Former slave and Union soldier lost Nebraska homestead, later owned 2,000 acres
Escaping the bonds of slavery, Robert Ball Anderson became a proud soldier in the Union Army. Despite facing significant obstacles in farming caused by severe weather and pests, he dedicated himself to saving money through various jobs, including cooking for railroads. His efforts culminated in owning more than two thousand acres of fertile land, exemplifying the strength and resilience of…
In 1870, Robert Ball Anderson, a former slave and Union Army veteran, sought a homestead in Butler County, Nebraska. Severe drought and grasshoppers decimated his crops, leading to the loss of his 160-acre claim. Undeterred, Anderson worked various jobs to rebuild his finances. Following a stint as a railroad cook and farmhand, he settled in Box Butte County, acquiring over 2,000 acres of land.
A former slave born in Kentucky in 1843, Anderson escaped slavery during the Civil War, joined the Union Army's 125th Colored Infantry, and later served at military posts across the American West. After the war, he worked in Nebraska before returning to his pursuit of land ownership. By 1922, Anderson had amassed significant wealth and married schoolteacher Daisy Graham, who helped him publish his memoirs recounting his incredible journey from slavery to landownership in western Nebraska.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
