William A. Anderson

Background

Anderson, William A. was born on October 19, 1873 in Adams Company, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Daniel and Cynthia E. (Harrison) Anderson.

Education

He attended the Northwestern College of Law and was admitted to the bar in 1914.

Career

After working as a teacher for several years, he moved to Minneapolis in 1909 to work in the grain milling industry. After graduating he became a law professor and also became involved in politics, winning election to the Minneapolis Park Board in 1916. In 1919, North Dakota governor Lynn Frazier asked Anderson to relocate there to support the development of the North Dakota Mill and Elevator (citing Anderson"s experience in both grain milling and law).

He later served as the Assistant North Dakota Attorney General and the secretary of the state"s industrial commission.

While working there, Anderson also became involved in the formation of the Nonpartisan League. He returned to Minnesota in the mid-1920s and formed a law practice.

Anderson ran on a law and order platform pledging to improve the performance of the city"s police department. During his term he banned the play Crazy Quilt starring Fanny Brice from being performed in the city.

In 1933, he was challenged for mayor by local theater promoter A. G. Bainbridge and was defeated.

Following his tenure as mayor, he went on to work with the state"s income tax department and as a special investigator with the state tax commission. He was appointed a municipal judge in 1936 and a district court judge in 1943. Anderson retired from his judgeship in 1952 and died at his home in Minneapolis in 1954.

He is buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Achievements

• William A. Anderson has been listed as a reputable judge by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Board Park Commissioners, Minneapolis, 1917-1919. Member of faculty Minneapolis College Law. Member American, Hennepin County bar associations, Hennepin County bar Association, Modern Woodmen American, Sons of Norway, Indiana Order of Foresters.

Clubs: Commonwealth, Business and Professonal Men's, Saturday Lunch.

Connections

Married Myra Blackmun, November 25, 1897. Children: Clara B. (Mistress Walter West. Johnson), Wilbur A. Formerly public.

Father:

Daniel Anderson

Mother:

Cynthia East. (Harrison) Anderson

Spouse:

Myra Blackmun

child:

Clara B. Anderson (Mistress Walter West. Johnson)

child:

Wilbur A. Formerly public Anderson