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Willmott, James Branston

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Willmott, James Branston, M.D.S., D.D.S., Toronto, is a native of the province of Ontario, having been born in the county of Halton, on 15th June, 1837. His parents, William and Ann Willmott, were both natives of England, but came to this country when children. After a few years’ sojourn in Little York, now Toronto, they removed with their parents to the very verge of settlement in the central part of Halton county, where they did faithfully and well their part in converting the wilderness into a fruitful field. Dr. Willmott’s early life was spent on the farm, and his education was obtained mainly at the common school in the neighbourhood. In 1854-5 he was a student in Victoria College, Cobourg, intending to take a university course in arts, but was prevented by failing health. Having determined to devote himself to the practice of dentistry, he entered the office of W. C. Adams as a student in 1858. On completing his pupilage in 1860, he commenced practice in the town of Milton, near his birthplace. Allying himself with the Liberal party, from a profound conviction that the principles advocated by it were best calculated to advance the material and moral interests of the country, he took an active interest in the affairs of the town, and was soon called upon to occupy positions of trust. In 1863 he was appointed a justice of the peace, and for several years had considerable experience in that capacity. Besides minor offices, he served his fellow-townsmen for three years in the municipal council, and for two years of that time was chairman of the finance committee. In 1870 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, graduating doctor of dental surgery in March, 1871. Although a foreigner, he was chosen by his classmates to deliver the valedictory on commencement day. Desiring a wider field for practice, he removed in July, 1871, to the city of Toronto, where by diligence and skill he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. In the year 1866, Dr. Willmott was actively engaged in the movement to place the dental profession of Ontario on a better footing, which resulted in the incorporation of the profession as the Royal College of Dental Surgeons by the legislature of the province in its first session, the act being assented to March 3rd, 1868. From that date the doctor has been very closely identified with the development of dentistry. In the year 1870 he was elected by his fellow practitioners a member of the Board of Examiners constituted under the provisions of the Dental Act, and on the organization of the board he was chosen secretary. At each succeeding biennial election he has been re-elected, and has also continuously filled the position of secretary of the board. In 1875 the dental practitioners of the province assembled in convention, adopted a resolution requesting the board of examiners to establish a dental college in Toronto. Acting upon this resolution the board requested Dr. Willmott to undertake the organization of the college, associating with him L. Teskey, M.D., M.R.C.S. The first session of the college opened in November, 1875, with Dr. Willmot as senior professor occupying the chair of operative and mechanical dentistry. This position he has continued to hold to the present time. During the twelve years which have elapsed he has been largely instrumental, in his capacity of teacher, in developing the very creditable degree of skill which distinguishes the dental profession of Ontario. Since his removal to Toronto the pressure of practice and his duties in the college have prevented him from giving much attention to public matters. What leisure he has been able to command has been devoted mainly to church work. Born of Methodist parents, in early youth he became a member of the Methodist church, and has filled nearly every office open to a layman. Soon after settling in Toronto he connected himself with the Metropolitan Church, and has been deeply interested in its prosperity. He now discharges the duties of Bible-class teacher, leader, trustee, and treasurer of the Trust Board, besides being local treasurer of several important connexional funds. He was a member of the Toronto Methodist Conferences of 1885 and 1886 and of the General Conference of the Methodist church which met in Toronto in September, 1886. Dr. Willmott married in September, 1864, Margaret Taylor Bowes, niece of the late J. G. Bowes, ex-mayor of the city of Toronto, a lady estimable in every relation of life, and his zealous helpmate in every good work.

A Cyclopædia of Canadian Biography

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