From “Proud Heritage Volume II ” by DCPA. This 317 page hardcover book is now available online.
Henry Andrew Anderson, a pioneer of the Rose Hill community, was born 12 July 1861, in a log house overlooking the bottomlands at the confluence of Rowlett Creek and the east fork of the Trinity. His parents, Thomas L. and Naomi (Jones) Anderson, had settled in eastern Dallas County in 1853, immigrating from Lewis County. Missouri. The other children of Thomas and Naomi Anderson were: Mary Ann (born 18 May 1852, died 5 July 1907), married William D. Rosson; Eliza Frances (born 20 May 1853, died 29 July 1861); James Carter (born 24 December 1854, died 2 July 1927), married Rebecca A. Myers; William (born 31 March 1856, died 19 August 1898) married Martha C. Savage; Thomas Shelton (born 23 November 1857, died 11 October 1914), married (1) Frances J. Sanders, (2) Leonara J. Spillman; John Calvin (born 27 March 1859, died 21 July 1909), married Elizabeth J. Spillman; Lucy Catherine born 27 April 1863, died 15 February 1873); and Elizabeth (born 13 November 1864, died 22 November 1869).
Thomas L. Anderson, father of Henry. was born about 1829 in Lewis County. Missouri, and his wife, Naomi Elizabeth Jones (daughter of James C. and Elizabeth Jones) was born in that same county on 25 October 1832. (See Proud Heritage,Vol. I.) Thomas was conscripted into the Confederate army (Co. I, 35th Texas Regiment of cavalry) in 1864 and died of pneumonia on 15 December of that same year while stationed at Camp Allen, near Minden, Louisiana. Naomi remained a widow until her death in the Rose Hill (Housley) community of Dallas County on 29 July 1894. Thomas Anderson was buried near Camp Allen and Naomi is buried in Anderson Family Cemetery on the west shore of Lake Ray Hubbard.
Soon after his mother’s death Henry Anderson married Minnie Maud Polk (born 18 July 1878 at Salem, Hunt County, Texas). The couple became the parents of seven children: Cleda E. (born 21 July 1898, died 16 July 1953), married R. Carl Kiles; Bernice T. (born 31 March 1900, died 2 November 1987), married (1) Allen A. Ingram, (2) Claude F. Tisinger; M. Marie (born 6 June 1902, died 10 August 1985), married Lemuel R. Vaughn; Faye L. (born 4 December 1903, died 13 August 1975), married Cyril M. Flook; Verna G. (born 12 Novem ber 1905), married Cyrus C. Anderson; Wendell (born 4 February 1907, died 15 February 1964), married Selma Swaffer; and Iris L. (born 21 July 1909, died 1 February 1982), married Sidney Latham. In 1892, Henry Anderson and his brother, John, built a grocery store in the village of Rose Hill (Housley). In 1893, this partnership dissolved and Henry bought out the other grocery store in town, which he continued to operate until 1901. In 1892, Henry was appointed postmaster of Housley. Texas, and his store housed the post office for several years. The structure stood near the present intersection of Rose Hill and Rowlett roads until its demolition for road widening in 1974. He served as an officer of the local Woodmen of the World chapter and was for several years a trustee of the Rose Hill School District. He was also a founding trustee of the Rose Hill Christian Church (now Lakeview Christian Church).
“Uncle Henry,” as he was known in his later years, was a familiar figure in the Rose Hill area, appreci ated for his poetry-quoting literary bent and his tall tales of pioneer days.He was still fiddling and dancing Scots-Irish jigs for his grandchildren in his eightieth year.
Maud (Polk) Anderson died from complications of gallbladder surgery on 10 July 1911, leaving Henry to raise their seven children alone. Henry died on 14 November 1941 at age 80 from accidental injuries received while burning off his yard. Both Henry and Maud Anderson are buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
By Jerry M. Flook,, Forney, Texas
