There had been a season of heavy snow and strong winds and the telephone was yet a few years in the future. Roads were ungravelled and primitive, though this was of little concern since they lay under a foot of snow. However, the word reached Dr. Robertson in Cottonwood that a baby was momentarily expected at the Tonnes E. "Tom" Anderson home tow miles west of town. With team and "cutter" he arrived in time to usher into the world a healthy baby boy. It was the 27th day of March, 1896 and the baby was given the name Alexander, Tom's second child (the first, motherless Bessie, three) and the firstborn of Tomine Pernilla Stenberg Anderson.
Alex was duly baptized and later confirmed in the Silo (pronounced "Seelo" for Shiloh) Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, the former by Rev. Romstad, the latter by Rev. Haugan. As a small boy Alex witnessed the demolition of the original clapboard-sided old log cabin and it's replacement by a frame house, a part of which is still in use today (1980). He attended the nearby country school, originally District No. 15, but by secession, District 89. At a time little noted for levity or practice of the social graces, it is evident that farm work easily took precedence over education. However there is evidence that not all normal youthful impulses were stymied by work and study. At that time the teacher drove out from town in a single seat, one-horse buggy. On occasion the boys might loosen or even remove the nuts holding the wheels on the buggy. And on one memorable occasion they moved the two small front wheels to the back and the larger back wheels up front, to the teacher's vast annoyance and dismay.
Although a high school had been established in Cottonwood by the time Alex finished eighth grade, he followed the then common practice of farm boys and quit school. It is very probable that he had little choice in the matter, because his father was not enthusiastic about continued education. However, a few years later he attended the Agricultural College at the University of Minnesota for one term.
Beginning in 1914 the country became increasingly concerned with the Great World War. Although we were constantly subjected to anti-German propaganda, such as the story of German soldiers bouncing Belgian babies along on their bayonets, which many actually believed, our family at first was strongly pro-German. What heroes Ludendorff, Mackenson, and Hindenburg! But the German sinking of the Lusitania, with Cottonwood's first casualty, Attorney Bill Tragesser aboard, brought about a complete reversal of opinion, and it became actually dangerous to be labelled "Pro-German". Then came Woodrow Wilson's dramatic re-election "because he kept us out of war", and shortly, our own involvement. Eventually came the chilling news, Alex's number was up in the draft, and with dire foreboding the family saw him off to Camp Grant, Illinois. And certainly, could the truth have been known, there was good reason to worry. Alex developed an extremely serious case of diptheria while in the service, leading his father to tell the family, "We must be prepared to hear the worst at any moment!" But he recovered, and lived to experience interesting and exciting events of which he has never ceased to relate to any listening ear. The November 11, 1918 Armistice came just in time to relieve him of deployment to the war zone in Europe, and shortly he returned home.
About this time Tom Anderson purchased the Herman Mielke farm south of Cottonwood and three miles from the home place. And here Alex set out to farm on his own. At first he "commuted" with horses, and even with help from home it was not an easy life. Then his father purchased the quarter to the south, the Krog farm; his younger brother Theodore got married, a house was built and they proceeded to farm in partnership. Alex was an excellent cattleman and proceeded to build up a substantial cattle-feeding operation. This partnership lasted for about twenty years, when Alex sold out to his brother Ted, after which he purchased and operated the old Lende and Kleppe "feeding yards" just on the northeast edge of Cottonwood.
Through the years Alex had been an energetic and innovative member of the American Legion Post in Cottonwood. He managed and coached the Legion's Junior Legion Baseball Team to a state championship. He served for years as a member of the District 47 School Board. He was an effective mayor of Cottonwood. Due perhaps to other interests as for any other reason, Alex sold the feeding operation in 1963 and retired.
The foregoing might well be thought the complete biography of Alex Anderson. But nothing could be further from the truth. It isn't even the "real" story. Some time in the mid-forties he began to spend part of each winter in the McAllen area of Texas. During one of those sojourns he and some friends became acquainted with a group of Mexicans in the Mexican border city of Reynosa. On one occasion while visiting across the border they found their host had another guest-a young senorita from Guadalajara, hundreds of miles to the southwest in Mexico. At just that moment a message arrived for the senorita: her mother had passed away, and was to be buried a few days later. Having no automobile, the young lady had come by bus and rail, and services by this means being entirely unreliable, she was gravely distraught at the thought of missing her mother's funeral. At this critical juncture, Alex offered to come to the rescue; he would take her home in his automobile. Somewhat to his own surprise, the offer was accepted and the long trip accomplished without incident.
There are times when a "spur of the moment" decision can have momentous consequences. Such was the case when Alex accompanied the grieving family to the funeral. From that time on he was accepted as a worthy friend of the family. So much so indeed, that despite a very limited ability to communicate in Spanish, he was accorded every mark of courtesy and respect in the delicate process of courting and eventually marrying the senorita. Her name was Doloris "Lola" Corona, and they were married November 14, 1948.
Senorita Doloris came from an upper-middle class family in Guadalajara. they had elegant homes and Alex was privileged to enjoy their freely given hospitality, including weekends in their luxurious cottages at the bathing beach. During those first years it was necessary for Alex to return to his feeding operations at home each summer. Apparently by agreement "Lola" remained in Mexico, thus establishing a way of life which, however unconventional, has never-th-less endured through the years without apparent strain.
On Septmber 28, 1949 a daughter was born to Lola and Alex. She was given the name Sofia, and strange to say she has always been exceedingly proud of her name, Sofia Anderson. She grew up with the family of her mother's sister and husband in Guadalajara. Ten years ago Sofia and her cousin Rosita Corona Delgado visited with relatives here in Cottonwood. They were friendly, courteous and interesting and obviously much attached to Alex.
Sofia Anderson married a young Mexican, Salvador Gomez, Jr. in 1968. Salvador is apersonable and ambitious salesman who travels extensively up to and in California. In order that his family may learn English, he has a second home in San Ysidro, California. They have three children, Alecsandra, born June 12, 1969; Jorge, born July 16, 1970; Ricardo, born December 26, 1972.
note: Alex died in a car accident February 21, 1985.
Alex was duly baptized and later confirmed in the Silo (pronounced "Seelo" for Shiloh) Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, the former by Rev. Romstad, the latter by Rev. Haugan. As a small boy Alex witnessed the demolition of the original clapboard-sided old log cabin and it's replacement by a frame house, a part of which is still in use today (1980). He attended the nearby country school, originally District No. 15, but by secession, District 89. At a time little noted for levity or practice of the social graces, it is evident that farm work easily took precedence over education. However there is evidence that not all normal youthful impulses were stymied by work and study. At that time the teacher drove out from town in a single seat, one-horse buggy. On occasion the boys might loosen or even remove the nuts holding the wheels on the buggy. And on one memorable occasion they moved the two small front wheels to the back and the larger back wheels up front, to the teacher's vast annoyance and dismay.
Although a high school had been established in Cottonwood by the time Alex finished eighth grade, he followed the then common practice of farm boys and quit school. It is very probable that he had little choice in the matter, because his father was not enthusiastic about continued education. However, a few years later he attended the Agricultural College at the University of Minnesota for one term.
Beginning in 1914 the country became increasingly concerned with the Great World War. Although we were constantly subjected to anti-German propaganda, such as the story of German soldiers bouncing Belgian babies along on their bayonets, which many actually believed, our family at first was strongly pro-German. What heroes Ludendorff, Mackenson, and Hindenburg! But the German sinking of the Lusitania, with Cottonwood's first casualty, Attorney Bill Tragesser aboard, brought about a complete reversal of opinion, and it became actually dangerous to be labelled "Pro-German". Then came Woodrow Wilson's dramatic re-election "because he kept us out of war", and shortly, our own involvement. Eventually came the chilling news, Alex's number was up in the draft, and with dire foreboding the family saw him off to Camp Grant, Illinois. And certainly, could the truth have been known, there was good reason to worry. Alex developed an extremely serious case of diptheria while in the service, leading his father to tell the family, "We must be prepared to hear the worst at any moment!" But he recovered, and lived to experience interesting and exciting events of which he has never ceased to relate to any listening ear. The November 11, 1918 Armistice came just in time to relieve him of deployment to the war zone in Europe, and shortly he returned home.
About this time Tom Anderson purchased the Herman Mielke farm south of Cottonwood and three miles from the home place. And here Alex set out to farm on his own. At first he "commuted" with horses, and even with help from home it was not an easy life. Then his father purchased the quarter to the south, the Krog farm; his younger brother Theodore got married, a house was built and they proceeded to farm in partnership. Alex was an excellent cattleman and proceeded to build up a substantial cattle-feeding operation. This partnership lasted for about twenty years, when Alex sold out to his brother Ted, after which he purchased and operated the old Lende and Kleppe "feeding yards" just on the northeast edge of Cottonwood.
Through the years Alex had been an energetic and innovative member of the American Legion Post in Cottonwood. He managed and coached the Legion's Junior Legion Baseball Team to a state championship. He served for years as a member of the District 47 School Board. He was an effective mayor of Cottonwood. Due perhaps to other interests as for any other reason, Alex sold the feeding operation in 1963 and retired.
The foregoing might well be thought the complete biography of Alex Anderson. But nothing could be further from the truth. It isn't even the "real" story. Some time in the mid-forties he began to spend part of each winter in the McAllen area of Texas. During one of those sojourns he and some friends became acquainted with a group of Mexicans in the Mexican border city of Reynosa. On one occasion while visiting across the border they found their host had another guest-a young senorita from Guadalajara, hundreds of miles to the southwest in Mexico. At just that moment a message arrived for the senorita: her mother had passed away, and was to be buried a few days later. Having no automobile, the young lady had come by bus and rail, and services by this means being entirely unreliable, she was gravely distraught at the thought of missing her mother's funeral. At this critical juncture, Alex offered to come to the rescue; he would take her home in his automobile. Somewhat to his own surprise, the offer was accepted and the long trip accomplished without incident.
There are times when a "spur of the moment" decision can have momentous consequences. Such was the case when Alex accompanied the grieving family to the funeral. From that time on he was accepted as a worthy friend of the family. So much so indeed, that despite a very limited ability to communicate in Spanish, he was accorded every mark of courtesy and respect in the delicate process of courting and eventually marrying the senorita. Her name was Doloris "Lola" Corona, and they were married November 14, 1948.
Senorita Doloris came from an upper-middle class family in Guadalajara. they had elegant homes and Alex was privileged to enjoy their freely given hospitality, including weekends in their luxurious cottages at the bathing beach. During those first years it was necessary for Alex to return to his feeding operations at home each summer. Apparently by agreement "Lola" remained in Mexico, thus establishing a way of life which, however unconventional, has never-th-less endured through the years without apparent strain.
On Septmber 28, 1949 a daughter was born to Lola and Alex. She was given the name Sofia, and strange to say she has always been exceedingly proud of her name, Sofia Anderson. She grew up with the family of her mother's sister and husband in Guadalajara. Ten years ago Sofia and her cousin Rosita Corona Delgado visited with relatives here in Cottonwood. They were friendly, courteous and interesting and obviously much attached to Alex.
Sofia Anderson married a young Mexican, Salvador Gomez, Jr. in 1968. Salvador is apersonable and ambitious salesman who travels extensively up to and in California. In order that his family may learn English, he has a second home in San Ysidro, California. They have three children, Alecsandra, born June 12, 1969; Jorge, born July 16, 1970; Ricardo, born December 26, 1972.
note: Alex died in a car accident February 21, 1985.
There had been a season of heavy snow and strong winds and the telephone was yet a few years in the future. Roads were ungravelled and primitive, though this was of little concern since they lay under a foot of snow. However, the word reached Dr. Robertson in Cottonwood that a baby was momentarily expected at the Tonnes E. "Tom" Anderson home tow miles west of town. With team and "cutter" he arrived in time to usher into the world a healthy baby boy. It was the 27th day of March, 1896 and the baby was given the name Alexander, Tom's second child (the first, motherless Bessie, three) and the firstborn of Tomine Pernilla Stenberg Anderson.
Alex was duly baptized and later confirmed in the Silo (pronounced "Seelo" for Shiloh) Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, the former by Rev. Romstad, the latter by Rev. Haugan. As a small boy Alex witnessed the demolition of the original clapboard-sided old log cabin and it's replacement by a frame house, a part of which is still in use today (1980). He attended the nearby country school, originally District No. 15, but by secession, District 89. At a time little noted for levity or practice of the social graces, it is evident that farm work easily took precedence over education. However there is evidence that not all normal youthful impulses were stymied by work and study. At that time the teacher drove out from town in a single seat, one-horse buggy. On occasion the boys might loosen or even remove the nuts holding the wheels on the buggy. And on one memorable occasion they moved the two small front wheels to the back and the larger back wheels up front, to the teacher's vast annoyance and dismay.
Although a high school had been established in Cottonwood by the time Alex finished eighth grade, he followed the then common practice of farm boys and quit school. It is very probable that he had little choice in the matter, because his father was not enthusiastic about continued education. However, a few years later he attended the Agricultural College at the University of Minnesota for one term.
Beginning in 1914 the country became increasingly concerned with the Great World War. Although we were constantly subjected to anti-German propaganda, such as the story of German soldiers bouncing Belgian babies along on their bayonets, which many actually believed, our family at first was strongly pro-German. What heroes Ludendorff, Mackenson, and Hindenburg! But the German sinking of the Lusitania, with Cottonwood's first casualty, Attorney Bill Tragesser aboard, brought about a complete reversal of opinion, and it became actually dangerous to be labelled "Pro-German". Then came Woodrow Wilson's dramatic re-election "because he kept us out of war", and shortly, our own involvement. Eventually came the chilling news, Alex's number was up in the draft, and with dire foreboding the family saw him off to Camp Grant, Illinois. And certainly, could the truth have been known, there was good reason to worry. Alex developed an extremely serious case of diptheria while in the service, leading his father to tell the family, "We must be prepared to hear the worst at any moment!" But he recovered, and lived to experience interesting and exciting events of which he has never ceased to relate to any listening ear. The November 11, 1918 Armistice came just in time to relieve him of deployment to the war zone in Europe, and shortly he returned home.
About this time Tom Anderson purchased the Herman Mielke farm south of Cottonwood and three miles from the home place. And here Alex set out to farm on his own. At first he "commuted" with horses, and even with help from home it was not an easy life. Then his father purchased the quarter to the south, the Krog farm; his younger brother Theodore got married, a house was built and they proceeded to farm in partnership. Alex was an excellent cattleman and proceeded to build up a substantial cattle-feeding operation. This partnership lasted for about twenty years, when Alex sold out to his brother Ted, after which he purchased and operated the old Lende and Kleppe "feeding yards" just on the northeast edge of Cottonwood.
Through the years Alex had been an energetic and innovative member of the American Legion Post in Cottonwood. He managed and coached the Legion's Junior Legion Baseball Team to a state championship. He served for years as a member of the District 47 School Board. He was an effective mayor of Cottonwood. Due perhaps to other interests as for any other reason, Alex sold the feeding operation in 1963 and retired.
The foregoing might well be thought the complete biography of Alex Anderson. But nothing could be further from the truth. It isn't even the "real" story. Some time in the mid-forties he began to spend part of each winter in the McAllen area of Texas. During one of those sojourns he and some friends became acquainted with a group of Mexicans in the Mexican border city of Reynosa. On one occasion while visiting across the border they found their host had another guest-a young senorita from Guadalajara, hundreds of miles to the southwest in Mexico. At just that moment a message arrived for the senorita: her mother had passed away, and was to be buried a few days later. Having no automobile, the young lady had come by bus and rail, and services by this means being entirely unreliable, she was gravely distraught at the thought of missing her mother's funeral. At this critical juncture, Alex offered to come to the rescue; he would take her home in his automobile. Somewhat to his own surprise, the offer was accepted and the long trip accomplished without incident.
There are times when a "spur of the moment" decision can have momentous consequences. Such was the case when Alex accompanied the grieving family to the funeral. From that time on he was accepted as a worthy friend of the family. So much so indeed, that despite a very limited ability to communicate in Spanish, he was accorded every mark of courtesy and respect in the delicate process of courting and eventually marrying the senorita. Her name was Doloris "Lola" Corona, and they were married November 14, 1948.
Senorita Doloris came from an upper-middle class family in Guadalajara. they had elegant homes and Alex was privileged to enjoy their freely given hospitality, including weekends in their luxurious cottages at the bathing beach. During those first years it was necessary for Alex to return to his feeding operations at home each summer. Apparently by agreement "Lola" remained in Mexico, thus establishing a way of life which, however unconventional, has never-th-less endured through the years without apparent strain.
On Septmber 28, 1949 a daughter was born to Lola and Alex. She was given the name Sofia, and strange to say she has always been exceedingly proud of her name, Sofia Anderson. She grew up with the family of her mother's sister and husband in Guadalajara. Ten years ago Sofia and her cousin Rosita Corona Delgado visited with relatives here in Cottonwood. They were friendly, courteous and interesting and obviously much attached to Alex.
Sofia Anderson married a young Mexican, Salvador Gomez, Jr. in 1968. Salvador is apersonable and ambitious salesman who travels extensively up to and in California. In order that his family may learn English, he has a second home in San Ysidro, California. They have three children, Alecsandra, born June 12, 1969; Jorge, born July 16, 1970; Ricardo, born December 26, 1972.
note: Alex died in a car accident February 21, 1985.
Alex was duly baptized and later confirmed in the Silo (pronounced "Seelo" for Shiloh) Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, the former by Rev. Romstad, the latter by Rev. Haugan. As a small boy Alex witnessed the demolition of the original clapboard-sided old log cabin and it's replacement by a frame house, a part of which is still in use today (1980). He attended the nearby country school, originally District No. 15, but by secession, District 89. At a time little noted for levity or practice of the social graces, it is evident that farm work easily took precedence over education. However there is evidence that not all normal youthful impulses were stymied by work and study. At that time the teacher drove out from town in a single seat, one-horse buggy. On occasion the boys might loosen or even remove the nuts holding the wheels on the buggy. And on one memorable occasion they moved the two small front wheels to the back and the larger back wheels up front, to the teacher's vast annoyance and dismay.
Although a high school had been established in Cottonwood by the time Alex finished eighth grade, he followed the then common practice of farm boys and quit school. It is very probable that he had little choice in the matter, because his father was not enthusiastic about continued education. However, a few years later he attended the Agricultural College at the University of Minnesota for one term.
Beginning in 1914 the country became increasingly concerned with the Great World War. Although we were constantly subjected to anti-German propaganda, such as the story of German soldiers bouncing Belgian babies along on their bayonets, which many actually believed, our family at first was strongly pro-German. What heroes Ludendorff, Mackenson, and Hindenburg! But the German sinking of the Lusitania, with Cottonwood's first casualty, Attorney Bill Tragesser aboard, brought about a complete reversal of opinion, and it became actually dangerous to be labelled "Pro-German". Then came Woodrow Wilson's dramatic re-election "because he kept us out of war", and shortly, our own involvement. Eventually came the chilling news, Alex's number was up in the draft, and with dire foreboding the family saw him off to Camp Grant, Illinois. And certainly, could the truth have been known, there was good reason to worry. Alex developed an extremely serious case of diptheria while in the service, leading his father to tell the family, "We must be prepared to hear the worst at any moment!" But he recovered, and lived to experience interesting and exciting events of which he has never ceased to relate to any listening ear. The November 11, 1918 Armistice came just in time to relieve him of deployment to the war zone in Europe, and shortly he returned home.
About this time Tom Anderson purchased the Herman Mielke farm south of Cottonwood and three miles from the home place. And here Alex set out to farm on his own. At first he "commuted" with horses, and even with help from home it was not an easy life. Then his father purchased the quarter to the south, the Krog farm; his younger brother Theodore got married, a house was built and they proceeded to farm in partnership. Alex was an excellent cattleman and proceeded to build up a substantial cattle-feeding operation. This partnership lasted for about twenty years, when Alex sold out to his brother Ted, after which he purchased and operated the old Lende and Kleppe "feeding yards" just on the northeast edge of Cottonwood.
Through the years Alex had been an energetic and innovative member of the American Legion Post in Cottonwood. He managed and coached the Legion's Junior Legion Baseball Team to a state championship. He served for years as a member of the District 47 School Board. He was an effective mayor of Cottonwood. Due perhaps to other interests as for any other reason, Alex sold the feeding operation in 1963 and retired.
The foregoing might well be thought the complete biography of Alex Anderson. But nothing could be further from the truth. It isn't even the "real" story. Some time in the mid-forties he began to spend part of each winter in the McAllen area of Texas. During one of those sojourns he and some friends became acquainted with a group of Mexicans in the Mexican border city of Reynosa. On one occasion while visiting across the border they found their host had another guest-a young senorita from Guadalajara, hundreds of miles to the southwest in Mexico. At just that moment a message arrived for the senorita: her mother had passed away, and was to be buried a few days later. Having no automobile, the young lady had come by bus and rail, and services by this means being entirely unreliable, she was gravely distraught at the thought of missing her mother's funeral. At this critical juncture, Alex offered to come to the rescue; he would take her home in his automobile. Somewhat to his own surprise, the offer was accepted and the long trip accomplished without incident.
There are times when a "spur of the moment" decision can have momentous consequences. Such was the case when Alex accompanied the grieving family to the funeral. From that time on he was accepted as a worthy friend of the family. So much so indeed, that despite a very limited ability to communicate in Spanish, he was accorded every mark of courtesy and respect in the delicate process of courting and eventually marrying the senorita. Her name was Doloris "Lola" Corona, and they were married November 14, 1948.
Senorita Doloris came from an upper-middle class family in Guadalajara. they had elegant homes and Alex was privileged to enjoy their freely given hospitality, including weekends in their luxurious cottages at the bathing beach. During those first years it was necessary for Alex to return to his feeding operations at home each summer. Apparently by agreement "Lola" remained in Mexico, thus establishing a way of life which, however unconventional, has never-th-less endured through the years without apparent strain.
On Septmber 28, 1949 a daughter was born to Lola and Alex. She was given the name Sofia, and strange to say she has always been exceedingly proud of her name, Sofia Anderson. She grew up with the family of her mother's sister and husband in Guadalajara. Ten years ago Sofia and her cousin Rosita Corona Delgado visited with relatives here in Cottonwood. They were friendly, courteous and interesting and obviously much attached to Alex.
Sofia Anderson married a young Mexican, Salvador Gomez, Jr. in 1968. Salvador is apersonable and ambitious salesman who travels extensively up to and in California. In order that his family may learn English, he has a second home in San Ysidro, California. They have three children, Alecsandra, born June 12, 1969; Jorge, born July 16, 1970; Ricardo, born December 26, 1972.
note: Alex died in a car accident February 21, 1985.
Gravesite Details
A memorial for Alex was placed in the family plot although he is buried in Guadalajara, Mexico
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