Education

Wendell Abraham Anderson was a Civil War surgeon, civic leader and politician born Gray, Maine. He attended Gorham Academy from 1853 to 1857 and Bowdoin College. He then graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City in 1863.

From 1863 to 1865, he served as assistant surgeon and surgeon with the 3rd Maryland Volunteers. In 1866 he came to La Crosse where he entered private practice.

He took great interest in LaCrosse's local public affairs, serving as a member of the board of education from 1873 to 1876 and 1880 to 1881, city physician from 1870 to 1875 and then 1877 to 1881 and mayor from 1899 to 1901 and 1907 to 1909.

Accomplishments

Anderson was forceful and progressive. During his administrations the school and the public health systems were reorganized and a park system and street improvements were inaugurated.

Anderson was chairman of the Democratic Party's state central committee from 1875 until 1876 and 1881 until 1885, and was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 1881. He was appointed by President Cleveland as consul general to Montreal, serving from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. 

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]