Name/Title
PaperEntry/Object ID
RF7,PhysiciansDescription
RF7 - Reference Paper 7:
THE PHYSICIANS OF PERTH
At the time the Home Government planned and carried into effect the Settlement in the newly opened up District in Canada on the backs of the Rideau or Pike River District as it was at first called, it did not overlook the need of medical supervision over the pysical ills of the little community, as there is on record a communication from the Adjutant General's office in Quebec, dated August 18, 1815, referring to the appointment of Staff Sargeant Thom "to take the medical charge of the establisment forming on the Rideau?
Dr. Alexander Thom was an Army Surgeon formerly in the Forty-first Regiment, and belonged to an old Jersey family. He was followed closely by Surgeon-Major Hume Reade, also an Army Surgeon. These two physicians took an active interest in the welfare of the colony, occupying various pastimes of trust. In 1836 William Morris, at that time a member for the Provincial Assembly, being called to a seat in the Upper House, Dr. Thom and Dr. Reade, among others, gave notice to the electors of their willingness to represent them. Dr. Thom was the successful candidate, taking his seat in the House of Assembly on March 2, 1836. In the month of June following the general elections were held, when Dr. Thom, again one of the candidates, was defeated by Malcolm Cameron. Dr. Thom was one of the earliest Justices of the Peace for the District, and was Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for many years. He also went into the milling business, establishing a grist mill on the site of the one now belonging to the Hon. John Haggart. His, along with other early mills of the Bathurst District, did a brisk trade. Neither Dr. Thom nor Dr. Reade appear to have done a large general practice. Dr. Thom (and probably Dr. Reade as well) enjoying a handsome pension. Dr. Thom acquired extensive grants of land, his lots running in length from the Scotch Line to North Street. He was married three times, the first two wives being sisters. The third was a Miss Emily Graves, a half-sister of Captain LeBreton. He had five children, four daughters and a son, and it may be interesting to know where they are all settled. His oldest daughter, Catherine, married a Mr. Spragg of Toronto, the second, Harriet, (by many considered the handsomest girl in the place at that time) became the wife of James Boulton, a lawyer of Perth, they afterwards removing to Toronto. Mr. Boulton was a widower at the time of his marriage and Miss Thom, having one sone, D'Arcy Boulton. Two of our streets, D'Arch and Boulton, keep us in remembrance of this family. Eliza and Caroline thom, the two daughters of the last wife were married in turn, Eliza becoming Mrs. Smith and Caroline the wife of Mr. Gamsby, a Civil engineer. The latter removed with their family from the Town many years ago, and are now living in Ocala, Florida. Caroline Village, originally part of Dr. Thom's property, was named after Mrs. Gamsby. The only son, Alex., died while still quite a young man. Dr. Thom's first dwelling house was one of the wings of what is now known as the Gamsby house, the main dwelling having been added in later years. Dr. Thom died somewhere about the year 1846 or 47.
Dr. George Hume Reade, mentioned above, was one of the early Coroners of the Distict, also Justice of the Peace, being appointed in November 1822, also Commissioner per dedimusnpotestatem for the District of Bathurst. This appears to be the oldest Commission of the Peace on Record. He was the next year evidently, appointed Clerk of the Peace, and as such his name appears in the earliest of the old Quarter Session records, that of 1823, the fourth year of our Majesty "King George" till early in the year 1839, when he appears to have given up the office, this being altogether likely about the time he and his family left the Town. Dr. Reade was married to a Miss Cabbage, whose sister became the wife of Mr. Henry Sache. The military instinct seems to have been strongly marked in the Reade family, the four sons of Dr. Reade following in their father's footsteps and serving in the army at various times. It may be interesting to note to what eminent distinction these sons of old Perth attained in later years. William, the oldest son, entered one of the West Indian Regiments and died in the Tropics, while the youngest son, Arthur Lloyd Reade, is now a retired Lieut. Colonel of the 62nd. Regiment of Foot. The second and third sons, Herbert Taylor Reade and John By Cole Reade, rose to high eminence in the medical proafession and gained great distinction in the army, each having been appointed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the year 1895, to be Honorary Surgeon in the Royal Household. Herbert Taylor Reade entered the army in 1850 as assistant Sergeon in the 61st., the South Gloucestershire Regiment of Foot. Promoted Surgeon in 1857, the outbreak of the Mutiny in that year found him with his Regiment in the thickest of the fight, and for his splendid acts of bravery the Queen conferred upon him that most coveted of all military rewards and decorations - the Victorian Cross. Dr Reade subsequently served during the campaign in the Bengal, Madras and Bombay Presidencies, and also in the Mauritius, in the Straits Settlements, and the West Indies. He became a Brigade Surgeon in 1879 and Surgeon General in 1886, and Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1887. John By Cole Reade entered the army Medical Department in 1854, and after serving with distinction in the Crimes and during the Indian Mutiny and the Afghan War, was made Surgeon General in 1888, and among other high rewards and honors conferred upon him was the one of the recipient of the Jubilee Medal of 1897. These two distinguished sons of Dr. Reade, Sir Herbert Taylor Reade and Sir John Reade, are, as far as can be learned, still living at the date of the writing of this paper. A grandson of Dr. Reade is a present Recter of Drummondville, Que., the Rev. G.H. Reade.
In 1821, Dr. James Wilson, a native of Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland, educated at Edinburgh University, where he received his degree in 1819, came to Canada instead of practising his profession in the Old Land. He settled in Perth where he built up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Wilson was an attentive and skilful physician, besides being endowed with extreme caution, and possessing a keen sense of humor. He was of the old school and in dress and manner was a thorough gentleman, kind and generous, especially to his poorer patients, attending these much of the time without fee and often giving them presents of wine or fruit, at other times he would quietly slip pieces of money under their pillows to buy some sick room necessasry, whilst he hastened away to escape their thanks.
Dr. Wilson was very fond of Science, being especially devoted to geology, and notwithstanding his extensive country practice, he devoted considerable attention to the natural history of the District, enriching the mineralogy of the Province by the discovery of many interesting minerals. One called after himself, Wilsonite, and a second, Perthite, we will especially mention, the latter being a specis of felspar with golden reflections on a reddish brown surface. In his many ddrives over the country his pockets were usually filled with geological hammers of all sizes, and many an unusual and fine specimen of the various formations that met his eye, was brought to his home and these carefully treasured. Scientific friends from other places, who at times visited Perth, freguently made excursions with him to localities within easy reach, and with a wagon, team and driver, were in a condition to secure large and valuable additions to their geological collections. Sir William Logan and the Rev. Andrew Bell were two special friends of a kindred spirit. Part of Dr. Wilson's collection is in the Dominion Geological Museum in Ottawa, while a smaller number find a home in the Collegiate Institute of this Town. Dr. Wilson, on coming to Perth, boarded first with Mr. and Mrs. Smith in their house in which afterwards lived their only child, Mrs. Richard Walker, Sr. and her family, and now occupied by Mrs. Jaques (cr. Craig and Gore). Dr. Wilson next boarded with a Mr. McEathron and bought the house on the latter's leaving town, that in which Mr. F.A. Hall now resides. There he lived for many years when, having sold it to the Bank of Montreal, he boarded, during the last few years of his stay in Perth, with Alexander Kippen, Sr. When quite elderly, Dr. Wilson went to Scotland and brought back a winsome bride, but his happiness did not last long, for in less then three years she left him, and in the old Presbyterian burying-ground is a simple but substantial monument which tells us that "To this tomb is committed all that is mortal of Janet Milligan, who was the beloved wife of James Wilson, Surgeon". In 1869 Dr. Wilson gave up his practice and returned to Edinburgh, latterly boarding with two elderly ladies of good family, whose home he at length bought, persuading them to remain while he lived and kept house for him. Dr. Wilson died at Dalrymple Crescent, Edinburgh in April 1881, and was buried in the Grange Cemetary of that city.
In the "Letters of the Rev. William Bell" there is mention made of a Dr. O'Hara being in practice in Perth in the year 1825, but no definite information can be foun as to the length of his stay in the Town. Dr. O'Hara had been a surgeon in the army, (3rd home from Gore St., on Colbourn St.
Although not in active practice in Perth, mention may be made of Drl McLean, who came to his vicinity in 1825, remaining till the time of his death in the year 1840. He was a surgeon in the Royal Navy and came here on leave of absence on half pay, liable to the called on at anytime. Some of the members of Dr. McLean's family are well known residents in this District. Their residence was, in the earlier years, on their land near Oliver's Ferry, later in what waas known as the "White" house, on the corner of Drummond Street East, facing the home of Mr. John McMaster.
Dr. Holmes appears to be the next resident physician coming to the place. He came from Kingston, taking up his residence in December 1836, at the Hotel of Mr. William Cross, the latter having removed there two years proviously. This was St. George's Hotel, afterwards having William matheson, of when we have often heard, as proprieter, and familiarly known and spoken of as "Bill Matheson's Hotel". From an old file of the Bathurst Courier, we find that in June of the following year (1837) Dr. Holmes removed to the stone cottage at the beginning of the long bridge, formerly the residence of Malcolm Cameron, and there till quite recently, when rebuilt into a mere modern but less picturesque brick residence by its present occupant, Mr. David Lowe, at one side was an outside stairway reaching to the upper story, and here Dr. Holmes had his surgery, living on the lower floor. He had been a Surgeon in the Army and was very skillful. In addition to the general branches of his profession, he performed the various operations of dental surgery. He had enjoyed the advantages of attending some of the largest hospitals and schools of Anotomy and Surgery in London and Dublin, for a period of eight years. Dr. Holmes returned to Scotland about the year 1849.
Shortly following Dr. Holmes came Dr. James Stewart Nichel, who reached Perth in the summer of 1837. For a short time Dr. Nichel lived in a cottage situated just back of the house now occupied by Miss Ddrysdale, then in one occupying the site of Mr. William Meighan's present home. He afterwards built the stone cottage now owned by Dr. Fowler, and had the adjoining frame building for his surgery. Here he resided until his death, which came very suddenly while attending, along with his son, Dr. James Nichel, Jr., a patient in the country. Dr. Nichel was a man of very kindly nature, although somewhat brusque in his manner, had a great sense of humor, and was very skilful and successful in his practice. He was the friend as well as the physician of all his patients. Dr. Nichel's wife, Isabella Muller, the highly educated daughter of a German musical composer, who had settled in Edinburgh and there married a Scotch wife, wied with him in kindness and thoughtfulness to his patients. They were both held in general esteem and justly so. It was in the month of February 1864, that Dr. Nichel was called home, his wife surviving him many years, having died in January of last year (1899) at a good old age. Dr. Nichel was gaol surgeon for many years, and a Justice of the Peace as far back as 1854.
Their son, Dr. James Nichel Jr., who for some years had shared his father's practice, survived him only a few years, having died in November of 1870. He was educate at Queen's University, from which he graduated with honors. Like his father, Dr. Nichel was very efficient in his profession and was much regretted when death removed, after a few days illness, the strong stulwart young man, whose short life had given promise of such a successful career. He succeeded his gather as Gaol Surgeon and held his position til his death.
Dr. Edward Quincy Sewell, son of a former Solicitor General of Lower Canada, lived in Perth for some years about this time, coming to the place about the year 1854 or '55. He finished his medical education in Paris. Dr. Sewell was always very gentlemanly in his treatment of the other members of his profession, never interfering in the least with their patients or infringing on their rights. Dr. Sewell's health broke down after a few years of practice, when he and his family removed to Toronto. He built and occupied while in Perth, the house now owned by Mr. F.L. Mitchell on Drummond Street, East.
In the years 1861 and "62, just for a short time, there was a Dr. Morton in the place, living in the brick house belonging to the Robert Stone Estate, opposite the Episcopalian Church. Dr. Morton appears to have left town after a few months of unsuccessful practices.
Dr. John Dickson Kellock was the next physician to find a practice in Perth. He studied medicine at Queen's University graduating with high honors in 1862. Locating for practice in his native town in this same year. Dr. Kellock's fine abilities soon attracted an extensive and lucrative practice. His skill was acknowledged even in the early years of his professional career by some of the foremost physicians of the Cities. He was a class student and kept abreast of the times in everything, pertaining to medical lore, as well as being extremely well read in general matters. He was quite frequently consulted by the other physicians of the town in regard to difficult cases, and was much missed by them after his death, which came very suddenly and unexpectedly in 1898. Dr. Kellock took a leading interest in educational matters, having been a member of the School Board from the year 1865, the date of his appointment, till the time of his death, several years also occupying the position of Chairman of that body. Dr. Kellock was appointed Coronor of the United Counties of Lanark and Renfrew in 1865 and Gaol Surgeon in 1881, on the removal of Dr. Howden to Winnipeg. He also received the appointment of Surgeon to the Canadian Pacific Railway for this District. Dr. Kellock was a good man in every sense of the word, but of a just and unassuming manner. As a private citizen he occupied the highest place in the esteem of his friends and acquistances. Dr. Kellock married Miss Margaret Ingram Brown, who survives him.
Dr. Alfred Hersey of Kingston, a graduate of Queen's University, also practiced here for a few years, coming to Perth about the year 1863 to take up his professional work. Dr. Hersey built up a good practice and was generally much liked. He remained in town till the year 1867, when he sold his practice to Dr. McArthur and removed to Chicago, where he is at the present time. While in Perth, Dr. Hersey lived and had his office in the house of Mr. John A. McLaren, opposite the Town Hall.
Dr. Robert Corry, a Queen's graduate, came to Perth in the early sixties, having previously practised in Lanark for a time. He left town to become a surgeon in the American Civil War, after which he went to Minnesota to reside, remaining there till the time of his death, some years later. Dr. Corry married Isabella, a daughter of the late Dr. J.S. Nickel, Sr.
The year 1867 saw two young graduates of McGill University coming to locate for practice in the town, Doctors James McArthur and William Grant. They had been members of the same class during their medical course.
Dr. McArthur succeeded Dr. Hersey, on the latter's leaving for Chicago, but stayed only a year in Town, as the practice he had purchased did not come up to his expectations. He left to reside in Milwaukee.
Dr. Grant resided amongst us for many years and enjoyed a large and successful practice. He was of Highland parentage, from the County of Glengarry, and was a skilful and studious physician, a favorite with all his patients. He was Coronor of the County of Lanark for many years, having been appointed in 1887. Dr. Grant married Miss Caldwell, of Lanark, who still resides in the Town. His very sudden death three years ago, was much regretted by many in the community.
In the year 1869, Dr. H.C. Rugg, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, removed to Lanark County, and here in Perth was in the possession of a good practice for some years, when he removed to Stanstead, Quebec, where he still resides. Dr. Rugg when in town, built a house and office for himself, that is now occupied by Mr. T.A. Code.
Dr. Robert C. Howden, a native of Canada, came to Perth about the year 1871, closely following the death of Dr. James Nichel, Jr., having previously been located in Almonte and Lanark. He was educated at McGill University and built up a large and successful practice when here. He married Martena, oldest daughter of Dr. J.S. Nichel, and after the death of young Doctor Nichel, succeeded him in his practice, also in the postiion of Gaol Surgeon. He had been, in the year 1861, appointed Goronor for Lanark and Renfrew. Doctor Howden left this place in 1881 to practice in Winnipeg, to the regret of many who valued his services on account of his undoubted silll in his profession, and his warm hearted and genial manner. He died in the Western City three years ago - 1897.
Of the later physicians locating for practice in the Town I will merely make mention. Dr. H.D. Fraser, following Dr. Howden in 1881; Dr. David Munroe, coming in 1883, from Winnipeg, where he had been practice previously; Dr. Parker, a former school teacher in the District, remaining but a very short itme; Dr. T.W. Beeman following Dr. Fraser in 1887, on the latter's removal to North Bay and Orangeville; Doctors F and A.E. Hanna, the former leaving town after a short residence and practice in Perth, the latter the present C.P.R. Surgeon, succedding the late Dr. Kellock in that position; Doctors Malorey, Scott and Kletz all practicing here but a short period; Doctors R.V. Fowler and A.W. Dwyre, the present Coronor for Lanark County. Of this number, Doctors Munroe, Beeman, A.E. Hanna, Fowler and Dwyre are all engaged in active and successful practice at the present time.
February 2nd, 1900 Mary A.B. Campbell