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ELDON C. ANDERSON.
As a capable and energetic public servant, an able official in
the discharge of the duties and responsibilities of his
position, and a man of courtesy to those who had occasion to
visit his office, Eldon C. Anderson, won the respect and
confidence of the people of his native community. His was an
active and useful career, in which he made material strides,
and although still a young man in point of years at the time
of his death was one of experience and learning. He passed
away on the 31st of
December, 1929.
Mr. Anderson
was born February 24, 1898, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a son of
James and Amanda (Gunnerson) Anderson. James Anderson was born
in Denmark, and was still a young man when he arrived at
Council Bluffs in 1888. Shortly after his arrival he entered
the employ of the Northwestern Railway Company, "slipping"
ties, and has continued with this road for more than forty
years, at this time being assistant general foreman. He is a
member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church, the Knights of Pythias
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in his political
views is a Republican. On June 22, 1893, Mr. Anderson was
united in marriage with Miss Amamda Gunnersob, who was born in
Sweden, and arrived at Council Bluffs August 7, 1891. Both
still survive and they have had two children.
Eldon C.
Anderson attended the public schools of Council Bluffs,
including the high school, and early in 1917 enlisted in the
United States Army for service during the World war. He first
had training at Council Bluffs and Des Moines, and then at
Camp Mills, Long Island, and went overseas in November, 1917,
as a member of the Forty-second (Rainbow) Division. this
division won undying glory in the great engagement of
Chateau-Thierry, during which, July 29, 1918, Mr. Anderson
lost a leg and had the other badly injured. He was
knighted a member of the French Legion of Honor for bravery in
action, being the only one to receive such an honor to this
sector, and the only one in the State of Iowa to receive such
honor and distinction. In January, 1919, he was invalided home
after six months in a French hospital, and subsequently was a
patient in hospitals at New York City and Fort Des Moines,
finally being discharged August 4, 1919. For the next three or
four months, while recuperating, he traveled through the
eastern part of the United States, and then returned to Iowa,
where he spent two years in the State University. Following
this Mr. Anderson secured a position in the office of the
sheriff of Pottawattamie County. In April, 1928, he was
elected city clerk of Council Bluffs, a position which he
afterward filled with much abilityand to the entire
satisfaction of the people of his native community.
Mr. Anderson was unmarried and made his home with his parents.
In 1910 he and his mother made an extended trip through
Europe, spending three months in Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
His religious connection was with the First Presbyterian
Church, and fraternally he was affiliated with the Masons,
Council Bluffs Lodge No. 531; Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and the Knights of
Pythias, in which he held the Degree of Honor. He belonged
also to the Forty and Eight and the American Legion, of which
later he was state sergeant-at-arms at one time. He was also
greatly interested in the activities of the National Guard and
was a valued member of the Council Bluffs Aero Club and the
Kiwanis Club.
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~ source: The People of Iowa by Edgar
Rubey Harlan, LL. B., A. M., Volume III, The American Historical
Society, Inc.; Chicago and New York,1931.
~ Transcribed
& Contributed by
Debbie Gerischer
http://iagenweb.org/history/ |
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