Biography:

Dr. Ernest Cecil Riseborough was born at Huffman’s Corners in Harwich Township (Chatham-Kent), on the 7th of April, 1895.   Dr. Riseborough was the 2nd of 6 children born to William John Riseborough and the former Bertha Luella May Huffman. His parents were farmers near the community of Fargo and his siblings were; Lena May Riseborough (who died in 1893 when she was a child), Viole Milton “Dick” Riseborough, Loretta May Riseborough, Wilbur “Lloyd” Riseborough and Emma Mary “Theresa” Riseborough (born and died in 1906).

Dr. Riseborough was educated in Blenheim and attended high school in Chatham at Chatham Collegiate Institute before attending The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.  He graduated M.B. in 1918.

Dr. Riseborough enlisted in WWI on the 29th of April, 1918.  At the time of his enlistment he listed Grace Hospital in Toronto as his address.  Dr. Riseborough served overseas with the Canadian Army Medical Corp during World War I.  In August of 1919 his unit was demobilized and he returned to Canada.

Upon his discharge, Dr. Riseborough opened his medical practice in Chatham.  According to the 1921-1922 Vernon City of Chatham Business Directory, Dr. Riseborough resided at 51 Sixth Street.

On April 30th, 1923, Dr. Riseborough married Edna Marion Richards in Chatham.  Mrs. Riseborough was born on the 22nd of January 1897 in Camden Township (Chatham-Kent).  She was the only child of William George Richards and the former Mildred Heyward.  Her father was a lawyer and according to the 1911 census and their wedding record, the Richards family lived at 302 Wellington Street West in Chatham.

Dr. Riseborough loved hockey and was the Manager of the Chatham Hockey Club. He was also a member of the Shriners.

In July of 1928, Dr. Riseborough sold his medical practice to Dr. James G. Bice.  Dr. Riseborough moved to Philadelphia to study Urology. According to the 1940 U.S. Census, Dr. and Mrs. Riseborough were living in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Riseborough died at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Michigan on December 3rd, 1958.  Mrs. Riseborough died at her residence on the 6th of  March 1980.  At the time of her death, she resided at 427 King Street in Chatham.  Dr. and Mrs. Riseborough were interred in the mausoleum at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

The photo of Dr. Riseborough in uniform: Courtesy of the Chatham-Kent Museum.  Tombstone Photo Credit: Anne F.

*Dr. Riseborough is also featured on the ‘Gathering Our Heroes’ website.

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