Dr. Brereton
We know the Brereton Field Naturalists' Club was named for Dr. Brereton, a local dentist. But what do we actually know about him? Lynne Gibbon spent some time researching Dr. Brereton and provided the following
Dr. Ewart Lount Brereton: Biographical Information.
The following is a word for word transcription from the Barrie Newspapers, as cited:
Barrie Examiner. July 16, 1903, p.l.
Marriage:
A quiet wedding took place at the home of the bride’s parents in Schomberg, on Tuesday morning at eleven o’clock, the contracting parties being Miss Adele Davis and Dr. Brereton of Barrie. The bride was assisted by her sister, and the groom by Dr. Richardson of Newmarket. Rev. Wm Frizzell of Toronto performed the ceremony. On Tuesday afternoon Dr. and Mrs. Brereton passed through Barrie on their way to Muskoka where they are spending their honeymoon. On their return they will take up their residence on Bayfield Street in the house lately occupied by W. G. Colville.
Barrie Examiner. July 6, 1950, p. 18.
Died:
BRERETON – at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie, on Wednesday, July 5, 1950, Dr. E. L. Brereton, beloved husband of Adele M. Davis, in his 75th year. Resting at his late residence 162 Dunlop Street. Funeral private on Saturday, July 8, at 2:30 p.m. Internment Barrie Union Cemetery.
Barrie Examiner. July 13, 1950.
Obituary:
Under the Photo: Dr. Ewart Lount Brereton, who died in Barrie on Wednesday July 5, was well known as one of Ontario’s most expert ornithologists and played a key role in building up the Royal Ontario Museum’s bird collection. He is shown above holding a young great horned owl. Dr. Brereton was a dentist in Barrie for over 50 years.
Dentist 53 Years Director of Ont. Naturalists Dies A private funeral service for the late Dr. E. L. Brereton was held at his residence at 162 Dunlop Street Barrie, on Saturday afternoon, July 8, 1950 at 2:30 o’clock, following his death at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Wednesday evening, July 6. The service was conducted by Rev. James Ferguson of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and internment was at Barrie Union Cemetery. Pallbearers were Del Cole, Dr. F. W. McDowell, Clarence Simpson and Dr. E. G. Bilkey of Barrie and Dalton Lowery and Thomas Black of Toronto.
Among the floral tributes were wreaths from the dentists of Barrie and the Session of St. Andrew’s Church where Dr. Brereton had been an elder since 1904.
A Barrie dentist for 50 years, Dr. Brereton had also been one of the country’s outstanding amateur authorities on birds. He had played a key role in building up the Royal Ontario Museum’s bird collection. Born in Schomberg on January 9, 1876, the son of a physician, the late Dr. W. J. Brereton, and Anna Lount, he attended public school there and high school at Aurora. He went on to Toronto University, graduating from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in 1897. He practiced first with Dr. Mills of Toronto and then for one year in Schomberg and also for a short time in Grand Valley, coming to Barrie in 1900. Dr. Brereton had been engaged in general practice for 50 years when he specialized in orthodontia, which he had begun working in while in general practice.
He was married in 1903 to Adele Davis. He was a Masonic member for a number of years and was superintendent of the Sunday School at St. Andrew’s Church and a teacher of the Adult Boys Class for over 40 years.
His interest in ornithology began with visits to Algonquin Park, when Mark Robinson was superintendent. This interest soon resulted in the connection with the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, which further broadened his studies and led to a wide connection with other ornithological societies. He eventually became well known as an outstanding amateur ornithologist, gaining distinction as Director of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists.
He wrote many notes on a wide variety of subjects for the Canadian Field Naturalist and for The Barrie Examiner and supplied a great quantity of notes and valuable specimens for the Ontario Museum collections. He was a collaborator with Ott Devitt in the publication of “Birds of Simcoe County” and also contributed notes to the Toronto Field Naturalist’ Club. Surviving are his wife and a daughter, Mrs. A. E. Lawes (Dorothy) of Barrie.
