J. C. Anderson

J. C. Anderson, physician and surgeon, Starrsville, Newton County, Georgia, son of Newton and Eunice (Askew) Anderson, was born in South Carolina in 1838.

His paternal grandparents, Thomas and Anna (White) Anderson, were natives of Virginia, whence, early in life, they migrated to South Carolina. After remaining there a few years he came to Georgia in the old-time primitive ox-cart and settled in the woods in Newton County, where Oxford now stands, and cleared a farm. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain and became a prominent and influential citizen of Newton County, which he represented in the general assembly.

Mr. Anderson’s father was born in South Carolina, where he received a good education, and came to Newton County in 1837. After teaching school five years he was elected sheriff of the county and was continuously re-elected and held the office at the time of his death. In 1863 he raised a regiment of cavalry, of which he was commissioned colonel, performed gallant service in many hard-fought battles, and was neither captured nor wounded. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Stephen Askew, a native of South Carolina.

Dr. Anderson was raised on the farm, and after receiving a good primary and preparatory education studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Willis Westmoreland, Atlanta, after which he attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1860, and immediately afterward located and commenced the practice of medicine at Starrsville.

In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Third Georgia Regiment, and was made surgeon of his company, and afterward was made surgeon of the Third Georgia hospital at Richmond; but when his company was ordered to the front he insisted on going with it, and did so. With his command he was in the following, among other important battles: South Mills, Malvern Hill, seven days’ fight around Richmond, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Harper’s Ferry, etc. He was slightly wounded at Sharpsburg, and again more seriously at Gettysburg. He refused to go to the hospital, and remained with his company. He finally accepted a sixty days’ furlough and came home, but he rejoined his company at Jonesville before his furlough expired. He was with his command in every fight in which it took a part, excepting when he was at home. His regiment never gave up a position, and was never ordered to take a position but what it took it and kept it, and was known in the army as the “fighting regiment”, a distinction gallantly earned and as gallantly maintained.

Entering at once upon the practice of his profession after the war he has established a large and remunerative practice and reputation for skill, as demonstrated by his success. He ranks high in the profession and is regarded by the people with the affection of which the faithful physician is so richly deserving.

Dr. Anderson was married in 1863 to Miss Amanda C., Georgia born, daughter of Archibald S. and Mary (Quilly) Belcher. His wife’s grandparents, William and Jemima (Smith) Belcher, were natives of Virginia, who came to Georgia in ox-carts about 1800, settled in what is now Jasper County, and cleared a farm in the woods. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife’s father was born in Georgia in 1812; during the Civil War was a member of the state militia first, and afterward under the command of Capt. Newton Anderson.

To Dr. and Mrs. Anderson five children have been born, three of whom survive:
Newton, practicing physician;
Tommie L., wife of E. 0. Lee, and
Anna Gordon.

He is a master Mason, and Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Good Templars. Himself and wife are working and useful members of the Methodist Church.

Source: Memoirs of Georgia, Containing historical accounts of the states civil, military, industrial and professional interests and personal sketches of many of it’s people, Volume II, The Southern Historical Association, Atlanta, Georgia, 1895.

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