Dr. John William Walden^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

1837 - 1885  (47 years)

• Name	John William Walden
  Prefix	Dr.
  Born	21 Aug 1837	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110475319
  Occupation	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Doctor
  Occupation	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Medical Doctor
  Residence	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Anglican
  Residence	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Wellesley Village
  Occupation	1871	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Residence	1871	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Presbyterian
  Occupation	1881	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Doctor
  Residence	1881	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	C. Presbyterian
  Historic Building	1882	132 Young St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  	Built in 1882-1883 its first owner was Dr. J. W. Walden, it was the family home for over 92 years. It exhibits oriental influence in lattice screens or ogee arches over verandah. It is a two story brick building and in 1978 was listed in very good condition.
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-241854
  Died	11 Jul 1885	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 7]
  	Cause: Disease of Brain 1 month
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I241854	Generations
  Last Modified	9 Jun 2025

  
  

  Father	William Walden,   b. 16 Jun 1809, , England ,   d. 11 Sep 1873, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 64 years)
  Mother	Susanah Rudd,   b. 28 Sep 1806,   d. 1 Dec 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 75 years)
  Married	1 Mar 1833	Lakenham, Norfolk, England   [13]
  Family ID	F21084	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Catherine Ernst,   b. CALC 8 Jul 1841, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 30 Nov 1883, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 42 years)
  Married	25 Oct 1861	Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada   [4, 11]
  Children	1. Emma Julia Walden,   b. 6 Oct 1862, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Charles W. Walden,   b. 1863, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. William Ernst Walden,   b. CALC 5 Aug 1866, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 29 Jul 1886, Battle Creek, Michigan, USA  (Age ~ 19 years)   4. Harry Edward Walden,   b. CALC 5 Nov 1868, of, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 19 Aug 1869, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 0 years)   5. Minnie Susanna Catherine "Susanne" Walden,   b. 1872, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 2 Jan 1928, Ottawa, Carleton Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 56 years)   6. Lizzie Alberta "Bertha" Walden,   b. 29 Jul 1875, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 20 Sep 1935, Regina, , Saskatchewan, Canada  (Age 60 years)
  Last Modified	10 Jun 2025
  Family ID	F37715	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Dr John William Walden Find A Grave

  
  

• Notes

  At Waterloo, on Saturday, the 11th July, John William Walden, M.D., aged 47 years, 10 months and 21 days. Galt Reporter Jul 17 1885 pg 1 __________________ Released By Death \endash We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Dr. J. W. Walden, of the town of Waterloo, was very seriously affected both mentally and physically, and that arrangements were being made to send him to an asylum. It is now our sad duty to record his death, which took place on Saturday afternoon last. The deceased gentleman was a son of the late Mr. Walden, for many years governor of Berlin goal, and as a young man exhibited all the ability which afterward distinguished him in the practice of his profession. He was a very general favorite with all classes of the community, and for many years occupied the position of President of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His health for some time past has not been good, and his death cannot be looked upon, under all the painful circumstances, other than a happy release. The Dr. was aged 48 years at the time of this death. His funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon last, and was conducted with the impressive ceremonies of the Masonic body. Galt Reporter Jul 17 1885 pg 1 _______________ FATAL ACCIDENT On Friday evening last a melancholy sequel, to the removal of our bridges, by the late freshet, took place here. At about ten o'clock of that evening a man by the name of Jacob Kauffman, aged about 60 years, a resident of the neighboring village of Lexington, while endeavoring to make his way home with a horse and buggy, himself being intoxicated, unfortunately forced the animal over the obstruction placed in the road to the Western side of where the bridge had been placed over Mill Creek on the Bridgeport road, and down the steep bank of the Creek into the latter, a distance of eight or ten feet perpendicularly. The noise of the fall attracted the attention of Mr. Menno Springer and Mr. James Fairbairn, who were in a neighboring house at the time. They rushed to the spot and after a little search saw the unfortunate man floating down the stream almost completely covered by the water. Mr. Fairbairn sprang in and with the assistance of Mr. Springer dragged him to shore in a state of insensibility. Dr. Walden was summoned and in a short time succeeded in restoring the man to life, He was then carried to Mr. Hewitt's hotel, his wet clothing removed, dry blankets substituted, and himself put contginous to a warm fire. He now raised so rapidly that in a short time the natural temperature of his body was restored and every appearance indicated that in a few hours he would be as hale as ever. A man was put in charge of him (he being able at this time to talk and sit up,) and the crowd dispersed. About two o'clock on Saturday morning, however, symptoms indicating some severe internal injury set in and in a few minutes thereafter he was a corpse An inquest was held by Dr. Walden, Coroner, on Saturday, when the following verdict was returned: "That the deceased Jacob Kauffman came his death by driving into Mill Creek while in a state of intoxication, and that from the evidence adduced no blame can attach to any other than himself," We understand a report has been circulated by some evil disposed person, which reflects on the mode of treatment to which the deceased was subjected. Having heard the evidence adduced, we can state unequivocally that from the report of the witnesses, the man did not suffer from neglect but was treated successfully as far as the effects of the water were concerned. Reaction had fully set in and there remained not the least doubt in the minds of those present, that death was caused by some internal injury received by the fall into the Creek. The doctor's orders with regard to the disposal of the patient during the night were strictly obeyed, and in our opinion there are no grounds for the charges of inhumanity which have brought against the hotel keeper, in whose house the death occurred. Waterloo Chronicle and Family Newspaper 29 Apr 1869 Thursday pg 2 ______________ WALDEN, JOHN WILLIAM was born in Berlin in a son of the governor of the Berlin jail. he died in Waterloo on July 11, 1885. was married and the 1861 census said he had three children. He received his early education in the local schools, and graduated in medicine from the Victoria University in 1859. On June 3, 1859 the Berlin Telegraph gave him the enthusiastic welcome due a local boy who had made good: We were pleased to see by the late Toronto journals that J. W. Walden, Esq,, of this town, has had the degree of M. D. conferred upon him by the Medical Faculty of Victoria College. This mark of proficiency was well merited by hr. Walden as we understand his examination before the Board was highly creditable, a fact which cannot fail to secure for him the confidence of the public. We understand that Dr. Walden will commence the practice of his profession in Wellesley village in this county, and we need hardly say that he will carry with him the warmest wishes of his numerous friends in Berlin and elsewhere, for his future success in the prosecution of his profession, which from his knowledge of it's science, and the ability he displayed in acquiring it, fully entitles him. The next year on March 23, 1860 a further article appeared: We are happy to learn that J. W. Walden N. B., - who has for the past five months been attending lectures at Harvard University, Boston, and walking the hospitals of that city, - has returned in good health. Dr. Walden we are informed, passed a most creditable examination, and obtained the degree of M. D. from the above institution which is one of the most celebrated medical colleges in America. This is the second degree which this gentleman has had conferred upon him as a mark of his high attainments in the science of medicine. The experience which Dr. Walden has acquired at Harvard University, as well as the advantages of walking the Hospitals of Boston, must have greatly enlarged his knowledge of his profession, and consequently tend still further to secure public confidence in his skill as a physician. The Telegraph goes on to say that he will resume his profession in Smithville, but the Galt Reporter on March 30th. corrects this saying he "will enter again upon professional duties at Wellesley Village." In 1868 he moved to Waterloo, and the Berliner Journal remarked on April 30th: We direct the attention of the public to the card of Dr. Walden who has established himself in Waterloo Village, He has been well known in this area since childhood, and has practised in Wellesley Village nine years. He practised in Waterloo for about 17 years, but in 1883 his health began to fail, and in July he became seriously ill, both mentally and physically. He died very shortly after this, on July 11, 1885, when he was 48 years 6f age. He was survived by his wife, the former Catherine Ernst, of Petersburg, whom he married on February 25, 1861, and by three children. The Dumfries Reformer on July 16, 1885 remarked: The deceased was a man far above the average in ability, and being of a genial and wholehearted disposition, was popular with the public, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He was Medical Referee of the Ontario Mutual Life Insurance Company at the time of his death. The Galt Reporter had a similar account: "as a young man exhibited all the ability which afterwards distinguished him in the practice of his profession. He was a very general favorite with all classes of the community; and for many years occupied the position of President of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company." The Reformer was more likely correct. Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 5 Aug 1886. July 29, 1886 William Ernst Walden, son of the late Dr. Walden, died in Battle Creek, Michigan at age of 19 years, 11 months and 24 days. The body was brought here and buried in Mount Hope Cemetery on Sunday afternoon. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 6 Dec 1883. 30 Nov 1883 Catharina Walden, nee Ernst, wife of Dr. J. W. Walden, died in Waterloo at age of 42 years, 4 months & 22 days [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 26 Aug 1869. Harry Edward Walden died 19 Aug 1869 in Waterloo, son of Dr. Walden, 9 mths, 14 days. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 31 Oct 1861. Married 25 Oct 1861 In Elora by Rev. Middlemas, Dr. J.W. Walden of Wellesley was married to Catharina Ernst of Petersburg. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 11. [S302] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1881, Waterloo Village 1881 Div. 2 Page 18. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 16 Jul 1885. 11 July 1885 Dr. John William Walden died in Waterloo at age of 47 years, 10 months and 21 days [S855] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1861, Sect. 16 Page 105. [S2658] aaaaWaterloo Village 1871, Sect. 1 Page 14. [S55] Vit - ON, Wellington - Wellington County Marriage Register 1858-1869. Name: John William Walden Sex: Male Age: 24 Birth Year (Estimated): 1837 Birthplace: Waterloo Co Canada Father's Name: Wm Walden Mother's Name: Susannah Rudd Spouse's Name: Catherine Ernst Spouse's Sex: Female Spouse's Age: 19 Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1842 Spouse's Birthplace: Waterloo Co C W Spouse's Father's Name: John Ernst Spouse's Mother's Name: Julia Zoeger Event Type: Marriage Event Date: 25 Oct 1861 Event Place: Wellington, Hillier, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada [S20] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Telegraph (title varies: Berlin Telegraph, Berlin Daily Telegraph) (1853-1922), 1 Nov 1861. Walden - Ernst: At Elora, on the 25th October; by the Rev. Mr. Middlemiss, John William Walden, Esq., M.D., of Wellesley, to Miss Catharine Ernby, daughter of John Ernst, Esq., of Petersburg [S872] Book - Historic Building Inventory - Kitchener. [S2938] England Marriages, 1538–1973. Name: William Walden Sex: Male Spouse's Name: Susannah Rudd Spouse's Sex: Female Event Type: Marriage Event Date: 1 Mar 1833 Event Place: Lakenham St John the Baptist, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 21 Aug 1837 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Doctor - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Medical Doctor - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Anglican - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Wellesley Village - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 25 Oct 1861 - Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1871 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1871 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Doctor - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - C. Presbyterian - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Historic Building - 1882 - 132 Young St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Disease of Brain 1 month - 11 Jul 1885 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth