Margaret Jane Bryant was born in Des Moines, Iowa in May 1856, the daughter of Clark and Lucinda Bryant. When she was very young, her family moved to Boulder City, then still part of the Nebraska Territory before Colorado became its own territory. They moved back to Iowa before 1870, and sometime thereafter Margaret Bryant moved to Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas.

Around 1875, when she was 19 years old, Margaret married John Renfro (sometimes spelled "Renfrow"). He died within a year of their marriage. In 1880, Margaret married John Henry (J.H.) Anderson, who had served in the Civil War as a private in Company B of the 61st Regiment of the Illinois Infantry. Anderson served as county treasurer for Cowley County in the early 20th century.

Margaret Anderson was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Winfield and held offices at various times in local Eastern Star, Rebekahs, and Ladies Grand Army Circle chapters. She died in June 1920.

The Andersons had six daughters and one son, only three of whom survived past infancy: Lula (or Loula) A. (Anderson) Milburn, who served as Cowley County register of deeds; Ada; and Ruby Anderson. Ruby Anderson, born in 1896, married Joseph L. Roberts (1891-1967), and died in 1992.