Name:
Alexander Penrose ‘Forbes’ Gammack 
Location served:
Merlin  
Years in Practice:
1890 to 1941
Area of Specialization:
Family Physician and Surgeon  

Biography:

Dr. Alexander Penrose ‘Forbes’ Gammack was born in Drumlithie, Scotland on the 6th of July, 1867.   Dr. Gammack was the 2nd of 6 children born to Rev. James Gammack and the former Jane Ann Wilson.  Dr. Gammack’s father was an Episcopal Minister and his siblings were; Mary Catherine Gammack, John Wilson Gammack, Arthur James Gammack, George Wilson Gammack and Frederick Sharp Gammack.  Dr. Gammack’s parents and siblings immigrated to Canada in early 1888 leaving Dr. Gammack in Scotland to finish medical school.  Rev. and Mrs. Gammack moved to Hartford, Connecticut around 1892.

Dr. Gammack graduated M.B.,C.M. from the University of Aberdeen in 1889.  Dr. Gammack practiced medicine in Merlin.  His name appears on birth and death records in Merlin, Tilbury East Twp. and the community of Buxton (all in Chatham-Kent) as early as 1891.

Dr. Gammack married Isabella “Ella” Catherine Agnes Scott in Sarnia, Ontario on the 26th of August, 1896.  Mrs. Gammack was born on the 27th of August, 1870 in Lambton County.  She was the youngest of 3 children born to Reverend Robert and Isabella Scott.  Her father was a Presbyterian Minister and her siblings were; Colin Alexander Scott and Robert David Scott.  Prior to his marriage, Dr. Gammack had moved to East Berlin, Connecticut.

Their daughter Jean Isabelle Gammack was born in Berlin, Connecticut on the 2nd of January, 1898.  The Gammack family had moved to South Bend, Indiana around 1900 and two more children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Gammack. Their daughter Frances Ann Gammack was born on the 24th of July, 1907 and a son named Robert J. Gammack was born on the 17th of November, 1910.

Dr. Gammack served overseas with the British Royal Army Medical Corps during World War I.   In 1917 he was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain.

Dr. Gammack was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.

Mrs. Gammack’s brother Robert Scott, also became a physician and he was living with Dr. and Mrs. Gammack when the 1910 U.S. Census was completed.  Dr. Robert David Scott died in South Bend, Indiana on the 11th of July, 1913.

In 1930, the U.K. & Ireland Medical Directory listed Dr. Gammack’s medical practice location as Suite 601, Sherland Bldg in South Bend.

Mrs. Gammack died in South Bend on the 14th of February, 1936.  Dr. Gammack died on the 20th of April, 1941.   At the time of his death, he resided at 812 Forest Ave., in South Bend.  Dr. and Mrs. Gammack were buried at Riverview Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.A.

*Dr. Gammack’s brother George Wilson Gammack served with the United States Army during WWI.  Dr. Gammack’s brother Frederick Sharp Gammack served with the United States Army during WWI and WWII.

**Mrs. Gammack’s brother Dr. Robert David Scott practiced medicine in the United States.  He lived with Dr. and Mrs. Gammack in River Town, Indiana, when the 1910 census was taken.  Dr. Scott died in South Bend, Indiana on the 11th of July, 1913.