Born in Scotland, Isabella Baxter came to the United States with her parents when she was 3 years old. She grew up helping her parents and taught school 3 miles west and 1/2 mile north of Ayrshire, Iowa. She went to Normal School at Nora Springs and helped her father manage a general store.

Isabella married Eric Anderson. He was a painter and paper hanger. He farmed for a few years. He was an ardent fisherman. He belonged to the Mason Lodge. He and Isabella were the parents of 4 childern: Harold, Ervin, Ray, and Harvey.