Grace Esther Bowlby

Other Events:

• Name: Grace Esther Fennell
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38726
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1918, 42 Margaret Avenue, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, 42 Margaret Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Grace — James Philip Fennell. James (son of John Fennell and Alicia Jackson) was born 5 Feb 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1948; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Patricia G. Fennell was born 1908, , Ontario, Canada; died 1987; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143468493
• Honoured: David St. in Kitchener, Ontario is named for him.
• Honoured: David St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; David St., Kitchener named for him
• Interesting: medical, story
• Name: D. S. Bowlby
• Residence: 25 Joseph St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 25 John St. [now Joseph], Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-34051P
• Occupation: 1856, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; doctor
• Elected Office: 1857, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; physician
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Physician - Doctor - Dr.
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Physician - Doctor - Dr.
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Physician - Doctor - Dr.
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Physician - Doctor - Dr.
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Physician - Doctor - Dr.
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

David Sovereign Bowlby, the leading physician and surgeon in Berlin, is a son of Adam Bowlby, whose sketch appears in this volume, and Elizabeth, nee Sovereign, and was born in Townsend, county of Norfolk; September 5, 1826. He received his literary education in Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto; studied his profession at first in the Toronto School of Medicine, and then in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city, receiving the degree of M.D. at the former institution in 1852, and at the latter in 1853. He is one of the most thoroughly educated men in the medical profession in the county.

Dr. Bowlby practiced a few months in Paris, county of Brant, and in October, 1853, settled in Berlin, being the longest in the practice of any man now here, and having an excellent reputation, both professional and personal.

Dr. Bowlby was in the town council for some years, and resigned to accept the office of jail surgeon, which he still holds, and has held for many years. He has been a member of what is now called the high school board nearly as long as he has resided here, and is chairman of the same. He is president of the Berlin Rifle Association, and of the Reform Association of the county of Waterloo, being decidedly radical in his political views.

His religious connection is with the Church of England. He has held the office of warden of St. John's church, Berlin; has been a lay delegate to the synod, and is a man of solid character. The wife of Dr. Bowlby was Martha Esther Murphy, of Montreal, married July 7, 1856. They have five children.

Canadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Ontario Volume, 1880

________________________

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church

Early Anglican services were held in the Berlin area in the 1840s by the Rev. Michael Boomer of the Galt Mission. In 1856 William Jaffray moved from Galt to Berlin and established an English-language newspaper, the Berlin Chronicle. An Anglican, who had attended Trinity Church in Galt, Mr. Jaffray led in the formation of a congregation in Berlin, where he acted as Lay Reader. Two other gentlemen influential in establishing the Anglican presence in Berlin were Henry Joseph Fletcher Jackson and Dr. David S. Bowlby. Land was purchased on April 5, 1861 on the southeast corner of Water St. N. and Short (now Duke) Streets, and the first church, of red brick with white brick trim, was built in 1861.

The church was demolished in April 1894 to make room for the present church which was built on the same site and dedicated on October 7, 1894. A Parish Hall was built in 1927 and the church was enlarged in 1955. Early rectors who followed the missionary, Thomas S. Campbell, were the first rector Rev. E.R. Stimson (1859-1864), Rev. Dr. John Schulte (1864-1867), Rev. Henry Jessop (1868) and Rev. Alexander Sydney Falls (1869-1876).


Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

_______________________________________________________

DAVID SOVEREIGN BOWLBY, M.D

The Bowlbys are a well known U. E. Loyalist family in Norfolk, Brant and Waterloo Counties. Their ancestor, Richard Bowlby, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, left landed possessions in New Jersey in 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled in Annapolis County, N.S. With him came his son, Richard Bowlby, Jr., born in New Jersey, who married a niece of Josiah Wedgwood, celebrated in English industrial history as a pioneer in fine pottery. Adam Bowlby, son of Richard Bowlby, Jr., was born in 1792. In the war of 1812 he was in charge of a company of coast guards, in Nova Scotia, and thus be came a veteran of this war and pensioner for life. At the close of the war, and with renewed tide of settlement to Upper Canada, he joined his uncle, Thomas Bowlby, in Norfolk County. He married Elizabeth Sovereign, in time became a large landholder and farmer, and had a family of five sons, Alfred, William, David S., Ward H., and John W. and one daughter who married Col. Walker Powell, later adjutant general at Ottawa. Adam Bowlby lived in his later years with his son Dr. D. S. Bowlby at whose house he died in 1883.

David Sovereign Bowlby, the third son of Adam Bowlby, was born in the Township of Townsend, Norfolk County, September 5th., 1826 and died on Christmas morning, in Rome, Italy, in 1903. He was educated at Upper Canada College, and at Toronto University, later, in his chosen profession, at the Toronto School of Medicine and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, where he attained his second degree of M.D., in 1853.

He began practice and was for a few months in Paris. In October, 1853, he came to Berlin, now Kitchener, at first to fill the place, temporarily, of a cousin, Dr. J. W. Sovereign, but soon deciding to remain. His skill and care rapidly won for him a large practice, extending in cases to driving distances of fifteen to twenty miles, and he may well be said to have been for many years the leading physician and surgeon of the County. He was the ideal old time family doctor, skilled, sympathetic and forceful, effecting immediate improvement in his patient by the simple act of his appearance, a type which, one sometimes thinks, is passing in the present day of hurry and bald matter of fact. He was County jail surgeon, as also coroner, for many years.

Dr. Bowlby took active interest in public life; as member of the village council of Berlin for five years, 1857 and 1859 to 1862 inclusive, as member for many years, and chairman for twenty five years, of the Board of Trustees of the Berlin High School, and in other capacities. The prosperity of the High School was largely due to his wise counsel and foresight. He was for many years chairman of the Reform Association of North Waterloo, and in the Dominion election of 1882 contested the riding against Hugo Kranz, the previous Member, who defeated him by a small majority. He was first president of the old Berlin Club, now the Lancaster Club.
'At the time of his death Dr. Bowlby was the oldest member of St. John's church, of which he was for many years warden, and delegate to the synod. He was president of the local branch of the Upper Canada Bible Society.

'He married, in 1856, Martha Esther Murphy, of Montreal, a sister of Mrs. H. F. J. Jackson. Mrs. Bowlby survives, as do also two daughters and one son; Mrs. E. P. Clement, D. Shaiinan Bowlby, B.A., LL.B., County Crown Attorney and Mrs. J. P. Fennell, all living in Kitchener. The older son, Major G. H. Bowlby, M.D.,* is on the Waterloo County Roll of Honor, as is also a grandson, Aviation Gunner David Ward Clement. Two grandsons are in the British army; Lieut. G. M. Boyd in France and Gunner Edwin O. Clement, still in Canada.

In his later years Dr. Bowlby had been more or less subject to bronchitis, spending the winter in the south, various years. An attack coming on at the beginning of winter he decided to spend some months in Sicily. Mrs. Bowlby accompanied him. He died a few days after landing in Italy, the first to break the circle of brothers and sister.


*See Biography, 1916 Report; W.H.S.

The Fifth Annual Volume of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1917

__________________

Dr. D.S. Bowlby, physician and surgeon, practiced in Berlin from 1853 to 1903, often driving fifteen to twenty miles by horses and buggy to treat a patient, was a perfect example of the old-time family doctor. It was said that his very appearance at a bedside often brought immediate improvement. Because of his skillfulness and sympathetic attitude, he developed a very large practice.

Dr. Bowlby was the son of a pioneer, Adam Bowlby, and was born in the Township of Townsend, Norfolk County. He was educated at Upper Canada College, the University of Toronto, the Toronto School of Medicine and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Bowlby was a member of the Berlin Village Council, chairman of the board of trustees of the Berlin High School for twenty-five years, and chairman of the Reform Association of North Waterloo.

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

_________________

Bowlby, D. S., physician and surgeon ; also jail surgeon and coroner. Dr. Bowlby is a native of Norfolk Co., Ont., and has lived here since 1854.

Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881

___________________

BOWLBY, DAVID SOVEREIGN was born in Norfolk County, the third son of a U. E. Loyalist family, on September 5, 1826.

A biographical sketch giving an outline of his family history appears in the W. H. S. annual report for 1917.

He was educated at Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto. Having graduated from the Toronto School of Medicine, the Canada Gazette of July 24, 1852 announced that he had been granted his licence to practice He took a further degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 1853.

He first practised in Paris, but on the death pf Dr. J. W. Sovereign on September 21, 1854, he moved to Berlin to take over that practice, his first card appearing in Der Deutsche Canadier on October 12 of that year.

He quickly became a moving force in the community, both in professional matters and in public affairs. He was elected as a member of the village Council as early as 1857, and continued in the political field. Among other interests he was President of the Reform Association for many years, served as chairman of the Board of Trustee of the Berlin High School for twenty five years, acted as coroner, and as jail surgeon.

Despite his activities in these community affairs, he was able to quickly build up an extensive practice, under the rigorous conditions of that time. His skill and devotion in professional matters produced material rewards at a court action in 1859, Dr. Pipe testified

"Dr. Bowlby's practice must bring him an income of $4, 000 or $5, 000 a year, he owns several farms and is reported to be wealthy. He is well thought of by the people in that part of the country. "

He wrote a lengthy letter to the Daily News concerning his treatment of two accident cases, with certificates from other physicians supporting his position.

The Berliner Journal of January 8, 1890 drew attention to the card stating that his son Dr. G. H. Bowlby was joining him in practice. It also pointed out:

It pleases us that his health is better than ever, and that notwithstanding the rumor, he is always in the position to take the opportunity to visit his numerous patients in town and in the country."

Presumably the reference was to the fact that he suffered from bronchitis, which at times required him to spend winters in the south. In December 1903, for this reason he left for Sicily, but became ill and died in Rome on December 26, at 77 years of age.

He was survived by his widow, the former Martha Murphy, two daughters, and two sons.

Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925 by Alexander D. Campbell

____________

FUNERAL OF THE LATE D. S. BOWLBY.

The funeral of the late Dr. David Sovereign Bowlby was held on Saturday afternoon from the Church of St. John the Evanelist to Mount Hope cemetery. Rev. J. W. J. Andrew preached a brief and exceedingly appropriate sermon at the church. The remains were carried to their last resting place by two sons, two sons-in-law and two nephews, viz., Dr. S. Herbert and D. Shannon Bowlby: E. P. Clement, K. C., and J. P. Fennell; Chas. B. Clement and Mossom Boyd, of Bobcaygeon. Among the relatives present from a distance were Mrs. Geo. H. Perley, of Ottawa; Mr. Wm. Boyd, Bobcaygeon, and Henry M. Baird, of Toronto. Messrs. Dr. Alfred Bowlby, of Waterford; William Bowlby, of Simcoe and J. W. Bowiby, K. C., of Brantford, could not reach Berlin, being caught in a snow blockade

The News Record Mon, Feb 08, 1904 Page 1

Elected Office:
years served: 1857, 1859, 1860-61

David married Martha Esther Murphy 1 Jul 1856, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec. Martha (daughter of Alexander Murphy, Esq and Jane Allen) was born 4 Jul 1838, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec; died 29 Dec 1925, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108095054
• Name: Martha Esther Bowlby
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38725
• Residence: 1856, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Notes:

Mrs. M. E. Bowlby

The funeral of the late Mrs. M. E. Bowlby who died at her home in Kitchener from burns received when her clothing took fire on December 29th, was held on Wednesday afternoon. After service was conducted at the home the remains were taken to Montreal for interment. The late Mr. Bowlby was one of the leading doctors in Kitchener for many years and died suddenly while on a visit to Rome, Italy. Three children survive, Mrs. E. P. Clement, Mrs. J. P. Fennell and Crown Attorney D. S. Bowlby all of Kitchener.

Waterloo Chronicle, 7 Jan 1926, p. 5

________________

DEATH SUMMONS ESTEEMED LADY

Mrs. D. S. Bowlby, Sr., Resident For 71 Years, Suffers Fatal Burns

One of Kitchener's best loved and most venerated ladies, in the person of Mrs. D. S. Bowlby, sr., age 89, passed away at 6.30 o'clock last night as a result of injuries sustained when she was seriously burned shortly before noon. Her dressing gown had caught fire from a small gas heater in the bathroom and she was taken to the Kitchener and Waterloo hospital where she lingered until evening.

Mrs. Bowlby, who was alone in her home, 60 Margaret avenue, with her maid when the fatal accident occurred had apparently lighted the small gas heater. The maid who was downstairs, heard calls for help and rushed to the aid of her mistress, finding her clothing a mass of flames from head to foot. She snatched a rug from the floor, wrapped it around Mrs. Bowlby and smothered the flames. She then called the doctor and summoned the family. Without delay Mrs. Bowlby was rushed to were death occurred slightly more than six hours after the accident.

Her tragic death is mourned by three children, all of Kitchener, Mrs. E. P. Clement, Mrs. J. P. Fennell and Crown Attorney D. B. Bowlby. Her husband died very suddenly in Rome, Italy, in December 1903.

Mrs. Bowlby's sad death breaks the few remaining links city's past history. She came to Kitchener, (then (then Berlin) from Montreal as a bride of 18, in ever 1854. She has lived here ever since, a period of 71 years. She was the last surviving member of her family, being a sister of the late John Murphy, founder of the firm of John Murphy Company, Montreal, departmental store, now owned by the Robert Simpson Company and who was also a member of the dry goods firm, the Murphy Gamble Company of Ottawa. The late Mrs. H. F. J. Jackson, wife of H. F. J. Jackson, local railway contractor, who built the section of the Canadian, National Railway which passes thru Kitchener in the 50's, was a sister of the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were the leaders of social life in the early days of the city, their palatial home, recently torn down, at the corner of King and Water streets, being the scene of many social events. Mrs. Bowlby's maiden name was Martha Esther Murphy.

Mrs. Bowlby was always a most active woman, both socially and in the various organizations with when she was identified. She was the first secretary treasurer of the Kitchener and Waterloo Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, a position which she held for a number of years. She was a outstanding member of St. John's Anglican church, where she was the organist for many years. She was also president of the Ladies Auxiliary of that church of 27 years. In addition she was the first regent of the Princess of Wales chapter, Daughters of the Empire, being a charter and life member of that organization.

She was in good health generally and was quite active around her home, altho not able to be around as much outside as formerly. She always made her large circle friends most welcome at her at her home.

Mrs. Bowlby's obliging and cheerful disposition fund of rare humor won the friendship of all with whom she came in contact. As a result of this fine trait and her many years of residence in Kitchener, her sudden and tragic passing has cast a pall of gloom over the Twin City. Many residents will recall the old Bowlby homestead, which was, located where Victoria school now stands, where every friend was made welcome at any time. Dr. D. S. Bowlby, the husband of the deceased, was one of the leading doctors of the county for many years, his advice frequently sought by other practitioners of the city up to the time of his sudden death in Rome.

The funeral is being held this afternoon at 4 o'clock at St. John's Anglican church, the remains being taken to Montreal on the 5.20 train.

Kitchener Daily Record, December 30, 1925, page 1

Buried:
The Mount Royal Cemetery of Montreal provided information that Adine Bowlby and Martha Esther Bowlby were cremated at the Mount Royal Crematorium but the ashes were not interred there.

Other Events:

• Military: captain in the war of 1812-14
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-37418
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Notes:

Adam Bowlby, a resident of this Province since 1815, dates his birth in Wilmot, county Annapolis, Nova Scotia, March 29, 1792. His father, Richard Bowlby, a native of New Jersey, was a U. E. loyalist, and a volunteer for a short time during the rebellion of the American colonies, and was a captain in the war of 1812-14. His grandfather was from Nottinghamshire, England, and his mother from Sheffield. Adam received a common English education; came to Upper Canada in 1815 against his father's wishes, who, under the circumstances, would render the son no assistance. He made his home two or three years with his uncle, Thomas Bowlby, in Norfolk county; took up land on lake Erie, two miles from Otter Creek, doing settler's duties on it; traded it for land at Windham, which he subsequently disposed of; and bought 450 acres in Townsend, where he lived for twenty-one years, adding to his land from time to time, until he had between 2,000 and:3,000 acres, and was richer than his father. He served as magistrate and district councilor several years; was orderly sergeant under his father in 1812-14, and Captain of the Waterford company during the rebellion of 1837-38.

About 1844 Mr. Bowlby gave his property in Townsend largely to his second son, the only farmer in the family, and his only daughter; removed to Waterford, same county, and bought fifty acres of land adjoining the village, disposing of it some years afterwards, giving most of it to his sons. He was for seventeen consecutive years treasurer of a masonic lodge, in the county of Norfolk.

Of late years Mr. Bowlby has lived with his children, first one and then another. The climate at Berlin agrees with him best, and it is not unlikely that he may end his days here. He is approaching his 90th year, and does not like to travel. He is slightly deaf, yet clear headed for a man of his years, and quite interesting in conversation. He was placed in independent circumstances years ago.
His wife, whom he chose in 1819, and who was Elizabeth Sovereign, from New Jersey, died in 1866, leaving six children, all well settled. Alfred, the eldest son, is a physician and surgeon at Waterford; William has the old homestead at Townsend; David Sovereign, is a physician and surgeon in Berlin; Ward Hamilton is a barrister, and LL.B., and county attorney and clerk of the peace for Waterloo; John Wedgewood, is a barrister and LL.B., at Brantford, and Mary Ursula is the wife of Col. Walker Powell, of Ottawa, Adjutant-General of the Dominion of Canada.

\bCanadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Ontario Volume, 1880

Adam married Elizabeth Sovereign 1819. Elizabeth was born 9 Mar 1795, , New Jersey; died 19 Aug 1867, Canandaigua, Ontario, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Bowlby
• Eby ID Number: dnf-90943

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-56564
• Occupation: 1856, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec; merchant

Alexander — Jane Allen. Jane was born Abt 1808, Of, Montreal, Ile DE Montreal, Quebec; died 12 Sep 1863, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Murphy
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-87381

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-95841