James Langstaff
Encyclopedia
James Miles Langstaff (June 3, 1825 – 1889) was the reeve of Richmond Hill, Ontario
in 1880 and a village councillor there in 1878.
Born in Richmond Hill, at the Langstaff residence around today's Highway 7
and Yonge Street
, an area then known as Langstaff Corners. He was the son of Jon Langstaff and Lucy Miles and grandson of Abner Mills. Langstaff first studied medicine as a "house pupil" under John Rolph in Toronto. He later travelled to study in England
, at Guy's Hospital
in London
. After completing his schooling, he was licensed by the Upper Canada Medical Board and he set up a medical practice
in Unionville
in April 1849 but after only four months relocated it to Richmond Hill. In 1850 and 1851, Langstaff was listed as a professor at Rolph's Toronto School of Medicine. Langstaff married Mary Ann Miller in 1854. The couple had ten children, with three surviving to adulthood.
Langstaff also owned a sawmill in the area. Although his fees were the same as those suggested by the local medical association, he often did not collect them from the poor, or reduced them for various reasons, and the addition income from the sawmill was needed to support his family.
In 1878, Langstaff was elected to the Richmond Hill Village Council as a councillor. He served one year. In 1880, he was elected to the council as reeve. In 1882, the widowed Langstaff married Louisa Palmer, with whom he had four children.
Langstaff died in 1889, still an active doctor.
Langstaff Secondary School in Richmond Hill was opened in 1964 and named in his honour. Dr. James Langstaff Park in Richmond Hill is named in his honour. It is part of the Langstaff Discovery Centre whose name more generally honours his family line.
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
in 1880 and a village councillor there in 1878.
Born in Richmond Hill, at the Langstaff residence around today's Highway 7
Highway 7 (Ontario)
King's Highway 7, commonly referred to as Highway 7 and historically as the Northern Highway, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario...
and Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
, an area then known as Langstaff Corners. He was the son of Jon Langstaff and Lucy Miles and grandson of Abner Mills. Langstaff first studied medicine as a "house pupil" under John Rolph in Toronto. He later travelled to study in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, at Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital is a large NHS hospital in the borough of Southwark in south east London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It is a large teaching hospital and is home to the King's College London School of Medicine...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. After completing his schooling, he was licensed by the Upper Canada Medical Board and he set up a medical practice
Medical practice
A medical practice or practice of medicine is the practice of medicine, as performed by a medical practitioner—a physician...
in Unionville
Unionville, Ontario
Unionville is a suburban village in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It is located 33 km northeast of downtown Toronto and 4 km east of southern Richmond Hill. Unionville is located between Woodbine Avenue as the western limit, alongside the Rouge River leading to McCowan Road as the eastern...
in April 1849 but after only four months relocated it to Richmond Hill. In 1850 and 1851, Langstaff was listed as a professor at Rolph's Toronto School of Medicine. Langstaff married Mary Ann Miller in 1854. The couple had ten children, with three surviving to adulthood.
Langstaff also owned a sawmill in the area. Although his fees were the same as those suggested by the local medical association, he often did not collect them from the poor, or reduced them for various reasons, and the addition income from the sawmill was needed to support his family.
In 1878, Langstaff was elected to the Richmond Hill Village Council as a councillor. He served one year. In 1880, he was elected to the council as reeve. In 1882, the widowed Langstaff married Louisa Palmer, with whom he had four children.
Langstaff died in 1889, still an active doctor.
Langstaff Secondary School in Richmond Hill was opened in 1964 and named in his honour. Dr. James Langstaff Park in Richmond Hill is named in his honour. It is part of the Langstaff Discovery Centre whose name more generally honours his family line.