Dr. David Sovereign Bowlby

Other Events:

• Honoured: David St. in Kitchener, Ontario is named for him.
• Interesting: medical, story
• Name: D. S. Bowlby
• Residence: 50 Margaret Ave., 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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

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 Yes, date unknown; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Bowlby was born , of, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Dec 1860, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Bowlby
3. Jane Elizabeth "Janie" Bowlby was born 18 Apr 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jul 1942, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Emma A. Bowlby was born 1862, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
5. Dr. - Mayor George Herbert Bowlby, M. D. was born 16 Jul 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Nov 1916, Seaford, , Sussex, England; was buried , St. John The Evangelist Church of England, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Grace Esther Bowlby was born 18 May 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Oct 1936, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. David Shannon "Shannon" Bowlby was born 24 Jan 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Oct 1938, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

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-95841