Name:
Arthur Henry Paget 
Location served:
Chatham  
Years in Practice:
1858 to Sometime Prior to 1928
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Arthur Henry Paget was born in Tenby, Wales on the 6th of December, 1832.  Dr. Paget was the 6th of 10 children born to Dr. Robert John Paget and the former Mary Ann Jane Blackley.  His father received his medical training from Edinburgh University and according to the 1830 Pigot Business Directory, Dr. Robert John Paget’s practice was located on Park Street in Devon, England.  In 1838, Dr. Robert John Paget immigrated with his family to Thornhill (near Toronto), Ontario.  At the time there were 8 children, including Dr. Arthur Henry Paget and 7 of his siblings; Emily Elizabeth Paget, Mary Louisa Paget, Robert John Paget, Edward Albert Paget, Edith Lucy Paget, Rosalind Caroline Paget and Frances Ellen Clara Paget.  Two more siblings were born in Canada; William Pouget Paget and George Augustus Paget.  His father continued to practice medicine in Canada in Toronto and in Vaughan (York County).

Dr. Arthur Henry Paget graduated from Victoria Medical College, (Coburg) in 1858.  He joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 15th of June, 1866.

Dr. Paget married Charlotte Lord Brady in Stratford, Ontario on the 28th of December, 1858.  Mrs. Paget was born on the 24th of February, 1833 in Mitchelstown, Cork, Ireland.  Her parents were Captain James F. Brady and the former Elizabeth Lord.  Her father was an officer in the 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Dr. and Mrs. Paget settled in Elora after their marriage where Dr. Paget had a successful medical practice.

Dr. and Mrs. Paget had 11 children, all born in Elora; Elizabeth E. Ann Paget (b1859), Arthur Robert Paget (b1861) Frederick Henry Paget (b1862), Percival James Paget (born and died in 1865), James Percival Paget (b1866), Charlotte Eliza Paget (b1869), Charles Campbell Paget (born December 28th of 1869 and died November 6th of 1870 of gastric fever and liver disease), Ernest A. Paget (b1871), twins Hugh and Campbell Paget (born in 1873 and they died in 1874 of cholera at the age of 10 months) and Amy Kathleen Paget (b1875).

On the 5th of March, 1902 an article appeared in the Elora Express newspaper outlining the work of Dr. Paget in the City of Chatham during a smallpox epidemic.  Dr. William Robert Hall of Chatham, wrote the following, “To Whom it May Concern: This certifies that Dr. A. H. Paget of Elora, attended professionally smallpox patients, for the City of Chatham, for a period of six weeks, during which time he attended thirty-six patients, all of whom recovered and none of whom were pitted by the disease.  His services were very much appreciated by the city, and by the patients, because he gave entire satisfaction to all.  We recommend the doctor for his professional ability, and his sterling qualities as an agreeable and broad minded gentleman.” The article went on to say that the smallpox patients were treated in tents “on the exhibition grounds” and kept warm by coal stoves.

Mrs. Paget died at her residence in Elora on the 26th of March, 1914.  Dr. Paget died in Toronto on the 1st of March, 1928.  Dr. and Mrs. Paget were buried at the Elora Cemetery.

Tombstone photo credit: Anne F.

*Dr. Paget’s daughter Amy Kathleen Paget, became a nurse and she served overseas during WWI.  At the time she resided in New York City.

**Dr. William Robert Hall also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

***The webmaster is grateful to members of the Paget family for their assistance.  They wish to recognize the Wellington County Museum and Archives for the photo of Dr. Paget.

  Wife Charlotte Paget   Arthur Henry M.D. Sons Campbell, Hugh, Percival and Charles   Son Frederick and Daughter Amy.