History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 418, Astoria Township
John W. Anderson, Justice of the Peace and teacher, is a native
of Fulton Co., and was born in the year 1842. He is a son of John
G. Anderson, who is well known in this portion of Fulton Co., was born
in Kentucky in 1815, and in 1835 came to Fulton Co., wher he purchased
farm property. Our subject remained upon the farm homestead until
he attained his 14th year, when he accompanied his parents to Wapello,
Iowa, where he was liberally educated, and for a period of 10 years was
a teacher in the public schools. He finished his education at
Howe's Normal School, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He then embarked in
business with J. H. Coulter in the boot and show trade. At the
end of one year he retired from this business and began farming.
In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie, daughter of
Franklin Fackler. One year ago Mr. A. became a permanent resident of
Astoria, and embarked in business with Samuel and Thomas Fackler,
dealing in farming implements. He was soon chosen principal of
the public schools of the town. He has held numerous local
offices here, and while a residence of Iowa was nominated for a seat in
the Legislature and defeated by only a small majority. Charles
and Harry are children born of the marriage above referred to.
