Name:
Allen Caver Quackenbush 
Location served:
Blenheim, Morpeth  
Years in Practice:
1892 to 1936
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Allen Caver Quackenbush was born in Percy Township (Northumberland County), Ontario on the 1st of November, 1861.  Dr. Quackenbush was the 2nd of 9 children born to Israel Quackenbush and the former Susan Margaret Gerow.  His great-grandfather was a United Empire Loyalist who had immigrated to Canada from Pennsylvania.  Dr. Quackenbush’s parents were farmers and his siblings were; Corey Alciphron Quackenbush, Matilda Ann Quackenbush, Nancy Quackenbush, William B. Quackenbush, James B. Quackenbush, Israel, and twins Gilbert Quackenbush and Wilbert Quackenbush.  By 1871, the family had moved to Harwich Township in Chatham-Kent.

Dr. Quackenbush taught school in Chatham-Kent for 6 years before going to medical school.

Dr. Quackenbush married Jane Brown on the 6th of January, 1886 in Blenheim.  Mrs. Quackenbush was born in Howard Township (Chatham-Kent) on the 9th of March, 1864.  She was the youngest of 5 children born to John G. Brown and the former Mary Hackney.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Mary, Adelbert, Phoebe and George.

According to the 1891 census, Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush and their daughter Erie were living with her parents in Howard Township.  Dr. Quackenbush was listed as “Farm Laborer” on the census, but he was also attending Trinity Medical School.

Dr. Quackenbush graduated M.D.,C.M. in 1892.  He joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 31st of May, 1892.

Dr. Quackenbush set up his first medical practice in Lawrence Station (Elgin County) and stayed there for 5 years.  Next, Dr. Quackenbush briefly practiced in Morpeth before moving to Blenheim.  He served as a member of the Public School Board.  Dr. Quackenbush was a Master Mason and he belonged to the Maccabees and the C.O.O.F.

Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush had 4 children; Erie Quackenbush was born on the 20th of December, 1886, Irene Quackenbush was born on the 21st of April, 1892, Howard Quackenbush was born on the 2nd of June, 1895 and Bennett Quackenbush was born on the 2nd of June, 1897.

Dr. Quackenbush advertised his practice in the 1900 Farmers and Business Directory under the Blenheim subtitle.  By 1911, the family was living in Exeter.

In 1916, Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush moved to Northern Ontario and for the next 20 years, his medical practice involved looking after persons working in mining camps near Nipigon.

Dr. Quackenbush retired from the practice of medicine in 1936.

Mrs. Quackenbush died in Morpeth on the 8th of July, 1943.  Dr. Quackenbush died in Morpeth on the 19th of July, 1944.  Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush were buried at the Morpeth Cemetery.  Mrs. Quackenbush’s parents are also buried at the Morpeth Cemetery.

*Dr. Quackenbush’s sons Howard and Bennett both became a dentists and both of them served during W.W.I., with the Canadian Armed Services.   They are featured on the ‘Gathering Our Heroes’ website.  Dr. Bennett Quackenbush died in 1980 and he was buried beside his parents at Morpeth.

**Dr. Quackenbush’s brother Wilbert Quackenbush served with the United States Military during WWI.