Biography:

Dr. Daniel James Van Velsor was born in Southwold Township (Elgin County), Ontario on the 1st of May, 1833.  Dr. Van Velsor was the 3rd of 11 children born to William Van Velsor and the former Eliza Bright.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Calvin Van Velsor, Jerushia Van Velsor, John Ralph Van Velsor, William McDermott Van Velsor, Jacob Bright Van Velsor, Rosanna Van Velsor, Rachel Van Velsor, Elijah P. Van Velsor, Ruth E. Van Velsor and Henry Verrel Van Velsor.

Dr. Van Velsor was educated in the local township schools, before earning a teaching certificate when he was about 16 years old.  He taught school and saved the necessary funds to pursue the  study of medicine at the University of Michigan from 1859 until 1861. In 1862 he graduated M.D. from Victoria College in Toronto.  Dr. Van Velsor joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 13th of June, 1866.

Dr. Van Velsor appears 1864-65 County of Kent Gazetteer.  According to the 1866-1867 Kent, Lambton and Essex County Directory and Gazetteer, Dr. Van Velsor had been appointed as a coroner.  In the 1880 Kent County Business Directory his residence was listed at the corner of Catherine and Marlborough Street in Blenheim.  He served not only the Community of Blenheim, but he reached into the countryside wherever there was a need.

Dr. Van Velsor married Mary Ellen Wallace on the 31st of December, 1857 in Louisville (Chatham-Kent), Ontario.  Mrs. Van Velsor was born on the 8th of November, 1838.  She was the eldest of 7 children born to Joseph Wallace and the former Mary Reardon.  Her father was an innkeeper in Chatham Township (Chatham-Kent) and her siblings were; Sarah Ann Wallace, Robert William Wallace, Catherine Eliza Wallace, Joseph Wallace, Maurice Wallace and Daniel Wallace.  Her brother Joseph Wallace became a physician and he practiced medicine in Sparta (Elgin County), Ontario.

Dr. and Mrs. Van Velsor had 4 children; William Wallace Van Velsor, Edwin Raymond Van Velsor, Helena Maud Van Velsor and Daniel James Van Velsor.  His sons all became doctors.

Dr. Van Velsor was elected Deputy Reeve of Harwich Township (Chatham-Kent) in 1868 and he served in this capacity until 1871, when he was elected as the Reeve. He held the office of Reeve from 1871 until 1874.  While serving as the Reeve from 1873 – 1874 he also held the position of Warden of Kent County. During this period of time, Blenheim was incorporated as a town. Dr. Van Velsor supported the Liberal Party and he was appointed as a Kent County Coroner.

According to the 1882 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Van Velsor had a residence in Rondeau (Chatham-Kent).

In 1885 Bell Telephone service arrived in Blenheim.  Dr. Van Velsor’s office and his residence were two of the first locations that were hooked up to the new system.

Throughout his political life, Dr. Van Velsor continued to look after his patients and mentored many young doctors.

Dr. Van Velsor died in Blenheim on the 13th of April, 1889.  He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim.  Mrs. Mary Ellen Van Velsor died in Los Angeles, California on the 1st of January, 1914 and she was also buried at Blenheim.

*Dr. Van Velsor’s brother’s, Dr. William McDermott Van Velsor, Dr. Jacob Bright Van Velsor and Dr. Elijah P. Van Velsor practiced medicine in the United States.  

*Dr. Van Velsor’s eldest son, Dr. William Wallace Van Velsor, was born in 1860 in Blenheim.  According to the 1881 census William is listed as a medical student.  He married Jessie A. Pearson on the 17th of July, 1882 in Galt, Ontario.  She was the daughter of John Pearson and the former Jane Walton Pearson.  Dr. William Wallace Van Velsor practiced medicine in Harrington, Nebraska.  He died on the 28th of June, 1897 and he was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim.  His wife Jessie died on the 23rd of April, 1888 and she was also buried in Blenheim.

**Dr. Van Velsor’s son Dr. Edwin Raymond Van Velsor was born in 1862.  He died on the 4th of June, 1905 at the age of 42.  At the time of his death he was married and residing at 76 Marlborough Street in Blenheim, Ontario.

***Dr. Van Velsor’s son Dr. Daniel James Van Velsor Jr. was born in 1866 and he died in Pennsylvania in 1929.  He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim.

****Dr. James Samson also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.