EDWIN M. ANDERSON, member of the County Board of Supervisors and president of the Rushville Village Board, first saw the light of day in Louisburg, Greenbrier county, Virginia, April 1, 1837. His father, James L. Anderson, was a native of Scotland, "the land of cakes," and the home of Robert Burns, the greatest amatory poet the world has ever known. The grandfather of our subject was also a native of Scotland, in which historic land he passed his entire life. His widow, however, came to America, and spent her last years with her son, James L., in Rushville. She reared four children, of whom our subject's father was the only one to cross the Atlantic to America. When a young man he learned the trade of a silversmith, and upon his arrival here lived for a short time in North Carolina, thence going to Louisburgh, Virginia, where he married. In 1848 he moved with his wife and infant child to Illinois, coming via the Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois rivers to Erie, Schuyler county, thence by team to Rushville. He followed his trade for a short time and then founded a weekly newspaper, which he conducted successfully for eight or ten years. During this time he studied law and was admitted to the bar, and for a time was associated in practice with Judge Bagby. He resided here until his death in 1865. His wife, and the mother of our subject, was Maria W. Moore. Her parents were Samuel and Jane (Matthews) Moore, natives of Virginia, as was also their daughter Maria. The latter passed away February 21, 1872. James L. Anderson was formerly a Whig, but later became a Democrat. He was a man of more than usual ability and strength of character, and served several years as Police Magistrate and Probate Judge. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and served as Grand Secretary and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State, a distinction conferred upon him by reason of his intelligence and high character. His four children were named Edwin M., Bessie, Edgar and Porter, the two latter being deceased.

Edwin M. Anderson was reared and educated in Rushville, and resided here continuously until 1862, when in July of that year he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the Red River campaign under General Banks, and with the movements at Nashville under General Thomas. He was engaged in all the arduous duties, campaigns and battles participated in by his regiment, passing through it all with gallantry and patriotism until he was discharged in August, 1865. Upon his return home he secured employment as bookkeeper for the firm of Little & Ray, and remained in their employ continuously for fourteen years, since which time he has not been engaged in active business. Socially he is a member of the Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A.F. & A.M., and of Rushville Chapter, No. 184, F.A.M. Politically he has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He as elected one term as County Treasurer, and handled the finances of the county in an able and creditable manner. He has served several terms as a member of the County Board and as a member of the building committee appointed to supervise the construction fo the county courthouse. He has shown himself eminently qualified for any office within the gift of his fellow-citizens.