Robert A. Anderson
R.A. “Bob” Anderson began his career with the Western & Atlantic Railroad in about 1856.
The Locust Grove native began his career as a clerk in the railroad’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, freight office. After two years in that role, he was promoted to general freight agent.
In 1863, he left the railroad to serve for the Confederacy, holding a role in the engineering department.
After the state leased the line in 1870, Anderson was named general superintendent, and he assumed the superintendent role in about 1882 after William MacRae resigned the post.
When the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway leased the line from the state in 1890, he was named general superintendent of the Western & Atlantic’s property. However, with his health failing, he resigned from the post after only a few months.