The Robert Anderson Family
            - by Earle Keating   (1967)

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Anderson 1883

Two Greatgrandsons Robert Anderson John Davidson

   Robert Anderson came to Manitoba in 1879, stayed for a year, then went back to Ontario. In 1883 he returned with his wife, (Marion Forrest) and family. He was of a roving nature, and liked to try his hand at different jobs — he made many moves in his lifetime, and was engaged in farming, grain buying, storekeeping, flour and feed business, and for a number years operated a dairy farm at Russell, supplying the town with milk.

    He always wore a long beard, which he was quite proud of. Many of the children called him Santa Claus. He was active in church affairs having been an elder and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a firm believer in family morning worship. Having been a dealer in so many different lines, he was well known.

    His first wife died shortly after he came to Manitoba. About 1885. He married his second wife, Margaret Donaldson, from Ontario. Children from the first marriage were Margaret, Mrs. John E. Keating. Annie, Mrs. Gavin Coulter, Nettie, Mrs. Fay Johnstone; Mary, Mrs. Theo Cochrane. James, Melville, and John. John did not marry and died in 1949. James married Lily Campion and they had one son, Arthur. Melville married Annie Davidson. They had seven children: Bert, Roy, Ethel, twins - Harley and Morley, Nettie, Mrs. Ellice Crerar, and Merna, Mrs. Russell Merritt.

    From the second marriage there were five children, Nellie, who taught school for a number of years, worked in a bank, and after training she nursed till her retirement. She now lives in Winnipeg. Herbert was killed in action in the First World War. Maud and Grace died in their childhood. William served in the first war and after he returned he married Lily Kennedy. They had three children, Peggy, Robert and Joyce, Mrs. Clifford Grey.

   Robert Anderson operated the first store in the Silver Creek district. It was on the banks of Silver Creek, one and one-half miles east of the village of Silverton. He freighted his goods from Moosomin and Fort Ellice. The Silverton community in those days consisted of Robert Anderson's store and Jim Kippan's blacksmith shop.

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