He was born on 2 March 1842, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Anderson and Jane Johnson. [sources: date: 12, 22; 6 (21 in 1864), 10 (28 in 1870), 11 (38 in 1880), 12 (58 in 1900), 13 (68 in 1910), 16 (8 in 1850), 17 (19 in 1860). place: 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 22. parents: 16, 17, 22]
In 1850, he was living in ward 4, Spring Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with John and Jane Anderson (presumably his parents), and with James and John Anderson (presumably his brothers). He had attended school within the year. [source: 16]
In 1860, he was living in ward 20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with John Q and Jane Anderson (presumably his parents), and with James L, John L, and Joseph (presumably his brothers). He was a carpenter's apprentice. [source: 17]
When he enlisted, he was a carpenter. [source: 6]
On 10 February 1864, he married Sophia K Schucker. They were married in the parsonage of the Nazareth Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in April 1846, in Pennsylvania. In 1900 and 1910, she had had four children, three of whom were alive. Their children include:
[sources: 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-3/4 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light hair. [source: 6]
He also served in company B [E?] of the 52nd Pennsylvania Militia Infantry. [sources: 9, 14]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 2 February 1864. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Shipley. He was mustered in by Lieutenant Burke. He was a private, in company D. [sources: 1, 6, 7, 25]
He was promoted to corporal on 1 September 1864 or 20 October 1864. [sources: 1 (1 Sep); 2 (20 Oct); 5, 6, and 8 don't have a date]
On 10 March 1865, he went on a furlough, which expired on 25 March 1865. He returned on 27 March 1865. [source: 4]
On 3 July 1865, he was promoted to sergeant effective 1 July 1865. [sources: 1, 3]
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865. He was a sergeant in company D. [sources: 1, 7 (4 Jul 65), 25]
On 26 March 1868, he testified on behalf of the pension application by Catharine Vanarsdall, widow of Aaron K Vanarsdall (D). [source: 24]
In 1870, he was living in the 14th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Sophia, and daughters Lillian and Jennie, along with an apparently unrelated person. He was a carpenter. [source: 10]
In 1880, he was living at 2546 Nicholas Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Sophia, and children Lillian, Virginia, and Harry. He was a carpenter. [source: 11]
In 1890, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 7]
On 14 July 1890, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 9, 14]
In 1900, he was living at 1734 Woodstock Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Sophia, daughter Virginnia, son William, and William's wife and daughter. He was a carpenter, and had been out of work for six months in the preceding year. [source: 12]
He again applied for a pension on 25 February 1907. [source: 14]
In 1910, he was living at 1707 Lambern [?] Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife, and his daughter Virginia and her family. He was a house carpenter. [source: 13]
He died on 22 February 1918, at 2305 Bolton Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter. He died of chronic valvular heart disease. Members of the following organizations were invited to attend the funeral:
On 26 February 1918, he was buried, in Mt Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 14 (1916? 1915? 1918?, Philadelphia), 15 (1918, Pittsburgh), 22, 23]
On 27 March 1918, his widow, Sophia K Anderson, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 9, 14]
In 1920, his widow, Sophie Anderson, was living at 2214 Norris Street, ward 32, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her son William H and his family. [source: 18]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 special order 98, HQ 91st PA, 20 October 1864
3 special order 39, HQ 91st PA, 3 July 1865 (Robert Anderson)
4 enlisted men's furloughs (Robt R Anderson)
5 company D, list of non-commissioned officers (Robt R Anderson)
6 company D, second descriptive roll, entry 13 (Robt R Anderson)
7 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 776, page [3] (image 2482 on Ancestry) (Robert Anderson)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 21 October 1864 (Privt Anderson)
9 pension index, by name (Robert R Anderson)
10 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 14th ward, microfilm series M593, film 1398, page 177 = 196 handwritten (Robert Anderson)
11 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 640, microfilm series T9, film 1188, page 405 D = 24 handwritten (Robert Anderson)
12 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 29, supervisor's district1, enumeration district 123, microfilm series T623, film 1471, page 15 B = 5 handwritten (Robt R Anderson)
13 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 47th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 1314, microfilm series T624, film 1414, page 196 B = 4 handwritten (Robert Anderson)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company D (Robert R Anderson)
15 Pennsylvania death indices, 1918: "Anderson, Robert R;--21447;Pgh [sic];Feb.22."; I plan to order a copy of his death certificate on 22 June 2012; note that the 1916 and 1915 indices have no Robert Anderson dying on 22 February (though they do have Robert Anderson's dying in Philadelphia) (accessed 16 June 2012) (Robert R Anderson)
16 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Spring Garden, ward 4, microfilm series M432, film 819, page 121 verso = 242 handwritten (Robert Anderson)
17 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 20, microfilm series M653, film 1171, page 413 = 415 handwritten (Robert R Anderson)
18 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 32, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 1076, microfilm series T625, film 1634, pages 54 = 2 A handwritten (Sophia Anderson)
19 Nazareth Methodist Episcopal Church records (Robt R Anderson)
21 abstract of death certificate, Lewis George Anderson
22 death certificate, Pennsylvania, 22 February 1918, Philadelphia, file 21447 (Robert R Anderson)
23 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday 24 February 1918, page 17 (Robert R Anderson)
24 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate number WC 112,570, Catharine Reeves widow of Aaron K Vanarsdall (Robert R Anderson)
25 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Robert R Anderson)
The 1850 and 1860 censuses have two main candidates for Robert Anderson: one (apparently) born to Samuel and Elizabeth Anderson, and another (apparently) born to John and Jane Anderson and working as a carpenter's apprentice in 1860. The fact that the Robert Anderson who served in the 91st was a carpenter when he enlisted suggests that he is the latter. He is also listed in the 1860 census as Robert R. I have therefore tentatively identified him as my Robert.
| line | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 |
| Dwellings visited | [678] | ||||
| Families visited | 818 | ||||
| Name | John Anderson | Jane do | James do | John do | Robert do |
| Age | 45 | 44 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
| Sex | M | F | M | " | " |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Wheelwright | ||||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | do [sc. Pa] | do | do | do | do |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dwelling number | 2645 | |||||
| Family number | 2906 | |||||
| Name | John Q Anderson | Jane " | James L " | John L " | Robert R " | Joseph " |
| Age | 51 | 46 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 6 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | M |
| Color | ||||||
| Occupation | Millwright | Gold Beater | Millwright | Carpenter app | ||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||
| Value of personal estate | ||||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Dwelling-house number | 1399 | ||||
| Family number | 1458 | ||||
| Name | Anderson Robert | - Sophia | Lillian | - Jennie | Schmucker Mary |
| Age | 28 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | F | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Carpenter | keeping house | attends store | ||
| Real estate value | |||||
| Personal estate value | |||||
| Birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| Father foreign born | 1 | ||||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | ||||
| Birth month if born within year | |||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||
| Attended school past year | |||||
| Can't read | |||||
| Can't write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 |
| street name | Nicholas Street | ||||
| house number | 2546 | ||||
| dwelling visit # | 210 | ||||
| family visit # | 242 | ||||
| name | Anderson Robert | - Sophia | - Lillian | - Virginia | - Harry |
| color | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | F | M |
| age | 38 | 34 | 14 | 12 | 7 |
| month born if born in year | |||||
| relationship | Wife | Daughter | Daughter | Son | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||
| widowed/divorced | |||||
| married during year | |||||
| occupation | Carpenter | Keeping house | At School | At School | At School |
| months unemployed | |||||
| currently ill? | |||||
| blind | |||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||
| idiotic | |||||
| insane | |||||
| disabled | |||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| can't read | |||||
| can't write | |||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Maryland | Germany | " | " | " |
| mother's birthplace | Maryland | Germany | " | " | " |
| line | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 |
| street | Woodstock Street | |||||
| house number | 1734 | |||||
| dwelling number | 92 | |||||
| family number | 108 | |||||
| name | Anderson Robt R | - Sophia R | - Virginia | - Wm H | - Dora | - Ethel G [?] |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Son | Daughter in law | Granddaughter |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | M | F | F |
| birth date | Mar 1842 | Apr 1846 | Jan 1868 | Feb 1873 | Mar 1873 | Oct 1898 |
| age | 58 | 54 | 32 | 27 | 27 | 1 |
| married? | M | M | S | M | M | |
| # years married | 36 | 36 | 4 | 4 | ||
| mother of how many children? | 4 | 2 | ||||
| # of children living | 3 | 1 | ||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvanai | Pennsylvania | England | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Germany | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Germany | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Germany | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Germany | England |
| immigration year | ||||||
| # years in USA | ||||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||||
| occupation | Carpenter | Paper [?] Hanger | ||||
| # months not employed | 6 | 2 | ||||
| # months in school | ||||||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes [sic] |
| can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| speaks English | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| owned/rented | R | |||||
| free or mortgaged | ||||||
| farm/house | H | |||||
| # of farm schedule | ||||||
| line | 52 | 53 | 54 | 56 | 56 |
| street | Lambern [?] St | ||||
| house nr | 1707 | ||||
| dwelling nr | 78 | ||||
| family nr | 102 | ||||
| name | Templeton William | - Virginia | - Kathryn | Anderson Robert | - Sophia |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Daughter | Father in law | Mother in law |
| sex | m | f | f | m | f |
| color | w | w | w | w | w |
| age | 41 | 40 | 5 | 68 | 64 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 | S | M1 | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 7 | 7 | 44 | 44 | |
| mother of # children | 1 | 4 | |||
| mother of # living children | 1 | 3 | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Germany Ger |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Germany Ger |
| immigrated | |||||
| naturalized/alien | |||||
| speaks English | English | English | English | English | |
| occupation | Mill House | none | none | Carpenter | none |
| nature of industry etc. | Lumber | House | |||
| employer etc. | W | W | |||
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | no | no | |||
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | |||
| can read | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| can write | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |||||
| owned/rented | R | ||||
| owned free or mortagaged | |||||
| farm/house | H | ||||
| nr on farm schedule | |||||
| civil war vet | [blank (sic)] | ||||
| blind | |||||
| deaf & dumb | |||||
| line | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 |
| street | Norris Street | Norris Street | ||
| house number | 2214 | |||
| dwelling visit number | 28 | |||
| family visit number | 37 | |||
| name | Anderson, William H | -, Dora | -, Sophie | -, Ethel |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Mother | Daughter |
| own/rent | R | |||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | ||||
| sex | M | F | F | F |
| race | W | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 46 | 47 | 74 | 21 |
| marital status | M | M | M | S |
| year of immigration | 1883 | |||
| naturalized/alien | Na | |||
| year of naturalization | 1896 | |||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | No | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| birth place | Pennsylvania | England | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| native language | English | |||
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Germany | Germany | Pennsylvania |
| father's native language | German | German | ||
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Germany | Germany | England |
| mother's native language | German | German | English | |
| can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| occupation | Policeman | None | None | Saleslady |
| industry, business | City | Dental Supplies | ||
| employment status | S | W | ||
| number of farm schedule | ||||
Philadelphia, ss. Personally appeared before me, Mr. Robt R Anderson of Phil and Miss Sophia K Schuker [?] of Phil they individually declaring that they were of age and no impediment whatever in the way of their becoming Man and Wife; and were therefore duly joined in Holy Matrimony by me in the 10 day of Feb in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four.
[blank] Minister of the Gospel.ANDERSON.--Feb. 22, ROBERT R., husband of Sophia K. Anderson. Relatives and friends, also Gen. Winfield Scott Post, 114, G.A.R.; General Winfield Scott Camp, 114, S. of V., and Totam Lodge, 1060 [???], I.O.O F.; W.R.C., 2. S. of V. Auxiliary 114, invited to funeral services, Tues., 2 P.M., residence, 2305 [?] Bolton st, (23d and Jefferson). Int. Mt. Moriah Cem. Friends may call Mon. 7.30 to 10 P.M.