W. J. ANDERSON, a prosperous farmer of Union township, is a grandson of John Anderson, who came from Ireland in 1771, and first settled in Beaver county, Penn. He was compelled to leave that section on account of the Indians, and prior to 1788, he having paid tax in that year, came to the place Washington county, Penn., where his descendants are yet living. While living in Ireland he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bigger, who came with them to America. The descendants of Thomas Bigger, brother of Miss Elizabeth Bigger, now reside in Robinson township, Washington county. To John and Elizabeth Anderson five children were born, viz.: James, Benjamin, Matthew, Martha and John, all born in Pennsylvania, except James, who was born in Ireland. In September, 1786, he bought the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides. John Anderson, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth, was born June 5, 1789, on the farm in Union township, Washington county, in a. cabin which stood on the site now occupied by the house of W. J. Anderson. John Anderson was reared to farm life, and remained at home until 1843, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Scott, a native of West Virginia, residing near East Liverpool, Ohio, and they then settled on the home farm in Washington county, Penn., where he died June 3, 1868, followed by his wife, April 20, 1873. The father was a stanch, ''High-Tariff" Republican. They had six children, viz.: W. J., two died in infancy, James G. (dead), Martha E. (married to J. C. Borland, of Peters township, now a grocer in Sewickley, Penn.), and Ada V., who is living with her brother, W. J. W. J. Anderson was born January 22, 1844, on the farm in Union township, Washington county. On December 21, 1876, he was married to Agnes, daughter of Thomas Kiddoo, and granddaughter of James Kiddoo, a native of England. The family are now residents of Allegheny county. Penn. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anderson came to their present home, where he has been successfully engaged in general farming. In politics he is a Republican, having held a number of township offices. and in religion is a member of the Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, in which he is also trustee. They conduct a small dairy in connection with the farm, and for twenty years have sold butter to W. J. Caskey & Co., Pittsburgh. The home place contains eighty-four acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had one child that died in infancy.

Text taken from page 838 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Dawn Marie Madsen of Boise, ID as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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