My Genealogy Hound

E. W. SANDERS, Cashier of the First National Bank at Buchanan, was born in Juniata County, Pa., February 6, 1845. He is a descendant of English ancestors, and his grandfather was born, it is supposed, in that country. Richard Sanders, father of our subject, was born in Maryland, and from ten years of age was reared in Pennsylvania, where he still resides. His trade is that of a millwright and boat-builder. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Leah Whistler, was born in Pennsylvania, and traced her lineage to Germany. Her parents dying when she was a small child, she was reared by strangers.

The parental family consisted of six children, our subject being the eldest. The second child died in infancy. The others are: Richard, who resides in Pennsylvania; Mary and John, who died at the ages of seventeen and nineteen years respectively; and Clara, who was called hence at the age of two years. Our subject was reared in Pennsylvania, where he attended the common schools of Juniata County and also carried on his studies in Freeburg Academy for six weeks. He was only ten years old when he began to earn his livelihood, his first occupation being that of driver on the towpath on the Pennsylvania Canal. At the age of nineteen he secured a situation as clerk in a general store at Mt. Pleasant Mills, and occupied clerical positions in different establishments for eleven years.

Coming to Berrien County, Mich., in 1877, Mr. Sanders was employed for the two following years on a farm belonging to John M. Rough. In 1879 he went to Dayton, Mich., and engaged as a clerk in a general store, where he remained for eight years. He accepted the position of traveling salesman for John A. Tolman, wholesale grocer of Chicago, in 1889, and remained in his employ for fourteen years, traveling through Michigan and northern Indiana. In his travels his attention was especially called to the favorable opportunities offered by the thriving village of Buchanan as a place of residence, and hence, in 1881, he located here. In 1888, he, with others, organized the First National Bank, of which he was first Vice-President and is now Cashier. He is eminently qualified for the discharge of the duties connected with his position, possessing a keen insight, shrewd business judgment and sound common-sense.

On the 19th of November, 1872, occurred the marriage of E. W. Sanders to Miss Louisa Rough, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Rough. Two children have blessed this union: Frank R. and Hettie R. Politically, Mr. Sanders is a Democrat and has served in various positions of trust, to which he was elected on the ticket of that party. He is a member of the Village Council and he is serving on the Board of School Directors. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Buchanan Lodge No. 68. He also belongs to Dayton Lodge, I. O. O. F.