Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Herman ANDERSON ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Janesville Tobacco Man Killed Here Thursday As Train Strikes Car Herman Anderson, 52, Janesville tobacco buyer living on the Milwaukee Avenue Road, a short distance east of Janesville, was instantly killed here at 2 p.m., Thursday when his car was struck by a southbound Northwestern passenger train at the East Main street crossing. His automobile was completed demolished. The train, coming from Madison, was slowing down for the stop at the station which is about 300 feet from the crossing. Mr. Anderson's car was struck squarely in the middle and he was thrown clear of the rails in wreckage of the machine. Railroad employees and others near the scene of the accident took the body into the railroad station. Death was instantaneous. Examination by Coroner Lynn A. Whaley and Deputy E. J. Overton revealed a basal skull fracture, a crushed chest, and it is believed there were internal injuries. No inquest was held after it was learned from three eye witnesses that the new crossing signals were in operation. Calvin Bullock, Ray Briscoe, and Paul Kemmett of this city saw the train strike Mr. Anderson's car and gave Coroner Whaley sufficient information to make further investigation unnecessary. It is believed that Mr. Anderson was probably looking at the tobacco warehouse near the crossing and for a short time was unmindful of his approach to the tracks. The recent change from the gate type of barriers to the new automobile wig-wag signals is believed to have been a contributory cause. Anderson, according to Coroner Whaley, had travelled over this crossing many times and probably was accustomed to stopping for the gates. Not seeing them down, the coroner believes, he continued without noticing the wig-wag signals. Mr. Anderson was born in Blanchardville Dec. 17, 1876 and was married to Miss Annie Olson on April 5, 1899 in Beloit. The couple moved to Janesville shortly after their marriage and have lived near there since. The deceased was a member of Janesville Masonic Lodge No. 55, Janesville chapter No. 5 R. A. M., and Gebal council, Janesville. He was also a member of the First Lutheran church, Janesville. Besides his wife, he is survived by nine children, Earl, Sidney, Herman, Richard, Lillian, Harry, and Russell at home; Esmond, Chicago and Mrs. Robert Hook, Janesville. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the First Lutheran church, Janesville, the Rev. E. R. Larson, officiating. Interment was made in the Janesville cemetery. March 14, 1929, Evansville Review, p. 1, col. 2 & 3, Evansville, Wisconsin