Webster, D.F.

D.F. (David Fergus) Webster was born January 18, 1865 at Strathburn, Mosa Township, son of William Webster and Janet (Ferguson) Webster, and grandson of David and Agnes Webster, who came to Canada from Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1842. After attending S.S. #1, Mosa Township, Webster trained as a teacher at the Model School in London and received his teacher's certificate. He taught school for only a few months, at S.S. No. 11, Aldborough. Webster enrolled in the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 1887, graduating in 1891. He established his medical practice in West Lorne, Ontario in August, 1891. His first office was located on the east side of Graham Street in the McKillop Block, which was destroyed by fire in 1900. In 1901, Webster married Alice J. (Wilton) Webster (d. 1942). They bought a house from Ed Cahill just north of the railroad tracks in Bismarck, and here established his office. The Websters had two sons who died in infancy, and a daughter, Erie Jean (b. July 4, 1903). Dr. Webster made house calls with a horse and buggy until 1907 when he acquired a Ford automobile, one of the first cars in the Village of West Lorne. Webster served for many years on the Police Village of West Lorne Board of Trustees, prior to its incorporation as a Village in 1907. He was also the Village Medical Officer of Health and fire chief for many years and was instrumental in the establishment of the West Lorne Public Library. He was prominent in the Masonic Order, and served as Secretary of the West Lorne Electric Light Company Limited. Dr. Webster died on April 20, 1950.