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Rev. Anton Marius Jorgensen Andersen

Founder of Dana College Died October 23-Rev. A. M. Andersen, Age 84, Passes Away-Was Well Known Here-Was Knighted by King of Denmark

Rev. A. M. Andersen, founder of Dana College, the Danish Lutheran Publishing House, the “Danskeren”, Danish newspaper and known throughout the nation for the aid he extended Danish immigrants to the United States, passed away at his home at Selma, California, last Thursday.

Rev. Andersen, who was given the order of the “Knight of Dannebrog” by the King of Denmark and who, in late years of his life, was tendered the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Dana College, which he himself founded, was well known in this community and leaves a long list of close friends to mourn his passing.

Back in 1884 Rev. Andersen first conceived the idea of establishing Dana College and the first classes of that institution were held in the house (since remodeled) which is now occupied by Mayor P. C. Sorensen on West Park Street. Two years later, in 1886, the first building of Dana College was started. That building was the center part of the present administration building at Dana College. The section which bears the familiar Dana tower was the only building on the hill at the time and remained so for a number of years. Later the north wing was added and later the south wing. It was not until many years later that the present modern buildings were erected.

Rev. Andersen, at the time of the founding of the college, was pastor of the First Lutheran Church. Later, after the college appeared to be firmly established, he became teacher of theology at Dana.

Twenty years ago Rev. Andersen left Blair, going for a time to Beresford, South Dakota and later to California.

He leaves no immediate relatives in Blair. However, a son Allen, married Miss Agnette Hansen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Hansen of this city. The Allen Andersen’s are now located at Amhurst, Massachusetts where Mr. Andersen is an instructor in Amhurst College. Another son, Ruthven, is superintendent of schools at Bancroft, Nebraska. Dr. Silas Andersen, a third son, is a well-known Minneapolis surgeon. There are two other sons, Andrew, located in Oregon and Antone, of Ringsted, Iowa.

Two daughters survive his passing, Mrs. George Larsen of Long Beach, California and Mrs. Seller, wife of a Glendale California airplane pilot.

A grandson, Samuel Anderson, is a student at Dana at this time.

Find a Grave Memorial # 85337817

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~