Biography View

Biography For Emory Anderson

If you would like more information about this person, please contact our research library.

Back to Search

Author:
Bill Hart

Background:

The son of Eliga Anderson, Emery Anderson was born at Edinburgh, Erie County, Pennsylvania on November 28, 1851.The same year his parents moved the family to Ohio where they stayed for a few years.  At age 14, young Emery enlisted in Company H, 153d, NY Voluntary Infantry and served the Union side in the Civil War through the end of the year.  When the war was over, he returned to Pennsylvania where he was attracted by the oil field development.  After working different places there, he decided to go to “the northwest” and enter the lumbering business in Michigan. 

Accomplishments:

He reached the lumber country of the southern peninsula of Michigan and there spent some time learning the timber cruising business.  He left Michigan in 1873 to come to Wausau where he soon became a lumberjack, a river pilot, and very quickly earned a reputation as one of the best “cruisers” in the north woods.  His accurate work quickly caught the attention of Thomas B. Scott.  Later, Mr. Anderson bought interests in timber lands and for many years dealt in pine and farming lands.

 

Mr. Anderson was married in 1878 to Miss Mary Wyatt, daughter of Jonathan Wyatt of Wausau.  Together, they had seven children. 

Emery (E.J.) "Bob" Anderson was asked to become the candidate of the people’s party for mayor of Wausau, and was elected in 1896 by the narrow margin of one vote.  At his inaugural address, he frankly admitted that he had no experience as a legislator or an executive officer, had never held any office, and was committed to “Spartan simplicity” in city government.  Because of that, his administration was marked by an earnest effort towards economy and retrenchment, in which he was rather successful.

 

Mr. Anderson was a member of the Odd Fellows and was a member of Cutler Post #55, Grand Army of the Republic. 

E.J. Anderson died on July 15, 1930.  He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau, WI.

---

Other Information

---

Nickname: E.J., Bob

Date of Birth: 11/28/1851

Place of Birth: PA

Date of Death: 7/15/1930

Place of Burial: Pine Grove Cemetery Wausau, WI

Race: W

Father's Birthplace: Conn

---