Biography:

Dr. Frederick Irwin Reid was born in Oro Township (Simcoe County), Ontario on the 20th of September 1882.  Dr. Reid was the 10th of 13 children born to William L. Reid and the former Harriett Ramsbottom.  His siblings were; Mary Martha Reid, Robert Joseph Reid, John Ringland Reid, William James Reid, Walter Fisher Reid, Emma Maud Reid, Laura Elizabeth Reid, Edith May, Charles Cowan Reid, Harriett Florence Reid, Martin Samuel Reid and Annie Hazel Reid.  His family farmed in Oro Township and he was educated in local schools, before attending university.

Dr. Reid graduated M.D. from the University of Western Ontario in 1906.  According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Reid, joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 27th of June, 1907.  Initially he practiced in Glanworth (Middlesex County), Ontario before moving to Merlin in 1909.  According to the 1911 census, Dr. Reid was a lodger at the residence of Dr. Charles Baird Oliver.

On the 8th of November, 1911, Dr. Reid married Annie Arlie Mclachlan in Middlesex County, Ontario.  Mrs. Reid was a nurse.  She was born on the 12th of April, 1887 in Westminster Township (Middlesex County).   She was the 4th of 5 children born to James McLachlan and the former Veda Buchanan.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Catherine Isabelle McLachlan, Daniel Norman McLachlan, Mary Ellen McLachlan and James Archibald McLachlan.

Dr. and Mrs. Reid had 2 children, William James Reid was born on the 28th of August, 1913 and Elizabeth “Betty” Mary Reid was born on the 11th of July, 1917.  Both children were born in Merlin.

Dr. Reid was listed in the 1913 Bell Telephone Directory.  His office and residence were located on Aberdeen Street.  His office phone number was 24a and his home telephone number was 24b.

From 1919 to 1921 Dr. Reid did postgraduate study, specializing in surgery at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Reid returned to Canada in 1921 and settled in Chatham where he opened a medical practice. He was Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery for many years at the Public General Hospital.

Dr. Reid was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge and a Rotarian and member of the Kent Club. He was a life member of the Ontario Medical Association.  According to the 1929 Vernon City of Chatham Business Directory Dr. Reid’s office was located at 193 King Street West.

Dr. Reid’s wife, Ann died on the 1st of July, 1935, while she was at Rondeau Provincial Park.

According to the 1941 Shepherds City of Chatham Business Directory, Dr. Reid’s office was still located at 193 King Street.  Dr. Reid retired in 1965.

Dr. Reid died at his residence located at 62 Stanley Ave., in Chatham on the 22nd of May 1966. Dr. Reid and his first wife Ann were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

Upon his death, Dr. Reid was survived by his second wife, Muriel Louise (Halliday) Reid.  Mrs. Muriel Reid was born in Merlin on the 18th of January, 1898.   She was the 3rd of 4 children born to James Nesbit Halliday and the former Martha Jane Foxton.  Her father was a dry goods merchant in Merlin and her siblings were; Clarence Walter Halliday, Edna Lizzie Halliday and Belva Inez Halliday.  Mrs. Reid was a music teacher.  She died on the 4th of April, 1981 at her residence on Stanley Avenue in Chatham.  She was buried at the Merlin Cemetery.

Tombstone Photo Credit: Anne F.

*Dr. Charles Baird Oliver and Dr. Reid’s son Dr. William Reid also appear on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**Mrs. Muriel Reid’s brother, Dr. Clarence Walter Halliday served with the United States Medical Corp during WWI.  On his Draft Registration Card he indicated that he was a medical student at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.  His home address was listed as 165 Victoria Ave in Chatham.  Dr. Clarence Walter Halliday survived the war and he died in Detroit Michigan on the 17th of December, 1934 at the age of 41.