Doctor William James Decoursey

  General Information:

July 17, 2007

The letter below was from Priscilla "Sam" Farrel (oldebuffalo@vcn.com) re. some informational correspondance that myself and a few others had with her re. a veterinary medicine bottle that her brother had come across a few months prior; she is thanking myself (Jim Harris) and several others for providing her with information re. Dr. William J. DeCoursey (the medicine bottle bore his name and photograph).

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Dear Jim;

When we communicated back in April, I was on a quest to help my
brother locate a Dr. W. J. DeCoursey who had sold medicines in
Lewistown, MT. I had found a WWI Draft Registration form for a
William James DeCoursey living in Great Falls, MT in 1918 but could
find nothing else. Then the two of you supplied terrific family
histories and my brother has located information specific to Dr.
William DeCoursey.

My brother's interest, as you might recall, stemmed from our purchase
of a medicine bottle for his collection. He wanted to know more about
this man and would like to write a story about his life.

Since these communications - my brother has corresponded with the
Montana State Historical Society in Helena. A researcher named
Jennifer Bottomly-O'Looney sent lots of interesting information.

Dr. DeCoursey published a booklet title "Veterinary Medicines and
Their Uses" and had a catalog of the medications he sold in a booklet
titled "Veterinary Medicines - Including the Cause, Symptoms and
Treatment of the Diseases of Domestic Animals", by Dr.W. J.
DeCoursey, V.S., Lewistown, Montana, 1908.

The Montana Historical Society received about 15 of Dr. DeCoursey's
product bottles, case and booklet from Leonard Grave of Judith Gap in
1984. The provenance description states "purchased originally by
Walter Philips of Judith Basin County, Montana in Lewistown".
"leonard Graves of Judith Gap purchased the (vet) kit at a farm and
ranch sale in September 1984." Mr. Graves donated the items to the
Historical Society in October1984.

The contact at the Historical Society is: jbottomly-o'looney@mt.gov
or 406-444-4719

We also learned from MHS that William J. DeCoursey (who was
previously married) married Cecelia Lillian Harris at Choteau, MT on
May 7, 1912. Cecelia was 24 years of age. She had been born in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada and her father was James Harris. Her mother
is listed only with the last name Erwin (possible Ervin). William
was 33 years old and listed his birthplace as New Mexico. There were
married in the Choteau Congregational Church.

So, it would seem that Dr. DeCoursey was a practicing veterinarian,
married, and living in Lewistown, MT in 1908. He must have divorced,
perhaps given up his practice and relocated to Choteau. By 1918, he
was living in Great Falls, MT and working for Anaconda as a laborer
(per the draft registration form).

So, that's where we're at. I plan to do some more research on the
property in Lewistown (which is Fergus County) and also attempt to
locate Mr. Graves or his descendants.

Thanks for being part of the team! It's been fun. By the way, the
MHS emailed photos of the bottles in their collection and Dr.
DeCoursey's photo is on each label.

Regards,

Priscilla "Sam" Farrel

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  Events in his/her life:

• Employment: Veterinarian.

William married Cecilia Lillian Harris, daughter of James K. Harris and Pamillia Irwin, on 7 May 1912 in Choteau Congregational Church, Choteau, Montana. (Cecilia Lillian Harris was born on 5 Oct 1886 in Toronto, Ontario and died on 20 Aug 1974 in Rimbey, Alberta.)

  Events of marriage:

• Emigration, 1918. Emigrated from Choteau, Montana in 1918 to Rimbey, Alberta where they lived until their deaths.