[5] He married Phoebe Faull Rodda (1871-1955) on 30 September 1896.

[6][7] Recruited from Scotch College, Melbourne,[8] then situated in East Melbourne, Anderson, a defender, played in three successive premiership teams in 1892-1894 during his time with Essendon in the VFA.

In his debut match, playing against North Melbourne in the first home-and-away match for the 1892 season, at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground, on 7 May 1892, it was noted that "Anderson, a Scotch College follower, played remarkably well",[9] and that he was "a very promising follower" (especially significant given that the experienced follower, Fred Ball, in the second of his six seasons with Essendon, was unable to play in that match due to illness).

[10] Playing at cente half-back, he was one of the 20 who played for Essendon in its first VFL match against Geelong, at Corio Oval, on 8 May 1897: Jim Anderson, Edward "Son" Barry, Arthur Cleghorn, Tod Collins, Jim Darcy, Charlie Forbes, Johnny Graham, Joe Groves, George Hastings, Ted Kinnear, George Martin, Bob McCormick, Pat O'Loughlin, Gus Officer, Ned Officer, Bert Salkeld, George Stuckey, George Vautin, Norman Waugh, and Harry Wright.

In 1903 and for part of 1904, he was club captain, and he twice represented Victoria at interstate football.