Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Home Search  
Print Bookmark
Dr. - Mayor George Herbert Bowlby, M. D.

Dr. - Mayor George Herbert Bowlby, M. D.[1]

Male 1865 - 1916  (51 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name George Herbert Bowlby 
    Prefix Dr. - Mayor 
    Suffix M. D. 
    Born 16 Jul 1865  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Church of England 
    Occupation 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Student 
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Church of England 
    Occupation 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Physician - Doctor - Dr. 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Anglican 
    Occupation 1894  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Physician - Doctor - Dr. 
    Elected Office 1896  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mayor - councillor - Kitchener 
    • Years Served: 1896-97, 1898-99 (Deputy Reeve), 1900, 1901 (Mayor)
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145003279 
    Med. Note
    • Coroners report available East Sussex Records Office ref. COR/1/3/404 - date: 14 Nov 1916 States "George Herbert, Captain, Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Supplies, Canadian Forces, London Area at Seaford, 52; seen to fall off Seaford Head, had felt severe head pains for previous fortnight; accidental death"
    Military WW1  [8] 
    Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-MilitaryPicture.JPG    		 Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-MilitaryPicture.JPG
    Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-UniversityRollofService1914-1918.JPG    		 Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-UniversityRollofService1914-1918.JPG
    Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-MilitaryPicture001.JPG    		 Bowlby,GeorgeHerbert-MilitaryPicture001.JPG
    Residence 1897  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Residence of Dr. G. H. Bowlby 1897 Kitchener    		 Residence of Dr. G. H. Bowlby 1897 Kitchener
    From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
    Occupation 1901  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Doctor 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Doctor 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • May be Queen St. South, West side, near John St.
    Possibly Queen St. South    		 Possibly Queen St. South
    From the Celebration of Cityhood 1912
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Anglican 
    Military 1914  WW1 Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    WW1, Corporal, Calvery, 
    Military 1914  WW1 Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    WW1, Major 
    Name G. H. Bowlby 
    Name Herbert Bowlby 
    Residence Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-38626P 
    Died 10 Nov 1916  Seaford, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 9] 
    Cause: fall from cliff 
    Buried St. John The Evangelist Church of England, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I38626  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father Dr. David Sovereign Bowlby,   b. 15 Sep 1828, Townsend Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Dec 1903, Rome, , Lazio, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Mother Martha Esther Murphy,   b. 4 Jul 1838, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Dec 1925, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years) 
    Married 1 Jul 1856  Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  [10, 11] 
    Family ID F10129  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Blanche Alexandrine "Alexandra" "Adine" Seagram,   b. 24 Aug 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jul 1919, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 47 years) 
    Married 18 Apr 1894  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F10108  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Dr. Mayor George Henry Bowlby    		Dr. Mayor George Henry Bowlby
    From: Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912

  • Notes 
    • MAJOR G. H. Bowlby

      On Sunday morning, November 12th, news came to Kitchener, Ont., his native city, that Major G. H. Bowlby, Director of Medical Service, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, had met his death in a fall from a cliff near Seaford, on the south coast of England. The City Hall flag was placed at half mast in token of respect to the memory of this distinguished citizen and ex-mayor.

      George Herbert Bowlby, elder son of the late Dr. D. S. and Martha Murphy Bowlby, was born July 16th, 1865. His great grandfather, an early United Empire Loyalist, left the State of New Jersey to settle in Nova Scotia. His grandfather, as a young man, was Captain of Coast Guards, in Nova Scotia, in the war of 1812.

      After preliminary education at the public and high schools of his native place, and a year at St. Jerome's College, he took the course in medicine at Trinity Medical College, Toronto, and later took post graduate work in England where he became Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. For some years he was in partnership with his father in the practice of his profession. Devoting himself more particularly to surgery, in which he eventually became eminent, he again went abroad for study and exper ience in Vienna and elsewhere. In 1906 he returned to resume regular prac tice. He was for some years identified with the County cavalry regiment, known as Grey's Horse, of which he was medical officer, with the rank of Captain. He was on the Medical Advisory Committee of the local hospital, in which he took keen interest. Dr. Bowlby was for some years in the Town Council and was Mayor in 1901.

      The breaking out of the war naturally found a man of Dr. Bowlby 's patriotism and antecedents anxious to do his part. On application he received appointment on hospital service in England, with retention of his previous rank of Captain, and left this city in July 1915. He was active at the military hospital, Shorncliffe, England, later at Bath, and recently at Seaford. Shortly before his tragic death he was promoted to be Director of Medical Service, and to the rank of Major.

      From his school days G. H. Bowlby was prominent in sports. He was a member of the famous Berlin High School football eleven in the early eighties. He was a member of the Waterloo County Golf and Country Club, and charter member of the Grand River Country Club. He was a past warden of St. John's Anglican Church.

      In 1894 he married Adine, only daughter of Joseph E. Seagram, Esq. Mrs. Bowlby accompanied her husband to England. Of the Waterloo Historical Society, Dr. Bowlby was an active and helpful Member of Council from its beginning.

      Fourth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1916

      _____________________________

      Dr. G. H. Bowlby, Mayor 1901.

      Dr. G. H. Bowlby, M. R. C. S. was the first native of Berlin elected mayor. He was educated at Trinity Medical College, Toronto, and in London, England. He entered the council in 1896. For two years he was chairman of the Market Committee and for three years chairman of the Sewer Committee. In 1901, he was elected mayor. His year was marked by the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York (now King George and Queen Mary). Locally, a deputation was sent to Saginaw, Mich., to investigate the sugar beet industry; as a result the sugar factory was established in Berlin. Dr. Bowlby is a progressive.

      Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912, Berlin, Ontario, The German Printing and Publishing Co

      ___________________________


      G. HERBERT BOWLBY, M.D. FOUND DEAD AT BOTTOM OF CLIFF

      Well-Known Kitchener physician Meets With Sudden and Tragic End of Seaford, England - Was Assistant Director of Medical Service
      WITH ARMY MEDICAL CORPS SINCE JULY, 1915

      "Dr. Herbert Bowlby is dead," was the shocking information which was circulated throughout the city with great rapidity on Sunday morning, after the message had been received by relatives in the city about 10: 30 o'clock announcing that Capt. G. Herbert Bowlby, M.D., had been found dead at the foot of a cliff near Seaford. Within a few minutes of receiving the news in the city a number of the civic flags were lowered to half-mast out of respect to the memory of the deceased.

      The message was sent from Ottawa by the Officers in charge of Records, and was addressed to Mrs. Adin S. Bowlby, 11 Weber St., W., wife of the deceased officer, who is also in England. Mr. Reinhold Lang, who is occupying the Bowlby residence, telephoned to Capt. T.W. Seagram, Paymaster of the 118th Battalion; informing him that a message was received announcing the death of Dr. Bowlby. The relatives of Dr. Bowlby were immediately notified and the news came as a severe and unexpected shock to all. The message was as follows: - "Deeply regret to inform you that Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Service, Seaford, reports November 11th, 1916, Captain George Herbert Bowlby, A.D. M.S. Embarkation, Shoreham-in-Sea, was found dead at foot of cliff near Seaford. Further particulars will be sent when available."

      Late in the afternoon a brief cablegram was received by relatives from Mrs. Bowlby with this information "Herbert dead." It is expected that further information as to the tragic death of the late Dr. Bowlby will be received direct from England today.

      The Late Dr. Bowlby

      The late Capt. G. Herbert Bowlby, M.D., L.R.C.P., A.D.S.M., was born in this city in July fifty-one years ago, and has lived here the greater portion of his life. He was a son of the late Dr. D.S. Bowlby and is a direct descendant of the United Empire Loyalists who came to Canada at the time of the revolutionary war in the United States. His ancestors originated in Nottingham, England. Richard Bowlby, of whom the doctor is a direct descendant, came to America with the celebrated William Penn, the founder of the state of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bowlby was educated at the Public and High Schools in this city, and also took a course at St. Jerome's College. He was a graduate of Toronto University, where he received his degree in medicine. He had since become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London and also was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.

      During his school days he was prominently identified with the athletic activities of the student and was goal keeper for the famous High School football team of 1877 to 1882. He was also identified with various cricket clubs in this city and in Toronto.

      Dr. Bowlby was medical officer of the grey's Home and at the last encampment attended the lectures on army hospital work and field ambulance work, and after passing the necessary examinations took the rank of Captain, which was recognized by the military authorities when he offered his service with the Army Medical Corps with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. He left this city in July of 1915 to assume his duties and since arriving in England has been on duty in the large military Hospitals at Shorncliffe and more recently at Bath. He was recently appointed Assistant Director of Medical Service.

      Since he has been on hospital duty in England, Dr. Bowlby has written many interesting letters to his aged mother, Mrs. D.S. Bowlby, 57 Margaret Avenue, in which he gave vivid descriptions of the scenic beauties surrounding the tow institutions at Shorncliffe and Bath. It is supposed that while taking a walk to view the scenery around the Hospital at Bath that he met with an accident which resulted in his death as reported by the military authorities.

      During his residence in the city Dr. Bowlby took an active interest in municipal affairs and served several years in the Council and was Mayor of the town in 1901. He always took a keen interest in the welfare of the K-W Hospital and at the time of his death was a member of the Medical Advisory Committee. He was also a former Medical Health Officer. Since the commencement of the war he was active in the various patriotic enterprises of the city.

      The late Dr. Bowlby is survived by his wife, who is a daughter of Jos. E. Seagram, ex-M.P., his aged mother, two sisters, Mrs. E.P. Clement, and Mrs. J.P. Fennell, and one brother D. Shannon Bowlby, all of Kitchener. It is not definitely known whether the remains will be brought to this city for burial.

      Note: Picture attached to newspaper article.

      Berlin Daily Telegraph 13 Nov 1916 pg 1, 5

      _________________

      BOWLBY, GEORGE HERBERT was born in Berlin on July 16, 1865, a son of Dr. David S. Bowlby. He received his preliminary education in the local schools, and attended Trinity Medical School, Toronto, receiving his medical degree there. He then took postgraduate work in England, obtaining the degrees of Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, following this by attendance at hospitals in Vienna and Berlin.

      In January 1890 he returned home and entered practice in association with his father.

      He became involved in municipal affairs, being elected to Council in 1896, and in 1901 became mayor, the first native of Berlin to fill that position.

      In July of 1903 he sold his practice to Mr. C. J. W. Karn of Picton, it being his intention to take further postgraduate work in surgery and then locate in some large city. After a year and a half he returned, purchasing the practice of the late Dr. W. J. Arnott. He occupied the house on Weber Street between Ontario and Queen Streets, whose last medical resident was Dr. George Watson.

      He was active in the reserve, being Medical Officer of Grey's Horse, the county cavalry regiment. When the war broke out he volunteered his services, and in 1915 was appointed to hospital service in England. His assignment was to hospitals where Canadian troops were undergoing treatment.

      On November 12, 1916, shortly after being appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services, he died near Seaford in a fall from a cliff.

      He was survived by his widow, the former Adine Seagram.

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

      __________________________


      Canadian officer - he died at Seaford, Sussex, England in a fall from a cliff - his remains were cremated & were believed to have been returned for burial to Kitchener.

  • Sources 
    1. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012022-94.
      George Herbert Bowlby, 28, occ. Physician, b. Canada, res. Berlin, son of David S. and Martha married Blanche Alexandrine Seagram, 22, b. Canada, res. Waterloo, daughter of Joseph E. and Stephanie, Witn D.S. Bowlby of Berlin and Beatrice Osler of Toronto, 18 April 1894 in Waterloo.

    2. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-11 Page 10.

    3. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 35.

    4. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 64.

    5. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 28 Pg. 6.

    6. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 1 Page 24.

    7. [S157] Military - Canada - World War I - Attestation papers.

    8. [S1890] Military - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Kitchener Public Library WW1 Soldiers Card Index Soldier Information Cards - World War One.

    9. [S1891] Military - Peace Souvenir - Activities of Waterloo County in the Great War 1914-1918.
      BOWLBY, G. H., (M.D.), Maj., Kitchener, Enlisted July 1915, C.A. M.C. Accidentally Killed 10-11-16, in England

    10. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), 09 Jul 1856.
      01 Jul 1856 In Montreal, on Tuesday, July 1st, by the Rev'd. John McLoud, at the residence of the bride's father, Martha Esther, youngest daughter of Alexander Murphy, Esq., Merchant of Montreal, to David S. Bowlby, M.D. of the town of Berlin, County of Waterloo, C.W.

    11. [S107] Book - The Canadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Ontario Volume, 1880.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 16 Jul 1865 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Student - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1894 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 18 Apr 1894 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Mayor - councillor - Kitchener - 1896 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1897 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Doctor - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Doctor - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: fall from cliff - 10 Nov 1916 - Seaford, , Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - St. John The Evangelist Church of England, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding ©, v. 12.0.1, written by Darrin Lythgoe 2001-2024.