Anderson, John w.

John W. Anderson was born at Attica, N. Y. on July 7, 1814. His father Isaac Anderson was of Scotch extraction, and his mother, Catherine VanHorn, was of Holland descent. His two grandfathers fought in the war of the Revolution, one one the American side, and the other, VanHorn, with the British troops. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, ith the exception of one summer, when he worked for a builder in Attica. In the year 1835, his father came to Michigan and bought land of John Husted, and also took up some government land. In the fall of 1836, J. W. Anderson came to Michigan with his parents, brother and sisters. They came up Lake Erie by boat, landing at the foot of Woodward Avenue, Detroit, when that city was a village of perhaps 2,000 inhabitants. They then proceeded by teams through the almost impassable mud of the Michigan roads, the same road over which the electric cars now carry passengers between Detroit and Pontiac. On October 20, 1836, they reached their future home, a log house on the farm now owned by James Scott. They soon bilt a large frame house, where the residence of E. S. Babcock now stands. Mr. Anderson lived there with his parents until 1842, when he was married to Ann Moore of Rose township. He then built and moved into a part of his late residence, where he has lived since. His life's story is closely allied with the history of the Presbyterian Church of Springfield. He was one of the little band of Christians, who, in 1845 organized a church society at Springfield village. This society existed but a short time. He then attended services at White Lake, until July 1857, when the present church organization was formed, which has had his personal and official support up to the time of his death. He was an elder until 1897, when his infirmities forbade his further attendance of divine worship. In 1837 he aws present and assisted at the organization of the township of Springfield, and has voted at all the elections up to 1898, record of 61 consecutive years voting in the same precinct. He considered the matter of suffrage a duty which must not be neglected. In politics, he was first a whig, casting his initial vote for Wm H. Harrison in 1836, remaining so until 1860 when he became a republican, steadily believing in the principles of that party until his death. He had six children, two of whom, George and Sarah, after reaching years of maturity, preceded him to the better land. The other four, Julius S., Howard C., Mrs G. L. Curtis of Clio, Mrs. E. Foster of Springfield, were with him during his last days. His characteristics are ell known. In the household, of which he was the head, his word, aided by the counsels of a faithful wife, was law. Reared in the old Puritan style, he expected unquestioned obedience from his children and employees. He taught them that plain food and a reasonable amount of labor were the best highways to health. In his dealings with his fellow men, he was strictly honest expecting what was due an no more. He was charitable to the needy and faithful to his friends. A man of few words, of strong will and iron constitution, a believer in fate, who thought he would not pass away until his hour arrived. He met death as he faced life, silently and without complaint. During his last months, although the strong mind wavered and some of his senses lost their acuteness, he suffered little pain, and passed peacefully away in the early morning hours of January 26, 1899. His funeral was held at the Presbyterian church, Andersonville, Jan 28, 1899, Rev. Sutherland officiating and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Andersonville, near his old home.