Hemming Anderson was born at Tennes, Balsjford, Norway April 4, 1851. His parents were Elias and Beata Lavina Anderson. Hemming lived about 13 years at his birthplace. He attended the common school for a short time. At a very early age he had to begin the struggle for existence, herding cattle. In 1863 the family came to America, crossing the ocean in the Ship Sleipner (Capt. Vaage) and landing at Quebec in July 1863. They went to Nicollet County, Minnesota, where his father rented a farm. In 1864 Elias, in company with several others, came to Kandiyohi County and selected a claim in East Lake Lillian Township. They went about 14 miles beyond the patrol line of soldiers, who warned them it was not safe to go, and tried to get them back within the lines. After selecting his claim, Elias Anderson went back to Nicollet County to reap the crop on the farm he had rented. After finishing his work there he moved with his family to Lake Lillian. Here Hemming Anderson grew to manhood, sharing the toils and deprivations of frontier life. In 1872 he bought the homestead relinquishment from James Hart on SW ¼ section 18 East Lake Lillian, and commenced farming for himself. In this he has been unusually successful.
He has gradually added to his land possessions until now he owns three farms, aggregating about 900 acres of valuable land. He devotes his attention to diversified farming, making a specialty of raising blooded stock. Some years ago he bought Shorthorn cattle of the milk strain and also some registered Percheron mares. He now owns several registered horses. He usually has from 80 to 100 head of cattle and a flock of about 60 Shropshire sheep, several of them registered full bloods. The farm is connected with the Kandiyohi telephone lines. The nearest market is Bird Island but Atwater is his principal trading point. Mr. Anderson has taken an active part in local affairs, and has filled several local offices.
