Dr. Thomas Wyre Vardon, Mayor^{[1, 2]}

1841 - 1916  (75 years)

• Name	Thomas Wyre Vardon
  Prefix	Dr.
  Suffix	Mayor
  Born	12 Feb 1841	Pickering Twp., York Co., Ontario   [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1866	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Warden of Waterloo County
  Residence	1868	Artemesia Township, Grey Co., Ontario, Canada   [8]
  Occupation	1871	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Residence	1871	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	P. Presbyterian
  Occupation	1881	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Occupation	1891	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Residence	1891	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Presbyterian
  Elected Office	1895	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Mayor of Galt
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176899064
  Interesting	politics, medical
  Name	T. W. Vardon
  Occupation	1901	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Occupation	1911	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Residence	1911	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Presbyterian
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-64415
  Died	30 Jun 1916	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Cause: heart failure
  Buried	Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I64415	Generations
  Last Modified	28 Jan 2025

  
  

  Father	Thomas W. Vardon,   b. Abt 1803, of, New Brunswick ,   d. Bef 1871  (Age ~ 67 years)
  Mother	Hannah Hawkins,   b. 1808, , New Brunswick, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F27303	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Frances Mariah Empey,   b. 25 Aug 1845, Newmarket, York Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 14 Feb 1922, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 76 years)
  Married	2 Mar 1868	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  Children	1. Helena A. Victoria "Victoria" Vardon,   b. 27 Dec 1868, Markdale, Artemesia Twp., Grey Co., Ontario ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Harry Vardon,   b. 27 Nov 1871, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 15 Feb 1872, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   3. Arthur Baldwin Vardon,   b. 14 Jan 1872, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 7 Jan 1919, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 46 years)   4. Josephine Frances "Frances" Vardon,   b. 21 Mar 1874, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 14 Aug 1942, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 68 years)   5. Sarah Eleanor Louisa "Louisa" Vardon,   b. 12 Dec 1878, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	29 Jan 2025
  Family ID	F16818	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Thomas Wyre Vardon Lisa Moore Trimble originally shared this image to Ancestry Public Member Tree

  
  

• Notes

  DR. T. W. VARDON, of Galt, Ontario, died of heart failure on. June 30th, being taken ill suddenly while playing a round of golf. Although in the seventy-fifth year of his age, Dr. Vardon continued his professional duties to the day of his death. He had practised in Galt for thirty years, and had earned the respect and affection of all classes of the community. Thomas Wyre Vardon was born in Pickering Township, a few miles east of Toronto. He graduated at Victoria College, Toronto, in 1866, and went into practice at Cornibus, now Markdale, for two years. From there he went to Hawkesville, North Waterloo, where he practised for eighteen years, and in February, 1886, removed to Galt. He was medical officer of health at Galt for sixteen years, and for eight years was a member of the Ontario Medical Council. At the time of his death he was a member of the Executive of the Provincial Board of Health. Besides being a trusted and popular physician he was an eloquent speaker and a keen sportsman. Canadian Medical Association 6 Aug 1916 pg 743 _________________________________ DR. THOMAS W. VARDON c. 1843-1916 Dr. Thomas Wyre Vardon was born in the Township of Pickering, the younger brother of Dr. William H. Vardon. He graduated from Victoria College, University of Toronto, in 1866 and began his medical practice in Markdale. He remained there for two years before moving to Hawkesville in Wellesley Township. He practiced there for eighteen years and then came to Galt in February 1886. He practiced medicine in Galt until the time of his death and served as the town's Medical Health Officer from 1909 to 1916. Dr. Vardon was a member of the Ontario Medical Council for eight years and was a member of the executive of the Provincial Board of Health. He served on the first executive of the Galt Anti-Tuberculosis League when it was formed on December 2, 1908 and was a member of the Galt Hospital Trust when it was organized in 1888. Dr. Vardon also served on the Galt town council as a councillor from 1890 to 1894 and as mayor in 1895 and 1896. He was an officer of the Galt Horse Show Association, a member of the executive of the Waterloo Liberal-Conservative Association and a president of the Waterloo Golf and Country Club. Dr. Vardon died on June 30, 1916 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery. Sources: 1. Hugh Cant Historical Reminiscences of Galt and Other Writings Galt 1915. 2. Obituary Galt Weekly Reporter Thursday July 6, 1916. 3. E. N. Coutts "History of Freeport Hospital", Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 31, 1943. 4. "Picturesque and Industrial Galt", Jaffray Bros., Galt Ontario July 10, 1902. 5. Dr. J. R. Smith, "The Galt Board of Health, 1854 -1963", Unpublished manuscript, Galt, 1966 A991.204.1017, City of Cambridge Archives. Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [used with kind permission of Jim Quantrell] _______________ LETTER FROM LINWOOD. DEAR SIR,-Allow me through the medium of your widely circulated journal to correct a report that has gained currency through the country, and which seems calculated to damage for a time at least the business of this Village, as many persons have already in consequence been deterred from coming to the place I refer to the rumour that "Typhoid Fever is raging in the Village," &c. I have to say that since the first of November last, there have been not more then four distinct cases, two of which are now convalescent, and hopes are entertained of the others. The former have been successfully treated by Dr. Lount, of the Village of Hawksville, And the latter are under the care of Drs. Vardon and Lount respectively there have been some cases of the lungs, Bowel complaint, &c., otherwise the Village is in a most healthy state. I think the alarm bas been occasioned through a meeting which was held some ten days ago, at the Commercial Hotel, to consider the case of a poor man afflicted with this complaint and to tender such relief as might be considered necessary, the result of which was that a very handsome sum was subscribed and paid and a man employed to wait upon and look after the wants of his family. Medical man do not look upon this fever as very contagious, and there appears to be no occasion for alarm. Indeed thus far only one of those who have waited upon and nursed the sick have been affected by the contagion, it seems to be more ecomomical than contagious in its nature. By giving the above a place in your columns, you will confer a favour. Yours, &c., A. BOOMER. Waterloo Chronicle 16 Jan 1868, p. 2 ________________ VARDON, THOMAS WYRE was a physician who had a long and outstanding career. He was born in 1841 in Pickering Township, and died in Galt on June 30, 1916. His father, a farmer, was Thomas Vardon from New Brunswick, his mother was originally from Maine. In 1868 he married Frances M. Empy of Hawkesville, and they had three sons and one daughter. He attended the local school, and for two years was at the Model School, Toronto, and then went to the Markham High School. He graduated in medicine from the Victoria University in 1866. He first practised for three years at Cornibus, now Markdale, and then moved to Hawkesville in the early 1870's. He practised there for fourteen years before moving to Galt, in 1886. The Dumfries Reformer reported this move on February 11, 1886, Dr. Vardon of Hawkesville who has entered into partnership with Dr. Lundy, arrived in Town on Monday last. Dr. Vardon was known throughout the North Riding as a skilful physician, and a public spirited citizen, and we welcome him to Galt. He practised in Galt until his death in 1916. He was described as a man of slight physique by the Toronto Star of December 13, 1909 which said: Of an intensely active, restless disposition, always on the move, the doctor is a mass of nervous energy. His interests are accordingly widespread. As a physician he was highly regarded. The Dumfries Reformer on Dedember 27, 189^, saidi His record here as a practitioner and skilled physician is too widely known to need any lengthened reference. He was Medical Officer of Health at Galt for 16 years, a member of the Ontario Medical Council, and was on the Executive of the Provincial Board of Health at the time of his death. He took an active interest in the welfare and improvement of the Galt Hospital. He continued to practice until the day he died. While in Hawkesville he was a member of the Berlin High School Board for twelve years. In Galt in 1889 he was elected to Council, and in succeeding years was elected by acclamation. In 1895 he was elected Mayor, and again in l896. He was a supporter of the Conservative party and was a member of the Executive of the South Waterloo Liberal Conservative Association. He was interested in and an active participant in sports. He was an officer of the Horse Show Association. He attended the baseball and lacross games in Galt. An ardent golfer, he was a member, and for two years president of the Waterloo Golf and Country Club. It was during a golf match that he had a heart attack which lead to his death. He was a keen trout fisherman, a pursuit he followed in Quebec and Muskoka, as well as in the local streams. He was an excellent after dinner speaker and a gifted orator, a talent he used in recruiting speeches during the war. He supported many other aspects of the war effort. He possessed a remarkable sense of humor, and was particularly fond of practical jokes, an example of one of which follows. At the time of his death the flags were lowered to half mast on public buildings, and a civic tribute was paid by the mayor at the city council meetingi "Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to remove from his earthly labbors our late citizen Dr. Thomas W. Vardon, a man strongly identified with our many activities for the upbuilding of this city and its people during the many years of his sojourn in our midst and exercising a beneficial influence that will be felt during the years to come and in whose demise this community has sustained a distinct loss; It is hereby resolved that this Council of the Corporation of the City of Galt as a last mark of affection record this expression of the profound sorrow with which they and the citizens generally heard of the death of Dr. Vardon and hasten to extend to the sorrowing widow and family the expression of their sympathy; And that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the bereaved family. The Mayor said he was sure the resolution expressed the feeling of the citizens generally. Dr. Vardon was a man among men. He was always an optimist and a booster, continually working in the interest of the city and its citizens. He was a man that Galt could ill afford to lose. The following copy is from the Galt Weekly Reformer which took it from the Toronto Star of December 13,1909. The article starts by saying "One of the interesting personages at the meeting of the Ontario Medical Council this week was Dr. Thomas W. Vardon of Galt. The doctor is one of the best known practitioners of Western Ontario." Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 3 May 1866. Margareth Ann Vardon died 24 Apr 1866 in Hawksville, wife of Dr. Vardon, warden of Waterloo Co., 28 yrs, 8 mths, 10 days. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 5 Nov 1868. Matthew Whiting died 27 Oct 1868 in Hawksville, Pastor in Wesley, father of Dr. Whiting, father-in-law of Dr. Vardon, 69 yrs, 6 mths. [S259] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1901, Galt (Town/Ville) C-8 Page 6. [S113] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1881, Division 2 Page 7. [S269] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1871, Div. 3A, Pg. 18. [S572] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1911, Div. 17 Page 8. [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Sec. 1 Page 63. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. Vardon Thomas Wyre, 25, res. Artemesia, b. Pickering, son of Thomas W and Hannah (Hawkins), married 2 Mar 1868 Frances Maria Empey, 25, res. Hawksville, b. Newmarket, daughter of Michael Peter and Maria (Hewitt) [S1859] Canadian Medical Association Journal, "Obituary of Dr. T. W. Vardon," 6 Aug 1916 pg 743.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 12 Feb 1841 - Pickering Twp., York Co., Ontario Occupation - Warden of Waterloo County - 1866 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1868 - Artemesia Township, Grey Co., Ontario, Canada Married - 2 Mar 1868 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - P. Presbyterian - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1881 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - Mayor of Galt - 1895 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1901 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: heart failure - 30 Jun 1916 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth