William Marshall Anderson facts for kids
William Marshall Anderson (1807–1881) was an American scholar, explorer, and politician. He was known for writing detailed journals about his travels in the Rocky Mountains and Mexico.
Early Life and Family
William Marshall Anderson was born into a large and important family. His family originally came from Virginia. They later settled in Kentucky and Ohio after the American Revolutionary War.
His father, Richard Clough Anderson Sr., was an important helper to Lafayette during the Battle of Yorktown. William's mother was a cousin to Chief Justice John Marshall. She was also a cousin to William Clark from the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.
William had several well-known brothers. His older brother, Robert Anderson, was the Major who had to surrender Fort Sumter at the start of the American Civil War. His younger brother, Charles Anderson, later became the Governor of Ohio.
Adventures and Career
In 1834, William, who was often called Marshall, took an exciting trip west. He traveled with a group of fur traders. During this journey, he kept a detailed journal. In his journal, he wrote about meeting famous explorers and mountain men of that time. These included well-known figures like Kit Carson and Jim Bridger.
After his adventures, Marshall returned to Ohio. He started a law practice in Chillicothe. He married the daughter of a former governor, Duncan McArthur. He also tried to become a member of Congress, but he was not successful.
Along with his brother Larz, he helped manage legal and money matters for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. From about 1839 onwards, he became a very religious and devoted Catholic.
Journey to Mexico
In 1865, Anderson traveled to Mexico. He said he was going on an archaeological trip to study old things. But he also went to help plan something called the New Virginia Colony. This was a plan to resettle former Confederate soldiers and their supporters after the Civil War.
A famous oceanographer named Matthew Fontaine Maury came up with the idea for this colony. It had the support of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. However, the French troops who supported Maximilian started to leave Mexico. This made Maximilian's government begin to fall apart, and so did the New Virginia Colony.
Everyone, including Emperor Maximilian, had time to leave Mexico safely. But Maximilian chose to stay because he felt it was his duty to Mexico. Anderson became sick with yellow fever. He went to Vera Cruz in 1866 and took a ship back to the USA.
Later Life
For the next fifteen years of his life, William Marshall Anderson mostly lived in Circleville, Ohio. Sometimes, he would travel for archaeological explorations. His house in Circleville, known as the William Marshall Anderson House, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
William Marshall Anderson's son, Thomas McArthur Anderson, was also a brave military officer. He served with honor in the Civil War. Many years later, he was recognized again for his service during the Spanish–American War and the Philippine Insurrection that followed.
