OBITUARY: Christian Anderson; Fillmore, Millard co., Utah
surname: Anderson, Higgins, Evan, Huntsman, Cooper

Transcribed by Stephen D. Robison (kinseeker @ hotmail.com)
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Rogers, Sadie. East Millard Pioneers, Death Notices, As Published in the
Progress 1913-1937, p. 62:

The Millard County Progress, Friday, 13 Apr 1923:

PATRIARCH CHRISTIAN ANDERSON ANSWERS
CALL OF DEATH

Passes Into Peaceful Sleep of Death Without Illness or Struggle.

Active and Useful Up to the Last Hour of Long and Exceptional Career.

Large Attendance at Funeral; Many Present From All Parts of Millard Stake
to Honor Memory of Great Character

Patriarch Christian Anderson died last Friday, as he had often wished to
finish his career--active and useful to the last hour of his life. After
a day of his usual routine of work including some abstracting at the Court
House, he spent the evening in conversation with the family and in study,
retiring at a late hour as was his custom. When some member of the family
went to call him to his meal at his usual time of eating he was found in
bed in an attitude of peaceful repose. The attending physician declared
that death had been painless and during sleep due to failing circulation.

His loss is felt all the more keenly by the family and the community because
he seemed to be in the prime of his wonderful mental power. His virile
and powerful intellect seemed to grow in brilliance with the advancement
of his years. This unusual condition was a matter of much comment among
his associates, especially in ecclesiastical circles, where he took a leading
part to the end.

He was a self-made man who acquired in a life a great fund of general and
specific knowledge and he possessed unusual power in making effective
application of it. He was an animated encyclopedia to whom hundreds turned for
information in matters of religion, law, history, psychology and other fields
of knowledge.

He was stoical in self-discipline but was tender-hearted and sympathetic
in his dealings with others. He was a kind and loving father, adored and
reverenced by his numerous posterity. While his children have all reached
maturity, they relied much upon his wise counsel and sympathetic solicitation.
In the passing of their dear father, leader and patriarch, they feel a
loss beyond the power of words to express.

After 83 years of wonderful physical and mental vigor this scriptorium,
historian, mentor, has passed on to another existence to continue his
usefulness and development and perhaps to be "a friend at court" for those
left behind.

Funeral services were held at the Ward Chapel last Monday, with First
Couselor, Don C. Wixom presiding. It was one of the largest from point of
attendance ever held in Fillmore.

The members of the High Council of Millard Stake were present in body and
occupied a section of the hall, and others came from remote parts.

The High School students and faculty attended in a body in sympathy and
respect for their Principal, Joseph F. Anderson, a son of the deceased.
The upper grades and their teachers, and Mr. Thorpe, all attended in a
group.

The floral tributes were profuse and were for the most part of necessity
imported at this time of the year. Appropriate music was rendered by the
combined Choir under the direction of F. Earl Stott. A solo was beautifully
sung by Stella Day.

The speakers were T. Clark Callister of the Stake Presidency, F. A. Robison
of the High Council, J. P. Olsen of Scipio a lifelong friend and missionary
associate of the deceased and Peter L. Brunson, formerly of the Stake
Presidency. Opening prayer was offered by Joseph H. Fisher of Meadow, Stake
President of High Priests, and the benediction was by High Councilman George
Badger of Holden. The grave was dedicated by Asael H. Fisher of the Stake
Presidency.

All of the speakers were clearly under a heavy emotional strain and were
eloquent and sincere in their eulogy of this good man who had been so close
to them in life's joys and sorrows and shifting scenes.

They spoke of his integrity and dependability and his granite firmness
in standing for his convictions and principles. All through life he bore
responsibilities and many hardships with upper strength that was a marvel
to those who knew him. He had superb self-control and a mental poise that
was equal to all emergencies. He had qualities of character that made him
an efficient executive and administrator in the many positions which he
held of both civil and ecclesiastical nature.

Emphasis was placed on his loyalty, devotion to his wives and family and
his energy and industry in supporting and rearing over a score of his own
children and in addition seven orphan children, three orphan grandchildren
living in his home at the time of his death. While financially unable to
assist any of his children in their higher education, he inspired them
with ambition that was a driving power in enabling many of them to educate
themselves through their own initiative and resources. It was pointed out
that three of his sons are principals of state high schools in Utah and
Idaho and that others of the children are prominent and active in their
spheres of activity.

Much stress was made on his wonderful mentality and prodigious power of
his mind in deep and clear thinking. Always serving the people and the
church in a number of capacities, he was declared to be without peer in
Millard County in the amount of service rendered. He was an indefagitable
worker and he had a powerful physical and mental constitution that carried
him through mountains of work and made him a conqueror of obstacles.

Christian Anderson was born in Denmark, May 6, 1840. When Christian was
only nine years old his father died leaving the mother a poor widow. So
at this age he had to begin making his own living, which he did as a farm
boy. From a long line of strong ancestors he inherited the qualities that
made him victor in the conquest of adversity. He was inspired also by his
struggling mother, a lady of high intelligence.

At the age of 14 he was the first of the family to join the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. At that age he was made clerk of the Laaland
Conference. At the age of 17 he was called on a mission covering three
years. In 1862 he came to Utah and later assisted others of the family
to immigrate. He lived for several years in Gunnison and in Richfield before
coming to Fillmore in 1868, where he has since lived.

He served for three years in the Black Hawk Indian War and during the last
few years of his life enjoyed a pension for his services.

In civil service, Mr. Anderson has held many offices as County and District
Clerk, County Treasurer, County Recorder, City Treasurer, Attorney, Member
of the Board of Education 17 years, Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge,
in fact, practically every office in the gift of the people of the city
and county.

He has always been active in church work and has held positions as Pres.
of Elders Quorum, High Councilman, Bishop, Stake Clerk, President Y.M.M.I.A.,
Stake President of High Priests Quorum, Patriarch, and many other positions.
He was expert in accountancy and clerical work and was clerk and financial
auditor of Millard Stake for 23 years and was secretary and treasurer of
Millard Stake Academy during the entire time of its existence.

He has also been successfully engaged in various kinds of business and
has worked at several trades and industries. Later at the time of the United
Order he was placed in charge of the branch of manufacturing. He was for
a few years engaged in merchandizing and was Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer of the Fillmore Cooperative Mercatile Institution, which
is now the Stevens Store. He also had charge of the Cooperative Meat Market
until the business ______. He was Secretary, Treasurer and director of
the O. K. Mill Company. Farming and stock raising was always a part of
his business. He was pharmacist and druggist and conducted his own drug
store for many years. For eight years he was owner, editor and publisher
of the Millard County Progress, which business he disposed of in 1914.
For many years he has been licensed abstractor and notary public.

He was an intensive student. He acquired a command of several languages
and was well read in practically every department of human knowledge. His
personal library was always the envy of all who saw it.

During the crusade against polygamy he served 14 months in the State
Penitentiary, where he was appointed librarian of the institution.

He is survived by his wives, Hannah K. and Anna D. Anderson.

The surviving children of the first name wife are: C. Henry, Mrs. Katherine
Anderson, Mrs. Sarah Higgins, Geneva, Wilford J., Zina, Mrs. Mabel Anderson,
and Julius Evan. The surviving children of the other wife are: James, Mrs.
Esther Huntsman, Nephi A., Andrew P., Joseph F., and Ephraim D., all in
the order of age. Mrs. Hannah Cooper is a surviving child through his deceased
wife, Rasmine.

The passing of Christian Anderson leaves a void in the hearts of many outside
the bereaved family. He lived long and well and his influence for good
has been most potent. He has done his full share to make the world better.
He was one of God's nobelmen whose noble and brilliant earth career entitles
him to Heaven's best blessings. His life was an inspiration and his death
a benediction.