My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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MICHAEL R. ANDERSON, who is now serving as Alderman from the Second Ward, having been elected on the Democratic ticket in 1893, is one of the valued employes of the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Sedalia. In 1883 he became Yard Clerk in the Yard Master’s office in the employ of this railroad corporation, and later became the Yard Master’s Chief Clerk. Since 1889 he has been Rate Clerk in the freight office, and in the twelve years of his service for the company has not lost more than eight weeks’ time altogether from his post of duty He is Chairman of the Committees on Ordinances and Claims, and is a member of several others, including the Finance Committee. A leading politician, he is a member of the County Democratic Central Committee, and is City Committeeman from the Second Ward.

Born in Shakerstown, Ohio, November 20, 1865, our subject is the son of Richard and Margaret (Kelley) Anderson, both natives of Ireland. The former, whose father died in the Emerald Isle, emigrated to the United States with his mother in boyhood, locating in Ohio. For a few years he was employed in agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye State, and in 1869 came to Missouri and made his home on a farm four miles west of Sedalia for some time. Then, moving to this city, he has since been one of its most respected residents, and for two years served acceptably as Street Commissioner.

Michael R. Anderson is the eldest of six children, only three of whom are living. He was reared in Sedalia, obtained a common-school education, and from the time he was fourteen years of age has made his own way in the world. In 1879 he found employment as a clerk and delivery boy in a queensware establishment in Sedalia, but later left this position to take a position with the railroad company. At the spring election of 1895 he was the only Democrat elected on the city ticket. Both he and his parents are members of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church. Fleur de Lis Division No. 7, U. R. K. P., claims Mr. Anderson as one of its members.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Pettis County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Pettis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Pettis County, Missouri family biographies here: Pettis County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Pettis County, Missouri here: Pettis County, Missouri Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.