Benjamin Lee & Emma Pye Anderson

From: February 13, 1991 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American
by Staff Historians

In 1904, Benjamin Lee Anderson and his wife, the former Emma Pye, and their two year old daughter, Letitia, moved from Gibsland to Winnfield. He was employed as a bookkeeper at the Bank of Winnfield where his brother in law, H. T. Pye, was president.

He started in 1904 the insurance business that bore his name until 1984. Mr. Anderson remained with the bank until 1916, resigning to become treasurer of the police jury until 1942. Willard and Ruth Harlan assumed operation of the B. L. Anderson Insurance Agency in 1954.

Mr. Anderson was a native of Alabama. His father was a tanner, and due to economic conditions he moved west to Bienville Parish near Arcadia, La. B. L. attended the short term schools, obtaining advanced school work at a private school, then as a young man he attended a business school in Corsicana, Texas.

In August, 1900, B. L. Anderson and Emma Pye were married. She was born in 1878 in Parker County, Texas. Her parents were natives of Georgia and the family had moved to Mt. Lebanon where she attended Mt. Lebanon University.

In 1905, the Andersons' son Glen, was born, and it was after this that they moved to their 800 East Main residence. Letitia continued to live there until her death, September 5, 1990.

Both Letitia and Glen attended Winnfield High School. She went to La. State Normal, now Northwestern State, in Natchitoches and afterward taught schools in Webster Parish. In 1922, Letitia married Culbert Lee of Dodson. They were parents of two daughters, Banjai and Ruth.

Glen obtained a business education and became an executive with Humble Oil Company before his death in 1972.

The Andersons were active members of First Baptist Church where he was a deacon and served for many years as church treasurer. Mrs. Anderson was a Sunday School teacher and a long time member of the Baptist Women's Missionary Union.

Mr. Anderson died October 27, 1953, Mrs. Anderson died May 10, 1954, and both were buried in the Winnfield City Cemetery.

During his long public career, B. L. Anderson also served on the Winnfield Town Council, the Winn Parish Police Jury, and as a volunteer fireman. He was an avid deer hunter and was known locally for his deer hounds.