Biography:

Dr. John Alexander Rannie was born in Chatham, Ontario on the 31st of October, 1873.  Dr. Rannie’s father William Rannie, was the tax collector for Chatham and his mother was the former Margaret Atkinson.  Dr. Rannie was the eldest of 3 children and his siblings were; Catherine Isabella Haldane Rannie (who died less than a month before her 15th birthday) and Robert William Rannie.  Dr. Rannie attended school in Chatham before going to The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.  He graduated M.B. in 1896.  After completing his medical training he travelled to London, England for post-graduate studies.

In 1898 Dr. Rannie settled in Florence, Ontario.  Florence is located on the eastern border of Lambton County and is bordered to the west by Chatham-Kent. Dr. Rannie’s name appears on many birth and death records in Thamesville, Camden Twp and Zone Twp (Chatham-Kent).  Around 1900 Dr. Rannie expanded his medical practice and purchased the medical practice of Dr. George Douglas Lockhart in Florence.  In 1900, Dr. Rannie was Master of the Florence Masonic Lodge #390.

In 1903, Dr. Rannie travelled to Berlin, Germany to further his studies.  While he was there, Dr. Rannie was unaware that he required a passport to stay in the country beyond 6 days.  Dr. Rannie was contacted by the police, who demanded that he obtain the proper documentation.  This story appeared in the May 2nd, 1903 edition of the Chatham Daily Planet.  Dr. Rannie wasn’t planning on returning to Canada until December of 1903.  Dr. Rannie contacted a family member to obtain an affidavit to confirm his identification.   He was subsequently issued a passport and the problem was resolved.

In 1906, Dr. Rannie moved to Chesley in Bruce County.

Dr. Rannie married May Stuart McLean on the 21st of May, 1913 at the home of the bride in Chesley, Ontario.  Mrs. Rannie was born in Chesley on the 2nd of May, 1882.  She was the 2nd of 3 children born to Duncan McLean and the former Rachael Patterson.  Mr. McLean was a retail grocer and her siblings were; Jennie Fletcher McLean and Eleanor McLean.

Dr. and Mrs. Rannie were the parents of two sons; William Duncan Rannie was born on his parents 1st wedding anniversary, May 21st, 1914 in Chesley and Robert John Rannie was born in Chelsea in 1916.

Dr. Rannie retired from his medical practice in Chesley in 1940.  In their retirement Dr. and Mrs. Rannie moved to Port Rowan where he served on the library board until 1959.

Dr. Rannie died at Port Rowan on the 11th of October, 1961.  Mrs. Rannie died in 1979.  Dr. and Mrs. Rannie are buried at Bayview Cemetery in Norfolk County.

*Dr. Rannie’s son William Duncan Rannie served with the United States Military during WWII.  

**Dr. Rannie’s brother Robert William Rannie served with the United States Army during World War I and World War II.  He was 61 years old, when he enlisted in WWII.

***Dr. George Douglas Lockhart is also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.