Dr. Ward Alvin Willson Woolner^{[1, 2]}

1879 - 1958  (79 years)

• Name	Ward Alvin Willson Woolner
  Prefix	Dr.
  Born	26 Feb 1879	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155044453
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Methodist
  Occupation	1911	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr. - Office
  Residence	1911	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Presbyterian
  Residence	1927	Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  Died	29 Jun 1958	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region	Bef 2012	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-45595
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  Person ID	I45595	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	Isaac Newton Woolner,   b. 30 Apr 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 29 Sep 1930, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 75 years)
  Mother	Margaret Elizabeth "Maggie" Willson,   b. 1858, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 19 Jul 1927, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 69 years)
  Married	12 Sep 1877	New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8, 10, 11, 12]
  Family ID	F14789	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Margaret Dickie,   b. 6 Mar 1883, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1967  (Age 83 years)
  Married	27 Mar 1907	London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada
  Children	1. Margaret Woolner,   b. Mar 1908, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. George Woolner,   b. Mar 1909, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Elizabeth Woolner,   b. Jan 1911, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. Sgt. Robert Ward Woolner,   b. 24 Dec 1913, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1942, Overseas  (Age 28 years)   5. John Dickie Woolner,   b. 1915, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1934  (Age 19 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F14790	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos		Ward Woolner from Waterloo Region Hall of Fame
  		Dr. Ward Woolner the Waterloo Digital Library. (2018). Digital.library.uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 4 January 2018, from https://digital.library.uwaterloo.ca/uwdl-5a7ac033-5e17-47c8-a3e6-0a28e76673b6/woolner-dr-ward-ayr-published

  
  

• Notes

  WARD WOOLNER MD Ward Woolner, born in Waterloo Township, practiced medicine in Ayr and surrounding townships for more than sixty years, serving three generations of many families. He graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1903, and started his practice in 1904. He was President of the Ontario Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ontario Medical Health Association, Vice-president, the Canadian Medical Association, a charter member of Waterloo County Medical Association, and for several years was Chief Coroner for Waterloo County. Dr. Woolner was elected to Ayr Council (1912-13-14-17) and was Reeve (1913-14). He was Medical Officer of Health for North Dumfries (1923-54) and for Ayr for twenty-five years. He promoted the Public Health Nurse service for Ayr and North and South Dumfries schools, one of the first of such services in rural areas. He was a school trustee in Ayr, an elder in Knox United Church, an office holder in the Masonic Order, and served on many citizens' projects. Waterloo Region Hall of Fame ______________ DOCTOR WARD WOOLNER By F. E. Page First Vice-President, Waterloo Historical Society Doctor Ward Woolner of Ayr was born near the City of Kitchener seventy-five years ago. One is inclined to say that he is seventy-five years young rather than seventy-five years old. He is still a practicing physician, keen, active with many interests both in and outside his profession. In February, 1954, he was honoured at a banquet at the Iroquois Hotel in Galt, when he was the guest of the Councils of North Dumfries Township and of the Village of Ayr. The occasion marked the retirement of the doctor as Medical Health Officer, a position he held in the township for thirty years and in Ayr for twenty-five years. A presentation was made at this time. Dr. Woolner has been honoured by the Medical Profession by having been elected to high offices in the Province of Ontario: President of the Ontario Medical Association, (1930-31), President of Ontario Public Health Officers Association, (1932-33), and President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, (1950- 51). He is the only doctor in Ontario who has held all three of these offices. After graduating in medicine at the University of Toronto, Dr. Woolner spent some time in his practice on the Indian Reserve, Brantford, and in the Town of Collingwood. Fifty years ago he commenced his practice in Ayr and has continued ever since. Dr. Woolner has been a member of the Waterloo Historical Society since 1925 and was elected vice-president of that body in 1946. At present he is a local representative for the Village of Ayr. The Historical Society joins with the doctor's many friends in the county in congratulations and sincere good wishes for Dr. and Mrs. Woolner. "Lang May Their Lum Reek." Dr. Woolner is justly proud of his English, Irish and Scottish ancestory and those who know him best are aware that he possesses many of the best qualities of the three races. On December 8 he was honoured at a "Doctor Woolner Night" at the Ayr Arena Auditorium when fellow physicians gathered from various parts of the province. The auditorium was filled with friends from all over the district and many parts of the county. The Rev. W. D. Goodger of the United Church was chairman. After the leaders of various organizations with which the doctor had been associated and a number of visiting physicians had spoken, Dr. Clarence Routley of Toronto, President of the Canadian Medical Association, gave the main address of the evening. The guest was then presented with an illuminated scroll by Dr. Duff Wilson of Ayr. Mrs. Woolner was presented with a bouquet of roses by Miss Patsy Reid. Dr. Woolner made a suitable reply. Waterloo Historical Society Annual Report 1954 ______________ WOOLNER, WARD ALVIN WILLSON, an outstanding person, and a member of the Waterloo County Hall of Fame, was born on A Waterloo Township farm near Kitchener in 1879. He died at the South Waterloo Memorial Hospital on June 29, 1958. His father, a farmer, was Isaac Woolner, and his mother was Margaret Willson from a neighboring farm. He married Margaret Dickie, of Ayr in 1906 and their family consisted of four sons and two daughters. His early education was in New Hamburg and Berlin, and his secondary education was in Harriston and in Toronto at Parkdale Collegiate. He went to the West Toronto Model School, and then taught for two years in Wilmot. Encouraged by his uncle, Dr. A. I. Willson, of Plattsville, he entered the University of Toronto and graduated in medicine in 1903. He first acted as medical officer in the Six Nations Reserve, at Brantford, and then practised in Collingwood for six months. He came to Ayr on November 1, 1904, and remained there for the rest of his career. He was first noticed by the local press when he was sixteen years old. The Volksblatt of New Hamburg carried the account of a bicycle ride he made from Harriston to Berlin, a distance of fifty five miles, which he covered in four and a half hours. This was regarded as a remarkable achievement. The list of his accomplishments is impressive, especially considering that he conducted a busy and arduous family practice. He estimated that he travelled about 18, 000 miles every year, originally by horse and buggy, and from 1913 by automobile. At times snowshoes were required to reach farm homes. One source pointed out that he occupied almost every office in nearly all the community organizations in Ayr. He was a member of the Village Council, and Reeve of Ayr in 1913 and 1914. He represented Ayr on the Waterloo County Council, and was also Reeve of North Dumfries Township. He was school trustee for many years, and chairman of the Ayr Library Board. As the representative for Ayr he took an active interest in the Waterloo Historical Association. He was interested in sports and was on the executive of the Ayr Curling Club and the Ayr Lawn Bowling Club, and he followed the fortunes of the Hockey and Baseball clubs. He served his turn on the executive of the South Waterloo Medical Association. In 1930-31 he was Vice President of the Canadian Medical Association, and was later made a senior member of that body. In 1930 he was President of the Ontario Medical Association, and in 1935, was President of the Ontario Public Health Officers Association. From 1945 to 1957 he was a member of the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, representing Territorial Division No. 3. In 1950 he served as President of the College. He was Medical Officer of Health for North Dumfries for 31 years, and held the same position for Ayr for 25 years. He was Chief Coroner for Waterloo County until that office was abolished, but continued to act as coroner. He was medical officer for the C. P. R. for 40 years. He was a supporter of the Knox United Church, being an elder for many years. In politics he was regarded as a faithful member of the Liberal party, actively campaigning during elections. He declined to stand in the 30's as he felt it would interfere with his practice. On December 8, 1954 a special tribute by the people of Ayr and District was arranged as "Dr. Woolner Night" to mark 50 years of service to the community. This function was attended by the villagers and people of the surrounding area, by representatives of organizations professional, political and by various local societies. All levels of the medical profession were present from local to national. The newspaper account described him as "Friend to All." His death on June 29, 1958 in his 80th. year was a matter for universal regret, as he had the love and respect of all who knew him. On his admission to the Hall of Fame, the Ayr news said: Dr. Ward Woolner demonstrated in his time that a great man can bring recognition to a small town and Ayrites can be very proud that this man has been recognized as just that. Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986

  
  

• Sources

  [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration. Isaac Newton Woolner died Ayr 29 Sep 1930, b. 30 APR 1955 Ontario, son of Isaac H. Woolner (b. England) & Lydia Watson (b. Ontario) cause: found dead in bed, probably coronary thrombosis had previous attacks of angina pectoris, informant son Ward Woolner [S2645] News - ON, Waterloo, New Hamburg - New Hamburg Independent (1917 -, Obituary of Isaac Newton Woolner - 3 Oct 1930, pg 5. [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link . Ward A.W. Woolner M.D./ 1879-1958/ Margaret Dickie Woolner/ 1883-1967 [S140] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1881, Div. 2 Page 18. [S1282] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1911, p 11. [S655] z Vit - ON - Birth Registration, 31679 (1879), Ward Alvin Woolner. Ward Alvin Woolner b. 26 Feb 1879 Waterloo Township, s/o of Isaac N. Woolner (farmer) & Maggie Wilson [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Sec. 5 Page 40. [S2555] News - ON, Waterloo, New Hamburg - New Hamburg Independent (1917 -, Death of a former resident - Mrs. I. N. Woolner - Jul 22 1927 pg 5. [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 20 Sep 1877. 12 Sep 1877 By Pastor Williams in Berlin, Isaak N. Woolner was married to Maggie E. Wilson, both of Waterloo Township. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Sec. 5 Page 39. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 011002-77. Isaac N. Woolner, 22, occ. Farmer, b. Waterloo Twp, res. Same, S/O Isaac & Lydia Woolner, Married Margaret Wilson, 18, b. Township Of Waterloo, res. Same, D/O Isaac & Mary Wilson, Witn: Alex Wilson & Louisa Cussman, Both Of Township Of Waterloo, 12 Sept 1877, Waterloo Twp.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 26 Feb 1879 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Methodist - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 27 Mar 1907 - London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - Office - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1927 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 29 Jun 1958 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth