Virgel R. Anderson

1926-27 American Legion Commander


Unit Company M, 163 Infantry Regiment; Company K, SATC, University of Iowa
Enlistment 5 Dec 1917
Discharge 23 May 1919
Buried Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa


Page 228 of the 1981 Manning Centennial History book.
Dr. Virgel Raymond Anderson came to Manning in 1921, and after serving in the dental corps during World War I. He succeeded Dr. McFate. Dr. Anderson, his wife Fern, and their two daughters lived at 333 First Street for 37 years. He died in 1961, after continuing his practice here for 41 years in an office located over the Hansen-Pahde store.

Page 263 of the 1981 Manning Centennial History book.
DR. V.R. ANDERSON
Dr. Virgel Raymond Anderson was born in Colorado, the son of Swedish born parents. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa Dental School, then took military training in Camp Lewis, Washington, and Camp Mills, N.Y. There, the severe winter caused great exposure and loss of life to hundreds of American boys; there was no firewood, and only one blanket for each tent, some having none. He was transferred from the Dental Corp before shipment to overseas duty during World War I, to relieve a dental shortage in the United States.

Dr. Anderson established his dental practice in Manning in 1921, continuing here for 41 years. He had a lifetime membership in the national and Iowa Dental Associations. While in Manning, Dr. Anderson served many civic projects; he was chairman of the Municipal Light & Power Company 20 years, chairman of a remodeling project at the Presbyterian Church, and helped found Manning's library. He served on the Manning School Board eight years and was a member of the American Legion. He died September 13, 1961.

Fern Austin was married to Dr. Anderson in 1919. Her parents, Albert and Georgia Alexander Austin, were born in Hannibal, Missouri, and migrated to Idaho, where Fern was born. Fern's grandparents were born in Vermont and were of English descent; her grandfather served in the Union Army of the Civil War, and later preached 54 years in the Baptist ministry.

Dr. and Mrs. Anderson lived at 333 First Street in Manning 37 years. Their daughters, Marilynn and Donavieve, graduated from Manning High and the University of Iowa.

Marilynn married Dr. C.M. Cole, who graduated from the University of Iowa Medical and Surgical School; he served in World War II in military hospitals, and is now trustee of the American Medical Association. They have two daughters, Cynthia, a lawyer, and Karen, a student at the University of Texas Medical school. The family lives in Dallas, Texas.

Donavieve is married to J.T. Adams, a World War II veteran who served three years in India. He is a University of Iowa law School graduate. Their daughters are June, who is completing an RN course at the University of Fresno, California, and Carmen, in junior high. The family lives in Rancho Park, California.

Fern B. Anderson now lives at 6519 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, California 90255.


Virgel Anderson Dead in Iowa
Dr. Virgel Anderson, Manning, Iowa, dentist who spent his boyhood in Fort Collins, Colorado, died Wednesday, September 13, 1961, in the yard of his home as a result of a heart attack. Dr. Anderson had had a heart ailment for the last year, but had apparently been in normal health recently.

Born in Kit Carson County, Colorado, January 2, 1893, to Andrew and Emma (Peterson) Anderson, Dr. Anderson came here as a child and attended Fort Collins schools until his senior year of high school. He was graduated from high school at Iowa City, Iowa, and received a degree from the University of Iowa dental school.

He is survived by his widow, the former Miss Fern Austin of Fort Collins; two daughters, Mrs. Max Cole of Dallas, Texas; and Mrs. James Adams of Marshalltown, Iowa; four brothers; a sister; and three grandchildren.

Two of the brothers, Floyd and Earl Anderson, and the sister, Mrs. Dewey Koeper, live here.