Biography:

Dr. James Colville was born in Clarke Twp (South of Bowmanville), Ontario on the 11th of November, 1872.  Dr. Colville was the 4th of 6 children born to James Colville and the former Janet Smith. His parents were farmers and his siblings were; William, Neil, Robert (who died at the age of 6 from jaundice), Colin and Mary.

Dr. Colville’s brother Neil had been teaching school near Orono, Ontario for about 3 years when Dr. Colville talked him into entering medical school with him.  Dr. Colville and his brother Neil, attended Trinity Medical College and they both graduated M.C., M.D. in 1900.  Dr. James Colville interned in London, England.  Dr. James Colville returned to Canada in 1905 and situated himself in Bowmanville, Ontario.  (His brother Dr. Neil Colville practiced medicine in Orono).

In his obituary in the Canadian Statesman, published in Bowmanville (Jul 22nd, 1961 edition) it is reported that Dr. James Colville moved to Tupperville in 1907 as ‘business was a bit slack’ with 5 established doctors already practicing in Bowmanville.

The article in the Canadian Statesman also reported that Dr. Colville tended to his patients with horse and buggy or on horseback when the conditions were too wet for the buggy.

In 1910 Dr. Colville purchased the medical practice of Dr. Thomas L. McRitchie in McKay’s Corners. That same year on the 9th of November, he married Margaret “Gretta” McCorkell.  Mrs. Colville was born in Osgoode Twp, Carlton County, Ontario on the 8th of September, 1884.  She was the 10th of 11 children born to James Smith McCorkell and the former Isabell Finley.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Agnes Christie McCorkell, Susan Jean McCorkell, Ellen McCorkell, Victoria McCorkell, Robert Findley McCorkell, Euphemia “Phoebe” McCorkell, Mary Florence McCorkell, Christina “Tena” McCorkell, Jennette Isabelle McCorkell and James Smith McCorkell.  The McCorkell family were raised primarily in Russell Twp, Ontario, which is south east of Ottawa.  Sometime after 1901 and before 1910, the family moved to the community of Mull (Chatham-Kent).

Dr. Colville was listed in the 1913 Bell Telephone Directory at McKays Corners.  His telephone number was 944r2.

Dr. and Mrs. Colville had a daughter, also named Margaret born to them on the 23rd of May, 1914.  Sadly Mrs. Colville died a short time later on the 5th of June, 1914 and the little girl died on the 2nd of August, 1914.  They were buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham, Ontario.

Dr. Colville married Ida Tupholme on the 8th of June, 1918.  She was born on the 15th of May, 1885 in Middlesex County, the daughter of George Morris Tupholme and the former Emily Sarah Rippon.  Her parents immigrated to Canada in 1883 and brought with them her 3 older siblings, Harold George Tupholme (who died in Ridgetown on the 25th of June, 1911 of Tuberculosis), Nellie Tupholme and Rose May Tupholme.  Mrs. Colville’s younger brother Allen John Tupholme was born in Blenheim in 1888. At the time of Mrs. Colville’s birth, the Tupholme family resided at Lot 1, Concession 3 in Caradoc Twp, Middlesex County.  Her father’s occupation was listed as a painter on Mrs. Colville’s birth record.  According to the 1891 census, her father’s profession was a miller and later he moved to Ridgetown where he became a bookkeeper.

Dr. and Mrs. Colville did not have any children.

Dr. and Mrs. Colville resided in Ridgetown and he was known to have an extensive library in his home.  It was large enough to need a rolling ladder to access material on the top shelves.  Dr. Colville was a member of the Kent County Medical Society and he served as the President in 1943.

Dr. Colville retired in 1960 and at the time of his retirement, he was the oldest practicing physician in Chatham-Kent, having devoted himself to his patients for 60 years.   Dr. Colville died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham on the 22nd of May 1961. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Ridgetown.  His wife Ida died on the 21st of May, 1975 in Ridgetown and she was buried next to Dr. Colville.

*Dr. Thomas L. McRitchie also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**Dr. Colville’s sister Mary Colville married Dr. Robert Alfred Sidney Colville.  (Besides having different parents and being man and wife, it is unknown what the relationship is between Mary and Dr. Colville).

***A great nephew of Dr. Colville’s, William S. Colville served during WWII with the 48th Highlander Regiment.  He was wounded at Ortona, Italy.  Mrs. Colville’s brother, Allen John Tupholme served with the United States Military in WWI and WWII.

****The webmaster is grateful to Mr. Brian James Colville for clarifying facts and information.