Andrew J. Anderson

Andrew Anderson, Early Settler in Niobrara, Dies

Death claimed Andrew J. Anderson, 81, at his ranch home six miles east of Lusk Feb. 13 after a long illness. His two sons, Stephen and Gaylord, were with their father when he died.

A resident of Lusk for more than 60 years, Mr. Anderson has been closely associated with the settling up of this part of the state and until recently was a frequent visitor in town, where he had a large circle of friends. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and affliliated with IOOF Custer Lodge No. 21 of Lusk on Oct. 29, 1899.

Last rites were conducted from the Peet Chapel Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2:00 p.m. by the Rev. Frank Schweissing, pastor of the Baptist Church. Music was furnished by Mrs. J.P. Watson at the chapel organ and the singers were Mr. and Mrs. Froche and Mrs. A.F. DeCastro. The casket bearers were Dan Hanson, Henry McGinnis, John Goddard, Elwood Hawkins, Dudley Fields and R.I. Olinger.

Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery where he was laid beside his wife who died in 1926. Members of the IOOF Lodge conducted services at the grave.

Andrew J. Anderson was born Oct. 8, 1870 at Danway, Ill., the youngest of four children of Engebor and John S. Anderson. He moved at an early age, with his family, to Hamilton County, Ia. where his mother died in 1877, and homesteaded on what is now the John Jassman, Jr. ranch northeast of Lusk, but returned to Iowa four years later.

After spending several years in Iowa, during which time he worked on farms and taught school, Andrew returned to Wyoming and worked on a number of ranches in the vicinity of Lusk. He also worked at the Snyder store in Lusk. During this time he filed on a homestead on Young Woman Creek approximately 20 miles north of Lusk, and bought a small herd of cattle in partnership with Frank Hanson. He continued cattle raising at the same location until 1935, at which time he retired from active ranch work, and turned management of the home ranch over to his son Gaylord.

He was married to Lottie M. Lehmer of Sherman, Wyo. on Sept. 21, 1904 at Cheyenne. She died at the ranch home June 26, 1926.

He is survived by two sisters, Mary Bump of Lusk, and Julia Hove of Story City, Ia., as well as by two sons, John Stephen, of San Diego, Calif., and Francis Gaylord of Hat Creek. His parents, three sisters, and one brother have previously died.

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