Dr J.J. Sheahan referred to as "great soul and great man when memorial plaque unveiled at Lady Minto Hospital in 1963

When the Lady Minto Hospital honoured Dr. John Joseph Sheahan with a memorial plaque and officially opened the new childrens' ward in 1963. Rev. Gaston Lampron of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church  referred to him as a "great soul and great man' adding that the occasion  was a fitting tribute to his memory.

In dedicating the memorial plaque, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church mentioned the affection and respect that Dr. Sheahan Was held since his arrival in 1907 in Chapleau until his death in 1942. Mr Doolan added it was in both his personal and professional life.

The memorial plaque was unveiled by Dr. Sheahan's daughter, Evelyn.

C.B. Greenlaw, chair of the hospital board welcomed the dignitaries who were present for the occasion on a day with "clear skies and pleasant temperatures which parallled carrying out the dedication service on the hospital lawns, according to Margaret Costello in the Sudbury Star.

Dignitaries included Evelyn, Dr. Sheahan's daughter;Ray Jessup, president of the Ontario Hospital Association; E.P. Everitt, CPR Superintendent; and Mrs. Lionel Nolan, a personal friend of Dr. Sheahan who had a long association with the hospital.

The Lady Minto Hospital was opened in 1914.Mr. Greenlaw outlined the history of the Lady Minto Hospital from 1914 when it was the only hospital between Sudbury and Fort William (now Thunder Bay.

Mrs Nolan commented that Dr. Sheahan's  "ready smile" won the hearts of young patients who considered him their hero"  

She added that until his death he was not only a physician but " but counsellor, father and friend. He was always available in time of need."

Mr, Everitt of the CPR said that every word he had heard would not bring out all the greatness that Dr. Sheahan possessed. His medical practice through the north country was very difficult and he travelled by dog team and horses and sleigh as his transportation.. As an aside the good people of Chapleau had bought him a Ford  to take him around town.

Dr Sheahan 1940 Carnival King, Ina Robinson, Charles Reid, Walter Leigh

Visits to the new childrens' wing were conducted by Mrs. Frances Burrows, Mrs. William Grinton, Mrs. Ross Pellow, Mrs Richard Avison,and Mrs. J.R. Keddie.

There were already young patients in the new wing which was complete in every detail.

The guests then returned to the hospital lawn for refreshments. Pouring tea was Mrs. Elsie Wilkinson, one of the first matrons at Lady Minto Hospital. Many of us will remember Mrs. Wilkinson as the school nurse.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dr. J.J. Sheahan one of Chapleau's "best loved and public spirited citizens" died in 1942

Chapleau residents and those who lived for miles around the community lost one of the best loved and public spirited citizens on October 26, 1942 when Dr. J.J. Sheahan died, the Chapleau Post reported.

For 35 years Dr. Sheahan had lived in Chapleau "and he practised his profession conscientiously for the entire period except for the last few hours of his life. He was in his office attending a patient when he suffered a sudden stroke. He died in the Lady Minto Hospital..."

The Chapleau Post in its tribute noted that "Commanding the respect and trust of his fellow citizens from the first, he put his profession above all else. Never known to take a holiday when work was pressing, (he) took few holidays."

Dr. Sheahan also took a great interest in community affairs. Besides being the CPR doctor he was the Medical Officer of Health, a member of the Chapleau High School board and honourary president of the Chapleau Red Cross Society. He was also the official doctor for several lumber companies in the area.

He was also the first president of the board of Lady Minto Hospital when it opened in 1914. In 1963 a renovated wing in that hospital which became the children's ward was named after him. That plaque is now displayed at the Chapleau General Hospital.

With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Dr. Sheahan became a member of the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee.

"He took active interest in social and welfare activities in the community and was one of the best supporters of (Sacred Heart) Roman Catholic Church. He was also a member of Chapleau Council of the Knights of Columbus."

He also served on the executive of the Kebsquasheshing Golf Club.

Before his remains were taken to Portage du Fort for burial a requiem high mass was sung at Sacred Heart church by Rev Father Romeo Gascon, the parish priest.

"The schools and stores were closed. Everyone, young and the old attended the funeral one of the largest Chapleau has ever known," the Chapleau Post reported. "Children of the separate school prayed at his bier and with the students from the high school marched behind the Knights Of Columbus in the cortege to the station."

As a sign of the high respect and esteem in which Dr. Sheahan was held, Trinity United Church paid tribute to him. In part it said that Dr. Sheahan's hands were different. "There was something about his life that made him different. Those hands ministered to us in sorrow and in need.

"His personality made his presence in the sick room a benediction. He sought to save human lives but he also helped people make their lives worth living. His personality among us will be greatly missed but his gracious spirit, his untiring devotion to duty and his Christian character will ever be an example and and incentive to all of us>"

Dr. Sheahan was popular with everyone and years earlier circa 1920 the community bought him a new Ford car which prompted him to comment  that "Instead of babies coming in a little black bag, they will now come in a little black car." According to the late George Evans it may have been the first car in Chapleau.

In 1940 he was crowned as King of the Chapleau Winter Carnival.

Born in Pembroke he graduated in medicine from McGill University in Montreal. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife the former Beatrice English, three sons John, Joseph and James, and two daughters Evelyn and Mary.

Following the service in Chapleau, his body was taken by train to Portage du Fort where another high mass was celebrated before burial in the family plot.

In a tribute to Dr. Sheahan at the time of his death an unknown writer said that he was blessed by patients adding that "Our doctor, yes, but more than that, our friend!" John Joseph Sheahan was truly one of Chapleau's most outstanding citizens. 

My sincere thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for lending me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Children's ward at Lady Minto Hospital dedicated in memory of Dr. J.J. Sheahan 'beloved physician of the entire community' in 1963 ceremony

A newly renovated wing at the Lady Minto Hospital was dedicated to the memory of Dr. J.J. Sheahan "beloved physician of the entire community" in a ceremony on August 7, 1963. Dr. Sheahan had practised medicine in Chapleau from 1907 until his death in 1942.

In his comments, C.B. Greenlaw, chair of the hospital's management board spoke of the "vital role" Dr. Sheahan had played in the history of the hospital. In fact, Dr. Sheahan was the first president of the hospital board when it opened in 1914, and was "house physician and surgeon".

In dedicating the plaque, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church said that in honouring Dr. Sheahan, it paid "eloquent testimony to the affection and respect for Dr. Sheahan from a professional and personal standpoint." Rev. Father Gustave Lampron, of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, gave similar comments in French.

The newly renovated wing housed the children's ward.

Lady Minto Hospital 1914

Mrs. Lionel Nolan, long associated with the Sheahan family spoke of his influence in the community and the warm place he held in the hearts of his patients, young and old.

"His ready smile won the hearts of the young patients who considered him their ideal and hero. To adults, he was not only physician but counsellor, father confessor and friend. He was always available in time in need," Mrs. Nolan said, according to a story in the Sudbury Star.

E.P. Everett, superintendent of the CPR Schreiber Division commented: "Everything said here today would not bring out all the qualities this man possessed. He was a great man in every respect. He practised through this northern country when times were very difficult, when dog teams and horses and sleighs provided the transportation. However, when duty called, he was there."

Dr Sheahan and Queen Ina Robinson. Others unknown

Tours were conducted by Mrs. Frances Burrows, Mrs. William Grinton, Mrs. Ross Pellow, Mrs. Richard Avison and Mrs. J.R. Keddie.

Writing in Snapshots of Chapleau's Past, George Evans noted "In 1916, the good people of Chapleau showed their apppreciation Of Dr. Sheahan's service to the community by presenting him with a brand new Ford... It was the first automobile in Chapleau and Dr. Sheahan is reported to have quipped that 'instead of babies coming in a little black bag, they will now come in a little black car'".

LMH under construction top right

Commenting after Dr. Sheahan's death on October 26, 1942, the Chapleau Post said that residents of Chapleau and area had "lost one of its most loved and public spirited citizens".

"Commanding the respect and trust of his fellow citizens from the first, he put his profession above all else. Never known to rest while work was pressing he took few holidays."

However, he was also involved in the community as member of the high school board, honorary president of the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society and supporter of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church as well as being the Knights of Columbus. In 1940 he was King of the Chapleau Winter Carnival. 

As a mark of the high esteem in which Dr. Sheahan was held, on the day of his funeral service, conducted by Rev. Father Romeo Gascon at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, schools and stores were closed in Chapleau. The Chapleau Post reported that "everyone the young and the old attended the funeral which was one of the largest Chapleau has ever known."

The plaque is now displayed at the Chapleau General Hospital. My thanks to the folks at the Chapleau General Hospital Foundation who kindly provided me with a photo of it. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Lady Minto Hospital in Chapleau described as 'splendid institution' when it opened in 1914 also served communities between Sudbury and Fort William along CPR line

Lady Minto Hospital (www.chapleau.com)

After the Lady Minto Hospital was opened on April 18, 1914 to serve the needs of Chapleau and communities along the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was described as a "splendid insitution" in a Chapleau Headlight editorial.

"The citizens of Chapleau feel they have a right to be proud of their public institutions, and a visit to the hospital will convince anyone that they are not being over egoistical" the editorial said. It is a "spendid institution". Construction began in August 1913.

When it opened, Lady Minto Hospital was the only hospital between Sudbury and Fort William, now Thunder Bay. In those days Chapleau was primarily a railroad town with lumber operations also opening up along the CPR line. There were many serious injuries and the need for a hospital between the two larger communities became apparent. Dr. J.J. Sheahan, who arrived in 1907 was one of the prime movers behind getting a hospital at Chapleau. J.J. Scully, then the CPR superintendent at North Bay agreed and Chapleau got the hospital.

The funds for construction were raised through a public subscription campaign with the CPR being the largest donor with $5,000, followed by the Victorian Order of Nurses with $3,000, with the latter assuming responsibility for the hospital with a local board.

The hospital had four private and two semi-private wards as well as women's and men's public wards with 20 beds in each at normal capacity. The Headlight reported that it had up-to-date operating and sterilizing rooms, and baths, lavatories and overall "in every way a modern and up-to-date institution."

The furnishings were described as the best "giving the whole insititution an appearance that would be difficult to excel.

"There are no doubt many larger hospitals than the Lady Minto at Chapleau but we believe it will be hard to find any more complete and up-to-date in every detail and appointment."

By 1914, Chapleau citizens were justifiably proud of the progress in the community. Led by G.B. Nicholson, the first reeve from 1901 to 1913, who was also secretary of the first hospital board, the new Town Hall was also opened in 1914, and Chapleau was a busy place.

The first president of the hospital board was Dr. J.J. Sheahan, who practised medicine in Chapleau until his death in 1942.

Fast forward to about 1950, and the hospital board realized it was time for renovations. At the annual meeting of 1952, Charles W. Collins, the chair of the board and D.O. Payette, secretary, presented plans which would also include a nurses' residence.

Mr. Collins urged the board members to go on record as supporting the project "100 percent" which they did.

By 1955 the renovations including the nurses' residence had been completed. The sun parlours on the east and west ends of the hospital located on Elm Street, across from Queen Street (I just realized that not all readers would know where the Lady Minto Hospital was located). were enclosed and the space provided turned into wards.

Of all the improvements perhaps the most important was an elevator that became a reality through a generous gift from the W.E. Mason Foundation. Mr. Mason was a great supporter of Northern Ontario and founder of the Sudbury Star newspaper.

The kitchen had been moved to the basement with all new equipment described as 'the last word in cooking convenience for large scale service. Miss Sophie Herner had donated a spacious dining room for the nurses, which doubled as a room for hospital board meetings. Lab technician Sigvard Pearson had a new "bright room well stocked with testing materials and equipment."

Arthur J. Grout, the chair of the board estimated the total cost of the renovations at $315,000.

By this time, Dr. G.E. Young was chief of the medical staff, while Mrs. S. Crozier was director of nursing.

In the early 1970s, planning started for the replacement of Lady Minto Hospital and that is a story for another day!. My sincere thanks to Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick and Doug Greig for their tremendous assistance in researching the history of Lady Minto Hospital. Any errors are mine. . My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Ina Robinson crowned Queen of Chapleau Winter Carnival at the Ice Palace with Dr. J.J. Sheahan as King in 1940

Dr J J Sheahan, Ina Coulter

In 1940, Ina Robinson was crowned Queen of the fourth annual Chapleau Winter Carnival by Dr. J.J. Sheahan at the Ice Palace located on the south side of Birch "Main" Street across from Alf Comte's Barber Shop.



Dr. Sheahan, who had graduated in medicine from McGill University in 1906, interned in Ottawa, arrived in Chapleau in 1907, fell in love with the North and established a medical practice in Chapleau. Dr. Sheahan, a very popular Chapleau citizen, was King of the Carnival in 1940. He died in 1942.

In 1921, the citizens of Chapleau presented Dr. Sheahan with a car in appreciation of his work. Although he held office hours, Dr Sheahan made house calls and spent part of his day at the Lady Minto Hospital.

The Ice Palace was built with blocks of ice hauled from the location on the Chapleau River near the old water pump house where Canadian Pacific Railway crews cut ice to use to air condition its passenger trains in the summer months.

The crowning of the Carnival Queen ceremony would take place following the parade which in those days would start at the CPR station and come over the old horseshoe bridge to the downtown area and "old" arena on Lorne Street.



Dr Sheahan Ina, Charles Reid, Walter Leigh

Shelley (Coulter) Bernier, recalled the gift that Dr. Sheahan gave her mother: "Dr. Sheahan gave my mother a gold signet ring for being his queen. For that day and age I'm sure it was quite the prized possession. I still have it."

Shelley also shared that "Up until the time of his death, Charlie McKee always referred to my mom as 'The Queen'. After he moved to Toronto, he'd call every so often and ask for the queen. His parcels were always addressed that way as well."

Charlie was one of Chapleau's outstanding track and field and tennis stars in his time, and a great friend of Shelley's family.

Ina married Frank Coulter, a member of another Chapleau pioneer family in 1946 and they had five children -- Gary, Gail, Doug, Allen and Shelley. Frank worked for Charles W. Collins Stores Ltd, and served on the public school board and volunteer fire department as well as in other community groups.

As an aside, it was in 1940 the store where Frank worked for so many years became Charles W. Collins Stores Ltd, a change from Collins and Matters. The store always participated in community events and still does, now owned by Doug Collins, a grandson of Charles W. Collins. Doug's grandfather first became involved in the store at the intersection of Birch and Lorne streets in 1928 and it became known as Wolfe and Collins.

Ina was the daughter of Eva (Greenshields) Robinson and Alexander Robinson. Mr. Robinson was killed in a train accident.

At Chapleau winter carnivals there was a wide range of events including the Strong Man Contest. Bob Mercier was recognized as holding the title as he had carried 575 pounds on his back from in front of the old Dominion store at the corner of Birch and Young streets to the Regent Theatre near Birch and Lorne streets. In later years, Willie Memegos dominated this event.



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Figure skating was also popular and some of those who would be participating were Shirley Matheson, Elise Depew, Marion Morris and Sally Hugo.

Chapleau winter carnivals started in 1937 with D.O. Payette as the catalyst and his business partner at Smith and Chapple Ltd., Arthur Grout as carnival general manager.

The previous carnival kings and queens respectively were: 1937, Fred Depew and Winona McAdam; 1938, C.J. McGregor and Marie Perpete and 1939, Dan Jessup and Rita Crichton.

Shelley provided excellent photos from the 1940 Winter Carnival, and we have done our best to identify the people in them. However, not all could be, so please if you can help, my email is mj.morris@live.ca