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 AMES ANDERSON is the owner of a fine estate, containing 155 acres of land, located on section 20, Pleasant Grove Township. He was born in Montgomery County, Md., Dec. 25, 1825, and is the son of James and Mary (Rodgers) Anderson, natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Anderson, was a native of England, and emigrating to the United States early in life, settled in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandparents were natives of the North of Ireland, who, after their arrival in this country, were likewise among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. After his marriage, James Anderson, Sr., removed to the State of Maryland, and engaged in farming in Montgomery County. In about 1832, the family removed to Guernesey County, Ohio. It was before the days of railroads, and they made the long and weary journey overland, camping out for the night in the open country, when the weather was not too rough, and sometimes seeking the friendly shelter of the neighboring farm houses. In the pioneer days, each one was obliged to do whatever work presented itself, and James Anderson was engaged in teaming and farming until about the year 1837, when he removed to Knox County, of the same State, and was there engaged in farming nearly twenty years; he then removed to Morrow County, where the remaining years of his life were passed. He was industrious and enterprising in business, and his death occurred at Iowa City, Iowa, whither lie had gone to enter land. He was a successful farmer, and at his death was enabled to leave his children some property. His wife’s death occurred at the homestead in Ohio, several years prior to his own. Mr. Anderson was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but never sought political preferment. He was for many years a prominent member of the Methodist Church. They had a family of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, the record being as follows: Ann Eliza, deceased, formerly the wife of Charles Osborn; Samuel, a resident of Monroe County, Ohio ; Lydia, deceased, formerly the wife of Daniel Knowles; James, the subject of this sketch; Mary E., deceased; William, a resident of Mahaska county, Iowa; Elizabeth, deceased; Charles W., a resident of Mattoon, and Maria, the wife of Anson Conklin, a resident of Mahaska County, Iowa. James Anderson, Jr., grew to manhood in Ohio, where he was reared on his father’s farm. His educational advantages were necessarily limited to the district log school-house of the pioneer days. Nevertheless, he obtained much practical knowledge, and early learned the details of systematic farming. Dec. 27, 1847, he was married to Miss Lucinda Knight, the daughter of Rena and Sarah (Hall) Knight. Her parents were natives of Maine, where their marriage occurred. They subsequently removed to Ohio and located in Licking County, where they engaged in farming, and made their permanent home there during the remainder of their lives. Their family consisted of sixteen children, of whom Mrs. Anderson was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had a family of eight children born to them, one of whom died in infancy. The record is as follows: Mary Ann, the wife of Joseph Dornblazer; Columbia, the wife of Luther Lander; William H.; Sarah P., the wife of Clarence Ferguson; Emma, the wife of William D. Horton; Martha, the wife of Ralph Jeffris, and Charles W. married Leulla Brown. After his marriage, Mr. Anderson gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits in Ohio, until 1854, when he removed to Illinois, locating in Cumberland County. He purchased land there and remained seven years. He then decided to change his location, and in the spring of 1862 came to Coles County, where he rented land near Mattoon. After remaining there five years, he purchased 133 acres of his present farm. The land was all improved, but he has erected substantial buildings, and the appointments of his farm are all comfortable, and in good order. He has added some land to his first purchase, and now owns a tract containing 155 acres. In early life, Mr. Anderson served one year in the Mexican War. He was a member of the Democratic party until after the Civil War; he then became a Republican, and adhered to that party twenty years, and has since affiliated again with the Democrats. He has no taste for public life, and when requested, has always refused to become a candidate for any local office. He is interested in educational affairs, and at one time was School Director. His family were formerly connected with the Methodist Church, but Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been for several years members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. |
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