William Coleman Anderson (July 10, 1853 – September 8, 1902) was an American politician and a US Representative from Tennessee's first district.

Biography

Anderson was born at Tusculum, near Greeneville, Tennessee. He attended a rural school, then graduated from Tusculum College in 1876.

Career

Anderson moved to Newport, Tennessee, in 1876, and while studying law, he was assistant clerk of Cocke County from 1877 to 1878. Admitted to the bar in 1878, he commenced practice in Newport. He served as a member of the State house of representatives from 1881 to 1883. He was a principal examiner in the General Land Office at Washington, D.C., from 1889 to 1892; promoted to chief of the contest division February 1, 1892, but resigned August 7, 1892. He was made chief of the General Land Office, and served from November 23, 1892, until April 11, 1893. returned to Newport, Cocke County, in 1893 and resumed the practice of law. Elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee in 1894, Anderson served from March 4, 1895, to March 3, 1897. Anderson was founder and editor of Plain Talk, a weekly newspaper published in Newport. He was also member of the city council at the time of his death.

Death

Anderson died on September 8, 1902, from typhoid fever, in Newport, Tennessee. He is interred at Union Cemetery, Newport, Tennessee.