FRANKLIN M. ANDERSON, one of the representative farmers who have aided in building up the present prosperity found within the borders of Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, was born February 7, 1864, in Marion county, Indiana, on the farm of his father, Abner B. Anderson. The father was born in Highland county, December, 1818, and died in 1884. He was of Scotch descent and went to Marion county, Indiana, alone, at the age of sixteen years. He subsequently married in that county and there began farming for himself. In the autumn of 1869 the family moved to Haddon township, Sullivan county, and in 1870 was erected the farm house which Franklin M. now owns and in which he lived until the spring of 1908, when he completed a new house on his farm. The father and mother both resided on this farm until their death. Abner B. Anderson was a successful farmer and was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Baptist church, while his good wife was of the Methodist religious faith. Before her marriage she was Ruth Elmore, a native of Kentucky, and was born near Crab Orchard, March 5, 1819, dying in 1896. She was of Irish lineage. The children born to Abner B. Anderson and wife were as follows: William, Candice A., John, Loretta, Mariah Jane, Franklin M. and three who died in infancy.
Franklin M. Anderson was reared on a farm and attended the country schools. When he reached his twentieth year he commenced to farm on his own account, and now owns the original homestead, consisting of forty-five acres, to which he has added, now possessing one hundred and forty-three acres, upon which he carries on general farming operations. In his political views Mr. Anderson favors the Republican party, and casts his vote with that organization. He has wisely taken a membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 3332, at Carlisle.
He was united in marriage January 5, 1888, to Permelia A. Walters, born in Haddon township, in 1865, and who died in 1896 in the month of September. She was educated in her native county. Her parents were Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters, both of whom are now dead. Five children were born to Mr. Anderson and wife: Lola M., deceased; William L., deceased: Elva, born November, 1892; Ruth Marie, born June, 1894; John W., deceased. For his second wife Mr. Anderson married Sarah E. (Woodward) Pool, born in Jefferson township, Sullivan county, Indiana, March 27, 1871. They were united in marriage in 1896 and are the parents of two children: Albert L. and Daisy Gladys. Before her second marriage Mrs. Anderson was the widow of Harry Pool, who lived in Jefferson township, and who died in the nineties, leaving a daughter, Ethel, born in February, 1896, and who now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. In church connections Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian church.
The Andersons are all large men in stature, Franklin M. being six feet and four inches in height, weighing one hundred and ninety-five pounds, while his father was the tallest man in Sullivan county, he measuring six feet and seven inches, and weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds.