This biography is posted for the interest of anyone researching this line. It is not my family. I have no information to offer on Preston Anderson's ancestry. See the Rootsweb WorldConnect Project for a submission on his family. ======================= >From "History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties", Illinois, Perrin, Chicago, 1883, page 92 of the biographies section: 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 109th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was afterward transferred to the 11th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was mustered out October 10, 1864, on the White River, Ark. While in the 109th 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 80 acres are in the corporation of Jonesboro. He is a Knight of Honor, Jonesboro Lodge No. 1891. In 1883 he was elected alderman of Jonesboro. In politics he is connected with the Democratic Party. ================= The Civil War military service record of Joseph P. Anderson of Jonesboro is most likely that of a brother of the above Benjamin H. Anderson. Joseph P. Anderson was born in Jonesboro, Union Co IL, age 19 at enlistment at Jonesboro on 15 Aug 1862, private in Co E, 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (later transferred to Co A, 11th IVI), died of disease at Vicksburg MS 20 Apr 1864. 5' 8" tall, dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair, farmer. He enlisted the same day as Benjamin H. Ben also served in the 11th IVI, but in a different company.