ABSALOM ANDERSON

ANDERSON, FAREALL, CISSNA, COLEMAN, MANHARD, CLAY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/29/2019 at 15:23:08

ABSALOM ANDERSON—We shall, in the following sketch, confine our-self to the more important events of his life. Instead of particularizing we shall give on the salient features of his life and character. He was born on the 13th day of September, 1809, in Ann Arundel County, Md. He is the second son and second child of a family of five brothers and four sisters, of who eight are living. One brother died in 1842 from injuries received in a saw mill. His father, Joshua Anderson, was a native of the same State and county. He died in 1859 at the ripe old age of fifty-six. As indicated by the name, he was of Scotch origin. Mr. Anderson’s mother’s maiden name was Sarah Fareall. She also was a native if Ann Arundel County, is yet alive and enjoys vigorous health at the venerable age of ninety. She is if English extraction; therefore the subject of this sketch is of Scotch-English lineage.

In 1812, when in his third year, his parents left their native State, and moved to Ohio. They first located in Belmont County where they lived eight years. They then moved to Coshocton County. There Mr. Anderson’s father died. In 1841, Mr. Anderson migrated to this State. He selected this county in preference to any other, and located where he now lives, in Harrison township.

Mr. Anderson received a tolerably good education in the common, but not free schools. Although not a finished scholar, yet he has an education that fits him remarkably well for his active business life. As a farmer, his present surroundings show an unexcelled prosperity. As a man of business, we can but refer to those with whom he has had dealings. His father being a farmer, he was obliged to pursue the course followed by thousands of our youth at the present day—work in the summer, and go to school in the winter. In 1834, November 13, he was married to Flora Cissna. Seven children were born to them—six sons and one daughter. William H. died in the army with a congestive chill, and George N. was killed in the battle of Pea Ridge. Hugh died July 25, 1849. Robert was also in the Service. He served three years in the Nineteenth Infantry. July 18, 1849, Mrs. Anderson departed this life from the effects of cholera. She was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, and her death was mourned by them all.

In 1850, June 23, he was married to Emeline Coleman. Two children were born, both of whom are living. September 17, 1869, the family and friends were again saddened by the death of his second wife, caused by cancer. November 16, 1871, Mr Anderson was married to Mary A. Manhard.

Politically, Mr. Anderson is a radical Republican, -radical, not because he is a strong party man, but because he is a warm supporter of certain unchangeable principles, and these are advocated by none but the party to which he belongs. His first vote for President was polled for Henry Clay, the Whig candidate. He remained a member of the Whig party until the birth of the Republican party in 1856, when he joined its ranks, and, true to himself and party, he has remained one ever since. To-day, as he looks back over his political career, it is with a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow, - of joy, because it is done without recalling any act which he regrets, or any principle advocated which would impeach his integrity; of sorrow, because he saw actions and movements not in keeping with honor, and free from criticism. During the war he showed his loyalty by sending three sons to fight, two of whom lost their lives in the struggle for the preservation of the Union. He was among those who instead of confining their work to speaking, extended it to acting. That he has always been a straightforward, honest politician, working for the interests of his people instead of self, has been shown by the people asking him with their votes to serve them in office. Soon after his arrival in the state, he was chosen to the office of Justice of the Peace, which he held for sixteen years. In 1864, he was elected Representative to the State Legislature. At the present writing, he is a candidate, nominated by the Republican Convention for the Legislature. He has also served as County Supervisor. Mr. Anderson is also a member of the Grangers. He opines that they can benefit the condition of the yeomanry only by purging their society of all party movements, and all work in unison in the election of good men to office. Financially, as in every other respect, his life has been a signal success. At the age of twenty-eight, his property was worth $5,000. Besides. He owned a half-interest in a lucrative business. When the financial crisis of 1837 came, he lost it all, and was obliged to close his business. He was almost penniless. His wife had a little property, so when they arrived in this county, they owned a few household utensils, a team and wagon, and $34 in cash, after he had entered 240 acres of wild land. He now owns about 600 acres besides giving 400 to his children. He has one of the best houses in that section of the country, a view of which appears in thus work. He lives in easy circumstances, in the midst of a large family, with whom to spend the remainder of his useful life.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer