VINTSON ANDERSON of section 13, Huntsville township, came here in 1835. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1833. His father, William Anderson, was born in Mason county, May 14, 1800. He was a son of Andrew Anderson, who was born in Virginia and was of Irish descent. The family has resided in America for several generations. William Anderson was reared a farmer, and married in Kentucky in 1824, a Miss Prudence Wallansford, born in Kentucky, August 15, 1806. They migrated to Ohio in 1832, and resided there at Cincinnati, and in Clermont county, for three years and then came to Illinois and located in Schuyler county. In the spring of 1836 Mr. Anderson purchased a claim on section 13, in which is now Huntsville, and here he passed the remaining years of his life. He entered land and purchased more, until his real estate possessions amounted to 600 acres. He was a cautious man and never went into debt. He was a hard-working man, and in those days when the sickle was used to cut grain, he was an expert in the use of the same, and still continued to use the hook after the cradle came into use. He died August 16, 1887. His wife is still living and is a member of the Christian Church. The two came with about $200 in capital, and in the time they lived in Illinois became rich and influential people. They had ten children, seven of whom grew up, namely: Jane Cady, Cyrus, Andrew, Vintson, Frank, Sarah McHatten and John.
Subject was two years old when the family settled in Schuyler county, and he resided at home until he attained his majority. His school advantages were limited. At the age of twenty-one he went to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and broke prairie and engaged as cook to a gang of men who were cutting hay for the Government. At that date Minneapolis consisted of a sawmill and a few houses. He remained in Minnesota about six months and then returned to Illinois and engaged in making brooms at Clayton, Adams county, Illinois. He followed this business four years and then removed to Brown county, but after a few years residence there, removed to Schuyler county and settled where he now resides on land entered by his father. He has a farm of 105 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been Road Commissioner for many years. He has filled that office with great credit to himself.
He was married in 1858 to Jane McDonald of Brown county, born October 15, 1840, daughter of John B. and Sarah C. (Orr) McDonald. The former was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man, and resided in the Southern States for a short time, but finally settled in Brown county in 1833, and soon after married Sarah C. Orr, who was the daughter of Mr. G. Orr, a settler of Brown county 1831. She was born in Tennessee in 1810. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald had four children, all of whom are now married and well settled.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had seven children: Carrie, wife of William Nelson of Huntsville township; Cora, at home; William J. died in infancy; Frank C. at home; Pearl at home; Myrtle died at the age of four; and Nina E. at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Anderson is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 648, A.F. & A.M., in which he is the Junior Warden.