In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1852
From History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881)
WILL S. ANDERSON,
Higginsville, is the son of Ira D. Anderson, who came from Warren county, Ky., and was one of the first settlers of Lafayette county. The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 1, 1852. He remained with his parents till 1876, he then took a trip to Kentucky where he remained for a short time and then returned to his father's farm, taking occasional trips through different States. He then went to Higginsville, in July, 1881 and engaged in the livery business.
As printed in History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.