Biography:

Dr. George Couse was born in Yarmouth Twp, (Elgin County) on the 20th of October, 1825.  Dr. Couse’s parents were John Couse and the former Rachael Ensley.  Dr. Couse’s parents were farmers and his siblings were; Mary Ann Couse, Ensley Couse and Elizabeth Couse.

According to the 1872 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Couse graduated M.D. from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 1851.  He joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 13th of June, 1866.

In 1861, Dr. Couse was working as a surgeon and living  in Dunneville, Moulton Twp, Haldimand County with his wife the former Rachel Ostrander and his daughter, Alta Ross Randolph Couse.  Alta was born on the 7th of November, 1857.

By 1867, Dr. Couse and his family had moved to Wardsville, Ontario (Middlesex County).  According to the 1881 census, Dr. Couse was working and living in Glencoe, Ontario and his office was located on the Main Street.  In 1891, Dr. Couse had an office in Newbury, Ontario but he was believed to be still residing in Middlesex County.  Dr. Couse lived close to the Chatham-Kent border and advertised his medical services in a number of  Kent County Business Directories, including the 1895 Farmers and Business Directory, under the Bothwell sub-title.  His name appears on numerous birth and death records as early as 1870.

Mrs. Couse died on the 4th of May, 1900.  At the time of her death she resided at Lot #1, Concession 1, Mosa Township (near Wardsville/Newbury).  Their only child Alta died the following year on the 17th of July (1901).  On her death record it records Alta’s age as 30 years.  This is inaccurate, as Alta appears as a 4 year old on the 1861 census.  Her age would be closer to 45.

Dr. Couse married Eliza Amelia (Newcombe) Marlatt in London, Ontario on the 1st of July, 1903.  Mrs. Eliza Couse was a widow and 48 years old at the time of her marriage to Dr. Couse.  Her first husband William Marlatt, had died on the 6th of May, 1900 in Yarmouth Twp, Elgin County.  William and Eliza Marlatt had 6 children; Jesse, Laura, Mary, George, James (died at the age of 9 months) and Beulah.   Her parents were Abram Newcombe and the former Olive Courser.  At the time of their marriage, Dr. Couse was living in Yarmouth Twp (near St. Thomas), Elgin County.

Dr. Couse died on the 16th of August, 1905.  The death record states that he died at 326 Dundas Street in London, Ontario.   He was buried at the St. Thomas Cemetery.  His parents are also buried there.  Mrs. Eliza Couse died in 1937 and she was buried at the St. Thomas Cemetery.