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GENERAL MOSES K. ANDERSON, Springfield, was born near Bowling Green, Kentucky, November 11, 1803; was reared on a farm, and received a limited education, having to go three miles on foot, to school. The school building was a log structure; the seats being made from slabs of logs, and pins put in for legs. His father and mother died when he was very young, and he went to live with an uncle, William Anderson, who treated him as a son.
In 1827, he married Miss Cassirilla, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Strond, of Dixon county, Tennessee, and the following year came to this county, where Mrs. A. died, August 17, 1850, leaving six daughters and three sons. For his second wife Mr. A. married his wife's sister, who was a mother to his children. She also died, November 24, 1880. After coming to this county, Mr. A. located in Cartwright Township. Being without means, he was forced to borrow money of Eli C. Blankenship, and pay fifty per cent interest. Having purchased eighty acres of land, he built a log cabin, twelve feet square; it was their kitchen, parlor and loom-room, his wife, also spinning and weaving clothing for the family and their neighbors. Mrs. Anderson was a sincere Christian, being a member of the Christian Church, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. They went to church with an ox team and double wagon leading one ox with a rope, and typing him to a sapling during service. Mr. A. remained on the farm until 1860, when he came to Springfield, where he has lived most of the time since.
The General accumulated a large tract of land, and was the second largest tax payer in the county. Previous to the Black Hawk war, he was elected Colonel of a regiment of militia, and at that time was Captain of a company, but was never ordered out. Shortly after the war he was elected Brigadier General of the militia of the State, having competed with Colonel Dawson, of this county, and Colonel Bailey, of Tazewell County. At the time the State Capital was removed to this city, Colonel Berry was Adjutant General. AS it was necessary for him to be a citizen of the county, and he being engaged in business, he resigned his office, and General Anderson was appointed by Governor Carlin to fill his place; he held the office for eighteen years. He was Justice of the Peace twenty-eight years, and held several other local offices of trust.