My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH M. ANDERSON, M. D., was born in the town of Lebanon, Tenn., on the southeast corner of the Public Square, October 17, 1815, being the oldest natural born citizen now living, and is one of the two sons of Patrick and Fannie (Chandler) Anderson. The brother, Thompson Anderson, resides in the city of Nashville and is worthy of its citizenship. The father was born in Virginia in 1779, and the mother in North Carolina, in 1779. The father was a merchant and one of the pioneers of Tennessee and suffered the privations incident to early times. His death occurred in 1817, and his widow married Maj. William Hartsfield and became a resident of Davidson County, where she resided at the time of her death, in 1838. Our subject was reared without a father’s guidance and obtained his education in the schools of Lebanon and at a school called Porter’s Hill Academy, afterward Clinton College, in Smith County, Tenn. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine under Dr. John Ray, and in 1835 he entered the Transylvania Medical College of Philadelphia, Penn., remaining one session. On September 24, 1835, he wedded Mary Dixson Lypert, a daughter of Lawrence and Mary Lypert. Mrs. Anderson was born October 27, 1820, in Wilson County, and she and her husband became the parents of twelve children, only three of whom are living: Joseph B., Samuel and Kate Lee. In the fall of 1836 Dr. Anderson returned to college at Philadelphia, where he graduated as an M. D. in March, 1837. He is now the oldest and one of the most successful physicians and surgeons of Lebanon as well as one of the most enterprising, public-spirited and progressive citizens of the county. He was formerly a member of the old Whig party, but since the death of that party has affiliated with the Democracy. He is a member of the following fraternities: Lebanon Masonic Lodge, No. 98; he became a Master Mason in 1843; Royal Arch Mason, in 1849; Knight Templar, in 1886; Junior and Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge; served as Grand Master for two years, which fact stands unequaled and established a precedent in the Tennessee Grand Lodge for forty years; was Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State of Tennessee; Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State of Tennessee, Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, and served as Grand Commander the same year. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Christian Church. Our subject has lived a long and useful life, and no man occupies a more exalted place in the estimation of his neighbors and fellow-citizens.