Histories and Biographies of Ballard, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, 
McCracken and Marshall Counties, Kentucky
A Reprint of Part II of: Battle, J. H.,W.H.Perrin and G.C.Kniffin. Kentucky: A History 
of the State. First Edition, Louisville, Chicago, F.A.Battey Publishing Co. - 1885 pg.181.

   J. M. Anderson, Fulton County, was born December 5, 1836, in Madison County, 
Tenn., and is the eldest of eight children of Joshua B. and Martha V. (Sherman) 
Anderson. The parents were natives of South Carolina and Alabama respectively and of 
English and Scotch origin. The father's parents, Jacob and Mary Anderson, moved to 
Williamson County, Tenn. in 1818. From there the father moved to Madison County and 
thence to Haywood County, where he died in 1875, aged 75 years. J. M. Anderson, in 
1858, began working at the carpenter's trade, and remained at the bench for three years. 
In 1861 he enlisted for twelve months in Company A, of the Sixth Tennessee Infantry 
under Col. G. C. Porter. Among the battles in which he participated were 
Murfreesborough, Shiloh and Chickamauga. In May 1862, he re-enlisted and was 
detailed as clerk in the quartermaster department and while serving there he was a 
captain, having first gone out as first lieutenant; he was later promoted to major. In 1865 
he was paroled with the rest of Gen.Johnston's Army, on its surrender to Gen.Sherman.
   Returning home he followed the trade of carriage maker, at Woodville, Tenn., until 
1871. He then came to Fulton, where he engaged in the carpentering and undertaking 
business until 1883. He next began clerking in a dry goods store, and in February 1884,
became a partner in the firm of Browder and Anderson. He was married on December 5,
1868, to Miss Catherine C.Griffith, a daughter of Bennett & Elizabeth (Henry) Griffith.
One child, Claudia, was born to this union. Mrs. Anderson died in July 1874, and Mr.
Anderson next married, on January 7, 1881, Miss Samuella Patterson, daughter of the
Rev.Samuel G. Patterson and Ellen Paxton. One son, James S., has been the result of this
union. Mr. & Mrs. Anderson are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a 
member of the Masonic and K. of H. fraternities and is at present a member of the Fulton
Council.