(NOTE: John J. Anderson probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, John, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, did take the time to sit for at least one portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. We see a copy of his picture here. He almost certainly had other copies made at this same time, perhaps even other poses. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
John J. Anderson survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, John probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. If John did have other pictures made while he was in the service or other poses at the same time, I would dearly love to copies of those added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. I would also be thrilled to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Sergeant JOHN J. ANDERSON, Co. K, 86th Illinois

John J. Anderson was one of at least six children born to John Anderson and Hannah (Davis) Anderson. John Anderson Sr. was born in 1792/95 in Pennsylvania, while Hannah is believed to have been born on January 27, 1797 in Pennsylvania. John and Hannah were married on August 14, 1817.
Thirteen children were born to John Anderson Sr. and Hannah (Davis) Anderson including;
1. (Son) ____________ Anderson, born between 1817 and 1820.

2. (Son) ____________ Anderson, born between 1820 and 1825.

3. (?) ____________ Anderson, born between 1817 and 1826.

4. (Daughter) ____________ Anderson, born between 1825 and 1830.

5. Joseph Anderson, born March 18, 1827 in Butler County, Ohio.
A early Stark County history has the following biography;
Joseph Anderson, son of John and Hannah (Davis) Anderson, was born in Butler county, O.. March 18, 1827, to which state his father removed from his native Pennsylvania. About 1821 John married Miss Davis, of Ohio, and for the ten following years made his home there. The family moved to Tazewell county, Ill., in 1831, and there were known among the leading farmers until 1851, when John Anderson retired, selling the farm. Sixteen years later Mr. Anderson, Sr., died in Indiana in his eighty-second year; his widow residing with the children until her death, in 1880, at her son's home in her eighty-third year. Of their thirteen children seven are living. Joseph Anderson, the fifth child in order of seniority, resided with his parents on the farm until twenty-one years of age. At this time he married Miss Susanna McGinness, of Peoria county, remained two years in Tazewell county, then moved to the farm in Peoria county, where for twenty-five years they made their home, prior to their removal to Stark county. Here he built a modern residence for his home and an elevator for the grain trade which he established, together with other buildings, accomplishing as much to build up Stark village as any other one man. Politically he is Republican, in society matters, holds a high place in Odd Fellows circles. His wife is a member of the Congregational church and prominent wherever woman's work is called for. Of their eleven children, George W. is deceased; James W., conductor on C. I. E. R.; Mary J., in Kansas ; Frank M., in Stark ; Sarah E., deceased; John H., engineer at Rock Island; Lewis W., Robert C, and Ulyssus L., in Iowa; Nathan A., here; and Edward E., deceased. U. L. Anderson is yard-master of the Central Iowa Railroad at Keithsburg, Ill. Mr. Anderson is now about sixty years old. He was an infant pioneer of Ohio and came to the military tract of Illinois while it was a wilderness, so that in two states he has passed through the pioneer period, and appears today to be a man of forty rather than sixty summers. Idleness has not brought him this look of youth, for in every part he has taken, whether on the farm, in the grain warehouse, or lumber yard, he has always been a worker. With Mrs. Anderson his home at Stark is a model one.

6. Washington Anderson, born c. 1830/31 in

7. John J. Anderson, born June 28, 1833 in Groveland, Tazewell County, Illinois. See his biography below.

8. Sarah Ann Anderson, born c. 1835 in Illinois.

9. Lucinda Anderson, born c. 1836/37 in Illinois.

10. Warren Anderson, born c. 1840 in Illinois.

11. Mary Anderson, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois.

12. ____________ Anderson, born

13. ____________ Anderson, born

John J. Anderson grew to manhood farming the land in Yazewell County, Illinois beside his father and brothers.
At the time of the 1840 census, the Anderson family is made up of the following;
1 male 40 to 49 (John Anderson Sr.)
1 female 40 to 49 (Hannah Anderson)
1 male 20 to 29
1 male 15 to 19
1 male 10 to 14 (Joseph Anderson)
1 female 10 to 14
2 males 5 to 9 (Washington and John J. Anderson)
2 females 0 to 4 (Sarah and Lucinda Anderson)

At the time of the 1850 census, the family is found in Tazewell County, Illinois;
John Anderson M 58
Hannah Anderson F 53
Washington Anderson M 19
John Anderson M 17
Sarah Ann Anderson M 15
Lucinda Anderson F 13
Warren Anderson M 10
Mary Anderson F 8

At the time of the 1860 census, the family is found residing in Princeville Township in Peoria County, Illinois. On December 11, 1856, John's sister, Lucinda was married to James B. Peet, who would also serve in Co. K of the 86th Illinois. On August 4, 1857, John J. Anderson was married to Amanda Harriet Hall in Peoria County. Amanda was born in 1837 in Ohio, the daughter of ____________ Hall and ____________ (____________) Hall. A total of eight children were born to them, though the names of only five are known at this time. One son is known to have been born to John and Amanda before 1862. That was;
1. Walter N. Anderson, born c. 1859; resided in Kansas City Kansas at the time of his fathers death in 1918.

At the time of the 1860 census, John's mother, Hannah, and brother, Warren are found residing in the Village of Princeville, Illinois in Peoria County;
44 Anderson Warren 20 M farmer IL
44 Anderson Hannah 64 F 210 50 PA

John Anderson Sr. is believed to have died about 1867 in Indiana. At the time of the 1880 census, Hannah Anderson is found widowed and living in Valley, Stark, Illinois with her son Joseph and his family;
Joseph Anderson Self M 53 Ohio
Susan Anderson Wife F 50 Indiana
Robert K Anderson Son M 17 Illinois
Ulyses L Anderson Son M 13 Illinois
Nathan A Anderson Son M 11 Illinois
Hannah Anderson Mother F 83 Pennsylvania
Lewis W Anderson Son M 19 Illinois

Hannah (Davis) Anderson died on August 8, 1880 in Stark County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 26908484.

Now to continue with the biography of John J. Anderson;
On August 7, 1862, John and his younger brother, Warren F. Anderson, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Princeville, Illinois by a Princeville area School Teacher by the name of John F. French. The following day, August 8, 1862, John's Brother-in-law, James B. Peet, also volunteered to serve in the Princeville company.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name ANDERSON, JOHN J
Rank CPL Company K Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 29 Height 5' 10 1/2 Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity GROVELAND, TAZEWELL CO, IL

Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862 Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL
Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks SERGEANT

When French had 100 volunteers he led the Princeville volunteers into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, French and 95 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. French was elected Captain of Co. K. James B. Peet was elected 1st Lieutenant and John J. Anderson was elected 7th Corporal.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Two weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the feld in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, chasing the last Confederate troops in Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering the first of many casualties to come. After the Battle of Perryville, a Union victory, the men of McCook's Brigade headed for Nashville, Tennessee. Warren F. Anderson disappeared from the company when McCook's Brigade reached Danville, Kentucky and he never rejoined the company. He was recorded as a Deserter and he was the only man from Co. K to desert during the war.
During the next three years, Corporal John J. Anderson served faithfully in Co. K and the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, John was witness to and a paricipant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea. During this time, 7th Corporal John J. Anderson was first promoted to 3rd Corporal about April 27, 1863 and is believed to have been elected and promoted to 1st Corporal about July 27, 1864 after the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Then about April 20, 1865, Corporal John J. Anderson was elected and promoted to 4th Sergeant as a testiment to his dedication to service and of his military bearing.
Brother-in-law, James B. Peet, struggled with various illnesses all through the war. He finally resigned from the service on December 24, 1864. After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade moved on toward Washington, D.C. There on June 6, 1865, John was with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service. He then, with the surviving members of Co. K, returned to his home in Princeville Township.
Shortly after returning from the service, John and Amanda moved west, where they first settled in Miami County, Kansas. Later the moved for two years to Bates County, Missouri. This was probably between 1870 and 1877. Then the returned to Kansas where they settled near Drum Creek, Kansas in Montgomery County, very near where they Drum Creek Methodist Episcopal Church is located. At least four more children were born to them, while they were in Kansas. They are;
2. Nellie M. Anderson, born c. 1867 in Kansas

3. Eliza E. Anderson, born c. 1870 in Kansas; married to a Mr. Flanigan and residing in Kansas City, Kansas at the time of her father's death in 1918.

4. Florence Julia Anderson, born in 1875 in Kansas; married to a Mr. Truman and living in Independence, Kansas at the time of her father's death in 1918.

5. Bessie V. Anderson, born in 1879 in Kansas; married to Glen Allen and they were also residing in Independence, Kansas at the time of her father's death in 1918.

John, Amanda and the family are found in Drum Creek at the time of the 1880 census. John is farming for a living. In 1887, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois held a reunion on the 25th anniversary of their being mustered into service. This was the first of what became annual reunions which were held in Peoria ever August of that anniversary. John was not able to make that first reunion, but he came to a number of these reunions through the years. The last reunion that he was able to attend was the reunion of 1915.
The Andersons were very active in helping to raise funds for the Drum Creek Methodist Episcopal Church and attended this church while they lived in Drum Creek. After they got older, John and Amanda eventually moved into Independence, Kansas where they resided at 300 N. Second Street for some time.
At the time of the 1910 census, the Andersons are found in Ward 1 of Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas;
Head John J Anderson M 75 Illinois
Wife Amanda H Anderson F 74 Ohio
Servant Lillie Clark F 19 Kansas

Amanda died there in 1914. Sergeant John J. Anderson died there on February 6, 1918. Their earthly remains were laid to rest in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.
The following obituary for John J. Anderson appeared in the Wednesday, February 13, 1918 edition of the South Kansas Tribune on page 4;
".......PASSING OF SOLDIER - PIONEER.........
The death messenger called for the well-known John J. Anderson Wednesday evening at his old home, 300 North Second street, after confinement at home five weeks. He was born in Tazwell county, Illinois for score and four years, seven months and eight days ago. At the age of 24 years he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Hall in August 1857. To this couple were born eight children, four of whom, W. N Anderson and Mrs. Eliza Flanigan of Kansas City, and Mrs. Florence Truman and Mrs. Bessie Allen, survive their parents. After the passing of his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Allen were called to the old family home where every service possible was rendered.
In the second year of the civil war Mr. Anderson answered President Lincoln's call and enlisted in Company K, 86th Illinois Infantry at Camp Lyon, Peoria, Ill., and served three years and in time of the hardest fought engagements in the South and the command in which he served is said to have "saved the day" at Chickamaugua.
After his discharge, with his wife, they located in Miami county, Kan., and later went to Bates county, Mo., but two years there was enough, and he returned to Kansas and was among the first to locate in what became Drum Creek township and near the now Drum Creek M. E. Chapel, in which he was very active in raising funds for its erection. They were good neighbors, public spirited and helpful, and helped make that the prominent neighborhood. He was also an auctioneer, and for many years held sales in our city and over the county and politically was a stalwart Democrat.
He was a Patriarch Militant in Old Fellowship, having united with them more than fifty years ago, and since his locating in our city became one of its active workers as late as New Year's night was at the "Home Coming", and made a brief talk, but that was his last downtown trip. He had filled the chairs and had lodge honors, and was ever faithful.
The funeral Friday was largely attended. Rev. W. P. Wharton made an appropriate address and the Grand Army conducted its ritual service; at the cemetery the Odd Fellows and Canton held their funeral services."

by Baxter B. Fite III

(Baxter Fite would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add to the biography of the Anderson family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any other photographs of John J. Anderson, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)