Lee County >> 1887 Index

Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa
Chicago:  Chapman Brothers, 1887

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Linda Brandt.

JOSEPH G. ANDERSON, A. M., a prominent and popular attorney of Keokuk, is a native of Ohio , born in Cincinnati , Aug. 30, 1848 . He is the son of Robert James and Mary Jane (Whitney) Anderson , and came with his parents to the Hawkeye State in 1857. They made their first location in Keokuk and here he received his early education. From 1860 to 1867 he lived on a farm in Clark County , Mo. Afterward he entered the State University of Missouri at Columbia , in 1867, taking a full classical course, and graduating from there in 1873, having been admitted to the bar two years previously, in 1871. He commenced the practice of his profession at Keokuk, and has been associated in partnership with several of the leading attorneys of the city. He is at present a member of the law firm which does business under the title of Anderson, Davis & Hagarman. He has confined his attention principally to chancery cases, otherwise following a general practice, with the exception of criminal cases. He is a Republican in politics and has been prominent in the local councils of his party, having been a delegate several times to various important conventions. He has steadily declined to become the incumbent of any office, but has occupied the position of City Attorney for two years.

Mr. Anderson's education has been acquired mainly by his own efforts. He was remarkably studious and industrious, and taught school for some time in order to obtain funds to purchase books and to complete his full course of study. He has occupied a position as teacher in the State University of Missouri, and in the practice of his profession has met with fine success, the firm of which he is a member being the most popular and successful in the city. Mr. Anderson has invested largely of his means in real estate in Keokuk.

The marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Emily Tomlinson was celebrated Sept. 22, 1876 . Mrs. A. is the daughter of W. E. Tomlinson, of Burlington , and was born in Kentucky , Oct. 31, 1856 . Of this union there have been born five children, as follows: Joseph R., Emily T., James T., Mary and William E.

Mr. Anderson has a genuine love for learning, and even amid the duties of his profession gives time to the study of logical and metaphysical subjects, and has been the author of some articles written for the �Journal of Speculative Philosophy.� He was for many years connected with the Keokuk Law School as Professor of Code Pleadings, Law of Corporations, etc. He is a member of the American Bar Association, and has been connected with every important law case tried at Keokuk for the last ten years. His firm is counsel for all the important corporations in the city, and has built up an extensive and popular business.

Mr. Anderson, occupies a fine residence in one of the pleasantest parts of the city, and his home within and without, bears evidence of refinement and ample means. Socially Mr. and Mrs. A. occupy an enviable position, and represent the culture and breeding of the first=class residents of Keokuk.

JEREMY G. ANDERSON, a prominent and successful farmer of Montrose Township , is pleasantly located on section 13. He is a native of Lee County , born March 3, 1846 , five months after the death of his father, Jeremiah G. Anderson, Sr. His mother was Miss Eliza Hampton before her marriage, and both the parents of our subject were natives of Kentucky . The father's death took place in September, 1845, and it is supposed that he was poisoned by the Mormons. He was then living across the river from Nauvoo, and was greatly opposed to the faith of the Latter-Day Saints. His three brothers living in the same vicinity, died within two weeks of each other, in 1846. Mrs. Eliza Anderson, the mother of our subject, was born in 1819, survived her husband forty-one years, and died Aug. 27, 1886 . By her union with Mr. Anderson she became the mother of three children: William H., died at Pike's Peak in about 1861; Sarah J. was married to George B. Katlin, and Jeremy, the youngest, is the subject of our sketch.

Mr. Anderson remained with his mother during his childhood years, and after attaining to manhood was united in marriage with Miss Liberty Kite, the wedding occurring Nov. 3, 1867 . Mrs. Anderson is the daughter of John and Angeline (Graham) Kite, and was born Aug. 20, 1850 . Her parents were natives of Kentucky , and are still living in Summitville , Iowa . The household circle of Mr. And Mrs. Anderson includes eight children: John H., born in 1868; J. C., May 25, 1872 ; Jeremy G. in 1873; Clara, in 1876; Ralph, Aug. 3, 1877 ; Raymond, March 11, 1880 ; Earl L. and Sarah E., twins, were born Feb. 28, 1886 .

Mr. Anderson is the possessor of 196 acres of finely cultivated land. He has a handsome farm dwelling, with good barns and outhouses (a view of which is shown in this work), all the necessary farm machinery and implements, and everything required to carry on agriculture in a first-class manner. He is a man of good standing in his community, and belongs to Joppa Lodge No. 136, at Montrose, is a Good Templar, and also member of the Eastern Star Chapter at Montrose. Politically he is an uncompromising Democrat, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of his party.