Name:
William Clair Toll 
Location served:
Chatham  
Years in Practice:
1905 to 1948
Area of Specialization:
Family Physician and Surgeon  

Biography:

Dr. William Clair Toll was born near the community of Ouvry (Raleigh Township) in Chatham-Kent on the 12th of November, 1879.  Dr. Toll’s father Philip Abram Toll, had been married previously to Eleanor and they had 3 children; Victoria Jane Toll, Everton Toll and Armyn Orville Toll (Armyn died on the 30th of June, 1871 at the age of 6).  His father’s first wife Eleanor died on the 2nd of November, 1865, the same year that Armyn was born.  Dr. Toll’s father married the former Elizabeth Smiley and 5 more children were born including Dr. Toll who was the youngest.  His parents were farmers near Ouvry and his siblings were; Ellsworth Hartwell Toll, Sylvester Leroy Toll, Orville Henry Toll and Naomie Wilhelmina Toll.  Dr. Toll’s parents and some of his siblings were buried at Christ Church Anglican Cemetery in Ouvry.

After attending local schools in the community, Dr. Toll studied at Leamington Collegiate Institute.  He graduated M.B. in 1905 from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.  After interning, Dr. Toll ventured to Carbon, Alberta in 1906.  According to a homesteading application, Dr. Toll built a frame home on a plot of land and practiced medicine in Carbon.

Dr. Toll married Stella Lisette Reed on the 30th of December, 1908 in West Zorra Township (Oxford County), Ontario.  Dr. Toll’s brother, Reverend Sylvester Leroy Toll officiated at the ceremony.  Mrs. Toll was born in West Zorra Township, on the 14th of June, 1883. She was the youngest of 6 children born to Orlando Reed and the former Jane Symons.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Evelyn Reed, Oliver Morvat Reed (who died of scarlet fever at the age of 6), Franklina Reed, Alletta Jane Reed and Austin Reed (who died on the 24th of March, 1881 at the age of 3 days).

After their marriage, Dr. Toll returned to Carbon, Alberta with his wife.  Their daughter Helen Claire Toll was born at Carbon on the 21st of December, 1909.

Dr. Toll returned to University and pursued post graduate studies in London, England graduating L.R.C.P and M.R.C.S. in 1912.  Dr. Toll, his wife Stella and his daughter Helen returned to Canada on the 7th of December, 1912, aboard the Empress of Britain.  Dr. Toll set up a medical practice in Chatham in January of 1913.  His office was located at 268 King Street West and he advertised his medical practice in the 1914-1915 Vernon’s City of Chatham Directory.

In 1921 Dr. and Mrs. Toll and their daughter Helen resided at 36 Peel Street, in Simcoe, Ontario.

Dr. Toll was listed on the 1930 United States Census in Monessan, Pennsylvania.  He was boarding in a private residence and working at the Gemmell Hospital.

Dr. Toll was drafted by the United States Army in 1942.  According to the draft card, he resided at 130 Seventh Street in Monessen, Pennsylvania.  He was 5’4″ tall, 120 lbs., with brown eyes, grey hair with a ruddy complexion.

Dr. Toll died at Gemmell Hospital in Monessen, Pennsylvania on the 19th of November, 1948.  At the time of his death, his residence was listed as the Grand Hotel on Donner Avenue in Monessen. His wife Stella was listed as his next-of-kin and Dr. Toll was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

Mrs. Toll and her daughter Helen, were last known to be residing at 51 Greenbook Drive in Toronto.  Mrs. Toll died on the 1st of March, 1958.  Their daughter Helen became a teacher.  She died in 1979.