Among the many large hearted Englishmen to whom the fertile prairies of Illinois proved not only a pleasant home but a source of merited reward was William Anderson whose death April 22, 1896 served to recall to his friends and associates his numerous admirable traits of character and untiring devotion to the general public welfare.  His youth and early manhood were associated with the place of his birth in Northumberland County, England his natal day having been April 3, 1815.  After availing himself of the advantages of the public schools he learned and followed the trade of a miller with considerable success and was thus employed until the emigration of himself and family to the United States in 1844.  In 1836 he married Jane Hall also a native of Northumberland County and of this union there were seven children:  Edward who is deceased; Joseph; Jane; Mary; William; Isabella and John H.  Edward who was a farmer by occupation died at his home in Akron Township June 4, 1900.  The family were represented in the Civil War by the gallant services of Joseph Anderson who served from 1861 until the close of the conflict. 

In America, William Anderson located first in Peoria and in 1851 began a five years’ farming experience in Medina Township where occurred the death of Mrs. Anderson June 2, 1874.  In 1887 Mr. Anderson then seventy0two years of age retired from active life and with his daughter Isabella settled in Lawn Ridge where his latter days were spent in peace and tranquility.  He was a financier of more than ordinary ability and possessed the fine faculty of being able to grasp the opportunities within reach of his industry.

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