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.
From the guide to the George Anderson Papers, 1813-1865, 1813-1833, (Sandusky Library)
