Biography:

Dr. Walter Westlake Hoare was born in Adelaide Township (Middlesex County), Ontario on the 13th of February, 1837.  Dr. Hoare was the eldest of 8 children born to John Straud Hoare and the former Mary Westlake.  His father was a merchant in the village of Adelaide and his siblings were; Mary Jane Hoare, Elizabeth Anne Hoare (who died at the age of 16), George Straud Hoare, William Hoare, Phillip Edward Hoare, John Straud Hoare and a brother who died in infancy.

Dr. Hoare married Sarah Elizabeth MacKenzie in 1858. Mrs. Hoare was born in Ontario, on the 22nd of May, 1836, the 8th of 9 children born to Duncan MacKenzie and the former Margaret Barclay. Her parents were born in Scotland and they farmed in Middlesex County.  Her siblings were; Ann MacKenzie, Mary Mackenzie, John George MacKenzie (who died as a child), Alexander MacKenzie (who died as a child), Margaret MacKenzie, Isabella Katharine MacKenzie, Duncan George MacKenzie and John.

According to the 1861 census, Dr. and Mrs. Hoare resided in Adelaide Township (Middlesex County) with their 2 year-old daughter Frances.  Dr. Hoare was not yet a doctor and his occupation was listed as a farmer.

Dr. Hoare studied under Dr. Henry Hanson of London, Ontario prior to attending Queen’s University.  Dr. Hoare graduated from Queen’s University Faculty of Medicine in Kingston in 1864.

After his graduation from medical school, Dr. Hoare practiced medicine in Dawn Mills (Chatham-Kent).  Dr. Hoare’s medical practice appears in the 1864-1865 Kent County Directory and Gazetteer.  Dr. Hoare joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 12th of June, 1866.

Dr. and Mrs. Hoare had 5 children; Frances Elizabeth Hoare, Emma Jane Hoare, Charles Westlake Hoare, Georgina Hoare and Edward Alexander Hoare.

By 1871, Dr. Hoare and his family were living in Strathroy where Dr. Hoare was practicing medicine.  Dr. Hoare’s brother Phillip was also living with Dr. Hoare and his occupation was listed as a medical student.  Dr. Walter Westlake Hoare appears in the 1886 and 1894 London City and Middlesex County Directory under the subtitle of Strathroy.  Dr. Hoare stayed in Strathroy until 1905, when he moved to Walkerville (Essex County), Ontario.

Dr. Hoare died in Walkerville on the 29th of January, 1920.  At the time of his death, Dr. and Mrs. Hoare resided at 77 Kildare Road.  He was buried at St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery, St. Mary’s Gate in Walkerville.  Mrs. Hoare died on the 17th of September, 1921.  She was buried beside her husband.

*Dr. Hoare’s son, Dr. Charles Westlake Hoare practiced medicine in Walkerville.  Prior to his death on the 10th of November, 1931, Dr. Charles Westlake Hoare served as the Mayor of Walkerville.  

**Dr. Hoare’s grandson Charles Walter Hoare was killed in action during WWI on the 14th of August, 1916,  He was buried at Bailleur Communal Cemetery in France.

***Dr. Hoare’s mother’s and father’s name is written clearly on his death certificate, however the mother listed on some of his siblings documents is Anne Woolcock.

****Dr. Hoare’s sister, Mary Jane Hoare married Mrs. Hoare’s brother Duncan George MacKenzie in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the 10th of October, 1867.