Early Life

Leonard Niles Anson was born in Plover in 1848. He served in the Union army in 1865. After studying at the Bryant Stratton Business College in Chicago, he returned to Plover as a contracting logger.

Career

In 1883 he moved to Merrill and became a partner in establishing the highly successful lumber mill of Gilkey Anson Company. He was president of the Anson Hixon Sash and Door Company, president and director of the Grandfather Falls Company and had an interest in the Arkansas Land and Lumber Company.

Accomplishments

He also was instrumental in organizing the First National Bank of Merrill and the Lincoln County Bank, was mayor of Merrill from 1890 until 1891 and was one of the area's leading philanthropists. 

Learn More

Leonard Niles Anson

See more images, essays, newspapers and records about Leonard Niles Anson

Dictionary of Wisconsin History

Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.

[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]