Among the Swedish-American residents of Clam Lake township is numbered Johonnas Anderson, who has made his home in Wexford county for almost a third of a century, having arrived here in 1872. His interests have since been identified with this section of the state and through the greater part of the time he has followed farming, his labors being attended with good results.

Mr. Anderson's natal day was February 7, 1842, and his birth place Sweden. In that country he was reared and educated, and when he began earning his own living he took up farm work, which claimed his attention until 1871, when, at the age of twenty-nine years, he resolved to try his fortune in America. His fellow countrymen who had come to the United States had sent back favorable reports of the opportunities afforded in this land and hoping to better his financial condition, Mr. Anderson crossed the briny deep, landing in New York city April 27, 1871. For one year he remained in the east and in the spring of 1872 arrived in Wexford county, Michigan, first going to the village of Clam Lake, which is now the city of Cadillac and the county seat. He began earning his livelihood here by working on the railroad and was thus employed for several months. He afterwards worked in saw-mills for about a year, and at the end of that time settled on the farm on which he now lives in Clam Lake township. His savings he invested in a tract of forty acres of land and with characteristic energy he began its development. It was not long before richly cultivated fields began to return good harvests and the annual sales of his farm products brought him a desirable income. This he invested in more land and he now has one hundred and forty-five acres, of which sixty acres lies in Clam Lake township. Upon the home farm he has erected good buildings and everything about the place is kept in repair, while neatness and thrift characterize his labors and have been the foundation upon which he has builded his success.

After leaving his native country Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Elna Nelson, a native of Sweden, born May 6, 1850, unto them have been born eleven children. Delia, born in Sweden, October 15, 1871, died in January, 1872; Delia (second), born in Cadillac July 17, 1873, was a teacher, but became the wife of Andrew Johnson, a lumber inspector at Manistee, and they have two children, Alma Elnora and Arthur Rudolph; George Antinian, born July 25, 1875, died October 12, 1901; Selma Charlotte, born November 10, 1877, is the wife of Carl Olson, a boilermaker of West Superior, Wisconsin, and they have two children, Olive Edna and an infant daughter; Victor Bennett, born February 1, 1880, and who is employed in the Michigan Iron Works, at Cadillac, married Alfreda Precell and they have one son, Milburn Precell; Pattie Albertina, born January 25, 1882, is the wife of Jalmer Johnson, a farmer in Clam Lake township, and they have one son, Harold Raymond; Jennie Amelia, born January 5, 1884, died April 23, 1884; David Paul, born February 20, 1885, Gerda Elvira, born May 12, 1887, Jennie B., born April 29, 1889, and Alma Olivia, born December 9, 1891, are at home and are attending school. Mrs. Anderson is one of seven children born to her parents, Nels and Anna (Parson) Parson, both parents now deceased, the surviving children being as follows: Sena is the wife of Nels Parson, a farmer of Hobart, this state; Mrs. Anderson; Anna is the wife of Frank LaRose, of Cadillac, and Olaf, who is married and conducts a farm in Clam Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church and are well known people of this community, having the regard of all with whom they have come in contact and the friendship of many. The hope that led Mr. Anderson to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought - which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man - and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and trustworthiness so characteristic of people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Wexford county. When he began life in Michigan his capital consisted of but fifteen dollars, while today he possesses one hundred and forty-five acres of land, and not a dollar of indebtedness against him.