Thomas Anderson—This gentleman affords in his life and success further evidence that industry, economy and integrity constitute the keynote to honorable competency. The blood of the "canny Scot" flows in his veins and his life exhibits the most worthy characteristics of that hardy race-industry, frugality and honesty. He is now in his prime. He has trusted to his own strong arm and healthy brain for success, nor has he been disappointed. Beginning business life with little capital and other privileges quite limited, but with a sturdy purpose to do, with all his might, what was required of him, he has conquered the impediments to progress to do, and stands to-day an illustrious character among the many successful men of Kent county. Mr. Anderson was born February 3, 1850, his natal place being Glasgow. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Arbuckle) Anderson, and he is one of four survivors of an original family of seven children. His father was born in the city of Edinburgh. A molder by trade, he became head of the firm that did government work, one contract being the making of cannon balls that created such havoc by English artillery at the memorable siege of Sebastopol. In 1850, accompanied by his family, he set sail from Glasgow and landed in New York, where, until 1867, he was engaged in farming. He thence came to Kent county, and now whom to know is to honor. His wife was also a native of Edinburgh. She died in the year 1896, at the age of about seventy-seven. The greater part of the life of Thomas Anderson has been spent in the state of Michigan. He received a liberal education, and until twenty-four years of age he remained upon his father’s farm. November 15, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Wellman, a scion of one of the old pioneer families of Michigan. To this union were born two daughters one, Erma Ray, is now living. She is the wife of Willis A. Davis, is a resident of Oakfield township, and a refined and respected lady. Mrs. Anderson was born in Kent county, November 15, 1850, and is a daughter of E. J. and Mary (White) Wellman, a suitable biography of whom is found in this volume. Mr. Anderson began married life by operating his father’s farm for sometime. He bought a place, and, after many trades and changes, he now owns a beautiful home in Oakfield, one mile south of Harvard, the estate containing 1572 acres. He has found his farm suitable for the profitable cultivation of potatoes, and has accordingly made that a staple crop. He has grown as high as 5,000 bushels in one season. His farm is not only in a high state of cultivation, yielding handsome returns for the labor bestowed, but it is fully equipped with a fine, commodious, well-arranged house, barns and all essential out-buildings, all making one of the most desirable farms in Oakfield. In addition to a successful business on his farm, for several years he had dealt in potatoes, shipping to various markets thirty to forty car loads each season. Mr. Anderson makes no pretension to political aspiration and does not tie himself to either party, preferring to exercise the franchise to elect such men as he deems most worthy the distinction of office. Socially, he is a Maccabee in Evans tent, No 785, and with his estimable wife fraternizes with Greenville grange, P. of H. He has visited many of the principal cities of the country in connection with business, and, with observation and careful thoughtful reading, has come to be one of the best informed men of Oakfield.