In the fall of 1920, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Anderson and two children, Margaret and Donald, moved to Mt. Vernon where Mr. Anderson assumed the responsibilities of head of the english department of the Mt. Vernon High School. After two terms of teaching, Mr. Anderson took a leave of absence and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana. He returned to Mt. Vernon in the fall of 1923 and opened the new department of agriculture in the local high school. In 1947 he became as assistant supervisor of vocational agriculture for the State of Illinois. He continued in this work until his permanent retirement in the fall of 1953. C. F. Anderson was united with Ruth McCreery in marriage at the Liberty Church, rural Thompsonville, IL, in Franklin County on June 12, 1912. He and Mrs. Anderson moved to Houghton, Michigan, where Mr. Anderson was head of the English department in the high school for two years. While there, their first child, Margaret, was born in 1913. She married Rev. Floyd Brewer in 1936, a minister in the Central Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma. There, their second child, Donald, was born. He is now a radiologist. C. F. Anderson was born in Clay County, the only child of William and Froelah McGrew Anderson of near Flora. Mrs. Anderson (Ruth) is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morton G. McCreery of rural Thompsonville. Mrs. McCreery was the former Carrie I. Loomis. In 1925 the Andersons bought one of the original Maxey houses three miles north of Mt. Vernon. The Andersons continued to live on the property until Mr. Anderson's death in July. 1972. In 1975. Mrs. Anderson sold the property to her daughter and son-in-law. Rev. and Mrs. Floyd Brewer. Margaret Brewer was killed in a traffic accident in May of 1977. but Mr. Brewer will be moving there in 1978. The property is presently occupied by the younger Brewer daughter and family. Edward and Pamela O'Rourke and children. Mrs. Ruth Anderson was instrumental in the organization of several girls' 4-H clubs in the early days of that club work. She also helped organize the Home Extension Unit. In addition to his class room teaching. Mr. Anderson organized and directed boys' 4-H clubs in dairy. hogs. poultry and gardening: was active in the Farm Bureau organization and from 1926 on. used the farm property to demonstrate the practical application of his class room and 4-H instruction. He raised dairy cattle and poultry: demonstrated grafting and budding plants and trees. and caponizing. During World War II, he supervised a community cannery where area residents could bring their raw fruits and vegetables and have them professionally sealed in tin cans. Such varied products as green beans, baked beans. peaches. apples. beets, tomatoes and peaches were canned. One busy day over 2500 cans of peaches were processed. Mr. Anderson, as well as his wife, had a life-long interest in the Methodist Church. and both were active in various phases of its work. Mrs. Anderson presently lives in Henry County. IL. Now at 89. she is looking forward to coming back to Jefferson County next year! *NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.
Source: Facts and Folks of Jefferson County, Illinois Page 73 & 74 |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer