Lacrosse-Milwaukee County WI Archives Biographies.....Anderson, Mons June 8, 1830 - 
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Roxanne Munns rmunns@uwalumni.com April 12, 2007, 5:12 pm

Author: Unknown

MONS ANDERSON was born in Valders, Norway, June 8, 1830. Was married in La 
Crosse July 23, 1853, to Miss Jane Halverson; the fruits of this union were 
four children - Mary (now Mrs. Bunn), Alfred H., Samuel W. and Emma. During 
his boyhood, Mr. Anderson was educated at the common schools of his native 
town, and at the early age of 16 came to America and located at Milwaukee. He 
soon found employment with Daniel Wells, Jr., then proprietor of the City 
Hotel; remained with Mr. Wells three years, two of which were spent at Prof. 
Bach's private school, and one year in the grocery house of Herbert Reed, 
where he served in the capacity of salesman to the entire satisfaction and 
confidence of his employer. Observing the necessity of capital to achieve 
success in the older cities of the East, he determined to make his future 
experiments father West. Fascinated with the commercial advantages of La 
Crosse, then in its infancy, he located here in the summer of 1851; first 
engaged to S. T. Smith as clerk in his store then located on Front street, 
between Main and Pearl; was subsequently taken in as partner, and, in 1852, 
became sole proprietor. Shortly after, he formed a partnership with Deacon W. 
W. Eustick, which lasted one year, since which time Mr. Anderson has conducted 
the business alone. In 1856, he built a one-story brick building, the second 
in town, on his present location, to which he removed his stock of merchandise 
from Front street; in 1858, he built another one-story brick building 
adjoining, and increased his stock and business. In 1861, his increased trade 
demanded more commodious quarters, and one-third of his present elegant block 
was then erected. In this building, now the clothing department, he continued 
his extensive retail dry goods business; having goods of the best quality, 
selected with refined and educated taste; with system and good order in the 
establishment, and never allowing the quality of his wares to be 
misrepresented, his patronage very soon exceeded his expectations. The city 
grew and rival business rose, but he maintained his supremacy. In 1870, he 
built the main building and connected it with the structure erected in 1861, 
thus tripling the business area. Mr. Anderson is a man who does his own 
thinking, is original, a man of positive convictions, and shows his character 
and ability more by what he does than by what he professes. In his pursuit of 
wealth, he has not been unmindful of the comfort and happiness of his 
employes, nor has he been wanting in public spirit. He contributes liberally 
to whatever measures are calculated to promote the public welfare, whether 
physical, moral or intellectual. System and good judgment characterize all his 
work, and his sterling integrity renders his credit "gilt-edged," not only at 
home but abroad; his life illustrates the success an ambitious man of high 
moral aims may achieve in a good field with self-reliance, sound judgment, 
persevering industry and strict integrity. He has accumulated a handsome 
competency, is highly respected by his fellow-citizens, and if the moral and 
business sentiment of La Crosse is marked by a higher and purer practice than 
the average of cities, it is due as much to the example and influence of Mons 
Anderson as to any other man in their midst.

Additional Comments:
From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 733 - 734.

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