Name:
Charles Nathaniel Anderson 
Location served:
Tilbury  
Years in Practice:
1888 to 1921
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Charles Nathaniel Anderson was born on the 14th of January, 1858 in Stephen Twp., Huron County.  Dr. Anderson was the 3rd of 13 children born to James Anderson and the former Elizabeth Ann Howes.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Robert Anderson, Samuel Thomas Anderson, James Anderson, Arthur Russell Anderson, Francis “Frank” L. Anderson, Demascus “William” Anderson, Laura Ann Anderson, Margaret Ann “Emma” Anderson, Henry H. Anderson (died at the age of 18), John Hooker Anderson, Frederick Anderson and Elizabeth Ann Anderson.

Dr. Anderson’s family moved to Mersea Twp in Essex County when he was about 15 years of age.  Dr. Anderson taught school for 6 years in Tilbury West Township and saved his earnings to pursue a dream to attend medical school.

Dr. Anderson graduated M.D.,C.M. from Trinity Medical College in Toronto in 1888.   He opened his practice in Comber (Essex County), close to where he grew up.  According to the 1892 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Anderson joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 8th of May, 1888.  Dr. Anderson routinely made the trip to Tilbury in Chatham-Kent to attend to his patients.  His name appears on birth and death records in the Town of Tilbury and Tilbury East Twp.

Dr. Anderson married Sarah Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Smith on the 17th of October, 1890 in Comber.  Mrs. Anderson was the daughter of Rueben Smith and the former Amanda Buchanan.  Her parents were married in Michigan where they had their first 3 children; Mary, a son named Larue and a daughter named Emma.  The Smith family moved to Canada in 1863 and farmed in Sandwich West Twp, Essex County.  Sarah Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Smith was born in June of 1865.  Her mother died when she was a young child and her father married Mary Anne (Little) Hurst on the 22nd of August, 1870 in Sandwich Twp.  Mary Anne was the daughter of Lindsay Little and the former Catherine Cocayne.  Mary Anne (Little) Hurst was the widow of Robert Hurst, and she brought 3 children to her marriage to Rueben Smith, a daughter named Eliza and 2 sons; Lindsay and Robert.  Together Rueben and Mary Anne Smith had 7 more children; George Andrew Smith, William Rueben Smith, Herbert Smith (Herbert and George Smith married sisters, Ida and Lauretta Jarriett at a double wedding service on the 2nd of October 1895), David Smith (he married another one of the Jarriett sisters, Ella on the 1st of November, 1899), Harriett Ann Smith, Daniel Smith and Catherine Dorthea Smith.

Dr. and Mrs. Anderson had 5 children; Clarence Burton Smith, Mabel Merle Anderson, Helen Miriam Elva Anderson (who died of meningitis in 1897 at the age of 1 year old), Howard Buchanan Anderson and Edith Kathleen Anderson.  Dr. Anderson served on the Public School Board and he also served as the Medical Officer of Health for Comber.  In 1902, Dr. Anderson moved his family and his medical practice to Leamington (Essex County).

Dr. Anderson was elected to represent Essex County South in the Ontario legislature from 1908 until 1914.

Dr. Anderson retired from practicing medicine prior to 1921.  According to the 1921 census, Dr and Mrs. Anderson were residing in Windsor at 137 Sunset Ave and his occupation was listed as ‘sheriff’.

Dr. Anderson died at his residence on the 8th of June, 1939 in Windsor (Essex County).  He was buried at Windsor Grove Cemetery.  Mrs. Anderson died at Grace Hospital in Windsor on the 27th of November, 1949.  At the time of her death, Mrs. Anderson’s home was located at 355 Sunset Ave., in Windsor.  Mrs. Anderson was buried at Saint John’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Windsor.

*Dr. Anderson’s son, Clarence Burton Anderson served with the Canadian Military during WWI and WWII.  During WWI he served overseas in France where he rose to the rank of Sergeant.  On the 27th of August 1918 he received a gunshot wound which broke his left forearm.   He was also gassed in April of 1917.  Clarence Burton Anderson was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.  

**Dr. Anderson’s son, Howard Buchanan Anderson enlisted in WWI, 1 month after his 18th birthday on the 4th of February, 1918. His unit was demobilized before he went overseas.  

**Dr. Anderson’s brother Frederick was drafted on the 26th of April, 1942 in Minot, (Ward County), North Dakota.  He died in Ward County, North Dakota on the 26th of November, 1945 and he was buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Minot.  It is unknown if he died of injuries sustained in WWII.