William Anderson was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1833, his father being Hugh Anderson, who spent his life in the "Emerald Isle," being a farmer by occupation. His wife was a Miss Jane Cunningham. At the early age of fifteen years William Andersen immigrated to America, and after working in a stone quarry in Pennsylvania for some time, was engaged in blacksmithing near Philadelphia for about five years, being a resident of Norristown at the time of James Buchanan's election. After residing in Charlestown, S. C., during the winter of 1857, he returned to Pennsylvania, but only remained there a week, when he went to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was engaged in working on the canal in that State for two years. He then came to Cole County, Mo., and upon the breaking out of the Rebellion two years later, enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and was provost guard at Jefferson City. He afterward went to Waynesville, Mo., then to Houston, Tex., and after being on duty in the latter place for nearly a year he was ordered to Raleigh, Mo., and did guard duty for the stage line, and was also provost for some time. He took part in the campaign against Price, when he made his raid through the State in 1864, and was wounded near Boonville by a minie ball, which cut a gash across his abdomen, for which he was treated in the hospital at Jefferson City for a number of months. He then rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, and was there mustered out of service March 31, 1865, and returned to Cole County, and for about seven years was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. During this time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Minerva Ann Fletcher, a daughter of Nathaniel Fletcher, of Centre Town, and there they were married March 13, 1871. Here they resided until the following year, then moved to a farm of 140 acres, two and a half miles south of town, which he has since owned. He has added 140 acres more to his farm, and has erected a fine frame dwelling-house on the same. After living here about twelve years he purchased his present property in town, and is now giving his children the advantages of the city schools. His children are: Ella J., Michael, Sarah M., MaryEliza, Lillie Ann, William, Robert E., John and Carrie. Mr. Anderson is a staunch Republican in politics, and he and family worship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).