Representative James M. Anderson View All Years

JAMES M. ANDERSON.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to present resolutions with respect to the life and services of Hon. James M. Anderson, late of Warren County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following:

James M. Anderson was born at Antrim, Guernsey County, in the state of Ohio, November 22nd, 1844. He was the son of Andrew and Mary Findlay Anderson. He came of Scotch Presbyterian stock from the north of Ireland, who were early settlers in Washington County, Pennsylvania. His early years were spent on the farm, and in 1854 he came to Iowa, settling at Davenport. Two years later he removed to Oskaloosa, and 1857 finally settled in Warren County, where he resided for many years. He engaged in the work of farming and later in the mercantile business. In October, 1866, he and his brother, T. T. Anderson, became the owners of the Indianola Herald, and for twenty-five years they together edited and published this bright and influential paper.

On April 20th, 1868, at Bushnell, Illinois, he was married to Sarah E. Harper, and to this marriage there were born five children, three of whom survive, namely, Carl Anderson, Mrs. Maude Goff and Mrs. Pearl Jones, all residents at this time of Ft. Collins, Colorado. After the death of his wife he remained single for sometime but in 1900 he married Mrs. Mary V. Blodgett, who with their three children survive him.

Mr. Anderson was a very forceful writer, an earnest Republican, tolerant in his views and warm in his friendships. He represented Warren County in the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth General Assemblies and was highly esteemed by all his associates. His record in the Legistlature was excellent, and one of which his county is justly proud. His most important piece of constructive road legislation was the Anderson Road Law, which at that time was entirely different from anything before presented, and which laid the foundation for progressive legislation in Iowa.

He was a member of the Southern Iowa Press Association, and was president of that body in 1903. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church until 1900 when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Indianola. His devotion to the church and his great faith in God is manifested by the fact that in both churches he was a member of the governing body for many years. In his attitude everywhere he manifested the true spirit of altruism, and always aggressive in every sense of the word, he always avoided even the semblance of the popular tendency so detrimental to the best interests of humanity, namely, the sacrifice of friendship or principle to the promotion of selfish interest. He loved his work in the newspaper profession, to which so much of his time was devoted. His friends testify freely of his sterling character and that he was a gentleman in every respect.

In 1915 he sold his newspaper plant and on account of ill health retired from business, dividing his time about equally between his children in Ft. Collins and his winter home in Long Beach, California. His health gradually failed and no medical assistance could avail to stay the ravages of the disease which proved to be chronic lesion of the heart. His end was peaceful and his faith sufficient for the trial. He passed away at Long Beach, California, at six o’clock, Monday evening, February 17th, 1919.

To the honor of his memory, it is therefore resolved, that the House of Representatives take this occasion to express this appreciation of his character and services, and at this time to extend to his family its deepest sympathy in this their sorrow; and Be It Further Resolved, that these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to send an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

C. B. KERN,

M. L. TEMPLE,

H. B. MORGAN.