James A. Ardiel, M. D.
James A. Ardiel, PH.G.,M.D., the rising young physician and surgeon of Grand
Rapids, with his office in the Porter block, is a native of London, and, was
born December 28, 1868, and is a son of Leonard and Ann (Sinclair)
Ardiel, natives of the same city. The father, in his early years, was a
farmer, but has now retired from the active duties of life. With the exception
of performing the duties pertaining to his office of esquire.
Dr. James A. Ardiel, the fifth of the nine children born to his parents, received
his literary education at the London Collegiate institute, and then became
apprentice, at the age of sixteen years, to the druggist and apothecary’s
business, at which he continued five years, for the last two years having entire
charge of the concern, the proprietors having died. In 1890 he came to Grand
Rapids, Mich., and entered the employ of Dr. Louis Barth, proprietor of a
private dispensary, with whom he remained five years, pursuing the study of
medicine in the meantime. Being thus fully prepared, Dr. Ardiel entered
the Western university of London in 1895, where he completed a four years’
course in March, 1899, and, in addition to the degree of M. D., had conferred
upon him the degree of Ph. G. After graduating, the doctor returned to Grand
Rapids and formed a partnership for the practice of his profession with his
brother, Dr. Walter Ardiel, a biographical sketch of whom will be found
on another page, giving a full genealogical history of the family. In 1892,
Dr. Ardiel was joined in matrimony, at London, Canada, with Miss Mary E.
Ormsby, a native of that city and a daughter of Nicholas and Mary
E. Ormsby, Mr. Ormsby being a wealthy retired gentleman and the head of a
well and favorably known family. To the doctor and his wife one child only has
been born—Stanley Ormsby Ardiel, who died at the age of seven months. The
doctor and his wife are members of the Episcopal church, while the doctor is a
member of St. John’s lodge, No. 209, F. & A. M., of London, Canada. He has never
taken any active interest in politics, his onerous professional duties consuming
the greater portion of his time, and these duties are constantly on the
increase. He has achieved a high reputation as a physician, considering the
short period of his practice, and the social relations of himself and wife are
of the most pleasant nature possible.