Anderson, John Fain, 1844-1929

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1844 - 1929

Biography

John Fain Anderson, born November 17, 1844, in Blountville, Sullivan County, Tennessee, was the son of Samuel Anderson (1805-1849) and his wife Hannah Crawford Fain (1811-1891). He was married on December 15, 1869, to Susan Florence Lady (1852-1932), also a native of Sullivan County. A member of the Presbyterian church since his youth, he joined the Salem Presbyterian Church after moving to Washington County, Tennessee.

While stationed at Knoxville and Loudon, Tennessee, during the Civil War, Anderson served as a messenger boy for Union troops. After the war he operated a mercantile establishment at Brownsboro, Washington County, Tennessee. Retiring from the mercantile business in 1881, he purchased a farm near Washington College in Washington County.

An authority on local history, Anderson wrote feature articles on upper East Tennessee history for the Knoxville Journal and Tribune and other newspapers. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the East Tennessee Historical Society.

John Fain Anderson died at his home on Sunday, April 28, 1929. Both he and his wife are buried in the graveyard of Salem Presbyterian Church, Washington College, Tennessee.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Burr Harrison Photographs

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: AppMs-64

Scope and Contents The Burr Harrison Photographs consist of 380 photographic images (prints and negatives) depicting Johnson City and environs circa 1881-1958. The collection represents only a portion of Harrison's work, as much of it did not survive. The collection centers on photographs of commercial buildings in downtown Johnson City; industries, residences, apartment houses and churches in the city; buildings and activities at Mountain Home; and buildings at East Tennessee State Normal School (ETSNS). Some...

Dates: 1881-1958

Found in: Archives of Appalachia / Burr Harrison Photographs

John Fain Anderson Scrapbooks

Collection

Identifier: AppMs-288

Scope and Contents The John Fain Anderson Collection consists of 23 scrapbooks created by Anderson. The scrapbooks include newsclippings, brochures, obituaries, correspondence, photographs, postcards, greeting cards and handwritten notes concerning historical events, genealogies of families and biographical information on prominent individuals, political events, and educational institutions in upper East Tennessee. Some subjects covered in the collection include: Washington College Academy, the Civil War, the...

Dates: 1796-1938

Found in: Archives of Appalachia / John Fain Anderson Scrapbooks