Jasper M. Anderson, a Civil War veteran and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Missouri, is a
native of Henry County. He was born May 28, 1844, on the farm which is now owned by G. L. Park. He is a
son of Isaac and Eliza (Sharp) Anderson, natives of Tennessee. The Anderson family came to Missouri and
settled on the Blackwater River in what is now Johnson County in 1832. They remained there about one year,
coming to Henry County in 1833 and settling in Big Creek township. The father died in 1858 and the mother in
1879. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Swift, Mrs. Jane Moody, Mrs. Sarah
Middleton, James M., Francis Marion, Isaac, all deceased except J. M., the subject of this review; William P.,
deceased; Mrs. Carrie Murphy, Joplin, Missouri; Mrs. Eliza Ellison, Kansas City, Missouri; E. W., deceased,
and Cynthia, died in infancy. J. M. Anderson grew to manhood amidst the pioneer surroundings of Henry
County and received his education in the old log school house of that time.
When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Confederate Army. He participated in the battle of Lone Jack and in that engagement received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder. After his recovery from the wound he rejoined his command and took part in a number of other engagements including the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and a number of other skirmishes and lesser engagements. He served under Gen. Sterling Price and when the war closed he was in Texas. Shortly afterwards he returned to Henry County, which has been his home ever since. He is one of the
successful farmers and stockmen of Big Creek township, and one of Henry County’s leading citizens. He has a splendid farm of one hundred fifty acres of well improved land, which is conveniently located three and one-half miles southeast of Blairstown. Mr. Anderson has been twice married. He was first married in 1877 to Miss Hester Webster, a daughter of James Webster, a pioneer of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. Anderson’s first marriage were born the following children: Claud, Maud and Stella, all deceased; Jessie, now the wife of Walter Waugh of Maurine, Missouri; Martha, who resides at home, and Richard, Urich, Missouri. Mrs. Hester Anderson died in 1888. Mr. Anderson’s present wife, whom he married September 12, 1897, bore the maiden name of Bettie Cox, a daughter of Thomas Cox of Big Creek township.
He was a native of Montgomery County, Missouri, and his wife of Shelby County, Kentucky. They are both
now deceased. Mrs. Anderson is one of the following children born to her parents: Eugene, lives in California;
Mrs. Ida Morton, Nevada, Missouri; Homer, California; Bettie, the wife of J. M. Anderson, and Charles, who
lives in California. In politics Mr. Anderson is an uncompromising Democrat and is a good, reliable citizen.
Source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co, pg: 592