Maj. Charles W. ANDERSON, a prominent and successful farmer of Rutherford County, Tenn., was born in Franklin, Ky., November 28, 1825, and is a son of Harry I. and Adaline (Hickman) ANDERSON, both natives of Kentucky. The father came to this State in 1835, and took charge of the Tennessee State prison at Nashville, where he remained for thirteen years, after which he commenced farming. He died in the year 1882. The mother died when our subject was an infant. The subject of this sketch received a good education and then went into the mercantile business in Nashville, where he remained for six years. In 1848 he became interested in steam-boats, owning an interest in the following steamers: “Milwaukee,” “Colorado,” and commanded the “North Carolina,” “Colorado” and the “Embassa.” He was the first man to take out a contract for the semi-weekly mail packet between Nashville and Memphis for the government. In the winter of 1851, he sold out the mail line and took a position as general freight agent, where he remained for some years. At the breaking out of the war he received notice from Quartermaster MEYERS, appointing him transportation quartermaster of all the troops passing through Chattanooga, with headquarters at the above place. After the battle of Shiloh he returned to his present farm and found his home burnt out by the Federals. He then joined Gen. FORREST’S staff with the rank of lieutenant, and was aid-de-camp of Gen. FORREST till the close of the war. Mr. ANDERSON was in many of the principal battles, and never received a wound of any kind during this time. He returned to his home, repairing and mending up his broken furniture as best he could. Mr. ANDERSON is a Democrat and his family are leading members of the Baptist Church. In 1852 Mr. ANDERSON was united in marriage to Miss Mattie LOVE, and to this union were born six children, three of whom are living, namely: Harry J., Lillie L. and Hattie C. Maj. ANDERSON is one of the leading farmers of this county and is respected by all.
Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson (Goodspeed, 1886).
