Confederate war veteran and a Fort Smith merchant, Anderson died Sept. 25, 1915, at the age of 85. He was born Feb. 1, 1830, in Harden County, Tennessee.

Until the outbreak of the Civil War, he was engaged in the saddlery business in Des Arc. He joined the company led by Capt. F.J. Klein.

In 1887, he came to Fort Smith and entered into the general merchandise business, becoming partners with T.C. Price and T.J. Wright and forming the firm of Anderson, Price & Wright. He was in business for more than 30 years with Wright. At his death, Anderson was a vice president of Berry-Wright Dry Goods Co.

About a year before his death, he joined the Methodist church. For the last four years of his life, Anderson lived "at the hospital" because of his infirmities, his obituary stated.

Source: "John S. Anderson, Pioneer, Is Dead," Fort Smith Times Record, Sept. 26, 1915, p. 8.