Donald B. Anderson

Born in Cardston, Alberta, Anderson's family moved to Weiser, Idaho, in his childhood, and he attended the schools of that town. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1927, and entered the practice of law in Caldwell, Idaho.[1]

He served as the prosecuting attorney of Canyon County, Idaho, for six years in the 1930s. Anderson served as a probate judge for four years, from 1937 to 1941. In April 1941, Anderson joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working in Chicago and Washington, D.C., ultimately becoming a special assistant to the United States Attorney General J. Howard McGrath. He returned to Idaho in 1948 to resume the practice of law, and served as a judge of the Idaho Seventh Judicial District from 1950 to 1954, when he was elected to the state supreme court, where he remained until his death.[1]

On September 2, 1955, Anderson married Lois Nichols of Boise, with whom he had a son, Ross Nichols Anderson.[1]

On December 16, 1956, Anderson was reported missing from his home, and a search ensued.[1] Anderson's body was found by the side of the road off of U.S. Highway 30 in Caldwell, with two bullet wounds to the head,[2][3] and a .38 caliber revolver by his side.[4] It was determined that the first shot had failed to penetrate the skull,[2] and the death was ruled a suicide.[4]