Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-26
DEATH OF COL. JOHN b. ANDERSON
AT MANHATTAN, KAs.
AN EMINENT CIVIL ENGINEER.
HE ALSO ATTAINED PROMINENCE AS
AN EDUCATOR.
Secretary stanton Appointed Him
Manager of All the United states
Military Railroads During
Rebellion, with Rank
of Colonel.

Colonel John 3. Anderson, one Of the old.
est and most prominent citizens OF Central
Kansas. died this afternoon. after a brief
illness. a periodic attack due in part to
old age. deceased being in his sOth year.
The funeral will be held Tuesday after
noon and the body buried in the family
lot at Junction City in the afternoon.
Colonel Anderson was born in Washing
ton county. Pa. graduating from histori-
cal Washington and Jefferson college in
1882. He engaged in educational work.
teaching in Breckenridge county. KY. un-
til 1Sn. In 1852 he founded and for several
years successfully conducted two fnstitu-
tons Of learning al New Albany Ind, the
Anderson collegiate institute and the An
derson Female institute. From 1851 10 Is53
While continuing his educational work he
served as chief engineer in the construc-
tion of Ohio highways. at the close of
which period his ability as a civil engineer
was recognized in his appointment as gen
eral superintendent of the New Albany &.
Chicago railroad. He left college duties in
other hands soon afterwards and gave all
his attention to railroading. accepting the
place of division superintendent of the
Pennsylvania railroad in 1855. and year
later was made general superintendent OF
the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago
road.
At the opening of the civil war he was
superintendent of transportation Of the
Louisville & Nashville railroad. and the
commander of the army OF the Cumber-
land placed him in charge of all the United
States military railways in his department
and he Was held at the head OF transpor-
tation and construction of roads and
bridges until his resignation. in 1863 at
which time Secretary Of War Stanton rec
ogntZed his valuable services by confer
ring upon him the rank of colonel. He
was almost Immediately afterwards ap-
pointed by Secretary Stanton general man.
ager OF the United States railroads. but
was retired at his own request In 1854 He
at once engaged with others in the con-
struction OF the Eastern section of the
Union Pacific railroad. In 1915 to 1s77 he,
as president and general manager. wound
up the affairs of the Maysvflle &, Lexing-
ton railway; then returning to Kansas. he
lived for several years at Junction City
and for the past fifteen years has been a
resident of Manhattan. He was one of
the building commissioners in the con-
struction OF the east wing of the state
house, and was one of the chief benefac-
tors of the Presbyterian college of En-
poria and was for years president OF its
board OF trustees. He recently contributed
literally to the endowment of his alma
mater, which several years ago conferred
upon him the honorary degree of doctor OF
laws. He was president OF the First Ma
tional bank of Manhattan and was one
OF the organizers of this ana other busi-
s;I5, neSs entespriseas s ea, OF the town; He died
the uncle of John A. Anderson. congress-
man from this district for three terms
and consul to Egypt under President Har-
rison. -
Mrs. Alexander sterritt. of Kansas City,
has. and Gsorge W. Neale' OF Topeka,
The early settlers in Kansas will well re-
member his connections with the Kansas
system. He located the company's shops
in Armstrong. a part Of Kansas City, kas.
The shops were moved from Arr.stong
and located IN the Missouri river bottoms.
north of Kansas City Kas. The river
shops were afterwards removed 10 the first
site in Armstrong. where they remain to-
day. The Armstrong shops are the largest
railroad shops in the state OF Kansas
In constructing the road out West Ander-
sons plan was TO run the road to Denver
d'vnS disIon 1nS Saeg o oae ana ~, une $50, S4etnern @
occupied by the Santa Fe. The road was
run along the divide and II has cost the
A Anderson's advice. 1t is said that he never
formulated plan that was not success.
While the deceased was no POLITICIAN. ne
house commission. He built the east wing
Of the state house and put in the founda-
ton for the main building. II will be re-
that at the time the main build
ing of the state house was built big fraud
was discovered which resulted in an in
yestigation. Anderson had previously re-
signed as q member of the commission.
When he was placed on the witness stand
turing the investigation and asked his
reasons for resigning he stated that he re-
signed because he could not afford TO stand
he responsibility Of what was about to
He was married 50 years ago. At the
celebration of his fiftieth anniversary his
friends throughout the country observed
the occasion by establishing the Anderson
library at Emporia. Three thousand books
we're donated and 500 in cash. He had
been for many years president Of the board
0f trustees Of the Emporta college. which
IS the Presbyterian school OF Kansas. He
graduated from the Washington college.
At the last annual celebration OF his grad e.
1ating class he was one CT the most inter-
ssting members present.
Editor g. W. Martin. Of the Kansas city.
Kas.. Gazette, was an intimate friend OF
he deceased. and admired him as one OF
he noblest and greatest men that ever set
Icot in Kansas. He became acquainted
With him at Junction City, the first town
hat Anderson located IN. Martin at that
line was running a paper there. When
Martin was appointed to the position OF
he strongest supporters, and furnished the
backing which enabled Mr.. Mar
in TO carry the state for $1,000 for over
light months.
nnTEn nIuIME MEAN