Dr. David John Minchin

1858 - 1915  (56 years)

• Name	David John Minchin
  Prefix	Dr.
  Born	28 Dec 1858	Shakespeare, Perth County, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179863364
  Residence	1881	Fullarton Township, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada
  Occupation	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Medical Doctor
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Lutheran
  Occupation	1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Occupation	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-38673
  Died	27 Feb 1915	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Buried	South Easthope Cemetery, Shakespeare, Perth Co., Ontario
  Person ID	I38673	Generations
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025

  
  

  Father	George Minchin,   b. 1830, Saint John's, , Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ,   d. 18 Sep 1900, Shakespeare, North Easthope Township, Perth County, Ontario, Canada  (Age 70 years)
  Mother	Catharine McFarlane,   b. 1829, , England ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	11 Mar 1858	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5, 6]
  Family ID	F38075	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  MINCHIN, DAVID J. was born in Shakespeare, and was educated locally. He graduated from Trinity University, Toronto in 1885, and took a postgraduate course in New York. The Dumfries Reformer gave the news of his arrival on December 10 1885: Dr. D. M. Staebler, Berlin, has sold out his practice to Dr. D. J. Minchin of Stratford, who will occupy the new office in the Germania Block, which Dr. Staebler was having fitted up for himself. Dr. Minchin brings with him the best references. Farther information regarding his practice was in the Berliner Journal on December 24: Dr. D. J. Minchin, formerly in the New York hospitals, has established himself in the Germania Block and informs whomever requires his services, especially in cases of illness of the Eye, Ear and Throat. He built up a sizeable practice, and in addition to his regular practice, he was appointed surgeon to the Grand Trunk Railway. He was an active participant in the organization of the Berlin & Waterloo Hospital Trust, and was a member of the Board for twenty years. He served on the building committee of the hospital, as well as for the addition of the new wing just before the war. He was a member and first president of the Waterloo County Medical Association, and was prominent in the Masonic Order, and belonged to the Berlin Club. On February 27, 1915, after a prolonged illness, he died at his home at the corner of Duke and Foundry Streets, He was survived by a sister. The obituary in the News Record said. His name is a household word in the entire community. Everyone knew Dr. Minchin. He was considered one of the foremost members of his chosen profession. and: (he has been) practicing his profession in a quiet, modest and unobtrusive way. It may be said of him that not a member of the medical fraternity was so well and widely known as Dr. Minchin. He made friends by the hundred and he retained their friendship. Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986 _______________ Shakespeare Funeral Largely Attended Dr. D. J. Minchin Buried With Masonic Honors The funeral of the late Dr. David John Minchin, of Berlin, which took place from the Grand Trunk station to the Shakespeare cemetery on Monday at noon was very largely attended. He was buried with Masonic honors. About 50 Masons accompanying the remains and the few brothers who reside in and around town joining them here. Among them were: Jacob Wagen, Richard Freeman and Richard Fryfogel. Rev. J. W. J. Andrew, English church rector, of Berlin. officiated at the grave. Dr. Minchin was an old Shakespeare boy being born and raised to a young man and educated in our town. He has one sister who is the last of a very estimable family left to mourn his loss. Miss Grace A. Minchin, who is superintendent of a hospital in New York She has the sympathy of the whole community in her sad bereavement. The Berlin News Record Fri, Mar 05, 1915 Page 3 ___________ Funeral of Dr. Minchin is Held This Morning Remains are Taken to the 11.30 Train for Interment at Shakespeare. His Native Town. A large number of citizens gathered at the late home of Dr. Minchin on North Foundry street at 10.30 o'clock this morning, to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of their departed friend. A delegation of fifty members of Grand River Lodge. A. F. and A. M. marched in a body from the Masonic Hall on King street to the residence. Here a large number of members of the medical profession, business men and friends had gathered. In the presence of these, a brief masonic service was conducted by W. Bro. M. Schiedel and Res. J. W. J. Andrew, after which the remains were placed in the hearse, and the members preceding the cortege, passed up Foundry street to Weber, and out to the Grand Trunk Station. The casket was covered with many beautiful floral tributes, which showed the esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. The pallbearers were Messrs. D. Forsyth, Archie Lockhart. E. P. Cornell, C. A. Boehm. J. P. Scully and A. B. MeBride, all members of the Masonie order. Arriving at the station the casket was placed in the box, and in the baggage car of the 11.30 train to be taken to the former home of the deceased at Shakespeare. Among those who accompanied the remains to Shakespeare were Rev. J. W. J. Andrew. Messrs. M. Schiedel, J. Walker, A. J. Roos, Monteith Hall, E. Ferrier. Dr. J. MeGillawee. J. Milhausen, J. W. Davey, George O. Philip. W. A. Rolling. Dr. Stewart of Guelph. Allan Taylor of Galt. Donald Bemis, Mr. Nobes, J. T. Wilford of Wellesley, and Mr. George Schnarr. A large number of friends had gathered at the depot, to witness the departure of the funeral. The G.T.R. provided a special train to convey the friends and mourners from Shakespeare to Berlin. Dr. Minchin's parents are both dead. His father died three years ago. The only relative present was Miss Minchin of New York, a trained nurse, who had been at her brother's bedside for many weeks. Among the visiting Masons not already mentioned present at the funeral were Rt. Wor. W. Jardine of Hespeler and Wor. Bro. A. Werner of Elmira. Many a kind word was heard in Dr. Minehin's memory to-day. The Berlin News Record Mon, Mar 01, 1915 Page 1

  
  

• Sources

  [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-11 Page 11. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 23 Page 9. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Sec. 5 Page 60. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), 23 Mar 1858. On the 11th of March, George Minchie, to Catharine McFarlane both of Galt. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library. George Minchier, 27, res. Galt, b. St. Johns, Newfoundland, s/o Abraham Minchier & Martha Wadkins married 11 Mar 1858 to Catharine McFarlane, 28, res. Galt, b. England, d/o Robert McFarlane & Grace McFarlane [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. George Menchin, 27, res. Galt, b. St Johns NFLD, son of Abram and Martha (Wadkins), married 11 Mar 1858 Catherine McFarlane, 28, res. Galt, b. England, daughter of Robert and Grace (McFarlane)

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 28 Dec 1858 - Shakespeare, Perth County, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1881 - Fullarton Township, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - Medical Doctor - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 27 Feb 1915 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - South Easthope Cemetery, Shakespeare, Perth Co., Ontario  = Link to Google Earth