Hilmer and John Anderson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Hilmer and John Anderson
HILMER AND JOHN ANDERSON - Starting humbly in the adjoining county of Porter, which was their native county, the Anderson brothers, Hilmer and John, have risen through their diligence and ability to a place of prominence in the construction field of this community. The father, Peter Anderson, had learned the trade of brickmaking in Sweden, his native land; and on removing to Chesterton, Indiana, established a brick plant there. Here the two boys worked and became familiar with the art of making good brick. They subsequently learned the carpentry trade, which, with the knowledge previously gained of brickmaking, has enabled them to intelligently meet the problems that have confronted them in their construction work.
Hilmer Anderson was born in Chesterton in 1884, the son of Peter and Emma (Peterson) Anderson, and attended the schools of his native county. After removing to Gary in 1906 he became apprenticed to the carpentry trade, and in 1911 founded the concern which has been so successful since. Among the larger constructions executed by this concern have been a number of buildings for the Steel Company, among which were the tool mill office, the mill hospital, the gate house, the paint house, etc. The beautiful Olympic Hotel, costing $250,000, was another of his achievements. Others are the Vesta Court Apartments, costing $250,000; the flat building consisting of fourteen apartments at Fifth and Grant; and other large apartment buildings, including the Madeline and Fairview Apartments. He is noted as a builder of fine residences and has to date constructed more than 500 homes in various parts of this city. He was married to Ida M. Johnson, and to this union was born one son, Theodore.
The other active head of the Anderson Brothers Company is John, whose career has been somewhat parallel to that of his brother, Hilmer. He also served as apprentice to his father in the brickmaking trade, and acquired a practical knowledge of carpentering after removing to Gary.
He shares in the responsibilities of this business, and has helped to make it the success it is today. He was married to Hilma Anderson, and to this union were born two children, Evelyn and Alberta.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 288-289
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook