Centenary Oak Tree - 1887

Mr J. S. Anderson fondly known as "Saddler" on account of his occupation is fondly remembered by people still living in Sandford today, as one of its best loved and popular pioneers. An avid reader from childhood, as a young man he saw the need to install in the minds of the children of early Sandford, the knowledge that he had acquired from books, and from which he derived so much solace and pleasure.

In 1868 he established his business as a saddler and harness maker in premises directly opposite Gibson's Livery stables. Gibson's Livery stables is thought to be on a site formerly occupied by the McGuinness family, and which at one time was owned by Charles Pretlove.

Mr Anderson was a member of the Board of Advice for the South Riding to the Shire of Glenelg, the Sandford Common Committee, the Rifle Club, and a foundation member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and the Sandford Cemetery Trust.

"Nicholls Hall" situated on the corner of the paddock opposite their general bluestone store was the earliest venue of entertainment in Sandford. Racing became firmly established at Sandford in the early sixties of last century, and Adam Lindsay Gordon, Billy Trainer, and Ned Gorry, father of the crack light weight jockey of the eighties, Ted Gorry, were some of the early jockeys in the cross country steeplechases. After the races, race club balls were held in Nicholls Hall. It was in Nicholls Hall that J.S. Anderson established his Library on February 16th 1885. Well stocked by Mr Anderson, Nicholls Hall became a popular meeting place, and the Penny readings eagerly sought after.

J.S. Anderson's years were the era of the horse. On the big runs like Runnymede, Sandford House, Merino Downs, Trevallas Downs and Cammais, he was a familiar figure, always welcome, repairing and replacing harness for the stables wants. He is probably best remembered for his love of the British Empire and the welfare of the children of Sandford State School. Empire Day was a red letter day for the Sandford children. J.S. Anderson would arrive with a bountiful supply of his conversation follies, extolling the long and fruitful reign of "Victoria the Good". It was on the Golden Jubilee of her reign on June 21st 1887 that he planted the commemorative oak.

Four children Phillip, James, Annie and Nellie were born to a long and fruitful marriage. Phillip followed in his father's footsteps as a saddler. James inherited his father's love of a horse, and whilst Licencee of the Commercial Hotel in Horsham owned and trained Windlestrae a Casterton Cup winner, in 1924. Nellie was a gifted pianist, and Annie (Mrs Rowan), who lived with her father and daughter Melba in a shop near the Commercial Hotel in Sandford, was a well known dressmaker of the day.

From the benefits of his Penny Readings, Mr Anderson was anxious to further the education of the Sandford populace and the children. He had erected, at his own expense, a building known as the "Reading Room" at the rear of the Mechanics Institute which was still standing till recently. He also played a major part in the erection of the Sandford Hall. The tradition of well-being and care for the community was to again come to the fore when J.S. Anderson's grand daughter, Mrs Ral Egerton had her popular store in Sandford's Main street.

One part in the way of life in Sandford that will never be forgotten, will be the service provided by J.S. Anderson's grand daughter's husband Mr Ral Egerton, by his Studebaker Bus. On week days there were regular trips to Casterton for shoppers. On Saturday nights with dances and picture shows prevalent in Casterton, the Bus would make several trips to Casterton for the entertainment. Mr Tom Anderson also provided a great service with his Hire Car.

Today, one hundred years on, the magnificent English Oak planted by J.S. Anderson, is a living testimony and monument for the descendants of this grand old man, who played such a prominent part in Sandford's formative years.

Acknowledgement
NOTE : These notes have been reproduced from a sheet which appears to have been printed for the centenary of the Anderson Oak Tree at Sandford in 1987. There is no official source to acknowledge at this time.

John Stewart "Saddler" ANDERSON 1846-1918, born Glasgow, Lanrkshire, Scotland, son of James ANDERSON 1810-1881 and Annie McPHERSON 1811-1883. He died at Sandford, S-W Victoria in 1918 and was buried in the Sandford cemetery.

John Stewart "Saddler" ANDERSON appears to have arrived on the emigrant barque "Adamant" in 1865 at Port Adelaide, South Australia having sailed from London and Portsmouth, England earlier in 1865. He was recorded as a saddler, single, aged 19y, from Lanarkshire, Scotland. He appears to have moved to Port Macdonnell in the S-E of South Australia where he met a young widow Rebecca Irene OSWALD (nee TRYER) c.1835-1915, born Shrewsbury, England, daughter of Thomas TYRER and ___. Rebecca was the widow of Robert OSWALD 1829-1863, b. Fifeshire, Scotland, d. Port MacDonnell, South Australia and she had one surving child : Robert James OSWALD 1862-1935. John and Rebecca married at Port Macdonnell in 1867 and moved across the border to Sandford, S-W Victoria by 1869.

John Stewart "Saddler" ANDERSON and Rebecca Irene TYRER had the following family:

1. Annie Maria ANDERSON 1867-1915, b. Port Macdonnell, South Australia; d. 1915, Ararat, Victoria; m. 1906 Sandford, S-W Victoria to Gilbert Thomas ROWAN, b. Dunedin, NZ., d. ...?... The 1906 marriage took place at Annie Maria ANDERSON's residence of "Dufftown House" Sandford.

2. James "Jim" ANDERSON 1869-1947, b. Sandford, Victoria; d. Horsham, Victoria, m. 1896 to Phoebe Faull RODDA [MBE] 1871-1955. James ANDERSON played football for Essendon for 11 years, including 2 premierships, and played in the Victorian interstate sides of 1903 & 1905. James was also a horse-owner & trainer and one of his horses "Windlestrae" won the 1924 Casterton Cup. His wife Phoebe was awarded an MBE in 1951 for many years of charity work & fund raising for the Horsham hospital. The ANDERSONs operated the "Commercial Hotel" in Horsham from 1905-1925 and again from 1930-1951. They are both buried in the Horsham Cemetery. Their family was...
   1. Alma Nellie ANDERSON 1897-1987, b. Melbourne, Victoria; d. Horsham, Victoria, m. Stuart Leslie ANDERSON 1913-1972, b. Melbourne, Victoria to Frederick ANDERSON and Annie BYRNE.
   2. Victoria May ANDERSON 1899-1992, b. Melbourne, Victoria; d. Horsham, Victoria; famous as a duet singer in the pairing of "Victoria ANDERSON & Viola MORRIS" who spent many years touring England, America & Australia.
   3. Maude Melba ANDERSON 1907-1972, b. Melbourne, Victoria; d. melbourne, Victoria; m. 1938 to David Alan DALE 1904-1977, b. Beechworth, Victoria to William DALE and Janet Jardine VALLENCE; d. Mornington, Victoria.

3. Ellen "Nellie" ANDERSON 1871-1905, b. Sandford, Victoria, (talented pianist); d. Horsham, Victoria; m. Philip McCABE c.1840-1915, b. Co Cavan, Ireland to Owen McCABE and Rose GAFFNEY; 2 children; d. Green Park (Horsham), Victoria.

4. Arabella ANDERSON 1873-1874, b. and d, Sandford, Victoria.

5. Philip ANDERSON 1875-1938, b. Sandford, Victoria; saddler of Sandford; d. Sandford, Victoria; m.1 1904 to Matilda Champney GOODSON 1868-1913, b. Melbourne, Victoria; d. Sandford, Victoria; m.2 in 1913 to Harriet EDGINGTON 1876-1951, b. Wootton, Berkshire, England to Joshua EDGINGTON and Emma STRANGE; d. Casterton, Victoria.