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Dr. Samuel Edsel Birdsall (1849-1919)
He was born in Canboro township, Haldimand county on May 18,1849, was of United Empire Loyalist background. He attended local schools Smithville and Fonthill. He went two years to Victoria College Medical School in Toronto, graduating in 1876. Dr. Birdsall practiced in Tillsonburg for two years, then, in 1878 moved to Fenwick. Here he entered into partnership with Dr. H. R. Haney, however, Dr Haney died later that year and left Dr, Birdsall alone.
Dr Birdsall built his home about 1892 at 807 Canboro Road, Fenwick.. He practiced in Fenwick until 1907 then moved to Niagara Falls.
On October 15, 1871 Dr. Birdsall married Ella Hare, daughter of Captain Richard and M. (Claus) Hare, great granddaughter of Colonel Peter Hare and great granddaughter of Major Hare a member of Butler’s Rangers.Mrs Birdsall was also a great granddaughter of Laura Secord.
Dr. Birdsall’s parents were Andrew and Elizabeth (Scott) Birdsall. His grandfather Samuel Birdsall came from Pennsylvania, settled in Canboro. He owned 5000 acres, which had been purchased by Benjamin Canby, who got it from the Six Nations Indians.
Dr and Mrs Birdsall had four children. Claude Clare Birdsall born March 29, 1872, died April 10, 1872.
Lillian Edith Birdsall born May 21 1874, died 1881.
Lena Maude Birdsall born February 25,1878 died December 14, 1889 in Fenwick.
Laura Secord Birdsall born March 4, 1876 . She married Elmer Wilson Buck. They had 4 children, lived in Niagara Falls. Laura died December 8,1936 in Niagara Falls buried at Fairview cemetery.
Dr. Samuel Edsel Birdsall died December 13, 1919 of cerebral hemorrhage in Niagara Falls.