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Below is a family biography included in History of Page County, Iowa published by Iowa Historical Company in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ANDERSON, MRS. MARY K., P. O. College Springs; born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1833. Her maiden name was Kelly. She was the wife of Rev. Samuel Anderson, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, December 1, 1825. They were married April 5, 1855, and Mr. Anderson died December 20, 1869, on the present homestead. He left a family of seven children, six of whom are now living: William, James, Archie, Bessie, Maggie and Bella. Mr. A. was a U. P. minister. Since 1850 he had charge of a congregation in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, for fifteen years, and of a congregation at Amity at the time of his death. The paper published at Amity at that time in speaking of his death, said: “We understand that Mr. Anderson was born in the state of Ohio. For many years he preached to the church of his faith in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he was greatly beloved for his many virtues and excellence of character, and now, there, his old friends will deeply mourn his untimely death. In the spring of 1867 Mr. Anderson emigrated to Page county, and became the pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Amity, where he has since lived, cherished as a friend, by all who knew him. We presume that there is no man now living in this county who has done more for its prosperity than did he. There are many of our excellent citizens who came here through his influence. Mr. Anderson, at the time of his death, was in the prime of life. He was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, and had intellectual abilities of the highest order. He was a good speaker and a popular pastor. He leaves behind him a wife and seven children, the eldest being but a lad of fourteen—all deprived of the care and companionship of a loved husband and parent. Though they have the sympathies of the entire community, it cannot fill up the void in their hearts. The only source of consolation that can be given them in their hour of affliction must be drawn from faith and prayer. The funeral discourse was preached by Rev. D. C. Wilson, of this place, one of Mr. Anderson’s old-time friends, and one who knew him well. The subject of discourse was Job II:xx:

‘A few years and I shall go the way whence I shall not return’

“A large concourse of sympathizing friends attended and followed his remains to the city of the dead. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Amity.”

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This family biography is one of 558 biographies included in The History of Page County, Iowa published in 1880.  For the complete description, click here: Page County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Page County, Iowa family biographies: Page County, Iowa Biographies

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