A Respected Citizen Passes Away at the Ripe Old Age of 86 Years
At fifteen minutes past two o'clock on this Monday morning Samuel Anderson passed into the Unseen Holy. Quietly under his own roof in the midst of a loving household and at the ripe old age of 86 years, 3 months and 9 days he passed away. His death was not unexpected as he had been in feeble health for some time.

Mr. Anderson was born at Wilkesbarre, Pa., in 1802. He moved with his father's family to this state in 1816 when he was but 14 years of age. At that early day railroads were unknown and they came by boat down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, which at that time was a mere hamlet, containing but one brick house.

The family at once moved to a farm near Belleville, Ill., in St. Clair county, where he resided from that time until he moved to Decatur, a period of 50 years. While in St. Clair county he was elected a member of the legislature in 1844. The other representatives from his district at the time were Hon. J.L.D. Morrison and Amos Thompson. He moved to Decatur just 20 years ago, and has resided here continuously since.

He united with the Baptist church 21 years ago. His religious life was quiet but deep. He loved the church here, and no one of its members took more delight in its progress or did more to advance its interests than himself. He was one of those quiet men who do not make much noise in the world but who succeed nevertheless in bringing things to pass. He was a man respected and loved by all who knew him.

The surviving members of the family are Mrs. Elizabeth Leach, of Missouri, Samuel H. Anderson, Genoa, Nebraska, Wm. M. Anderson, Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Carrie A. Elliott, Kansas City, Josephine, Lavonia, Jerome and Nannie Anderson, of Decatur.

The funeral will be held from the family residence on North Edward street tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. The services will be conducted by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Bosburgh, of the Baptist church.

Decatur Republican, 18 Oct 1888