The Biographical Dictionary of America/Anderson, John A.

ANDERSON, John A., representative, was born in Washington county, Pa., June 16, 1834. He was graduated from Miami university in 1853, and in 1857 was ordained a Presbyterian minister, preaching in San Francisco. In 1862 he joined the army as chaplain of the 3d California infantry, and in the following year was appointed California agent of the United States sanitary commission, in which position he served until 1867. From 1873 to 1879 he held the presidency of the Kansas state agricultural college. In 1878 he was elected to represent his district in the 46th Congress, and was re-elected to the 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th and 51st congresses. In 1889 he was appointed United States consul-general at Cairo, Egypt, by President Harrison, remaining there until shortly before his death, which occurred in Liverpool, England, May 18, 1892.