Ardagh, John (1810–1872)
John Ardagh was born at Waterford, Ireland, in 1810. He took his degree of M.D. at Edinburgh University, and his M. R. C. S. in England in 1831. He then engaged in practice in his native place, and was for eight years physician to the House of Industry and the insane asylum there. In 1842 he made a visit to Canada, where his cousin, the Rev. S. B. Ardagh (first rector of Barrie, Ont.), had come to settle. The following year he came again and settled at Orillia, Ont., where he continued to practise until his death, August 6, 1872. He experienced all the hardships incident to the practice of medicine in the early days of the colony. He was no stranger to long, lonely horseback rides through a thinly settled country, with roads at times almost impassable, and in all sorts of weather. He was highly esteemed as a skilful physician, and was much beloved, especially by the poor, to whom in their sickness he never failed to pay the utmost attention, giving his professional services gratuitously, however far he might have to travel and however inclement the weather might be. In this way he became known in the country as the "poor man's doctor." For some years he was medical attendant to the Indians stationed on the reserve at Rama; and when the branch Lunatic Asylum was established at Orillia in August, 1861, he was appointed medical superintendent. He conducted the affairs of the institution with great judgment and unremitting attention up to the closing of the establishment in November, 1870, owing to the transfer of the patients to a new asylum then opened at London, Ont.