A native Texan, he was rich in the experiences of farm and ranch life, which give splendid training to the physical powers. At an early age he manifested those sterling qualities which lie at the basis of good character, and which distinguished his worthy ancestors. While engaged in daily work on the farm under the influence of evangelistic services conducted at Lone Oak, Texas, by Rev. C. B. Hodges, he gave his heart and life to God, turning his face forever toward the light. He was received into the church by Rev. R. O. Watkins, of precious memory. He received the elements of education in the schools of Lone Oak and Kaufman, Texas. In 15 he entered Trinity University, graduating with distinction in 18889. He was a student in the Theological Seminary, Lebanon, Tenn., 1889-90, and a student of methods in Greek at Chautauqua, New York, 1893. He was married to Miss Luda Newton, a woman of excellent family, noble culture and high type of character. He received the degree of Ph.D. from Cumberland University, 1894, and in 1895-96, on leave of absence, he was a graduate student in philosophy and Greek, University of Chicago, under the direction of the ablest scholars of America. He was principal of the preparatory department of Trinity University, 1890-91; professor of Latin and Greek, 1891-5; professor of philosophy and Green, 1895-1902. At the annual meeting of the board of trustees, May, 1901, he was unanimously elected president of Trinity University, and was inaugurated with appropriate ceremonies at the opening of the ensuing term. He was a graduate student in the University of Chicago, 1902-04. His last services were rendered as pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Hubbard City, Texas. He had been elected superintendent of public schools of that city, but before the schools opened he was stricken down by the accidental breaking of his leg and an attack of typhoid fever, which resulted in his death, October 12, 1905. The funeral services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, Hubbard City, October 13, in the presence of a host of his friends, the pastors of the city, and representatives from the faculty of Trinity University taking part in the exercises.

In the vigor of a brilliant, cultured manhood, with high ambition to do God's will, he received the summons to go up higher. He was taken at that joyous period of home life when happy cares were crowding upon him, surrounded by a group of bright, growing children, in a sunny home, gladdened by the voice of innocent childhood, and strengthened and beautified by the culture, ripeness and consecration of womanhood. Having scarcely passed the sunny realm of the thirties, he had reached the acme of distinction in the circles where he was well known. His serene, steadfast life was exerting a powerful influence upon his fellow men. Rev. C. Bruce Meador, pastor of the Methodist Church, South, Hubbard City, says of him as a coworker, referring specially to association with him in a union meeting: "His intense interest in the salvation of men and his tender, beautiful words of testimony drew us very close to him. He had charge of the song service, but often he would steal quietly away from the choir and approach some man about his soul's interest. We loved him, and miss him very much." The board of trustees of Hubbard City public schools give the following tribute, stating that these utterances are but faint expressions of appreciation: "Words cannot express the value of such a life to a community. Possessing the experience of years spent in teaching, the ripest scholarship, the widest practical knowledge, gained through travel and contact with various sides of life, and, above all, the jewel of a rich, full, beautiful personality, which left its impress upon all whom his acquaintance touched, he has left us at the height of his usefulness, when in the new field to which he was called he would have had lasting influence in molding the lives of the children of this community. We trust that in this hour of darkness the bereaved may find comfort in the knowledge that he who has left them has brightened and enriched the world by his beautiful life, and that his rewards are promised and sure."

He was greatly loved for the spirit of his word and walk and work by those who knew him in the various intimate relations of life. Strong men wept like children when they heard that he was gone. Rev. J. W. Haggard bears testimony that he was highly esteemed by all religious people in Hubbard City, as much by those of one creed as another, and it is remarkable to note the great influence that he had over the non-religious. A representative of the church session at Hubbard City declared that, whatever might be said in his praise, would not exceed the esteem in which he was held by the people. Though strong and influential in the classroom and in pulpit and pastoral work, he appeared to the writer at his best as president of Trinity University. He had a remarkable growth through the years of his student life, and especially there was noted a steady solid, broadening and expansion of his powers through the ten years in the professor's chair, but the half had not been seen and told. It was when he presided over the affairs of the college as president that we were impressed beyond expression with the marvelous manifestation of his powers of mind and heart. His career in this capacity was indeed brief, but brilliant and powerful. Rev. J. W. Haggard very fittingly says: "I was always impressed with the remarkable reserve power of Dr. Anderson, feeling that much power was left even after he had mightily influenced others by his matchless personality."

He had large influence in elevating the standard of Trinity University, leading it to rank high in noble contributions to the mighty forces and vast influences of Christian education. His favorite exhortations in school and church, "Be something," "Do something." were uttered and emphasized with such force, clearness and persuasiveness that people, teachers and student body, rank and file, heard and were constrained to hasten, in noble endeavor, to obey. He had a deep religious experience, beginning in youth and increasing to the meridian of his power. He believed firmly in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in Christian work. Often I have heard him tenderly and beautifully plead with Christians to await in prayer the coming of spiritual power and to go to personal work only under the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. He believed in fellowship with God, and drawing near to him, he was exceedingly tender and powerful in prayer. Imbued with the spirit of truth, his whole being was guided by the light of Christian faith. It meant much to be under the influence of such a man.
      Trinity University, Waxahachie, Texas.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 9, 1905, page 538-539]

Moderator and Brethren: Since our session we have lost that noble and distinguished son and leader in the Church, Rev. Jesse Anderson, A.M., Ph.D., of whom we would say:

Rev. Jesse Anderson, A.M., Ph.D., was born in Kaufman County, Texas, and spent the first five years of his life on the farm and ranch. It was under the influence of the preaching of the Word of God by Rev. C. B. Hodges that he gave his heart and life to God while yet in his boyhood days. Soon after he was received into the Church at Lone Oak, Texas, by the Rev. R. O. Watkins. From that time he was always interested in the Lord's work. Having received the elements of education in the public schools of the county in which he lived, in 1885 he entered Trinity University and graduated with distinction four years later. He had already decided to consecrate his life to the ministry, so he entered the Theological Seminary the following year, in order to perfect his education for that work. In 1893 he was a student of methods in Greek at Chautauqua, New York, 1893. He was married to Miss Luda Newton, a woman of excellent character and noble culture. The degree of Ph.D. was conferred upon Dr. Anderson by Cumberland University in 1894. He was professor of Latin and Greek in Trinity University 1891-5, having served as principal of the preparatory department in 1890. From 1895 to 1902 he was professor Greek and philosophy in the same institution. At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, May, 1901, he was unanimously elected President of Trinity University, and inaugurated with appropriate ceremonies the following September. In this office he was beloved by the entire student body with a devotion rarely equaled. They recognized in him the highest type of consecrated intellectual manhood. He spent in the years 1901-1904 about twenty-two months in Chicago University as a graduate student, pursuing specially the studies of sociology and economics. Thus he had fitted himself so admirably for greater usefulness in higher Christian education. The last service of this noble man of God was enjoyed by the people of Hubbard City, Texas. In this capacity he manifested such noble consecration to the Master's work that not only did he endear himself to the membership of that congregation in a most remarkable manner, but also to all other Christian people of the town, and to the irreligious element in like degree. He was honored, respected and loved, and the principles of his life wielded a power for good over old and young, religious and irreligious. Last August he was unanimously elected, with his solicitation, superintendent of public schools of Hubbard City. This he accepted, and resigned as pastor of the Church, and was preparing to enter upon the duties of that office. But, alas! in the very prime of his life he was taken from us. About September 1st he was stricken down by the accidental breaking of his leg and an attack of typhoid fever, which resulted in his death October 12, 1905. The funeral services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Hubbard City, in the presence of a host of sorrowing friends. A wife and five children are left to sorrow the loss of husband father, and for whom the prayers of God's people and this Presbytery should be offered. Dr. Anderson lives no longer in the flesh with us to carry sunshine into the hearts of those who knew him by the genial warmth of his smiles, to inspire youth with the nobility of his life to strive after the highest ideals of living, to bring joy into sorrowing hearts by the comfort that his faith in God could insure. His was a sublime faith in Jesus Christ, a faith sublime, yet simple and trustful as a child's. His power as a preacher was great in its influence over saved and unsaved; his influence as an educator inspiring, and his example as a man of God and a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ glorifying to the name of the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.

Therefore, resolved, that a memorial service led by Rev. A. A. Davis be held this afternoon at 3 o'clock, in which the assembled brethren shall be afforded an opportunity to pay the tribute of love to our departed brother.

Second, that this Presbytery express to his widow and her five children, and to all other relatives and loved ones, our sincere sympathy, the continuation of our love and the assurance of our prayers.
[Source: Minutes of Corsicana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, January 1906, page 20-21]

1887
Anderson, J., Tehuacana, Texas
Candidate - Bacon Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 150]

1888
Anderson, J., Tehuacana, Texas
Candidate - Bacon Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 162]

1889
Anderson, Jesse, Kemp, Texas
Minister - Bacon Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 171]

1890
Anderson, Jesse, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister - Bacon Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 117]

1891
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 145]

1892
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 153]

1893
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 155]

1894
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 170]

1895
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, page 177]

1896
Anderson, Jesse, Tehuacana, Texas
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, page 163]

1897
Anderson, Jesse, (teacher), Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
Pastor - Tehuacana Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Tehuacana, Texas
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1897, pages 232 & 286]

1898
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1898, page 301]

1899
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 205a]

1900
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1900, page 219a]

1901
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1901, page 277a]

1902
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1902, page 230a]

1903
Anderson, Jesse, teacher, 5749 Drexel Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Texas Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1903, page 215a]

1904
Anderson, Jesse, student, 5737 Drexel Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Minister - Chicago Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1904, page 180a]

1905
Anderson, Jesse - 5737 Drexel Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Minister - Chicago Presbytery - Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 176a]

1906
Ordained Ministers Deceased
Name: Anderson, Jesse
Presbytery: Corsicana Presbytery - Texas Synod
Occupation: none listed
Place of Residence: Hubbard, Tex.
Date: Oct. 12, 1905
Age: 40
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1906, page 133a]