Dr. - Mayor Lucius Sterne Oille

1830 - 1903  (72 years)

• Name	Lucius Sterne Oille
  Prefix	Dr. - Mayor
  Born	6 Oct 1830	Pelham Township, Welland Co. Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1858	Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Doctor
  Occupation	1859	Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Doctor
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-488228
  Died	15 Aug 1903	St. Catharines, Welland, Ontario, Canada
  Buried	Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, Lincoln Co., Ontario
  Person ID	I488228	Generations
  Last Modified	30 Sep 2024

  
  

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  Dr Lucius Sterne Oille

  
  

• Notes

  OILLE, LUCIUS S. was born in Pelham Township on October 6, 1830. He was gold medalist for the class of 1858 when he graduated from the University of Toronto. He first practised in Doon, the opening of his office being an event remarked on by the Dumfries Reformer on August 25, 1858; We beg to call the attention of subscribers in the neighborhood of Doon, to the card of Dr. Oille, who has located himself in that rising Village as a Physician, Surgeon. &c. From the fact of his high standing in the University of Toronto, as proved by his successful competition for the Gold Medal, and his having Provincial License, as well as high testimonials from some of the most eminent men in the medical profession, we confidently expect that he will prove a valuable acquisition to that section of the country. This estimation of his worth was to prove accurate, but for a different section of the country. He moved to New Hope with his card in the Galt Reporter on March 4, 1859. but he left for St. Catharines where he lived until his death on August 15, 1903, at 73 years of age. The Canadian Practitioner and Review in 1903 in volume 28, said that his 'career was "a most brilliant one." He "took a very prominent part in all matters of public interest, " and "took a deep interest in Medical Council matters." Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986 ___________ DEATH OF DR. OILLE End of a Brilliant and Eminent Public Spirited Career. After years of energetic public life, and a successful professional career, Dr. Laicius S. Oille, passed away, at his home on Queen street this morning. When some ten days ago it became known that his health was shattered and that total dissolution would inevitably follow, a thrill appeared noticeable in the whole civic populace and from throughout the entire district, and even farther came any loss enquiries as to the likelihood of the iron constitution of one of the Best known individuals that has ever moved in St. Catharines to withstand the attack. But in his advanced age and after years, of faithful work and ambitious effort he had not the strength to survive the ravages of albumenuria, and he has gone over to the great majority. Than Dr. Oille no more loyal citizen or faithful subject or public spirited gentleman ever breathed the healthful ozone of the Niagara district. His motto was progress, and the early history of St. Catharines and the life of Dr. Oille are closely interwoven. A man of extraordinary ability and intelligence, of imrencable [sic] force of character he was the ruling spirit in many public enterprises, which stand today as monuments of his far-sightedness and indomitable energy and public spirit. Born in the township of Pelham, Lincoln county, on Oct. 3, 1830, he was in the 73rd year of his age when his career was ended by the grim destroyer. He was the youngest son of George Oille, a pioneer of this country, who came as a United Empire Loyalist at the time of the American revolution. He was educated at the Grantham Academy in St. Catharines and graduated in arts at Toronto University, in 1855 with the degree B.A., receiving that of M. A. in the following year, In 1859 he graduated in medicine and carried off the gold medal. He held the distinct honor of being the only gold medalist physician in St. Catharines. He opened a practice in St. Catharines and became eminently successful in his profession. His success did not blind him to the requirements of the growing municipality, and his eloquent power and ability to grasp the public questions of the day soon became apparent. He entered public life as a councillor for St Andrew's ward in 1868 and served continuously for a number of years in that capacity and deputy-reeve. reeve. He was warden of the county of Lincoln and was the second mayor of St. Catharines after its incoãporation as a city, serving in 1878. Upon retiring from this position he presented the city with its first public fountain, a handsome stone affair which stands at the corner of King and James streets. The present excellent water works system stands as a tribute of Dr. Oille's public energy and forethought He has been justly called the father of the system. He was a member of the board of water commissioners for 17 consecutive years and was chairman of that body nearly the whole of that time, his membership concluding in 1899. The first street railroad in St. Catharines, a horse car line St. Catharines to Thorold, built after vigorous work on from was the part of Dr. Oille. He organized the company and was the prime moving spirit in its construction, becoming its president. One of his latest enterprises was the St. Catharines and Niagara Central Railway, of which he was the promoter, and the president of the company, which road was opened in 1887. He retained the position of president until the bond holders took possession of the road. Later it was sold and was acquired by the N., St. C. & T. R. company, transformed from a steam to an electric road and enlarged. He also built the Grand Central hotel, and at the time of his death was the president of the company which owns that establishment. In education Dr. Oille took a leading part and was greatly interested in the Collegiate Institute, being president of the board of trustees for a number of years, until he was forced to retire on account of a clause of the act which prevented membership of that body and the water works commission. When the St. Catharines board on trade was first established, Dr. Oille was one of the leading citizens who became charter members, and by his personal effort it was rejuvenated a few years ago and is now a live institution. As a member of that body he demonstrated a remarkable knowledge of public affairs. One of his latest ambitions was to have a beet sugar factory established in St. Catharines, but his death has prevented him from seeing that project carried to a successful issue. The deceased during his life had never left the state of single blessedness. He was an ardent Mason, a past master of Temple Lodge A. F. & a. M., and First Principal of Mount Moriah Chapter, R. A. M. He was a gentleman of eccentric characteristics, but sound persona ity. He could have had the nomination of either political party during his life, but never accepted that honor, St. Catharines will mourn the loss of a great and noble citizen in the death of Dr. L. S. Oille. The members of the city council and water commission will attend the funeral, which will take place on Monday afternoon. The Standard St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada , Saturday, August 15, 1903

  
  

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  Born - 6 Oct 1830 - Pelham Township, Welland Co. Ontario, Canada Occupation - Doctor - 1858 - Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Doctor - 1859 - Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines, Lincoln Co., Ontario  = Link to Google Earth