Sherwood Anderson

He first met Cornelia Pratt Lane in 1903. Following a year of courtship, the two tied the nuptial knot. They were blessed with three children, Robert Lane, John Sherwood and Marion.

His marriage to Cornelia did not last long and he divorced her in 1916 to marry his mistress, the sculptor Tennessee Claflin Mitchell. The fate of this unison was also similar to the earlier one as he divorced her too in 1924.

He married Elizabeth Norman Prall, a fashion designer in 1924. But this marriage too didn't last long and the two divorced in 1932.

Sherwood Berton Anderson was born to Irwin McLain and Emma Jane Anderson on September 13, 1876 in Camden, Ohio. He was the third of the seven children born to the couple. His father was a former Union soldier and harness-maker.

Just a few days before turning one, young Anderson along with his family relocated to Caledonia. However, their stay in the town was short-lived. Despite being financially sound, the family got mired in monetary problems mainly due to his father’s drinking habit.

After brief stays in various cities, the family finally settled in Clyde, where senior Anderson found job on and off. As such, young Anderson took up various odd jobs to financially support and assist his family.

Though academically good, financial troubles prematurely ended his education and after nine months at high school, he left studies. However, he did not give up on reading, and was a voracious reader.

It was during his early years that he developed a knack for selling stuffs while performing odd jobs, a trait which assisted him when he took up advertising in his later years.

Tragedy struck the family as his mother passed away in 1895. Following year, he left for Chicago where he found job at a cold-storage plant. He resumed his studies by enrolling for the night classes at Lewis Institute.

With America entering Spanish-America War, he was drafted into the army. He was popular amongst his army comrades. Following the end of war, he moved back to Clyde.

After a short stay at Clyde, he enrolled at the Wittenberg University, Springfield in 1899. Following year, he graduated with flying colors. He was one of the chosen few who were to give commencement speech.

Interestingly, at Springfield, he stayed at a boarding house which accommodated several businessmen, educators and creative artists. Two people who played a dominant influence on his life therein were Harry Simmons and Trillena White. The former was so impressed with his speech that he offered him a job as a advertisement solicitor at Mast, Crowell, and Kirkpatrick’s Chicago office.