Dr. William Hawkins Vardon^[1]

1833 - 1886  (53 years)

• Name	William Hawkins Vardon
  Prefix	Dr.
  Born	1833	, New Brunswick, Canada   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	Pickering Twp., York Co., Ontario
  Occupation	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Residence	1861	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Baptist
  Elected Office	1866	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Warden for the County of Waterloo
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216011308
  Interesting	medical, politics, life story, scandal, misfortune
  Misfortune	mental illness, drug addition, child custody
  Name	William H. Vardon
  Residence	1867	Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Residence	1869	Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  Occupation	1871	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Doctor
  Residence	1871	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	W. Methodist
  Occupation	1881	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Physician - Doctor - Dr.
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-147701
  Died	9 Jan 1886	Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Cause: paresis
  Buried	Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I147701	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  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 1	Margaret Ann Spiers,   b. CALC 14 Aug 1837, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 Apr 1866, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 28 years)
  Children	1. Frances Jane "Fanny" Vardon,   b. 1 May 1857, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Apr 1945, Newmarket, York Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 87 years)   2. Thomas Rolph Vardon,   b. 15 Jun 1857, , USA ,   d. 30 Jul 1910, MacGregor, , Manitoba, Canada  (Age 53 years)   3. Mary Elleanor Vardon,   b. CALC 20 Jul 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 9 Oct 1862  (Age ~ 1 years)   4. William H. Vardon,   b. CALC 15 Jun 1863, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 15 Mar 1864, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 0 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F7845	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Elvira Whiting,   b. 12 Nov 1839, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Mar 1935, Vancouver, , British Columbia, Canada  (Age 95 years)
  Married	18 Sep 1867	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Children	1. Thomas Vardon,   b. 1856, , USA ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Jane Vardon,   b. 1859, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Elisabeth Vardon,   b. 1862, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. Lilivette Eleanor "Nellie" Vardon,   b. 14 Aug 1869, Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 27 Dec 1934, Vancouver, , British Columbia, Canada  (Age 65 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F41442	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  DR. WILLIAM H. VARDON c. 1835-1886 Married: 1. Margaret Ann Spears (Died 1866) 2. Elvina Whiting Dr. William Hawkins Vardon was born in Pickering Township, near Toronto and was the older brother of Dr. Thomas W. Vardon. William Vardon received his degree in medicine from Victoria College, Cobourg in May 1862 after studying at the Toronto General Hospital. In 1871 he established a medical practice in Hawkesville, in Wellesley township thereby becoming the first known doctor in the village. He took a leading role in the politics of Wellesley township, serving as Reeve of the township from 1865 to 1868 and acting, at the same time, as Warden of Waterloo County. He also acted as the coroner of Waterloo County during his time in Hawkesville. In November 1871 he moved to the town of Waterloo and then, in June 1873, to Galt. Dr. Vardon was described as "skillful and daring" in his profession and experienced considerable professional success. His domestic life was considerably less successful and within two years of the move to Galt his wife took their daughter and went to live with her brother in Berlin, (now Kitchener) Ontario. Dr. Vardon tried various legal and illegal means to gain custody, including three attempts to forcibly seize his daughter. The illegal attempts all failed and in April 1878 he appealed to the courts which awarded him custody. A few days after receiving custody, Dr. Vardon took his daughter with him as he tried to convince his wife to return to him. While this attempt at reconciliation was going on, the daughter slipped out the back door and was hidden by friends of the mother. After a time Dr. Vardon appeared to become reconciled with the idea of his daughter remaining with his former wife. However, the matter continued to gnaw at him until finally he had a severe mental break down and, in March 1885, was committed to the Toronto Asylum for treatment. His condition was apparently aggravated by the use of narcotics. While in the asylum he suffered a stroke and died on January 9, 1886. He was buried in Hawkesville, from the residence of his brother Dr. Thomas W. Vardon. Following the funeral Dr. Thomas Vardon moved from Hawkesville to establish a medical practice in Galt in partnership with Dr. John B. Lundy. Sources: 1. A. D. Campbell, M.D. "The Downfall of Dr. Vardon", Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 75, 1987. 2. Obituary Galt Reporter Thursday January 14, 1886. Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [used with kind permission of Jim Quantrell] ___________________________ His Excellency the Governor Genearal has also been pleased to grant Licenses to john Nicholl, of Listowel, Esquire, M. D., and William Hawkins Vardon, of Hawksvill, Esquire, M. D. to enable them to practise Physic, Surgery and Midwifery in Upper Canada Canada Gazette - June 21, 1862 ___________ Dr. Vardon and old residence died at the Toronto insane asylum last week. The Hamilton Spectator Thu, Jan 21, 1886 Page 8 ______________ VARDON, WILLIAM HAWKINS was born in 1834 in Pickering Township [other sources says New Brunswick]. There is no information about his early years, but as he was seven years older than his brother Thomas, it is probably safe to assume that the same facts apply. His father was Thomas Vardon, a farmer from New Brunswick, his mother was originally from Maine. He married (1) Margaret Ann Speare, of Penfield, New Brunswick, and they had one son and one daughter (2) Elvina Whiting of Berlin, and they had one daughter. It is not known where he was educated, and although the first mention of his name was in November, 1860 when he assisted at an amputation in Wellesley, the Berlin Telegraph on May 23 1862 said: We are pleased to learn that the degree of M. D. was conferred upon Dr. Vardon of Hawkesville, at the late convocation held at Victoria College, Cobourg. We congratulate Dr. Vardon upon this mark of distinction, which we have every reason to believe is well merited. We understand the doctor has attended the Toronto General Hospital for some time back with the view of enlarging his professional experience, which must prove of great advantage in his future practice. A statement in the Berlin Telegraph would indicate that he originally started in Hawkesville in 1856. He practised there until 1871 when his card in the Berliner Journal of November 9 Said: W. H. Vardon, M. D. Physician, Surgeon, &c. Coroner for the County of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont. Office and Residence at the East end of Waterloo formerly Dr. Yeagley's residence. A little less than two years later, on June 11, 1873, the Dumfries Reformer announced that he was leaving Waterloo for Galt, and they quoted the Berlin Telegraph on June 18 regarding this removal. June 11: Dr. Vardon of Waterloo has decided to take up his residence in Galt. He will be heartily welcome. We are always glad to see gentlemen of his stamp settling among us. June 18: We are sorry to learn that Dr. Vardon has decided to remove to Galt. Having lived for some time on the borders of Berlin and Waterloo we looked upon him as one of our townsmen, and therefore regret his removal from amongst us, as he has been one of the most successful practitioners in the county, and has had, during the last seventeen years, a very extensive and lucrative practice. He has during this time enjoyed a large share of public confidence, both municipally and politically, having in 1866 been elected to the position of Warden, a position which he filled with much credit. Having been an exceedingly successful physician, and a shrewd businessman, he has been fortunate enough to accumulate ample means. As Dr. Vardon is a gentleman of liberal views, and well read and skilled in his profession, he will be an acquisition both professionally and socially to the town of Galt. We wish the Doctor and his amiable and deservedly esteemed lady, the largest measure of health and happiness on their new home. Despite these laudatory remarks a change soon took place. His wife left him and he became obsessed with the need to regain possession of their child, Nellie. The Berlin Telegraph on June 2, 1875 said that his wife and daughter were staying with her brother, Dr. Whiting, in Berlin. Vardon visited them, seized the girl and rushed her out to his waiting buggy. A crowd gathered, stopped him and restored the girl to her mother. In the next episode he had four accomplices from Galt. He once more seized the girl and handed her out to his friends. This time Messrs. Clement and W. L. Bowman intervened. Vardon in a fury threatened to shoot Mr. Clement, and was arrested. As the jailer neglected to relieve him of the gun, the crown was not able to prove that it was loaded, and the charge was dismissed. The Telegraph said "His insane conduct is sadly tarnishing what was once a happy estimable character." The next development took place in March, 1876, when Vardon, now living in Chicago, sent a couple of men to abduct the girl. Their suspicious behavior alerted the police. When they advised Mrs. Vardon she left town. Vardon then arrived himself and sent the men after his wife, but they not only neglected to pay their hotel bill, but stole an overcoat as well. They were intercepted by the Stratford police. Vardon then said he would sue for divorce in Chicago. The Telegraph said, in contrasting the ease of obtaining a divorce in Chicago 1 Here, however, where both parties are well known, his insane complaints are laughed to scorn and treated with the contempt they deserve. He then went to court, where a different attitude was evident. Chief Justice Hagarty directed that the child be returned to her father, blaming the mother for the affair. This was not a popular decision. This decision on April 8, 1878, encouraged Vardon, who now took the girl to Norwich expecting her to persuade the mother to return to them. The child slipped out a back door and was spirited away by waiting friends. The Berliner Journal on July 31, 1879 said he was in Jackson, Michigan searching for them. The Berliner Journal on July 31, 1879 noted. Dr. Vardon left town last Friday for Toronto, where he has commenced practise at his profession. The next development was announced by the Dumfries Reformer on September 29, 1881: Medical Partnership. We understand that Drs. Vardon and Radford have entered into partnership and have rented the new premises at present in course of completion adjoining the Reformer office, which they will use as an office, &c. We wish the new firm success. By February 2, 1882 the association was dissolved as Radford left for Winnipeg. The Reformer on March 5. 1885 said that his many friends would learn with regret that his reason had given way, and that he had been conveyed to the Toronto Lunatic Asylum. Following a paralytic stroke he died on January 9th, 1886. Dr. Alexander D. Campbell, Doctors in Waterloo County 1852-1925, 1986

  
  

• Sources

  [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Fanny Vardon Born: Hawksville Ont Age: 24 Father: Wm H Vardon Mother: Margaret Spiers Vardon Born: abt 1862 Spouse: John H Huber Age: 23 born: Ayr Father: Samuel Huber Mother: Mary Kirk married 28 Dec 1886 [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 22. [S269] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1871, Div. 3A, Pg. 28. [S713] Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 21422 (1886), Wm. Hawkins Vardon. Wm. Hawkins Vardon, d. 9 Jan 1886 Toronto, aged 52y, physician, b. New Brunswick, cause: paresis, [S855] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1861, Div. 13 Page 81. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. Vardon William H, 33, res. Hawksville, b. New Brunswick, son of Thomas W and Hannah, married 18 Sept 1867 Elvira Cressmann, 27, res. Berlin, b. CW, daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration. Tillowatte Eleanor Vardon, b. 14 Aug 1869 d/o W. Hawkins Vardon - Physician Hawkesville, and Elora Whitney

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 1833 - , New Brunswick, Canada Birth - - Pickering Twp., York Co., Ontario Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Baptist - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - Warden for the County of Waterloo - 1866 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1867 - Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 18 Sep 1867 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1869 - Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Doctor - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - W. Methodist - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Physician - Doctor - Dr. - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: paresis - 9 Jan 1886 - Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Buried - - Hawkesville, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth