Biography:

Dr. Harry Garfield Emerson was born near Wheatley, Ontario on the 10th of August, 1881.  Dr. Emerson was the 5th of 8 children born to John Emerson and the former Hester Wigle.  He was raised on a farm in Essex County, that his parents called “Fairhope”. His siblings were; Thomas Scott Emerson (who died at the age of 6 months), Lewis Alvin Emerson, Mary Amelia Emerson, Frank Melville Emerson, Burns Elliott Emerson, Lillie Emerson and Annie Alta Emerson.

Dr Emerson attended a rural school before continuing on to Leamington High School.  After graduation from high school, he attended the Windsor Model School and obtained his teaching certificate.  Dr. Emerson taught school for a number of years and he was the Principal at the Mount Carmel Public School.  In early 1905 Dr. Emerson had an office job at the Standard Oil Company but by the fall of that year he started his university medical training.

Dr. Emerson graduated M.B. in 1909 from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.  Dr. Emerson worked in lumber camps in Northern Ontario to gain experience.  According to the 1911 census at the age of 30 Dr. Emerson was residing in Mersea Twp, Essex County.

Dr. Emerson married Lucy “Beatrice” McQueen in St Thomas, on the 16th of November 1912.  Mrs. Emerson was born near Comber on the 4th of August, 1878.  She was the 2nd of 4 children born to Robert McQueen and the former Mary Carter.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Robert Bruce McQueen, Charlotte Eleanor McQueen and Malcolm Donald McQueen.  At the time of their marriage Dr. Emerson was residing in Toronto.

Shortly after their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Emerson were residing in Comber, where Dr. Emerson established his medical practice.

Dr. and Mrs. Emerson had 2 sons; Donald Garfield Emerson was born in Essex County on the 23rd of August, 1913 and Garnet Lister Emerson was born on the 22nd of June, 1917.  Comber is approximately 12 km. west of Tilbury.  Dr. Emerson routinely saw patients in Chatham-Kent as evidenced by his signature on numerous birth and death records.

Mrs. Emerson died at her residence in Comber on the 1st of February, 1956.  Dr. Emerson died at Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Windsor on the 4th of June, 1964.  Dr. and Mrs. Emerson were buried at McDowell Cemetery in Comber.

*Dr. Emerson’s sons are also buried at the McDowell Cemetery.

**Mrs. Emerson’s brother, Dr. Malcolm Donald MacQueen practiced medicine in Michigan.  He enlisted in the Canadian Naval Reserve during WWI and he enlisted with the United States Military during WWII.