Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Dr. B.P. Anderson - Colorado Springs Early Physician

 

Post by Doris McCraw aka Angela Raines

Photo property of the Author

I wrote about Dr. Garvin last time. Dr. Garvin was the first doctor in what is now known as Old Colorado City. A look at Dr. Boswell P. Anderson Sr. might be a nice follow-up, as Dr. Anderson was the first doctor in Colorado Springs according to early records.

From Find A Grave Site
Dr. Boswell P. Anderson

Boswell P. Anderson was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 13, 1847. He served in Company D of the 43rd Virginia Cavalry. After the war, he attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville in 1868 and then the Washington University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. 

If the records are correct Dr. Anderson set up a practice in the area in 1872. However, it seems he was in Denver from 1870-1872. Perhaps it will be easier to just bullet what Dr. Anderson did prior to his death in August of 1919.

* Served in the Civil War on the Confederate side, possibly one of Mosby's Raiders

* Shot in the chest during the war, the bullet was never removed

* Contracted TB

* Was the doctor for the Midland Railroad

* Helped start Saint Francis Hospital - Colorado Springs

* Part of the beginning of Glockner Sanitarium - Later Penrose Hospital

* Involved with the various medical societies

Dr. Anderson left his mark on the region and his story is one that many might find larger than life.


Until next time: stay safe, stay happy, stay healthy, and keep reading

Doris




 









2 comments:

Julie Lence said...

Interesting man, Doris. I can't imagine doing all he did with a bullet in his chest, but some people are meant to overcome the imaginable and press on. Interesting that he helped found St. Francis Hospital. The one one Powers is where I go, and they keep adding on all the time. Hugs and thank you for sharing.

Renaissance Women said...

The more I dug into the research the more I wanted to know. Doris