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Title: |
George Anderson Papers |
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Repository: |
Sandusky Library
http://www.sanduskylib.org |
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Creator: |
George Anderson |
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Dates: |
1813-1865 |
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Bulk dates: |
1813-1833 |
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Quantity: |
.1 linear feet |
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Abstract: |
The George Anderson Papers offer a view of the life of one of the earliest settlers in Sandusky- the city's first physician and its second mayor. The documents in this collection offer information about Dr. Anderson's activities, primarily in his role as a political leader in this newly-settled area. These items were donated to the library in 1937 by Dr. Marjorie Anderson, great-granddaughter of Dr. George Anderson. (Marjorie Anderson was chair of the English Department at Hunter College in New York when she died in 1954.) |
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Identification: |
1937:1343-55, 57-59, 68 |
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Location: |
Sandusky Library Archives Research Center, Box G-1, Folder 6 |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Dr. George Anderson was born in 1792 on his family's farm in New York State. He received his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania medical school, circa 1813-1815, and was licensed as a physician in the state of New York in 1816. In 1817, he moved to Venice, Ohio (now a part of the city of Sandusky); he took up residence in Sandusky in 1818, boarding at the home of Mrs. Asa Smith and her son William, on Water Street. In 1821, he married Eleanor Hull; they lived near the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Market Street.
He was active in both the medical and political fields while resident in Sandusky. As the first physician in the region, Dr. Anderson's territory covered most of what is now Erie County, as well as Ottawa County. In 1824, he helped to found the local Medical Society, serving first as vice president, and later president. Also in 1824, Sandusky was incorporated; Dr. Anderson served on the first city council after incorporation. In 1829, he was elected mayor of Sandusky, serving until 1830.
Dr. Anderson also was involved in developing transportation systems for the Sandusky area. He was involved in the early stages of the creation of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, and served as a director of that company. Additionally, he was an original stockholder and director of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike Company.
When cholera first struck Sandusky in 1832, Dr. Anderson played a leading role in monitoring and treating members of the community, as a member of the local board of health and as the primary physician for the region. During the second major cholera outbreak in Sandusky, in 1834, Dr. Anderson succumbed to the disease after treating infected patients.
The bulk of this collection consists of letters written to Dr. Anderson, primarily relating to political and administrative issues, including the development of transportation routes through the region; these letters were sent by political associates, including several of the founders of Sandusky. Most of these letters (except the letters from Lewis Cass) include transcriptions.
A political circular, issued in 1830 in the name of Dr. Anderson and several other citizens, announces an organizational meeting of the local Democratic-Republican Party. Three other circulars announce meetings relating to railroad matters.
Also in this collection are personal papers belonging to Dr. Anderson and his heirs, including deeds, medical licenses and related certificates, and legal notices. A newspaper clipping and a map describing the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable in 1858, originally belonging to Dr. Anderson's son, George F. Anderson, is included in this collection.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
George Anderson Papers, Sandusky Library Archives Research Center