The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


Meet Your Neighbor

by Dessa Rodeffer-The Quill

Meet your neighbor David Anderson who lives at rural route Dallas City west of La Harpe in La Harpe School District.

David is the Durham Township Road Commissioner since May of 2009.

He is also the proud coach of the winning 7th and 8th grade basketball teams of La Harpe and Dallas City school districts that co-op in sports.

The 7th grade just finished as Regional Champions at Mendon Unity January 26th and play tonight (Wednesday) at Sectional.

David is also owner operator of Anderson Feed and Grain where he provides feed for livestock and for pets. Earlier his business stored and dried grain for 20 years but now farmers rent out the storage space.

Anderson bought the company around 1990 after it had closed and set idle, from Bob Mapes.

David was born at La Harpe Hospital and attended school in Dallas from K to 4th grade, and then finished in the La Harpe schools, graduating in 1980.

He enjoyed playing all sports, baseball (outfield and 3rd base), basketball (guard/forward), football (linebacker/tight-end), and in Jr. Hi. track (Hurdles and ran the mile).

After graduation, sports activities slowed to Slow Pitch baseball when he played short-stop for the La Harpe Auto Body.

"I enjoyed playing with those older guys," David said. Jay Jones, Doug Smith, Mike Rodeffer, Barry Wright, Joe Brooks, Brian Fox, Jeff Thompson, Greg Siegworth, and Mike Boyd. We won several games and tournaments but we played more for fun.

Also, David said he played with the guys in fast pitch with Kent Wildrick as pitcher and some other fellows.

David's parents are Reva and the late Wendell Anderson of rural Dallas City. "Dad farmed and mom helped, and I farmed until I started helping Mike Rodeffer farm. I also took on the job as Durham Road Commissioner working a 60 mile area which has its challenges."

David has two brothers Roger of South Carolina, and Gary rural Dallas City, and a sister Joann Anderson of rural Dallas City.

His wife Nicole manages Ayerco of La Harpe and has started taking pictures for the Quill part time.

He has five children, three girls with the youngest a 7th grader at La Harpe - Mackenzi who participates in all sports- volleyball, track, and basketball.

She also took part in fastpitch softball last summer with the "Mud Dawg" team in Burlington, IA playing at the Rex Plex.

He has twin daughters who are seniors at SIU-E, Jenna (Psychology major) and Julie (Pathology major).

He has two boys, Tanner Jr. active in baseball as a pitcher and outfielder, and Tucker an 8th grader who plays all sports, presently a forward in basketball, but also plays baseball pitcher and 1st base, and track in high jump and went to state last year and medaled. Tanner is looking forward to Illini West football this fall.

David was a member of the Durham 4-H Club "The Dukes and Duchesses when Bob and Jane Eckhardt lead the group and he and his sister Joann are now the leaders. He is also a member of the Eagles Booster Club

As far as hobbies, he loves to work with old cars and has a couple at home. He is working on a 1968 red Camaro but says the project is on hold until he has more time and after the kids stop dipping in his pocket.

The highlight of his life he said is "Having my kids born."

David loves baseball and said it has been fun to travel with Tanner all over as he pitched for the River-Hitters coached by Rodney Brent, Gary Fryrear, and Dickie Goff, and Todd Durflinger. "I enjoyed traveling with the group and ending each season at an out of area tournament. Last summer was at Omaha, Nebraska where George Brett, 3rd baseman for the Kansas City Royals attended as his son played on one of the teams.

David has coached sports since his twins began playing. He has coached high school softball, Junior High baseball, summer softball and baseball.

Presently, he is enjoying coaching 7th-8th basketball and they are having a lot of success.

"You take one game at a time, I tell the boys. The game you are playing at the moment is the most important, because it gets you to the next one.

The 8th grade who is 18-2 was handed their 2nd lost of the season losing to Carthage by two points . Their only other loss was their 2nd game of the season at Astoria.

David tells the boys, "I know we are the better team, capable of beating any team at any time. If we come more prepared and want the game from the start not just at the end of the game, we can be successful."

David really likes working with the kids and seeing their accomplishments.

It is really satisfying when they win a Regional - and hopefully Sectional as the 7th grade could this week. They are now 22-0.