HIRAM ROUNTREE ANDERSON. In the death of H. R. Anderson, which occurred September 5, 1890, Taylorville lost one of its most useful and enterprising citizens. He was a son of W. W. Anderson, whose biography will be found on another page of this work, and was born in Taylorville April 30, 1861. His school days were spent at Lake Forest, Ill. [ed., probably Lake Forest College], and at the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, his education being completed at the latter institution in 1881.

Shortly after graduation, he entered the banking business with his father, under the firm name of W. W. Anderson & Co., and he devoted his great energy, talents and business ability to extending the popularity of that enterprise. He made a thorough study of the laws relating to banking and finance, and the success of the First National Bank of Taylorville is principally  due to his exceptional capacity, industry and faithfulness in its management. Associated with his father, he was the prime mover in its organization, and occupied the responsible position of cashier until failing health, in January, 1890, compelled him to resign. He was ambitious and energetic to a marked degree, and his name was a synonym for truth and honor. With qualities such as these, his prospects for fame and fortune were very brilliant, but his spirit was too strong for his frail body, and in early manhood he perished at the threshold of the goal he hoped to win.

The following extract from the funeral address made by one who was privileged to know him intimately, Rev. W. A. Smith, pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bloomington, Ill., will serve to show his character: "Some of you were acquainted with his home life, and knew how pure, true and devoted he was to his own, within the sacred precincts of home. In all these relations, he was an honest, honorable, manly man. He was a man who had a mother, a real, true, genuine mother, who left the stamp of her goodness and refinement on the heart and life of her son. Through all his years on earth, he carried the impress of her loving touch, and felt the inspiration of her noble life, which was a part of that deathless life beyond. He lived largely within himself and his home, mingling only with congenial associates; he could not be a companion of one who was coarse or uncouth. He was a man of principle, of high aims and good purposes, and scorned to stoop to any unmanly act. He possessed a keen mentality, a well-stored mind, a retentive memory, and was a remarkable conversationalist. He took an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of men, and in men of affairs. He was a wide reader, and was abreast of the times in the advanced thought of the day. He delighted in music, and was himself an accomplished musician, was a lover of flowers, appreciated art of all kinds and the beautiful in nature wherever found. Regarding religious matters, he was somewhat independent in his thought, but liberal in the best sense, and perfectly sincere and conscientious in his views, while he was in harmony with the orthodox teaching of the day on the cardinal and essential facts of Christianity. There was no religious cant or hypocrisy about him. He pinned his faith to the Bible of Christ and the Christ of the Bible. He said: 'I can never feel anyway but kindly towards my mother's church.' Dying, he pillowed his head on the promises that supported her, and has probably already met that mother and greeted her in Heaven, for in his last hours he had victory, through his Lord and Savior."