Levi Anderson
ANDERSON, JOHNSON, HARBAUGH, BONNETTE, DEAL, NELSON, WHARTON
Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 21:54:42
From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
LEVI ANDERSON
Levi Anderson owns and operates two hundred and seventeen acres of land on Section 34, Lick Creek Township, Van Buren County, where has been his home for many years. Stoddard M. Anderson, the grandfather of our subject, established the family in America. He left Ireland, the land of his nativity in the days of his young manhood and crossed the Atlantic to America. He settled in Pennsylvania, and there married Ellen Johnson. When the Revolutionary War broke out he was among the first to take up arms against the mother country, and fought at the famous battle of Bunker Hill. His wife’s relatives were also in the same struggle. Mr. Anderson was a mechanic by trade, and spent the greater part of his active life in the Keystone State. In 1831 he removed to Ohio, where his death occurred in 1862. His wife survived him and died near Birmingham Iowa.
John Anderson, the father of our subject, was born in Somerset County Pennsylvania, February 15, 1819, but was reared to manhood on his father’s farm in Ohio. In Holmes County, that State, on February 27, 1841, he wedded Elizabeth Harbaugh a native of Ohio, after which he began his life in earnest, continuing his farm operations in the Buckeye State until 1846, when, accompanied by his family, he immigrated to the new State of Iowa, locating near Birmingham, Van Buren County. He at first rented land, but as his financial resources increased, purchased a farm. The prairie was then open, and one could ride miles without coming across a fence or settlement to impede his progress. Mr. Anderson continued to reside in Van Buren County until 1880, when he sold out and removed to Kansas, but the year 1889 witnessed his return and he is now living in Lick Creek Township, a respected citizen of that community. His wife died on February 17, 1873, and her death was the occasion of sincere grief on the part of many friends. Their children were as follows: Levi, of this sketch; Benjamin, who enlisted in the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry during the late war, and died in the service; Josiah, of Birmingham; Mary E., wife of G.W. Bonnette, of Union Township Van Buren County; Charles F. living in Kansas, Elizabeth, wife of George deal of Birmingham; James of Kansas; Samantha, wife of Israel Bonnette, of Union Township; and Annie, wife of Melvin Nelson, who resides near Birmingham.
Our subject has passed almost his entire life in Van Buren County. Only four years of age at the time, he yet retains a recollection of the journey to Iowa, which was made by team, across the country. His childhood days were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads, and until twenty years of age he remained under the parental roof but at that time he bade good-bye to home and friends to enter the service of his country. His educational advantages had been limited, and were somewhat restricted by his enlistment, but with the blood of Revolutionary heroes flowing in his veins, he could not but respond to his patriotic impulses, and on August 15, 1862, became a member of Company D, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry. The first engagement in which he participated was an attack on Vicksburg, which was followed by the battle of Arkansas Post and Jackson Mississippi. Then came the long and trying siege of Vicksburg, which lasted two nights, and during which Mr. Anderson’s regiment lost heavily. Later occurred the charge on Ft. Gibson, which was followed by the battle of Cherokee Station, where the Colonel of the regiment and the Captain of the Company D, were killed together with many men. Mr. Anderson then took part in the “Battle Above the Clouds,” with Hooker, followed by the engagements at Missionary Ridge and Ringgold. Under Gen. Sherman he fought at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, and participated in the siege and capture of Atlanta, where he was taken sick and sent back to the hospital. He was discharged June 17, 1865, after having served three years, in which he participated in some twenty battles. He faithfully performed his duty throughout the entire service, but came out of the army with impaired health, and has never regained the strength of former years.
The first land, which Mr. Anderson owned was a one hundred and twenty-acre tract given him by his father. This he began to operate in 1866, and the same year on March 15, he married Miss Margaret Jane Wharton, a native of Ohio. They have become parents of seven children: Flora, born March 1, 1867, died at the age of nineteen; Ella, born November 13, 1869; Frank, March 12, 1871; Zachariah, October 2, 1874; Lewis June 7, 1876; Roy November 6, 1880; and Lola March 15; 1883.
Mr. Anderson’s farm of one hundred and twenty acres he has increased to a two hundred and seventeen acre tract, and the greater part of the improvements, which we find thereon stand as monuments of his own thrift and industry. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Like a true American citizen he feels an interest in political affairs, has frequently attended the conventions of his party and labors for its success, but has never sought or desired public preferment for himself.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.
See Correction to Above Bio
Van Buren Biographies maintained by Rich Lowe.
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