Biographies: Benjamin Lee & Emma Pye Anderson Family, 1991, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: February 13, 1991 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

by Staff Historians

The B. L. Andersons

In 1904, Benjamin Lee Anderson and his wife, the former Emma Pye, and their
two year old daughter, Letitia, moved from Gibsland to Winnfield.  He was
employed as a bookkeeper at the Bank of Winnfield where his brother in law, H.
T. Pye, was president.

He started in 1904 the insurance business that bore his name until 1984. Mr.
Anderson remained with the bank until 1916, resigning to become treasurer of
the police jury until 1942.  Willard and Ruth Harlan assumed operation of the
B. L. Anderson Insurance Agency in 1954.

Mr. Anderson was a native of Alabama.  His father was a tanner, and due to
economic conditions he moved west to Bienville Parish near Arcadia, La.  B. L.
attended the short term schools, obtaining advanced school work at a private
school, then as a young man he attended a business school in Corsicana, Texas.

In August, 1900, B. L. Anderson and Emma Pye were married.  She was born in
1878 in Parker County, Texas.  Her parents were natives of Georgia and the
family had moved to Mt. Lebanon where she attended Mt. Lebanon University.

In 1905, the Andersons' son Glen, was born, and it was after this that they
moved to their 800 East Main residence.  Letitia continued to live there until
her death, September 5, 1990.

Both Letitia and Glen attended Winnfield High School. She went to La. State
Normal, now Northwestern State, in Natchitoches and afterward taught schools
in Webster Parish.  In 1922, Letitia married Culbert Lee of Dodson.  They were
parents of two daughters, Banjai and Ruth.

Glen obtained a business education and became an executive with Humble
Oil Company before his death in 1972.

The Andersons were active members of First Baptist Church where he was a
deacon and served for many years as church treasurer.  Mrs. Anderson was a
Sunday School teacher and a long time member of the Baptist Women's Missionary
Union.

Mr. Anderson died October 27, 1953, Mrs. Anderson died May 10, 1954, and both
were buried in the Winnfield City Cemetery.

During his long public career, B. L. Anderson also served on the Winnfield
Town Council, the Winn Parish Police Jury, and as a volunteer fireman.  He was
an avid deer hunter and was known locally for his deer hounds.