Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 537.
 
BYRON W. ANSON

     at present a farmer in Sherman county, residing one-half mile east and one
mile south, of Klondike, has enjoyed an eventful and distinguished career. He
was born in New York city, April 25, 1854, the son of John and Julia (Derby)
Anson, the latter a native of Indiana and now living at Hastings, Nebraska. The
father is dead.
     When only seven years of age our subject ran away from home and wandered to
Lexington, Missouri, where for several years he resided with an old bachelor,
attending district schools and working at various employments. When twelve years
old he entered the service of the United States government as a messenger and
was thus employed three years. Subsequently he served seven years as a
government scout in Kansas, Colorado, Montana and the Black Hills. At the time
of the Custer massacre on the Little Big Horn he was away after reinforcements
and thus escaped with his life. In 1872 Mr. Anson went to San Francisco with a
car-load of horses for Colonel Potter, U. S. A., and there left the employment
of the government. He then went to Colusa county, California, where he rented
land and engaged in farming. In. 1887 he came to Sherman county, filed on a
claim and purchased other land, although he had but moderate capital, and now
owns four hundred and eighty acres. In 1898 he erected a handsome six-room Queen
Anne cottage, which is well supplied with water piped into the house. He has
twenty-five head of stock, horses, and cows ; five head of thoroughbred trotting
horses of Phalmont stock, sired by Phalmont Boy, with a record of 2:18 1/4;
eight head of thoroughbred Clydesdales and two Shires. He has two cows, full
Durham and eligible to register.
     Mr. Anson was married, September 13, 1887, at Wheatland, California, to
Miss Josephine C. Hilderbrand, sister of George W. Hilderbrand, a sketch of whom
appears elsewhere. Mr. Anson has one brother, Augustine, a plumber and
gas-fitter, living at Hastings, Nebraska. Captain Anson, the famous baseball
player of the Chicago "White Stockings," known as "Baby Anson," and now a
candidate for city clerk of Chicago, is a first cousin of our subscriber. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Anson are members of the United Brethren church. He is a Democrat,
and although not active, has served two years as road supervisor. Mr. Anson is a
thorough gentleman, genial, popular and of excellent business principles. He
bears a striking resemblance to the celebrated ball player. He and his wife are
highly esteemed in their home community.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes.
 
Census Indexing:
1860  ANSON  JNO W  32  M  W  NY  KS  ATCHISON  3-WD ATCHISON 
1870  ANSON  BYRON  16  M  W  NY  KS  LEAVENWORTH  3-WD LEAVENWORTH
1900  ANSON  BYRON W  46  M  W  NY  OR  SHERMAN  WASCO PCT 
1910  ANSON  BYRON W  57  M  W  NY  OR  SHERMAN  WASCO PCT 
1920  ANSON  BYRON N  69  M  W  NY  OR  SHERMAN  WASCO 


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.