Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 227

CAPT. JOHN W. ANDERSON, a prominent farmer residing on section 30, Sweetland Township, was born March 13, 1834, in Greene County, Ind., and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth V. ( Burkirk ) Anderson. He was the youngest in a family of five children, of whom the other members were: Mary, Sarah, Amanda, and Josephine. In 1839 he came with his father to Muscatine County, but in 1843 returned to the home of his boyhood, where he remained until 1857, when he again returned to this county, and has here since continues to reside. In the month of October, 1861, he wedded Miss Rosa, daughter of John and Rosalie Beam, of Wilton, Iowa. Her death occurred in 1864, at the age of twenty-five years. Mr. Anderson was again married, Miss Irena Colbert, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Colbert, becoming his wife. To them have been born four children: Charles, born April 21, 1867; Noah O., Jan. 21, 1873; Nellie May, May1, 1875, and Lettie E., June 9, 1880; all yet at home.

Almost before the echoes of the guns of Ft. Sumter had died away, Mr. Anderson enlisted in his country's service at Boonville, MO., becoming a member of Company C, 1st Iowa Infantry, June 15, 1861. The regiment was stationed at Boonvile, Mo., marching 300 miles overland to Lost Creek, where they went into camp at that city, remaining there about ten days, after which time they went to Dug Springs, about thirty-five miles distant, where they engaged in a heavy skirmish. Returning to camp, they remained there until the 9th of August, 1861, and on the morning of the 10th met the enemy at Wilson's Creek, where an engagement was brought on, the rebel forces being commanded by Gens. Price and McCullough. The Union men were forced to retreat to Springfield, and from there to Rolla, a distance of 125 miles. Remaining at Rolla one day, they then proceeded to St. Louis by rail, where, their three-months term of enlistment having expired, they were discharged. Mr. Anderson arrived at home Aug. 20, 1861, and eight days later responded to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers, and on Sept. 28 went into Camp McClellan, near Davenport. While there he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company A, 11th Iowa Infantry, under Col. A. M. Hare. With the regiment he went on the steamer " Kate Castle" to Benton Barracks, Mo., arriving there November, 1861, and in December went by rail to Jeffersonville, in the same State. On the 24th of that month the regiment was divided, half of it going to California, Mo. Our subject was one of this number, and remained there until the 10th of March, 1862, at which time he was ordered back to St. Louis, goiing from there by transports to the seat of war. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., and then into camp, remaining until the morning of April 6, when the army was attacked by Gens. Johnston and Beauregard, the battle of Shiloh then taking place. Mr. Anderson was there wounded in the left temple, causing him to be off duty thirty days. Having recovered sufficiently, he rejoined his regment and participated in the siege of Corinth, after which, in the month of September, they marched twenty miles to Iuka. Before the battle which there occurred, Lieut. Anderson was commissioned Captain, Aug. 20, 1862. On the 2d of October the battle of Corinth occurred, and later came the battle of Memphis, Tenn., which was followed by the siege of Vicksburg. The regiment veteranized at Vicksburg, and then proceeded on the Meridian Raid.

In March 1864, Capt. Anderson came home on a veteran furlough with the veterans of the regiment, then went to Davenport, where he took the cars for Cairo, Ill., from there to Clifton, Tenn., thence marched to Rome, Ga., 500 miles. Going to Kenesaw Mountain, he joined the Army of the Cumberland, and on the 10th of June participated in the battle at that place. Seven days passed and another engagement was brought on, which was followed by the battle of Atlanta, July 22, and the battle of Ezra Church July 28. After the fall of Atlanta the army went into camp, and Capt. Anderson was ordered to Camp McClellin, Iowa, to take charge of 200 drafted men, with whom he returned to Marietta, Ga.,in October. On the 3rd of November, 1864, he started with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. At the fall of Savannah, Ga., the regiment went into camp at King's Bridge, remaining until December 18, when he resigned his commission, but remained with the army until April, 1865, and then took a steamer for Fortress Monroe. The vessel was shipwrecked at Cape Hatteras, and he did not arrive at Fortress Monroe until the 8th of April. From there he went to Baltimore, and thence to Washington, then returned home, having spent four years in the service of his country.

Capt. Anderson and his wife are members of the Baptist Church of Muscatine. Socially, he is a member of the G.A.R., and is a Master Mason. He has a handsome residence situated on the banks of the Mississippi, commanding a view of one of the most beautiful landscapes to be found in the valley. His farm comprises 100 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. Since his return from the service he has given his entire attention to its improvement.

Excellent portraits of Capt. and Mrs. Anderson accompany this brief sketch.


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