BIOGRAPHIES: Andrew W. ANDERSON, Arland Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Vic Gulickson 19 October 2005 ************************************************************************ Andrew W. Anderson, a typical representative of the hard working and successful farmers of Arland Township, where he has resided for 18 years, was born in Finland, April 22, 1866, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wuorenmaa. After receiving some schooling in his native land, he became a farm laborer, in which occupation he continued until 1888. In that year, as an immigrant in quest of better fortune, he landed at New York and went direct to Marquette, Mich., which was his home for the next 15 years. Eleven years of that time were spent in the stone quarries and four years in an iron foundry. Realizing at last that working for others at a weekly wage was not the way to advance himself, Mr. Anderson turned his thoughts to agriculture, and coming to Barron County, bought a tract of wild land of 80 acres in section 17, Arland Township. Deficient in capital, however, he was unable as yet to settle on his property and was therefore obliged to continue as a wage earner for some seven years longer, or until 1903. He then settled on his farm, to the area of which he later added by the purchase of 40 acres more. As time has passed he has provided himself with a fine set of buildings. The residence is sightly and comfortable. In 1915 he erected a barn 34 by 78 feet, furnished with modern equipment. In 1921 he built a machine shed, 24 by 60 feet, with granary on the second floor. Other structures have been erected as the development of the farm has demanded them. Mr. Anderson, with the help of his sturdy family carries on general farming and dairying, making a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle headed by a full blooded sire, and a good drove of pure blooded Poland China swine. Mr. Anderson helped to organize the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Arland Township, the only one of its kind in the county. In this church he has been one of the most active factors. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday school since it was first organized, and he has had a real influence for good on the lives of the young people who have attended the school. For thirteen years he was president of the congregation, giving freely of his time, ability and means, especially during the building of the church edifice. He is now treasurer. For ten years he was a director on the school board of district No. 3. All in all, Mr. Anderson is a fine type of citizen, a God-fearing, hardworking man, whose example and influence are always on the side of that which is right and good, and his living here has been of real benefit to the community. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage April 7, 1892, with Elizabeth Schmitman, who was born in Finland, Feb. 2, 1867. She came to America in 1889, going to Marquette, Mich., where she and Mr. Anderson were married. Eight children have come to brighten their home, namely: Fannie J., born July 29, 1893, now Mrs. James Halvorsen of Arland Township; John A., born June 17, 1895; William A., Nov. 12, 1896; Andrew W., Dec. 29, 1898; Warner M., Sept. 19, 1900; Jacob G., June 30, 1902; August I., July 14, 1905, and George G., July 14, 1908. John and William both served in the U. S. army during the World War, their records being as follows: John Arthur Anderson was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, at Barron. He trained at Camp Grant with the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. He sailed for France that fall and was later transferred to the 76th Division, the famous Lightning Division. With that division he saw active service in the Meuse Argonne offensive, Oct. 15 to Oct. 19. April 2, 1919, he was promoted to corporal. He was returned to the United States in due time, and on June 2, 1919, received his honorable discharge at Camp Grant. June 3, 1919, he re-enlisted in the Quartermaster Corps, and served one year at Fort Snelling. He is now farming with his father in Arland Township. William Anslen Anderson was inducted into the service at Barron, Aug. 14, 1918. He was assigned to the Sweney Auto School at Kansas City, but that school was swept with the influenza and he was transferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., where he trained with the 43rd Machine Gun Company. The unit had received its overseas equipment when the Armistice was signed. Jan. 1, 1919, he was transferred to Camp Grant, and was there discharged Jan. 10. He is now engaged in farming with his father in Arland Township. The inherited family name is Wuorenmaa. But when A. W. Anderson, the subject of this sketch, came to this country from Finland, his new associates found Wuorenmaa difficult to spell and pronounce, and at the request of his employers and friends he took the name of Anderson, his present full name being Andrew Wuorenmaa Anderson. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 913-914. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm