Pueblo County, Colorado
Joseph Anderson

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Anderson, Joseph (arrived in Colorado in 1859)

Joseph Anderson was born in Missouri in 1823 and was educated in the public schools there. He assisted his father on the farm until reaching man's estate.

Joseph fought in the Mexican War under Colonel Donovan until the close, when he was honorably discharged. Returning home to Missouri, he married in 1848, Elizabeth Winfrey and settled down to farm life. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Jones) Winfrey, natives of Kentucky. The Missouri ranch was sold in 1859, in which year Mr. Anderson brought his family to Colorado by ox team, following the course of the Arkansas River on the north side. At that time Indians and buffaloes were plentiful upon the plains. The Indians were peaceable and the party, which was a large one, suffered no annoyance from them. A few years later when the Civil War was contending, they were more or less disturbed by the Red men.

After reaching Colorado he engaged in mining. On the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company E, 1st Colorado Cavalry, and took part in two engagements with Sibley's troops. First at Apache Canon and then at Pigeon's ranch. He was honorably discharged at the close of the Civil War.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were the parents of eight children, three of whom attained maturity: Lucy S. married Albert B. Chase in 1864; Nancy A., wife of Abe Aberson, owner of a fruit farm and orange grove in Florida; and Cordelia who died at the age of 16.

Mr. Anderson died in Colorado Aug. 3, 1869. His wife survived him many years, dying at her home in Pueblo October 3, 1897.

Extracted from "The Real Pioneers of Colorado," by Maria Davies McGrath, published in 1934 by The Denver Museum, retyped with added notes by Jane P. Ohl, in October 2001.



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