B. H. ANDERSON, farmer, P. O. Jonesboro, was born January 5, 1838, in Union County. His father, Preston Anderson, may be classed among the pioneers who came here when the settlements were few, and the forest was filled with wild beasts, and the prairies abounded with game. He was born in 1809, in Tennessee, and died November, 1875, in this county. When quite young, he was left an orphan. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married in Tennessee to Lucinda Williams, who was born in 1815 in Tennessee. She died in 1867 in this county. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom ten reached the age of maturity. Her son, Benjamin H., was the fifth child. He received a common school education in this county, where he also enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company D of the One Hundred and Ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was afterward transferred to the Eleventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was mustered out October 10, 1864, on the White River, Ark. While in the One Hundred and Ninth Regiment, he was promoted from Orderly Sergeant to First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Yazoo City, Clinton, Miss., and Jackson, Miss. Our subject was joined in matrimony, November 7, 1864, in Jonesboro, to Miss Serena Armstrong, born September 18, 1844, in this county. She is a daughter of Calvin and Mary A. (McElhaney) Armstrong, who were born in Union County, Ill., where they also died when Mrs. Anderson was quite young. Mrs. Anderson is the mother of four children now living, viz.: Henry H., who was born October 6, 1865; Charles H., born June 9, 1868; Fannie, born February 28, 1871; William S., born January 15, 1881. Mr. Anderson has over 200 acres of land, of which over eighty acres are in the corporation of Jonesboro. He is a Knight of Honor, Jonesboro Lodge, No. 1,891. In 1883, he was elected Alderman of Jonesboro. In politics, he is connected with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 92.
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