Dr. George Anderson

            Dr. George Anderson was a physician in Greene County for over 50 years.

            He was born on June 20, 1867 in Cadiz, Ohio.

            Anderson graduated from Franklin College in New Athens, Ohio and then went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland.

            On December 24, 1891 Dr. Anderson married Winnifred Barrett of Columbus, Ohio.  They first lived in Lumberton, Ohio where he practiced medicine.

            The Andersons moved to Alpha in Greene County in 1893.  They purchased the house and practice of Dr. McClure.  The buildings were located on the corner of Alpha Road and the Old Dayton-Xenia Pike which is now called Whitey Marshall Drive.

            Dr. Anderson used different modes of transportation to reach his patients through the years.  In the beginning he used a horse and buggy to make his calls day or night. Sometimes roads were so muddy he had to go on foot. In the winter he replaced the buggy with a sleigh.  In later years he drove a Model-T coupe and then a 1918 Buick Sedan. 

            Andersons’ grand daughter, Nancy Rhodehamel, recalled in “Beavercreek Chronicles” produced by the Beavercreek Historical Society an accident he had with the Buick.  He didn’t clear the traction tracks in time and the back of the Buick was sheared off.  She says, “Nonplused, my Grandpa climbed out of his car (which was now in two sections), straightened his glasses, donned his trademark hat, grabbed his black bag and proceeded on to see his patient.”

            The doctor had no office staff and patients did not make appointments.  People wishing to see him in his office went there and waited for his return.  Rhodehamel, recalled,  “…neighbors on the “party” line would relay the Doctor’s location and progress to those waiting in his office.”

            The office had floor to ceiling shelves that were lined with brown jars of powdered drugs and syrups.   Dr. Anderson mixed his own medicines. Powders were poured into small folded paper packets which were dispensed to patients.  The doctor used a closet as a laboratory and had a small alcohol lamp to sterilize solutions. A huge sterilizer was used to sanitize his equipment.

.           For home visits Rhodehamel wrote he “packed his saddle bags with gauze rolls, bandages, coal-tar ointment, surgical instruments and even anesthesia (ether).”

            Dr. Anderson did all types of surgery, sometimes in his office, but often on the kitchen table in a patient’s house.  He also delivered babies in the patients’ homes. 

            Most doctor calls, office or home, cost $1 and medicine was about 35cents per dose.  However, rich people were charged more.  Some patients paid in produce.  No bills were sent and everyone paid when they could.

            The Anderson’s had three children: Harold who died at age nine, Horace, and Winifred. 

            Dr. Anderson retired after over 50 years in medicine. He bought several farms in Beavercreek with his son, Harold and raised champion swine. 

            Dr. Anderson died October 19, 1945. He is buried in Beavercreek Township Cemetery

Hivling

John Hivling By Rosalie Yoakam John Hivling was born on July 14, 1779 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and later moved to Maryland. He married Sally Ankney in 1799. In 1809, the Hivling family moved to Greene County where Hivling purchased a mill which he operated for about two years. When he was elected sheriff of Greene County, Hivling sold the mill and moved his family into Xenia. He served as sheriff for four years, from 1812-1816. In this office, by order of the court, he administered the last public whipping. Robinson's History of Greene County says of the incident, "…the degrading punishment was well deserved, as the crime of which the rascal had been convicted was of the vilest order,…(Hivling) fairly carried out the sentence of the court in spirit and letter as the scamp hugged a small sugar tree on the public square." While serving as sheriff, Hivling bought a corner lot at Detroit and Main Streets in Xenia. A log building was on the property. From this building he operated a hotel called the Hivling House, which became the foremost hotel of the town. Hivling next bought a thousand acres outside of town and lived there for a short while. His property was north of present day Church Street and extended as far as the current Fair grounds. In 1815 Hivling entered the mercantile business when he bought out a storekeeper named Davis. He purchased all of the store stock as well as a lot and building on Main Street. Hivling was an early supporter of the Little Miami Railroad locating in Xenia and was made a member of the first board of directors. When the Xenia Bank was organized, he was appointed President of the bank. It later became the State Bank of Ohio and he was one of the largest stockholders. He also served on the state board of control of the bank. Hivling was a charter member of the Xenia branch of the Masons. Broadstone's History of Greene County, Ohio states, "He was interested in the first bank, …Little Miami Railroad, and in every feature of the life of Xenia which promised to make it a better and larger city." Robinson's says, "In all his business connections, in banking, in railroad management and in mercantile matter, he was noted for his clear practical good sense." The Hivlings' had thirteen children, eleven girls and two boys. Oral history says that when the daughters married the parents gave them a cameo pin, a gold watch and chain, and a new house as wedding gifts. John Hivling died on November 4, 1860 and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia, Ohio. Broadstone's claims that, "At his death…he was the wealthiest man in the county."