“Every day, thousands of drivers wind their way up Anderson Hill Road, one of Bernardsville, New Jersey’s defining roads, without ever stopping to ask who Anderson was or why the hill carries his name. Yet behind that familiar sign was John Anderson, one of the influential figures tied to the rise of Bernardsville during the era that transformed the Somerset Hills into one of America’s most important railroad and estate communities.”
And it’s even better that Anderson Hill Road travels right by where his estate was, and his middle name was “HILL”, so isn’t it also Hill Anderson Road? Before being named Anderson Hill Road, the road was simply Old Mendham Road. Today, Anderson Hill Road becomes Mendham Road
Judge John Hill Anderson was born on December 28, 1813, in Bernardsville, New Jersey, to George Anderson and Margaret Mary Hill. He later married Mary Smith around 1838, and together they raised at least 2 children, a son and a daughter. Anderson spent much of his life in Bernards Township, where he became a respected figure in Somerset County public life. He died on May 7, 1873, at the age of 59, and was laid to rest at the historic Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
HON. JOHN HILL ANDERSON
The late John Hill Anderson, judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was born at Bernardsville, Somerset Co., N. J., on the estate of his ancestors, Dec. 28, 1813. He was of Scotch descent and possessed the sturdy moral characteristics of that race, coupled with great tenacity of temper and strong and abiding attachment to friends. He was the second son of the fifth child of George and Mary (Hill) Anderson, and was brought up on the home farm, receiving but a limited education in the common schools. He possessed a mind, however, of no common order, and for many years exerted an influence second to no other citizen of the township in which he resided. The Somerset Messenger expressed the universal sentiment of the community in the notice of his death, which occurred May 7, 1873, from which we take the following extract:
“No one acquainted with Judge Anderson can help feeling a pang of regret, and to many, very many, of our country, sore sorrow at the death of this estimable man. Judge Anderson was a native of the county, of Bernard township, always having lived at Bernardsville, and held many important positions, commencing with justice of the peace, member of the lower branch of the Legislature two years, surrogate of the county five years, immediately following with the judgeship of the Court of Common Pleas, continuing two or three years, and before the expiration of his judicial term elected State senator, which position he filled the three years following.
During all of these years, however, he was not only devoting himself to his official duties, but at all times busily engaged in assisting the people of his township in relation to the management of their affairs, settling estates, guardian for infants, etc., so that he was in the full sense of the term a public man whose loss will be keenly felt and deeply deplored.
“Through his instrumentality, the West Line Railroad was built, and for a time, he was director as well as president of the road. His life was therefore a busy one, and in the trusts confided to his care, he was always found faithful and true. The kindly and good advice given by him to his friends always had a beneficial effect, and many there are who thank him and will always hold his memory in the most profound remembrance.”
By his thrift, he had acquired quite an estate, and, standing in might not be considered a wealthy man, yet he was in good financial condition.
Politically, Judge Anderson was a thorough partisan, but always candid and just, and known to every one where he stood and what his opinions were upon the different issues presented, always having respect for and according the right to others to have their opinions, yet maintaining his own in such a way as to cause his opponents to admire him and give him credit for being an honest man. . . .
In his death, the whole township of Bernard has met with a severe loss, while the county has lost one of its most respected and best citizens. Judge Anderson was a brother of Ex Sheriff Andrew J. Anderson, of Mendham, and of James Anderson, Esq., of Morristown. He was honest and upright in all his dealings, charitable towards all classes and conditions of mankind, and constantly endeavoring to be useful to those with whom his life of business or benevolence brought him in contact.
Mrs. Anderson, who survives him, was a daughter of James M. Lewis, of Bernard township, and a most estimable lady. He left two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Lieut. George S. Anderson is a graduate of West Point Academy and holds the position in the institution of instructor in cavalry tactics. He served six years in the army on the Western frontier. The second son, John Lewis Anderson, lives with his mother on the homestead.
Bio reprinted from:
HISTORY OF HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY,
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. COMPILED BY JAMES P. SNELL, ASSISTED BY FRANKLIN ELLIS AND A NUMEROUS CORPS OF WRITERS. PHILADELPHIA: EVERTS & PECK, PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
