placing
himself in a condition of independence as far as worldly wealth is concerned.
For four years Mr. Anderson served as justice of the peace and acquitted himself with much
credit while holding the office. As a citizen he has always endeavored to conduct himself
so as to win and retain the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and his present high
standing in the community is the result of his steadfastness of purpose to do the right as
he understands it. Mr. Anderson came to Huntington county while it was in its formative
period and right nobly has he contributed to its development. He has seen the forest give
place to towns and villages, and what was formerly a wilderness of swamps turned into rich
and valuable farms. In this mighty work he has performed well the part assigned him. He
has cleared lands, erected buildings, used his influence in behalf of the construction of
roads and other public improvements, discharging the duties of responsible citizenship
and, above all, ever acting justly toward his fellowman, thus earning the reputation of an
ho!
nest and high-minded citizen.
To Mr. Anderson's second marriage have been born the following children: Jacob A., a
mechanic now working at his trade in the island of Cuba; Etta R., wife of John Schoenauer,
of South Whitley, Indiana; Martha E. lives in Elkhart, this state; Ohmar E. is a resident
of Huntington; Mary I. resides in Oak Park, Illinois; Almeda, wife of David Alberts, of
Huntington; Lucian, also a resident of the county seat; Charles S. lives in the same
place; Laura A., now Mrs. Harvey O. Rice, of Huntington; Melvin T. is still under the
parental roof; and Effie L., also at home, is a student in the Roanoke schools.
For a number of years Mr. Anderson has been a valuable member of the United Brethren
church, and believing that politics and religion are inseparable, supports the Prohibition
party and is one of its most earnest advocates in the county of Huntington.
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