Fred Anderson is a well known merchant of Rawlins, where he is engaged in dealing in men's clothing and haberdashery. He was born in Boden, Sweden, July 11, 1867, a son of Anders Gustave Blomquist, who was also a native of Sweden, where he successfully followed farming until 1881, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, establishing his home in Howard county, Nebraska. There he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and devoted his attention and energy to its cultivation and development until his death, which occurred when he was more than eighty-one years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Readstrom, was also born in Boden, Sweden, and there passed away in 1876, when forty-six years of age. By their marriage six children were born, all of whom are yet living and are residents of the new world.
    Fred Anderson, the youngest of the family, acquired his education in Boden, where he attended the public schools. His early life was spent upon the home farm and he early became familiar with the duties and labors incident to the development of the fields and the care of the crops. At the age of eighteen he started out to provide for his own support. He had been living with his father up to this time and was employed by him upon the home farm for four years. After leaving the farm he secured a position with the Union Pacific Railroad Company at section work between Cheyenne and Denver. He followed railroading for a period of several years, first as a section hand, then as shop man, and later becoming a fireman. He remained altogether in the employ of the Union Pacific for twelve years. In March, 1895, he permanently took up his abode in Rawlins and through the intervening years has been connected with its business interests. In 1898 he established a wholesale beer and retail liquor house which he conducted successfully until 1915, being during that period in partnership with Peter Larsen, under the firm name of Anderson & Larsen. On the 23^d of September, 1916, he established his present store, dealing in men's furnishings and haberdashery, and today he carries a large and well selected stock, handling various lines of clothing and a full line of shoes and such articles of merchandise as are usually found in a first class establishment of this character.
    On the 1^st of June, 1901, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in Rawlins to Miss Lena Berglund, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Nels and Carrie (Oleson) Berglund. who were likewise natives of Sweden, where they still make their home, residing at Sunne. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have become the parents of four children: Fredolf, born in Rawlins, June 28, 1902; Edna; Alice and Frank.
    Mr. Anderson is a member of North Star Lodge of the Vasa Order at Rawlins and was exalted ruler of the local organization. He was a lad of fourteen years when he came to the new world with his father and from the age of eighteen he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He has worked industriously and diligently to acquire success and his close application and persistency of purpose have been salient features in his growing prosperity.