Biography:

Dr. Leonard Albert Glenn was born near Strathroy, Ontario on the 19th of January, 1888.  Dr. Glenn was the 4th of 8 children born to George Glenn and the former Margaret McKenzie. His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Mary Lulu Glenn, Orville James Glenn, George Glenn (who died just prior to his 2nd birthday), James Frederick Glenn (who died at the age of 28 of influenza), George Benjamin Glenn, Laura Edith Glenn and Madeline D. Glenn.  Dr. Glenn was educated in the Strathroy area.

Dr. Glenn attended the University of Western Ontario and he graduated M.D. with honours in 1912. Dr. Glenn interned at Toledo General Hospital in Ohio.  He spent another 3 1/2 years training in surgery and acted as Resident Physician and Medical Director of Lucas County Hospital in Toledo Ohio.   He went on to be the House Surgeon of Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Glenn joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 24th of June, 1915.

Dr. Glenn practiced medicine in Chatham throughout his entire career. He opened his medical office in the Backus Building at 147 King St., in January of 1916.  According to the 1920 edition of Vernon’s City of Chatham Business Directory, Dr. Glenn’s office was located at 6 Third Street.

On the 15th of September, 1922, Dr. Glenn married Anna Isabelle Wilson in Chatham.  Mrs. Glenn was born in Harwich Twp (Chatham-Kent) on the 8th of September, 1900.  She was the 4th of 5 children born to Frank Wilson and the former Jennie Shoemaker.  Her parents were farmers and the family resided at Lot 4, Concession 2, in Harwich Township.  Her siblings were; Olive “Myrtle” Wilson was born on the 16th of May, 1893, Jennie Ray Wilson was born on the 7th of April, 1895, John David Wilson was born on the 15th of February, 1898 and her younger sister Florence Elizabeth Wilson was born on the 3rd of May, 1903.  (Her sister Florence died of influenza at the Public General Hospital in Chatham at the age of 15 on the 8th of January, 1919.)

Dr. and Mrs. Glenn resided in Cedar Springs and attended the United Church there.  Dr. Glenn served as President of the Chatham Medical Society. He also acted as the physician for the Ursuline College for a number of years.  In 1924 Dr. Glenn re-located his medical office to 275 King Street West and as of 1941 it was still located there.  Dr. Glenn was President of the Kent County Medical Society in 1933.

Dr. Glenn died at St Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham on the 28th of  February, 1961 after a lengthy illness.  Mrs. Glenn died in Chatham in 1966.  Dr. and Mrs. Glenn were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. Glenn’s brother Dr. Orville James Glenn graduated M.D.,C.M. from the University of Western Ontario in 1905 and practiced medicine in Chatham-Kent although his medical office was located in Wardsville.  Dr. O.J. Glenn also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.  

**Dr. Glenn’s sister Madeline Wilson became a nurse.

***Mrs. Glenn’s brother, John David Wilson served with the Canadian Armed Forces during WWI.