HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE
Part 46
By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.
There is no calling or profession that has such a direct influence for good on the human race as that of the medical practitioner. The sleuth hound of disease with all its concomitants follows every individual and at some period before the end of the journey is reached he fixes his fangs in the writhing victim. Those who have taken up the healing Arts and are conscientiously and sympathetically trying to ameliorate the condition of poor suffering humanity are worthy of affectionate regard. I will briefly refer to two of the principal ones connected with the early times.
George H. Lowe came here as a permanent resident about 1842. He had previously lived at Whitby and port Hope. He came from good old Irish stock, being a native of Maryboro, Queen’s County, a thorough gentleman both by birth and training. He was educated in the first medical school of the time and was during his active life a noted surgeon. His reputation exceeded far and wide, being many times called away long distances. When difficult and intricate cases required the best help available, a thorough knowledge of anatomy, combined with rapid execution, were both prime necessities. At that period the poor patient had to face the knife with out anything helping them to beat the terrible agony consequent upon an operation. Hundreds of poor creatures died rather than undergo the torture that was in the necessary result. It is almost inconceivable what was endured by the hundreds of unfortunates who were compelled to submit to the ordeal.
The marvellous change since I was a boy in this department of medical science is astounding. Thanks to the unremitting research of those emminent investigators, our doctors can by the use of anesthetics cut you to pieces and put you together again with deliberation and without pain. Then everything depended on the quick eye and rapid use of the instrument, both of which faculties Dr. Lowe possessed in a remarkable degree. Bright and cheery in manner and disposition he brought sunshine and hope into a sick room and what is always of first importance, he gained the confidence of the patient. His suavity was unfailing and his attention devoted. His practice grew and he enjoyed for years a large income. Taking a decided interest in all matters affecting the public at large he had for many years great influence in the community.
Possessing a laudable ambition to make a home here something like the stately ones of the great and rich in the Old Land from which he cam, he planned and put up "Bathskamory," the residence of Mr. A. E. McLaughlin, barrister. As originally laid out, it was for this new country on a grand scale. The grounds included the whole plot from Centre street north to the concession line, including Beech Avenue about ten acres in all. It was covered with the native trees, including some fine beeches, maples and elms, the under brush having been carefully removed and all nicely kept. It made a handsome park. There was a wide winding carriage drive entering from Centre Street. It swept north and east around in front of the residence and out on Concession St. This road was made of fine sifted gravel and was kept with scrupulous care. There was a lodge at each gate. For a long time his establishment was kept up in great style, numerous servants, horses, carriages, groom in liver
y, but like all things earthly, in due time a change came and its glories passed away. Many may yet remember old Ned, the Irish factotum, who remained in their employ until the place changed hands on the death of Mrs. Lowe. They had no children. A nephew the Rev. R. W. Hindes who is at present Rector at Port Credit, was adopted and educated by them. (Rev. Mr. Hindes is now residing in Bowmanville-ED.C. S.) In politics Dr. Lowe was a Conservative and during the rebellion of 1837, he commanded a troop of horse. They were stationed at Whitby. After he came here he was an active worker in the political field. He was interested in Free Masonry and was for a time Master of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 31, A. F & A. M. In religion he was an Episcopalian. He was a handsome man with fine presence and address, with good health he enjoyed all the blessings kind Providence bestowed upon him.
The Welsh family came to Bowmanville through Dr. Lowe’s influence, Mrs. Welsh and Mrs. Lowe being sisters. They were prominent people in the Old Country, moving as they did in the higher circles there before they came here. They were an important acquisition socially to the place.
Dr. William Allison who was just the very opposite in character and alms came to Bowmanville early in the fifties. He was born in the lowlands of Scotland and was a graduate of Edinburgh University. He went first to St. Petersburg, Russia, and stayed two years, then to Campbellton, Argyleshre, and entered upon his professional career. There he met the lady, Miss Colville, to whom he was married. They emigrated to Canada reaching this wonderland in June 1835. The leadings of Providence brought them to the township of Markham. They settled at a place called Hagerman’s Corners and he at once entered fully into all the responsibilities and hard work instant to the calling of a country doctor. He has told me repeatedly how he had to face long rides in all kinds of weather, during this period of his first Canadian experience. He had an extensive constituency to server, had indeed all he could attend to and soon became well off. At this time political affairs were very unse
ttled and a man of his clear and decided convictions could not remain neutral. He allied himself to the party who claimed the late Hon. Robert Baldwin as a leader and was an active worker with them in their efforts to bring about responsible government. Being a good platform speaker and ready in the use of the pen he was a prominent figure as a politician in that section of the country. He was perfectly independent. One might as well try to change the course of Niagara as to alter his opinion. After he came to this noted town, his leanings were toward the moderate conservative party and generally he gave his support to Sir John A. Macdonald’s government and the policy they pursued. Town affairs had quite an attraction for him and he took a very great interest in municipal matters. At all public meetings which were called from time to time to consider the questions that were agitating the minds of the ratepayers he was generally an attendant and nothing pleased him so much as to et up a wa
r o words, nearly always opposed to the reigning authorities, it was often quite a circus. He could hold his own with our best men and never lost his head. His good temper was conspicuous no matter how keen the shafts that were fired at him. In domestic life both he and Mrs. Allison were retiring. Their home was a model residence. They had no use for the glitter and fuss that attract so many, but for real substantial worth and true hearted kindness they were unsurpassed. Their Christianity was not lip service but they exemplified the teaching of the Master by deeds of charity and beneficence to those who claimed their attention and good-will.
As a medical man, Dr. Allison was well up and kept himself in touch with all the latest discoveries in that science during his life-time. His taste led him to a continuous study of chemistry in all its varied branches and up to the last he continued experimenting in that obstruse department of study and few in the practical routine of a doctor was equally qualified to analyse and bring to bear on the subjects that required his care, the proper medicines that should be used to meet any given case. Good common sense in the use of remedies and skill in diagnosing disease were his most prominent characteristics. His generosity to the poorer classes of his patients knew no bounds. His sympathy and unremitting attention were given without stint to the humblest of those who sought help at his hands. I know personally that many a family who were braving adverse conditions received from him the greatest care and attention that a physician could bestow without fee or reward. I cannot spe
ak too strongly as to his deep feeling for the distressed and suffering. He has his reward "for as often as ye did it unto the least of one of these my brethren ye did it unto me," so says the great Physician. Dr. Allison had the utmost detestation for all kinds of quackery and humbug. He was a plain, honest, good man. He led a useful and happy life and to those who knew he and Mrs. Allison best they won personal friends, most highly esteemed.
Dr. Allison filled at one time the important and honorable position of President of the Medical Council of Ontario. This dignity was conferred by the vote of his medical brethren of the Province. Occassionally he wrote for the local press and his articles were always worth reading and displayed scholarship and keen insight into the merits of any question he was discussing at the time he wrote.
Mrs. Allison had great brain power and was a diligent student. The doctor used to tell me that few even of our clergymen understood theological topics better than she did. So thoroughly did she become related to her own fire side that she hardly ever came up town.
Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 47
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