Name:
James Alanson Kemp 
Location served:
Wheatley  
Years in Practice:
1862 to 1887
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. James Alanson Kemp was born near Amherstburg (Essex County), Ontario on the 11th of December, 1839.  Dr. Kemp was the 3rd of 4 children born to Andrew Kemp and the former Ann Reilly.  His siblings were; David Kemp, John Colborne Kemp and Rebecca Anne Kemp.

Dr. Kemp graduated M.D. from Queen’s University in 1861 and he obtained his provincial medical licence in 1862.  Dr. Kemp opened his medical practice in Leamington, (Essex County) Ontario.  Dr. Kemp routinely made the relatively short journey to Chatham-Kent  to see patients.  This is evidenced by his name appearing on numerous birth and death records that occurred in Wheatley and Romney Twp, including the death record of Dr. Horatio Mills.

Dr. Kemp married Ellen Archer on the 19th of April, 1864 in Essex County.  Mrs. Kemp was born on the 3rd of May, 1839 in the West Indies.  Their daughter Anne was born in 1865.  Dr. and Mrs. Kemp had a son, James Archer Kemp born to them on the 23rd of March, 1869.  Sadly he died on the 4th of September, 1870.  Baby James was buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Amherstburg.

Dr. Kemp advertised his medical practice in Leamington in the 1867 Essex County Directory and the 1887 Ontario Business and Gazetteer.

According to the 1871 census, Dr. and Mrs. Kemp were living in Mersea Twp. (Essex Co.) with their 6 year-old daughter Anne, as well as Mrs. Kemp’s brothers George Archer (30 years old) and Oscar Archer (18 years old).

Mrs. Kemp died on the 28th of May, 1871 at the age of 32.  Dr. Kemp died on the 6th of September, 1887 in Leamington.  Dr. and Mrs. Kemp were buried at Rose Hill Cemetery near their son James.

*Dr. Horatio Mills also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.