Doctors White and Tyner, Gone But Not Forgotten

Gone But Not Forgotten

By Margaret Haylock Capon
In the Victorian era, burial grounds such as Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery, consecrated in 1873, were known as Cities of the Dead. Street names were assigned to roadways, to further perpetuate this community concept and prestigious “neighbourhoods” for interment of the socially prominent were mapped out. In death, as in life, one could, indeed, secure an address on the right side of town.

Most small, rural cemeteries and churchyard burial grounds lack such formality but the monuments within them often have compelling stories to tell. Far from being “dead-end” ghost communities, Prince Edward County’s many cemeteries are alive with history. The famous and infamous lie within their gates, their stories written in stone to pique the interest of passers-by.

Gone But Not Forgotten will profile some of the colourful individuals buried in county graveyards and provide interesting insights regarding the memorials chosen to mark their final resting places.

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Dr. Gilbert White

Dr. Gilbert White, a distinguished physician who practised in Chicago for several years, was buried in Glenwood Cemetery, following his death in 1931.

Born near Mt. Pleasant, in Hallowell Township, he was the son of Alfred and Lydia White and nephew of Dr. J.B. Morden of Picton. Through his parents, he was descended from two of the old pioneer families of Prince Edward County.

During his boyhood days, White moved with his parents to a farm on Christian Street in Sophiasburgh Township. Here, he helped with the planting of a large number of sugar maples, along the roadway. In later years, he often referred to this noting how the trees had matured and beautified the landscape.

As a young man, White attended the Picton High School and later earned his teacher’s certificate. He followed this profession for several years, teaching in a number of county schools, before deciding to become a doctor. He studied medicine in Toronto and Chicago and graduated as an M.D. in Chicago, where he established a large general practice.Dr. White was a member of the American Medical Association and the Chicago Medical Association during the years he spent in the United States.

In later life, he returned to Prince Edward County and purchased Lilac Lodge, a bay shore home just east of Picton. He became well-known as a collector of antique furniture and displayed many fine pieces in his home.

For many years, Dr. White was the judge for the baby show at Picton Fair. He was keenly interested in the Prince Edward County Agricultural Society and served on its board of directors.

The well-known Picton physician’s funeral service was held at Lilac Lodge, with Rev. Cecil Winter officiating.

Dr. W.G. Tyner

Dr. William G. Tyner, a respected Picton physician, died in an automobile accident, near Yerexville, in 1908. He was enroute to Belleville, at midnight, when it is believed he mistook the road when he reached the Unionvale Cheese Factory. The road he took was narrow and had deep ditches. When his vehicle left the road and overturned, he was thrown from it and his head struck a rock. Death was believed to have been instantaneous. The doctor’s body was found about six hours later by a milk driver for the Unionvale factory.

Dr. Tyner had been a resident of Picton for approximately seven years prior to his fatal accident. He was married to a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Hepburn of ‘Rickarton’.

His funeral service was conducted by Rev. W.L. Armitage of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. An Oddfellows service also was held as Dr.Tyner had been active in this lodge. Pall bearers were all Lodge members and included Dr. Morley Currie, W.G. McClellan, W.H. Williamson, W.V. Pettet, C.B. Allison and T.Y. Hess. Burial took place in Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery.

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-Margaret Haylock Capon, a freelance writer and former newspaper reporter, is the author of Hearts We Leave Behind, an illustrated history of Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery. She is a former member of both the Glenwood Cemetery board and the Prince Edward County Cemetery board.