William H. Anderson was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, on January 12, 1836. He attended Yale University from 1855 until 1859 and in 1860 began studying law with Morse & Stevens in Massachusetts. After passing the bar in 1862 Anderson acted as a trial lawyer in Lowell, where he also served on the common council and school board. He was a member of the William North Lodge of Free Masons and served as director of the Lowell National Bank. He married Mary Hine in October 1868 and their daughter Frances was born in 1877.
From the description of Letter to Frances Anderson, 1887, February 10. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 709609260