VICKERS: W.S. Anderson was a Miramichi giant among men

Lumberman from Burnt Church left a lasting legacy across the Miramichi region

W.S. Anderson (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Throughout the early 20th century on the Miramichi, one local businessman stood out as a giant among men.

William Stafford Anderson’s life was part of the area's fabric, shaping its industry, politics, and communities in ways that still resonate today.

Born in Burnt Church in 1884, he grew up surrounded by the bustle of the lumber trade, an industry that defined the provincial economy and way of life. From an early age, he understood the value of hard work, the weight of responsibility, and the intricate relationship between natural resources and economic survival. These lessons carried him far beyond the sawmills and into the halls of government, where he left a lasting mark on the province.

By the time he married H. Helen Morrison in 1910, Anderson had already begun establishing himself as more than just a man of the lumber trade. His vision stretched beyond the forests, encompassing the broader needs of the region. The couple made their home in the former town of Newcastle but always maintained strong ties to Burnt Church, where they spent their summers.

As Anderson’s reputation grew, so did his desire to serve the people of Northumberland County in a greater capacity. Politics, it seemed, was a natural path.