NEWEL H. ANSON. – Among the younger men of Union county who are rising to take the places that are being vacated by the worthy pioneers who are going one by one to the “bourne whence no traveler returns,” mention must be made of the industrious and vigorous agriculturist and stockman whose name is placed at the head of this article, since he has demonstrated in personal endeavor the qualities of which he is composed to be those of stanch and sturdy grain and of a very high order, while also his moral attributes are quite commensurate with his commendable record in achievement in the county.
On the old parental homestead near Island City, on January 26, 1868, the subject of this sketch first saw light. He was reared among the surroundings that pertain to a frontier home, receiving a good common-school education from the schools of the time, spending the summers in vigorous exercise on his father’s farm and the winters in the pursuit of wisdom. This continued until he had arrived at the age of nineteen, and then he stepped from his seat in the family circle and girded himself for the duties of life on his own account. He first started to herd stock in the mountains, and for ten years he steadily pursued this weary, and dangerous occupation, thus demonstrating his tenacity and perseverance in accomplishing his start. This was practically his start in life, for from the proceeds of this service he was enabled to purchase a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1890 he took a pre-emption claim and added that to his real estate holdings, thus making one-half section of land owned by him in the Rock creek country. In 1897 he was in shape to purchase another quarter, half of which was wild land, all this he put in cultivation, and his estate is utilized to raise grain and hay for his stock. He has now lumber on the ground for the erection of a good dwelling, and is also putting out an orchard. Thus is seen that our subject has had a worthy part in the development of the county and in materially adding to its wealth and improvements.
In 1891 Mr. Anson married Miss Sarah J., daughter of James C. and Amanda (Rutedge) Conrad, and to them have been born the following offspring: Joseph E., Stella C., Cecil E., and Jesse R. Mrs. Anson was born in Perry county, Missouri, in 1871, and came west with her parents in 1889, settling in Island City, after they had spent some time in Wallowa county. Mr. Anson is actively interested in politics and is allied with the Republican party, ever showing a marked interest in local matters and school affairs. While still a young man, the subject of this sketch has demonstrated what skill, pluck and perseverance can do in this excellent country, and his work is eminently successful, while he is admired by all.