Video Transcription
James Merrison was born in Hoggs Hollow, Ontario (now a part of Toronto), in 1853. The family relocated to Sarnia when he was an infant, and he was raised in the city.
James studied medicine specializing in women’s health and childhood diseases. He established practices in Sombra, Courtright before embarking on a political career. James was elected mayor of Sarnia in 1896. Despite numerous improvements to the City of Sarnia (like the installation of Bell telephone service), he gained the reputation of a “hard-nosed, no-nonsense mayor.”
As mayor, James tried to ban “Sunday outings,” ordered police to arrest swimmers without proper bathing suits. Many were surprised when, with the final motion of his mayoral career, James supported the establishment of a permanent House of Refuge for the poor. He was also Colonel in Command of the 1st Hussars during the early 1900s. He volunteered his medical expertise for overseas service during World War I, but was rejected due to his age.
We celebrate James Merrison - an outstanding community leaders from the past who
went above and beyond the call... for their Lambton. Our home.
Additional Information
James G. Merrison, a practicing physician in Sarnia for 50 years, ex-mayor, and ex-alderman was born in Hoggs Hollow near Toronto and moved to Sarnia with his family when he was just one year old. He attended the Sarnia Grammar School. He graduated as a doctor in 1878 from Trinity University, Toronto and later obtained a medical doctor degree from Edinburgh University. He also took a post-graduate course in women’s and children's diseases at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in London England.
Dr. Merrison started his practice in Sombra and later Brigden and Courtright before staying in Sarnia permanently. He was also Colonel in Command of the First Hussars, which had squadrons in London and Kingsville, in addition to Sarnia in 1900. When WWI broke, Dr. Merrison volunteered his service overseas but was not accepted due to his age.
James was a lifelong odd fellow and very active in the affairs of Sarnia Lodge in his younger days. He was also interested in real estate and built the Merrison block on Front Street all while continuing his hobby farming which he carried out on his homestead in Sarnia Township.
During his time as Sarnia Mayor in 1896, he instructed police to lay charges against those swimming without proper bathing suits, discussed potentially banning Sunday excursions, and was said to have a tough attitude when it came to the upkeep of the local jail. Also under his leadership, council gave Bell Canada permission to erect telephone poles, expand the fire hall and upgrade roads and sidewalks across the community. His last motion during his mayoral career was to open a permanent House of Refuge.
In 1934, James suffered a stroke which prevented him from carrying on further practice, prompting his retirement. He passed November 24, 1938.
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