My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. ANDERSON was formerly one of the foremost citizens of Warrensburg, and for a great many years was identified with the banking institutions of this place. He did much toward the upbuilding of this county, and was especially influential in getting the Missouri Pacific Railroad to place its line through the city. Through his industrious and self-reliant qualities he won an honored position in the business and social world, and rapidly worked his way upward from the humble ranks of life. It was in 1838 that he first took up his abode in Warrensburg, and the next year he was appointed Deputy-Sheriff, holding that position until 1841. In 1848 he was elected by the Democratic party, with which he always affiliated, to the post of County Treasurer, the duties of which responsible place he faithfully filled for many years.

The progenitor of this branch of the Anderson family in America emigrated from Scotland to Virginia, where he lived on a farm until he was one hundred and one years of age. His son, John Anderson, was born in Bedford County, Va., and there grew to manhood. The lady who became his wife was a native of Wythe County, Va., and they made their home in Campbell County during the remainder of their lives. John Anderson was called to his final rest in 1858, and it is known that at least two of his sons came to Missouri, one of them, William H., the subject of this article. He left his native state about five years prior to his father’s death, and traveled the entire distance to Johnson County on horseback. He was without much capital except good health and a manly resolution to succeed by honest labor. For some time he made rails, like the immortal Lincoln, and was not above doing whatever he could find to do whereby he could make an honest dollar. At length he obtained a situation as a clerk in a general store, and after he had filled his term of service as Deputy-Sheriff in Warrensburg, was again employed for a few years as a clerk. He was saving and careful of his funds, and at last embarked in business for himself His honest methods and business-like ways won for him the praise of his patrons, and he rapidly made progress on the road to wealth. Selling out his store, he became connected with the branch of the Union Bank of Missouri, which was about that time established here, and ere long his superior business ability became recognized and he was elected Cashier. During the dark days which were forerunners of the war, it became expedient to close the bank, and Mr. Anderson was entrusted with the dangerous duty of conveying the money to the home bank in St. Louis, but managed to accomplish the task successfully. When the war clouds rolled away he engaged in merchandising in Cass County, Mo., but in 1869 returned to Warrensburg and was made Cashier of the Johnson County Savings Bank, which he was instrumental in organizing. However, a few years later he again engaged in mercantile pursuits, for which he seemed specialy adapted.

February 4, 1844, William Anderson wedded Mary A. Davis, who was born in Kentucky, and came to this county with her parents in childhood. To their union were born ten children, several of whom are yet living. Aside from a few years spent in St. Louis and in Cass County, Mo., the family always lived in Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the former was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His death occurred December 24, 1892, and the demise of his wife occurred a few years prior to that time. Their memory is still cherished by hosts of their old friends, and by their children, whom they reared to lives of usefulness, and who are now respected in the several communities wherein they dwell.