DR. JOHN M. ANDERSON

ANDERSON, MILES, HORN, CRANE

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:12:49

DR. JOHN M. ANDERSON is the pioneer physician of the Old School in Linn County, and was the first physician of this kind to make a permanent location in the village of Montrose. He crossed the Father of Waters in 1833, while Iowa was yet a Territory, and with his parents came first to Dubuque. His father, not being satisfied with the outlook, went back to Illinois, and remained there until 1836. Then he retraced his steps and located in Van Buren County, Iowa, and in 1816 came to Montrose, which he made his home until his death.

Dr. John M. Anderson is a native of Montgomery County, Ky., the date of his birth being July 11, 1818. His parents were William and Francis (Anderson) Anderson. The father was born in 1790, and departed this life in Montrose, in 1863. His wife, born in 1790, survived her husband twelve years, dying in 1875. The parental household consisted of five children, of whom the record is as follows; Henry B. was a soldier in the Mexican War and died in the army; B. F. died in Ft. Madison, Iowa, some years ago; John, the subject of our sketch, was the second son; I. N. is deceased, and his remains are interred at Keokuk; H. B. went into the late war and has not been heard from since.

The marriage of John M. Anderson and Miss Eleeta Miles was celebrated on New Year's Day, 1843. Mrs. A. Was born Oct. 8, 1819, and is the daughter of David S. and Eleeta Miles, a prominent family in Vermont, who left their native State and emigrated to Iowa at an early date in its history. Of this union four children have been born, the record being as follows: Flora J. Became the wife of C. M. Horn, who is now deceased; Lillie C. marred L. F. Crane, and he is also deceased; Josephine and Frank P. are unmarried. These young people are well educated, being graduates of Montrose public schools.

Dr. Anderson received his primary education at Quincy, Ill., and while a young man engaged in teaching in Van Buren County, Iowa. He remained thus occupied for two years, and in 1827 engaged in the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Miles, of Vermont, with whom he remained for three years. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Van Buren County, Iowa removing to Lee County in 1844. He is a student of the regular Allopathic School, and in his professional duties, covering a period of forty-two years in this locality, has met with marked success. He has been a prominent man in his county, and is now holding the position of Treasurer. He has also served as a member of the Iowa Legislature for two terms, the duties of which office he transacted with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was first elected on the Democratic ticket, and was his own successor in the office the second term by the votes of both parties.

Dr. Anderson has been Mayor of Montrose for eight terms, and has served as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. The educational interests of this vicinity have received material aid at his hands, he having served as School Trustee and occupied other important positions among the educational interests of Lee County. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has received all of the degrees of the Subordinate Lodge of that order. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., has taken the Royal Arch degrees, and filled the Chair in the East, in Blue Lodge, for several years. Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically is an uncompromising Democrat.

When Dr. Anderson first came into the Hawkeye State, it was a Territory, peopled principally by wild animals and Indians, the Sacs and Foxes being very numerous. He witnessed the stabbing of Keokuk by one of the Blackhawk tribe, and dressed his wounds, and upon more than one occasion he had conversation with Black Hawk, the celebrated chief. The experience of this honored old pioneer would fill an interesting volume, and the changes which have transpired since he first crossed the Father of Waters have been witnessed by him with intense satisfaction and delight. Not only was he a witness of the development and growth of the Hawkeye State, but he assisted materially in the advance of civilization in this section by his sensible and intelligent advice and his more material aid whenever opportunity afforded, and as one of the band of choice and brave spirits who first assisted in marking out a path for civilization, he is held in peculiar veneration and respect.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887
 
Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887