James Michael Andersen

This was written by my grandmother about her father.

I remember my father as a very gracious man. He never scolded or shouted. He was called a peace maker by his neighbors and was always called to arbitrate community disputes.

He had a good bass voice, singing many solos and participating in the ward choir for many years.

He was an eloquent speaker and was asked to speak at almost every funeral in Lewiston during his life time.

He had a marvelous sense of humor. At one time he visited us in Mendon. A woman with an extremely long hooked nose called on me. After she left, Father said, "She won't have to remain out side for want of a handle to put her in."

When Father came to America at the age of eleven, he knew how to keep books, and was always an efficient bookkeeper. He was a self educated man, being an avid reader.

He was a school trustee for a number of years. When the Lewiston 2nd Ward was organized, he was sustained as first counselor, a position which he held for many years.

He passed away with a heart attack at the age of 64, and was buried in the Lewiston Cemetery. The date of death was July 19, 1919.

Written July 1957, by Laura A. Watkins