Randolph County, Indiana
Alonzo Merrill Anderson
History and biography for the most part record the lives of those only who have attained military, political or literary distinction or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation for the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability-of men who, without brilliant talents, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and enjoyed the esteem, respect and confidence of those around them-ought riot to be allowed to perish; for all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Randolph county was the late Alonzo Merrill Anderson, for many years a well-known agriculturist and business man in Lynn and vicinity. He had the interests of his locality at heart and sought to promote the same whenever possible. His life history was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character and exhibited a long and virtuous career of private industry, performed with moderation and crowned with success, and his memory will long be revered by the people of this locality.
Mr. Anderson was born February 20, 1859, in Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana. He was a son of Wilson and Ann (Ellis) Anderson, an excellent old family, a complete sketch of which appears on another page of this work, hence will not be repeated here. Alonzo Anderson received a common school education and at an early age began buying and selling live stock. He lived on the home farm two years after starting out for himself, on the farm east of Spartanburg, then lived eight years on a farm west of that town, and fed large numbers of live stock for the market and at the same time superintended the general work of the farm. Then lived one year in Spartanburg, after which he moved to a farm east of Lynn, where he lived five years, after which he moved to Lynn and spent two years there, then lived in Mooreland two years, where he engaged in the grain and elevator business. In 1911 he moved back to Lynn. All the while he had been engaged in the stock business, and, being a hustler and an exceptionally good judge of live stock of all kinds, he was very successful; in fact, he made everything pay that he turned his attention to, for he was a man of keen discernment and good management, and, being honest in all his transactions, he had theconfidence of the people. His health finally failed in 1911, and he was summoned to his eternal rest on April 18, 1913.
Politically, Mr. Anderson was a Republican, but was not ambitious to become a political leader. On August 1, 1891, he married Mary Welsh, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 16, 1872. She is a daughter of John and Ellen (Cavanaugh) Welsh. They came to Randolph county about 1875 and settled in Greensfork township. John Welsh was born in Ireland in 1841 and he emigrated to America in 1858. He devoted his life successfully to farming, dying in 1890. His wife, Ellen Cavanaugh, was also a native of the Emerald Isle, born in 1842. Her death occurred in 1894. They were industrious, honest and highly respected people.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, namely: Ursulla M., who married G. S. Bowen, lives in Fountain City, Indiana and Theresa, who is at home.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson