Biography:

Dr. Thomas Lovell McRitchie was born near Thamesville, Ontario on the 24th of June 1862.  Dr. McRitchie was the 5th of 9 children born to Alexander Robertson McRitchie and the former Annie Coulter Bushell.  His parents were farmers in Harwich Twp and his siblings were; James McRitchie, Alexander Robertson McRitchie, Annie Coulter McRitchie, David McRitchie, Maria G. McRitchie, Agne May McRitchie, Josephine H. McRitchie and Albert Edward McRitchie.

After obtaining his primary education in Bothwell, Dr. McRitchie worked in northern Ontario lumber camps as a tramp steamer to put himself through post-secondary schools. Dr. McRitchie attended London Normal School. After graduation he taught school in Dover Township (Chatham-Kent), followed by terms in St. Catharines and Hamilton. Eventually he attended the University of Western Ontario where he studied medicine and played on the school’s soccer team. He graduated M.D. on May 23, 1889 and joined the medical practice of Dr. David G. Fleming, in Chatham.

According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. McRitchie joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 22nd of May, 1889.

Dr. McRitchie married Lena Montgomery on the 24th of July, 1889 in Chatham.  Mrs. McRitchie was born on the May 14, 1863 in Dover Twp (Chatham-Kent).  She was the 5th of 7 children born to Samuel Montgomery and the former Anna Eliza Porter.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Joseph Montgomery, Anne Eliza Montgomery, James Charles Montgomery, Anne Eliza Montgomery, Mary Jane Montgomery, Isaac Montgomery and Samuel Montgomery.  Incidentally, Dr. McRitchie’s sister Agnes May McRitchie married Mrs. McRitchie’s brother Isaac Montgomery on the 8th of April, 1896.

By 1890 Dr. and Mrs McRitchie had moved to McKay’s Corners in Harwich Twp (Chatham-Kent).  Dr. and Mrs. McRitchie had one daughter, Gladys Lillian May McRitchie who was born on the 21st of March 1895 in Howard Twp (Chatham-Kent).  In this era, it was difficult to make house calls with a horse and buggy (or cutter in the winter) because of the primitive roads. Dr. McRitchie kept four healthy horses to ensure that he would always be available to his patients.  Dr. McRitchie’s name appears in the 1892-1893 Ontario Business Directory as practicing medicine in Harwich Twp (McKays Corners).

Dr. McRitchie moved his medical practice back to Chatham in 1910. He built his home/office at 234 Wellington Street West.  Mrs. Lena McRitchie died on the 28th of May, 1916 at their residence on Wellington Street.  She was buried in the mausoleum at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

Dr McRitchie appears in the 1913 Bell Telephone Directory.  His residence was listed at 34 Fifth Street and the office telephone number was 435a.  His residence was listed as 237 Wellington Street and his home telephone number was 435b.

In 1917, Dr. McRitchie was appointed as the Medical Officer of Health. In addition to his other responsibilities, he served on Chatham City Council as an Alderman and he was also a member of the Erieau Village Council for 4 years. Dr. McRitchie served on the Board of Education.

According to the 1920 edition of Vernon’s City of Chatham Business Directory, Dr. McRitchie’s medical office was located at 17 Fifth Street.

Dr. McRitchie married Lottie Fanazick on the 12th of January, 1921.  She was born on the 12th of September, 1880 in Woodstock, Ontario.  She was the daughter of Joseph Fanazick and the former Dorothy McKay.  Her parents were farmers and she had an older sister named Teresa Fanazick and a younger brother named William Fanazick.  Miss Fanazick was the Superintendent of Nursing at the Public General Hospital in Chatham from 1910 until 1921.

Dr. McRitchie was an active soccer player most of his life and enjoyed hockey as well. Dr. McRitchie participated in duck hunting in Erieau and Rondeau. He was an elder at St. Andrew’s Church. He was a member of the Parthenon Lodge, A.F. & A.M. in Chatham.

Mrs. Lottie McRitchie died on the 9th of February, 1931 at their residence on Wellington Street.  She was buried in the mausoleum at Maple Leaf Cemetery.  Dr. McRitchie died at his residence on the 19th of March, 1932. He was buried in the mausoleum at Maple Leaf Cemetery.  Upon his death, he was survived by his daughter Mrs. Gladys Lillian (McRitchie) Kerr.

*Dr. David Gibbs Fleming also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.  His sister Annie McRitchie married Dr. David Kenneth Stenton and Dr. Stenton also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

                               (October 13, 1931)