Name:
Orville James Glenn 
Location served:
Bothwell, Thamesville  
Years in Practice:
1910 to 1957
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Orville James Glenn was born in Adelaide Township (Middlesex County), Ontario on the 21st of February, 1883.  Dr. Glenn was the 2nd of 8 children born to George Glenn and the former Margaret McKenzie.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Mary Lulu Glenn, Leonard Albert Glenn, George Glenn (who died just a few days before his 2nd birthday), Leonard Albert Glenn, James Frederick Glenn (who died of influenza at the age of 28), George Benjamin Glenn, Laura Edith Glenn and Madeline D. Glenn.

Dr. Glenn graduated M.D.,C.M. from the University of Western Ontario in 1905.  He joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 26th of June, 1906 and opened his medical practice in Wardsville.   His residence and medical practice were located on Main Street according to the 1911 census.  Although situated in Middlesex County, Dr. Glenn routinely travelled the short distance to see patients in Chatham-Kent (approx 12 km).  His name appears on birth and death records in Thamesville, Orford Township and Zone Township (all located in Chatham-Kent).

Dr. Glenn married Florence May McKay on the 18th of August, 1913 in Stratford, Ontario.  Mrs. Glenn was born on the 17th of October, 1884 near the small community of Harrington in Oxford County. She was the only child of John F. McKay and the former Mary Jane Kerr.  Her father was a carpenter.  Mrs. Glenn trained as a nurse and after her father’s death, she was living with her mother, at 128 Maple Street in London, Ontario, according to the 1911 census.

Dr. and Mrs. Glenn had 2 daughters; Mary Margaret “Peggy” Glenn was born in Wardsville on the 13th of November, 1916.   Sadly she died of influenza on the 12th of January, 1917 at the age of 2 months.  Their daughter Donna K. Glenn was born in 1918 and she became a nurse.

Dr. Glenn retired in 1956 and he moved to London, Ontario.  Dr. Glenn died while he was on vacation in St Petersburg, Florida on the 27th of February 1958.  Mrs. Glenn died in 1966.  Dr. and Mrs. Glenn were buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Middlesex County next to their infant daughter Peggy.  Their daughter Donna Kerr Glenn died in 1988 and she was also buried at the Oakland Cemetery.

*Dr. Glenn’s brother, Dr. Leonard Albert Glenn graduated M.D. from the University of Western Ontario in 1912.  Dr. Leonard Glenn practiced medicine in Chatham-Kent and he also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.  

**Dr. Glenn’s sister Madeline Glenn became a nurse. 

Tombstone Credit: Anne F.