A well known and highly respected citizen of this community, a soldier of the civil war, and a good friend and kind neighbor, a man of intelligence and thrift and one faithful to every higher duty of life, passed to the land beyond, tile grave, when Jesse Anderson laid down the burden of his life shortly after nine o'clock on Tuesday, May 17, 1921. Mr. Anderson has been a sufferer for the past four years and confined to his home. For the past few weeks, he has been under the care of a trained nurse as his condition was growing more alarming. Tuesday he sank into a stupor from which he never rallied.
Jesse W. Anderson was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. October 21, 1847 and was 73 years, 6 months and 26 days old at the time of his death. On February 20, 1865, he enlisted for the defense of his country and flag in Co. H. 50th Wisconsin and served until June 22, 1866 when he was discharged with the rank of corporal having given devoted service to his country. At the time of enlistment he had no yet reached his 18th birthday.
Returning to Wisconsin he was united in marriage to Miss Anne McConnell, of Wiota, Nov., 20th, 1867. To this union ten children were born, eight of whom survive. Two daughters, Belle and Florence, died since the family came to Nebraska. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Louis R, of Kit Carson, Colo,; John D. of Syracuse, Will W. of Casper, Wyo.; and five daughters, Mrs. J. M. Embree, of Lincoln; Mrs. Gertrude Mellick, of Rochester, Mich.; Mrs. Clara King, of Graf, Neb.; Marie Coddinton, of Syracuse; and Mrs. Myrtle Stewart, of Salina, Kansas.
Mr. Anderson was a man of keen judgment and a lover of good stock and during and after his farm life, dealt largely in both cattle and horses. His judgment in all matters of business and particularly in agriculture was sought by those who wanted the best. A good neighbor, a kind friend and a just and upright man in his dealings with those with whom he came in contact secured him a large circle of friends which he retained until the last. He was a faithful member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic lodge here with which he became affiliated by initiation on June 1, 1882. He served the lodge as Treasurer for three differed periods covering in all 13 years and was a member of the building committee which had in charge the erection of the Masonic Temple. He was mustered in as a member of Wadsworth Post No. 21, G. A. R., June 20, 1907 and was a faithful member.
Jesse Anderson was a pioneer in spirit and practice. With his wife and six children he came overland to Syracuse in 1878, and located on a farm southwest of Syracuse and resided there until 1896, when he moved to Syracuse. In 1906 he went to Colorado and homesteaded land returning to Syracuse in 1911. While living ten miles from Kit Carson, Colo., he was largely instrumental in organizing the Methodist society there and in the building of the church, being a regular attendant at the services. His interest in religious life began in early manhood and he was a loyal member and supporter of, the local church for many years.
The Anderson family came to Otoe county about 43 years ago and first lived where Ralph Andrews now resides, afterward going to the Anderson farm now owned by George Kramer which they built into a fine home. In those days when neighbors were fewer, Mr. Anderson proved the worth of his character by his ever ready helpfulness in sickness or trial and he was never too tired to help a needy neighbor. His acts of kindness and friendship were given willingly and cheerfully and without thought of self. To those who felt the sting of poverty he was especially kind and helpful and many a person has been helped and cheered on life's path by his friendly ministrations. In the home and community he was a true and wise counselor. Mr. Anderson was greatly interested in education and when living on the farm he was foremost in the advancement of every educational move that tended to help the younger folks. In his community he was for every move that tended to make it better; progressive, energetic, forceful and gracious, he has built a monument in the memory of mankind that will live on for years to come.
The funeral was held Thursday, May 19, from the Methodist church, the sermon being by Rev. A. O. Hinson of University Place, a former pastor here and a warm friend of the deceased. The services at the cemetery were held by the Masonic lodge and the last respects of that fraternity were paid to their departed friend and brother as exemplified by the beautiful ritualistic service of that body, and under the blue skies and green foliage of Park Hill he sleeps the sleep of the just until that day when the Son of Man shall send forth his angels to collect the ransomed dead when his body shall rise to everlasting life.
Jesse was born in Wiota, Lafayette Co., WI on 21 Oct 1847. He died on 17 May 1921. Susan Harding has copies of his enlistment into the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, on 20 Feb 1865 at age 17. She also has his Civil War diary. Mustered for bounty on 9 Mar 1865 in Madison, enlisted in Darlington, Lafayette Co., WI. Oscar M. Derring was appointed Jesse's guardian. Jesse was buried in the Anderson plot, Syracuse, NE. 1847-1917 is on the gravestone.
[S8233] McConnell Family History, written after 23 Dec 1871 by grandchild of Mary Ann McConnell Flanigan, sent to Gene Anderson by Ervin W. Johnson, Darlington, WI attorney on 20 Jul 1990.
[S1968] Max Anderson Melick, The Jesse and Anna Anderson Family Tree, (1997), 21 Oct 1847, Wiota.
[S7827] Jesse W. Anderson Certificae of Death, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census, State of Nebraska, Registered No. 4674, 19 May 1921, copy issued 6 Sep 2013, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services., 20 Oct 1847.
[S8600] Jesse Anderson obituary, Syracuse, Journal Democrat, 20 May 1921, p. 1, 21 Oct 1847.
[S7827] Jesse W. Anderson Certificae of Death, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census, State of Nebraska, Registered No. 4674, 19 May 1921, copy issued 6 Sep 2013, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
[S7752] Marjorie Harker Anderson photographs.
[S1969] 1900 US Census, Nebraska, Otoe, Syracuse, Enum. Dist. 123, sheet 3B.
[S1976] 1870 US Census, Wisconsin, Lafayette, Darlington, page 57.
[S1977] 1880 US Census, Nebraska, Otoe, Russell, District 198, page 4.
[S1970] 1910 US Census, Colorado, Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Enum. Dist. 9, sheet 10A.
[S1978] 1920 US Census, Nebraska, Otoe, Syracuse, Enum. Dist. 141, sheet 1A.
[S1975] 1850 US Census, WI, Lafayette Co., Fayette, page 379.