My Genealogy Hound

J. C. ANDERSON, farmer, Sewickley, is a son of Hon. Robert Anderson, who was born March 23, 1776, in Lancaster county, Pa., where his ancestors were counted among the pioneers, being of Scotch-Irish extraction. Early in life he went to Washington county, where he farmed, and soon became a leading spirit in every good enterprise. In 1808 he was elected sheriff of that county, and served three years. In 1811 he was elected to the house of representatives, and re-elected the following year. He took an active part in the work at home during the war of 1812. He was identified with the democratic party, and was its recognized leader in his county. In 1825 he came to Leet township, Allegheny county, and was justice of the peace here for many years, residing on the old Leet farm. He afterward bought the farm where our subject now resides, and on which he met his death by accident, November 11, 1836, while doing an act of charity, hauling a load of wood to a poor widow, and on going down hill the ox cart upset with him and broke his neck. Hon. Robert Anderson was twice married. His first wife, nee Elizabeth Agnew, died, leaving four children: Samuel, Robert, Eliza and Bryce C. His second wife, nee Jemima Taylor, was born February 4, 1787; she died September 4, 1864. Eight children blessed this union: Margaret, James, Julia, Hattie, William, David, John and Mary. Of these, David has lived on the homestead since 1851.

Our subject was born in 1828 in Leetsdale. He farmed till 1849, when he joined Capt. Ancrum’s Pittsburgh and California Enterprise company, numbering over three hundred persons. They crossed the plains, and he mined for gold a short time in California, where he afterward owned a large stock-ranch. In 1851 he returned to this county, where he followed the river for twenty years. Since 1865 he has made his home on his homestead. He was married in Cincinnati to Miss Rose Hinton, a native of Pittsburgh, and eight children have been born to them: Elizabeth (wife of Rev. F. Peters), Robert, John, Mrs. Julia Fleming, Mrs. Hattie Varro, David, William and Samuel Anderson.