BIOGRAPHY: Van Anda, S. G.
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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Colonel S. G. VAN ANDA. – Prominent among the leading lawyers of Northern 
Iowa, and the earlier settlers who have long been identified with the growth, progress 
and development of this portion of the state, may be mentioned the subjedt of this brief 
sketch.  Honorable Salne Gattshall Van Anda, now a resident of Delaware County, Iowa, 
which for more than twenty years has been his home.  He is a son of James. W. and 
Catherine Van Anda, and was born April 20, 1835, on the banks of the beautiful 
Susquehanna, at Sanberry, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where his ancestors 
had resided for several generations, having emigrated from Germany.  At an early age 
he removed with his parents to Knox County, Ohio, where his childhood was passed like 
that of many others who have arisen to distinction in after life, in attending common 
school and assisting his father to till a small farm.  In the Fall of 1851 he entered the Ohio 
Western University at Delaware, Ohio, where he pursued his studies for four years 
graduating with honor, just after entering his twenty-first year, as a member of the class of 
'55.  During his junior and senior years, he read law with Honorable Charles Smithson and 
Honorable W. P. Reed, and soon after completing his academic course was admitted, 
by examination, to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio, by Honorable – Ranney, Chief 
Justice of the state.  The same year he removed to Delhi, Delaware County, Iowa, where 
immediately entering upon the practice of his profession, he soon took a position at the 
bar far in advance of his age and experience, securing a large business and receiving 
the confidence of all, made himself respected by his associates in the profession.  
In the Summer of 1861, without any solicitation on his parat, he received the 
Republican nomination, and in the following Fall was elected by a majority vote of over 
eight hundred to the lower House of the Iowa Legislature, where he served his 
constituency and the state during the ninth session of the General Assembly with credit 
and distinction, making many friends, and becoming well and favorably known among 
the leading men of the state.  He was a member of the committee on the Judiciary and 
chairman of the Committee on Incorporations, and was largely instrumental in securing 
the passage of the "House bill" dividing the state into Congressional districts, which, in 
opposition to the "Senate bill," finally became a law.  He rendered valuable service in 
the advancement of several important measures, is said to be the father of the "Dog 
Law," and proved himself in every respect to be a good and successful legislator, being 
ever earnest and constant in the import of whatever he believed to be right and just.
On returning home in the Spring of 1862 he received the appointment and was 
commissioned by Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, Major of the 21st Regiment Iowa Infantry 
Volunteers, was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy of the same regiment May 22, 
1863, and had command of the regiment during their entire term of service, excepting 
about three months.  He led his regiment in a desperate charge at Black River, Mississippi, 
May 17, 1863, in which he lost eighty-three men out of six hundred in less than three 
minutes.  On that never-to-be-forgotten day, May 22, 1863, whose fearful carnage 
caused such a wail of bitter grief to ascent from thousands of homes throughout the 
length and breadth of the land, his regiment was ordered with other troops to make an 
assault upon Fort Beauregard, one of the defenses of Vicksburg.  To colonel Van Anda's 
cool judgment and determined bravery, is due the success in that portion of the field 
where his regiment was placed.  At a critical moment, when the line was being mowed 
down by a most terrific fire of the enemy, his support became demoralized and fled, his 
horse was shot from under him, and he was only able to save the honor of the brave 21st 
by conduct which at another time would have been reckless and foolhardy.  As the line 
wavered under the terrific fire, and were about to fall back, he sprang to the front to a 
position in advance of the column and shouted in a voice that rang out clear and 
distinct above the battle din:  "Comrades, remember Iowa, and save her honor.  
Forward!"  Nerved and inspired by his noble words, the ranks grew firm again, and 
although they left one-third their number on that fearful field of carnage, staining the 
green sward with their precious life's blood, they hied on until they found comparative 
safety beneath the shelter of their enemy's fortifications.   He was engaged with his 
regiment to the numerous battles which receded the capture of Mobile, led the 
advance of General Canby's army at the attack of Spanish Fort, and took part in the 
final occupation of the City of Mobile.  His regiment was mustered out of the United 
States service at the close of the war at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, having made a proud 
record, and seen as much hard fighting and performed as meritorious service as any 
regiment in the Western army.
On returning home he received the nomination of the Soldiers Convention, held 
at Des Moines in the Summer or Fall of 1865, for lieutenant governor, on the ticket with 
Colonel Thomas Benton, who was nominated for governor.  Feeling as he emphatically 
expressed it, that "the Republican party could yet be saved," he declined to run in 
opposition to it.  The following year he was nominated by the Liberal party for secretary 
of state, which at the solicitation of his friends he reluctantly accepted, and made a 
strong canvass against his popular Republican opponent Colonel Ed Wright, running 
more than three thousand ahead of his ticket.  It is asserted by his friends that he was 
authoritatively tendered the nomination of governor if he would renounce the opposition 
and use his powerful influence and ability in carrying the state for the Republican ticket.  
But having left it from principle when it was in power, and joined his fortunes to one 
hopelessly in the minority, he chose defeat in a just cause rather than success as a 
candidate of a party he had become convinced was corrupt and wrong.  He has since 
been a candidate for re-election to the General Assembly, and for district attorney in his 
district, in both of which he was defeated, though making a strong canvass and drawing 
may votes from his Republican opponent.  For the last few years he has entirely 
eschewed politics, and devoted his entire energy to the practice of his profession, 
securing a large and lucrative business on his own and adjoining counties.  Had he not 
positively refused to allow his name to be presented at the last Democratic 
Congressional Convention, he would most probably have received the nomination.
Colonel Van Anda was married in March, 1859, to Miss Lydia B. Weatherby, of 
Morrow County, Ohio, a bright, intelligent lady of more than ordinary ability, and loved 
by all who knew her, by whom he has two children, Charles, aged fourteen, and Kate, 
aged eight years.