The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1890-04-05
General 4. G. Anderson.

Gen. Thomas c. Anderson died in
New Orleans last Wednesday morning
in the 10th year of his age. He took
leading part in our local and State pol
ltlcs for many years, and though his later
political course was utterly abhorrent to
our best people, he possessed many noble
traits which endeared him to a large
circle of personal friends who will deep
ly deplore his loss. We copy the fol-
lowing fair and impartial biographical
sketch of the deceased from the N. O.
Times-Democrat of Wednesday:
Gen. Thomas c. Anderson, of st. Landry par
ish, a prominent Republican politician of this
state in years gone by. died at o'clock this
morning at the Perry House. Gen. Anderson
was born in Prince william county, Va, on
Jan. IA, 1920, and settled in Louisiana in 1889.
He began commercial life with the firm of
Maunsel White & Co., of this city, where he
served in clerical capacity.
Young Anderson then removed to AleXan-
dria, in Rapides parish, where he remained a
short time. Early in the year 1910 Gen. Ander-
son went to Washington, ST. Landry parish,
where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. His
efforts were rewarded with success and the
new conner proSpcred. He acquired large tracts
of land, became planter and interested him.
self in steamboat matters Gen. Anderson was
well thought of in the community III which he
lived, and having penchant for political life
was nominated and elected to the State Legis
lature from St Landry parish
This epoch marks the beginning of his poll
tical life, which was actively pursued for nearly
forty years. He represented st. Landry in the
Legislature continuously from 1852 to 1876. He
was also m president Of the school board f;i , and
period-a State service to which he frequently
reverted with pride.
Gen. Anderson attained worldwide celebrity,
however, as member of the celebrated Louis
lana Returning Board during the exciting times
of 1874 and 1876.
In the closely contested election between
Hayes and Tilden, the Returning Board crush
ed out Tilden by falsifying the returns of GER
tain parishes in the State Gen. Anderson was
charged. as one of the members of the board,
with forging the returns from Vernon parish,
and on the trial of the case was convicted.
The Supreme Court subsequently set the de-
fendant free by affirming that it was not
crime in Louisiana to falsify an election return.
Gen. Anderson secured the appointnildt of
Special Deputy Collector of the port in 1877,
and remained in office until 1885.
During this interval he frequently 0fficiated
as acting collector. Gen. Anderson made his
domicile in OpelOusas, st. Landry parish, i'll
1855, where most of his children were born. He
was urged in 1888 to run for sheriff of the par
Gen. Anderson espoused Miss Mary t. Hardy,
of Grand Coteau, LAY 26, l847, by whom lie
GsMsntbr Leaves four grown three sons and one
Abont three weeks apo Gen. Anderson re
turned from Washington, ID. c., where he went
in the interest of Gov. Warmoth's confirmation
as Collector of the Port. On reaching New
Orleans he was taken sick, and continued to
grow steadily worse, despite the skill and ASST
duous attention of his attendant physicians,
Drs. Logan and Elliott.
He was thrice married, his present wife be-
ing Mrs. Anderson, of Liberty county, Mo-,
to whom he was welded about five months ago.
She was devoted to HIM during his illness min
istering to his every want, and proved herself
a true and loving wife by her unremitting at
tentions and tender sOcitude.
Besides his SONS, Thomas Miller and Chas.
RpaHrh1mn and HanphtnF. L
ling, there were present at his bedside Mr., Jas.
NJ. Dowling his son in-law, Mr.. Geo Bloomfield
and Louis Desmarais lifelong friend.
During the closing hours of the deceased
number of prominent politicians called to ex-
press their coincidence with the stricken family
af the dying politician.