The Biographical Dictionary of America/Anderson, Joseph Reid

ANDERSON, Joseph Reid, soldier, was born at Walnut Hill, Va., Feb. 6, 1813. In 1832 he was appointed military cadet at West Point, and was graduated in 1836, being promoted in the army to 2d lieutenant of 3d artillery. He served as assistant engineer in the bureau at Washington, D. C., in 1836, and in building Fort Pulaski, Ga., 1836-'37. He resigned from the U.S. army Sept. 30, 1837, and became assistant engineer of the state of Virginia. From 1838 to 1841 he was chief engineer of the valley turnpike company, and from 1841 to 1861 was superintendent and proprietor of Tredegar iron manufactory and cannon foundry at Richmond, Va. He was elected to the Virginia house of delegates in 1852, holding the office three years. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army with the rank of brigadier-general, serving through the war in the ordnance department. In 1866 the United States government confiscated the Tredegar iron works, which had furnished most of the cannon and ammunition for the army of the confederacy. The company was re-organized in 1867, and General Anderson was chosen its president. He died at the Isles of Shoals, N.H., Sept. 7, 1892.