Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and used with permission of Fred Smoot ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== The Goodspeed Publishing Company, History of Tennessee, 1887 Joseph R. Anderson. The grandfather of this gentleman, John Anderson, was born in Virginia, May 6, 1750, and was a pioneer of southwest Virginia. He located with his family at the block-house at the head of Carter’s Valley, and while fighting the Indians his family were driven from this place three times, after which they lived in the forts until safety was assured. He was a devout Pres- byterian, and died in October 1817 Rebecca (Maxwell) Hall was his wife, and Isaac, the father, was their youngest child born at the block-house May 3, 1789. The father was a colonel of Virginia militia, and five years sheriff, and a magistrate for twenty years. He was a Presbyterian and died February 7, 1872, in Scott County, Va. May 16, 1816, Margaret, a daughter of Joseph Rhea, became his wife. She was born August 7, 1791, in this county, and died April 24, 1873 Our subject, the eldest of twelve children, was born at the old block- house, October 25, 1819, and was reared on the old homestead until his fourteenth year. He received a rudimentary education, and at that age became a clerk for his uncle at Blountville, at the same time mastering grammar, geology, astronomy and rhetoric. He received for the first three years $50, $75 and $100 respectively. After eight years’ service he began merchandising for himself and was so success- ful that in two years and a half he repaid the $700 borrowed of his uncle. He then became a partner with his uncle (in 1844), and’, in 1852 bought 100 acres of land in Sapling Grove and erected a store and dwelling in Kings Meadow. In September, 1853 be located on the present site of Bristol, termini of the Virginia & Tennessee and Tennessee & Georgia Railroads, as a merchant and real estate dealer, selling his land for town lots. In 1870 his brother, son and nephew became partners in merchandise. In 1870, after obtaining State char- ter for the Bank of Bristol, he became the president and cashier un- til 1874, when it became the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000; the capital is now doubled. He has been president ever since. June 5, 1845, he married Melinda W., the daughter of Rev. James King. She was born June 27, 1821. Their children were James K., Sarah A., John C., Isaac S., Margaret M. and Joseph K., Sarah and Joseph being deceased. Isaac S. is a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Our sub- ject is a remarkably hale man, and spends nine hours each day at his desk, and directs the general management of his business. He is an elder of the Presbyterian Church. The Anderson family are one of the most prominent in this county. Our subject is an ardent temperance worker, having taken the pledge in 1834. In 1842 he joined the Sons of Temperance, and has filled every position from W. P, up to G. W. P. of the State, which position he now holds. ===========================================================================