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M.D., Ottawa, was born in Dunblane,
Scotland, on April 14, 1843. His father was Rev. Alex Henderson, and his
mother's maiden name was Margaret Eadie. His father was for twenty years
in charge of the United Presbyterian Church in Dunblane, Scotland. He came
with his family to Canada in 1849. After his arrival he, in the course of
his ministerial tour, visited the village of Fitzroy Harbour, on the
Ottawa river. being a lover of nature, he was so impressed with the
romantic scenery of that locality, abounding, as it did and still does,
with waterfall, lake, and woodland, together with fertile and well
cultivated land, that he accepted the charge of the Presbyterian
congregation there. Although often requested to accept larger and more
lucrative charges, for which he was well qualified by his more than
ordinary ability, he declined, and remained in the place of his choice
till his death. Our subject received his early education chiefly under his
father's care. A careful attention to classics was given in the lad's
education, in addition to a general education. He subsequently entered
McGill University, Montreal, and graduated in medicine, with honours, in
1870. In McGill he was awarded the Holmes Gold Medal, the Primary Prize,
and also a Special Prize sent from London, England, by sir Duncan Gibb to
McGill College for competitive examination in Clinical Surgery. After
leaving college, young Henderson spent some time travelling through Canada
and the United States, visiting friends and trying to select a
satisfactory place for practicing his profession. Finally, at the request
of friends in Ottawa, he selected that city for his home, and opened an
office on Duke Street. A large practice was soon established here. In 1880
he removed from Duke Street to "Sparks Place", on Albert Street,
and five years afterwards removed to his own residence, which is
picturesquely situated on the corner of Albert and Bay streets, where our
subject now resides. Dr. Henderson originated the idea of and was the
first in Canada to apply successfully the plaster-of-Paris jacket for the
immediate relief and subsequent cure of spinal irritation without any
deformity. A description of several cases treated successfully by him in
this manner was published in the Canada Lancet for March 1881.
This, so far as we are aware, was the first article published calling the
attention of the profession to this mode of treating that troublesome
disease. The first operation performed by him in this manner, and recorded
in the article referred to, took place on March 11th, 1878. Since that
date he has adopted that operation for every suitable case of that
disease. Dr. Henderson is a member of the medical staff of the Protestant
Hospital at Ottawa. He has been for many years connected with the Masonic
Order, and has taken an active part in it. He was initiated into masonry
in St. Paul's Lodge, in Montreal, during his residence in that city; and
he occupied the Worshipful Master's chair of the Chaudiere Lodge of Ottawa
for several years. He is also a member of the Carleton Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons, and held office in it. He likewise belongs to "Court
Ottawa" of the Independent Order of Foresters. He is an enthusiastic
traveller and takes advantage of the summer holidays to visit new places
each year. He has visited the chief places of interest in Canada and the
United States. He has not confined his attention to the cities alone, but
has examined with interest many of the more secluded parts of our country,
as well as sailed with pleasure over our noble lakes and rivers. He is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been a Presbyterian from youth
up. He is in politics a Liberal. On October 15th, 1872, Dr. Henderson
married Miss Elizabeth S. Smith, daughter of John Smith, Esq,. late Writer
to the Signet, of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is of a genial disposition, and
enjoys the society of his friends, of which he has very many warm ones. |
