A[bihu] T. ANDERSON, farmer, section 12, Lott's Creek Township, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, July 2, 1838. His parents were William and Sarah Ann (HULTZ) ANDERSON, and they reared a family of eight children.

He was reared on a farm within three miles of Spencer, the county seat of Owen County. He received his education at the Spencer Academy. He was married December 22, 1859 [Owen Co. IN], to Miss Jane E. MADARIS, a native of Owen County, Indiana, daughter of Jonathan H. and Sarah Ann (KING) MADARIS.

During the late Rebellion Mr. ANDERSON was among those who went forth in defense of the old flag. March 22, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry. He was in the engagements at Kingston, Goldsboro, Bentonville, at the surrender of Johnston at Raleigh, and several others. He was honorably discharged September 5, 1865, at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and returned to his home in Owen County, to engage in the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture.

In the fall of 1875 he came to Ringgold County, and settled upon his present farm in Lott's Creek, which was then in a wild state. He has 120 acres, consisting mostly of rich bottom land. It is well watered and well adapted to stock or grain. He has a comfortable house, barn, orchard of seventy-five trees, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. ANDERSON are the parents of seven children - William H., Melinda Ora, Emery, Charles, Emma, Mollie and Laura.

Mr. ANDERSON served one term as township assessor, and at present is a justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 416, Caledonia; is also a member of Lodge No. 293, I. O. O. F., Caledonia. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. ANDERSON is well known as an honest, upright and an industrious man. Post office, Caledonia.

NOTE: A. T. ANDERSON died at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 23 days, August 25, 1908, Lotts Creek Twp., Ringgold County, Iowa. Jane E. (MADARIS) ANDERSON was died at the age of 61 years and 24 days, Lotts Creek Twp., Ringgold County, Iowa. Jane and A. T. were interred at Ringgold Cemetery, Lotts Creek Township of Ringgold County, Iowa. A. T. and Jane were the parents of known children:

1) William H. ANDERSON, born circa 1861, IN
2) Emmet Richard ANDERSON, born circa 1863, IN
3) Charles F. ANDERSON, born circa 1866, IN
4) Marlinda or Melinda "Orie" ANDERSON, born circa 1868, IN
5) Sarah "Emma" ANDERSON, born Mar 1870, IN
6) Mollie ANDERSON, born circa 1874
7) Laura ANDERSON, born circa 1879

Jane's father Jonathan H. MEDARIS was born December 26, 1809, and died September 1, 1881. Jane's mother was Jonathan's second wife, Sarah Ann KING.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 281-81, 1887.

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Database

Amercian Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com

1870 Federal Census, Montgomery Owen Co. IN; 1880 Federal Census, Lott's Creek, Ringgold Co. IA

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z