Asa T. SANDERSON

  General Notes:

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: St Charles, Saginaw, Michigan; Roll: M653_558; Page: 0; Image: 12.

Humiston, Rhoda M., Fenner, N.Y. 1851. Married William Sanderson, Lawyer, of Chittenango Falls N.Y. Residence, in the State of Michigan.


The History of Michigan
Asa T. Sanderson. Probably one of the best known and most popular business men of St. Charles, Michigan, Asa T. Sanderson is a native of the East, having been born May 2, 1850, at Fenner, Madison county, New York, a son of William Shakespeare and Rhoda M. (Humiston) Sanderson. His father, a native of Yorkshire, England, came to the United States at the age of seventeen years and settled first in New York, where he attended Casanovia Seminary and was graduated in law. He was admitted to the bar of the Empire State, and followed his profession there until 1856, in which year he made his way westward to Michigan. Taking up his residence at St. Charles, he continued his practice here, and also engaged in the lumber business on a large scale, being equally successful in both lines of endeavor. His career was cut short at its most promising point, however, for he passed away in 1866, when but thirty- six years of age. During his residence at St. Charles he occupied numerous positions of trust and importance in the township of that name, and gained and retained the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. A pioneer in the lumber industry, he did much to foster its growth and development, and the position he held in the confidence of his business associates was impregnable. Mrs. Sanderson was born in New York, and first met her future husband while attending Casanovia Seminary. She was of Scotch parentage and was a lady of culture, refinement and many social graces, and at the time of her death, in October, 1911, when seventy- nine years of age, was one of the highly beloved ladies of St. Charles. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson: Asa T., Harry H., Frank E., Miss Annie, Clarence E. and Fred W.

Asa T. Sanderson received his education principally in schoolhouses of the log variety, and when still a lad began to assist his father in his operations in the lumber industry. He was but thirteen years of age and the oldest of his parents' children when the father died, and he became the chief support of the family, working for others in the lumber business until he could accumulate some small capital and then embarking in business on his own account. In the meantime lie also carried on agricultural operations, and was thus engaged until reaching his thirty-fourth year, when he engaged in the hardware business at St. Charles. He was the proprietor of this business for thirteen years, following which he disposed of his interests and for four years lived a retired life. It was not Mr. Sanderson's nature, however, to continue to remain idle, and in February, 1906, he established his present enterprise, which has developed into the most successful in its line at St. Charles. Each of his ventures has proven successful, and his standing in commercial circles is accordingly high. He has an excellent stock of the most up-to-date goods, well chosen for the needs of his large and constantly growing trade. Mr. Sanderson's business activities have been carried on in such a manner as to gain the good will and confidence of the people, and like his father he has been called upon to fill responsible offices. A member of the Republican party, he has been elected to every position of importance within the gift of the township, and served with distinction as a member of the Forty-first and Forty-second Legislatures, where he supported many important measures relative to the welfare of Saginaw county. Fraternally, he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Masonic Blue Lodge, being the present master of his home lodge. He is likewise widely known in banking circles as vice-president of the State Bank of St. Charles.

On June 9, 1888, Mr. Sanderson was married at St. Charles, Michigan, to Miss Kitty Stewart, daughter of Alfred Stewart, a well-known pioneer of this section, now deceased. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, namely: Stewart C, born at St. Charles in 1889, a graduate of St. Charles High school, and now his father's partner in the dry goods business; Glenn Dale, born October 26, 1891, a graduate of St. Charles High school, and now attending Albion College; and Lester M., born in March, 1894, a member of the class of 1914, St. Charles High school and now a student in the dental department of the University of Michigan. The Sanderson home is one of the handsome and modern family residences of St. Charles.