Andrew Killian Anhorn (1894 - 1952)

Born 23 Aug 1894 in Minnesota, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Marie Helene (Risdall) Anhorn — married about 1927 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota, United States

Died 29 Jun 1952 at age 57 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota, United States

Biography

Andrew was born in 1894 to Andrew Anhorn and Josephine Anderson in Minnesota.

In 1922, cousins Arthur Anhorn, John Anhorn, and Andrew Anhorn started Mower Oil Company in Austin. They sold petroleum products such as kerosene, heating oil, and automobile gasoline.

In about 1930, Andrew married Marie Risdall. They had at least three children.

By 1935, Mower Oil operated three service stations in Austin and their headquarters were on East Brownsdale Avenue. In 1935 and 1940, Oil Company slogan was "A Strictly Home Concern," which today might be described as "Buy Local." In 1935, they didn't list a phone number. In 1940, they listed 2089 as their number. In 1957, their phone number was HE 3-2089.

In 1940, Andrew was an Austin Alderman.

In 1940, his cousin John passed away in a car crash.

In 1952, Andrew passed away.

"Progressive Austin, 1935-1936" by the Junior Chamber of Commerce" 1935, Austin, Minn., page 40

[photo of] Main Station, Mower County Oil Co., Corner Main & Oakland]

Mower County Oil Co.

(A Strictly Home Concern)

In this day and age of chain stores and oil stations, it is refreshing to come in contact with a business concern that has made good in spite of the hardest competition. This company is strictly a home institution, composed of Andrew, Arthur and John Anhorn, who had the faith and foresight in Austin as a coming city. By hard work and good business judgment they have built up a business that Austin is proud of.

The main office and bulk station is located Brownsdale avenue, with filling stations on Water street, north Kenwood avenue, and corner of Main St. and Oakland Ave., a view of this latter station is shown at the top of this page and shows the new addition recently completed for oiling, greasing and washing of cars.

Their total gallonage for 1933 was 750,000 gallons of gasoline, 50,000 gallons of kerosene, and 205,000 gallons of fuel oil. It takes ten employees to fill the needs of their many satisfied customers. Prompt service and courteous treatment with quality products has been some of the reasons for their success.

They are boosters for Austin first, last and all the time.

"Progressive Austin, 1940-1941" by the Austin Chamber of Commerce" 1940, Austin, Minn., page 22

[three photos of] (1) Mower County Oil Co., corner Main and Oakland Ave. (2) Bulk and filling states, Brownsdale Ave. (3) Filling Station, corner Oakland Ave. and River Road.

Mower County Oil Co.

(A Strictly Home Concern)

It is always a pleasure to see a group of brothers make good in their chosen field of work. Such is the case of the Anhorn Brothers [actually Cousins], Andrew, Arthur and John, who have, by their own efforts, established a growing business in the Filling stations shown at the top of this page. Much of this success is due to their untiring efforts to please their many customers and their foresight and faith in the future of Austin. To what extent their business has grown may be seen in the figures for 1939. For that period 925,524 gallons of Gasoline were sold as well as 64,593 gal. of kerosene, 186,362 gal. of fuel oil, as well as a large amount of motor oil. They are always in the forefront for anything that is for the betterment of Austin.

Their main office and bulk station is situated on Brownsdale ave., with filling stations on Oakland Ave., and River Road and on Main and Oakland Ave. in the very heart of the city at which place they also give greasing and washing service.

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) 1 Jul 1952, Tuesday, page 21

DEATHS

ANDREW ANHORN, 57, former Austin, Minn., alderman and native of Owatonna, at Austin.

1900 Federal Census in Deerfield Township, Minnesota:

• Andrew Anhorn 40 Farmer born Wisconsin (married 8 years)
• wife Josephine 33 born Minnesota (married 8 years; 3 children, 3 living)
• son Paul J 8 born Minnesota
• son Andrew K 6 born Minnesota
• son Henry W 3 born Minnesota
• boarder John Meixner 23 Farm Laborer born Austria (immigrated 1890)

1910 Federal Census in Deerfield Township, Minnesota:

• Andrew Anhorn 50 Farmer born Wisconsin (married 18 years)
• wife Josephine 43 born Minnesota (married 18 years; 4 children, 4 living)
• son Paul 17 Farm Laborer born Minnesota
• son Andrew 15 Farm Laborer born Minnesota
• son Henry 12 born Minnesota
• son Richard 7 born Minnesota
• brother-in-law Walter Anderson 45 Farm Laborer born Minnesota

1930 Federal Census in Austin, Minnesota:

• Andrew K Anhorn 35 Manager born Minnesota
• wife Marie H 26 born South Dakota
• daughter Elaine M 1 born Minnesota

1939 Austin, Minnesota, Directory

• ANHORN, AND. K. (Marie H.) (Mower County Oil Co.) r 305 S 1st. tel 6345.
• ANHORN, ARTHUR F. (Mildred A.) (Mower County Oil Co.) r 1009 W Maple, tel 5793.
• ANHORN, JNO. A. (Beatrice M.) (Mower County Oil Co.) r 810 High. tel 3202.

1950 Austin, Minnesota, Directory

• ANHORN, ANDREW K (Marie H) (Mower County Oil Co) Alderman Second Ward, h410 W Winona Tel 6345
• ANHORN, ARTHUR F (Mildred) (Mower County Oil Co) h1009 W Maple Tel 5793

Sources

• 1894 Minnesota Birth Record for Anhorn, son of Andrew and Josephene Anhorn
• 1900 Federal Census
• 1910 Federal Census
• 1917 US WWI Draft Registration Cards gives middle name, birth day and birth place
• 1930 Federal Census
• 1940 Federal Census
• 1942 US WWII Draft Registration Cards
• Findagrave profile