Robert H. De Coux   Robert H. DeCOUX, physician and surgeon, was born in the city of London, Ont., December 10, 1869. His father, Walter S. DeCoux, also a native of Canada, is descended from an old French family of the province of Ontario, and the mother, Mary Campbell, was born of Scotch parentage in the same country. These parents were married in Canada and reared a family of six children in the following order: Daniel, a resident of New York; Mrs. Barbara Rollins, of St. Thomas, Ont.; John, a clergyman of the Episcopal church stationed at Mattoon, Ill.; Robert H., the subject of this sketch; Maggie and Walter, the last two still with their parents at their home in Oil City, Canada. Dr. DeCoux received his education in London, completing the high school course at an early age. When but eighteen years old he accepted a position with a publishing house at Guelph, Canada, and as a traveling representative of the same went to Australia, over which he traveled quite extensively, also visiting Tasmania, New Zealand, and other islands of Oceanica, in the interest of the firm, finally completing his engagement by a trip around the world. He was in the employ of the company five years, during which time he visited, in addition to the countries above named, Egypt, the Holy Land, many of the kingdoms of Europe, besides various parts of America. On severing his connection with his employers, they expressed their satisfaction with his services by presenting him with a handsome gold watch, appropriately engraved, which he prizes very highly. The doctor’s long sojourn abroad was valuable in many ways, and his business experience, which brought him in contact with all kinds of people, was the means of broadening his mind and acquiring a practical education such as colleges and universities do not impart. Returning to his native land, the doctor began the study of medicine, and after a preliminary reading under a competent director, he entered the Michigan college of Medicine, Detroit, where he took a four-years’ course, receiving his degree in 1897. He brought to the practice a mind well fortified with professional training, and his first experience in the healing art was in the won of Herrick, Shelby county, Ill., where he maintained an office until his removal to Grand Rapids, in January, 1899. The doctor’s professional service embraces the general practice, and since locating in this city his progress, for so recent a comer, has been highly encouraging and prosperous. He is a conscientious and capable physician, studies his cases with great care and brings to the exercise of his duties a personality which inspires confidence on the part of patients. Professionally, the doctor’s future is fraught with much that promises success, and in all other relations of life he sustains the character of a cultured and high-minded gentleman. Dr. DeCoux was married on the day of his graduation, March 23, 1897, to Miss Nina Hurd, of Jackson, Mich., daughter of Jesse and Finette Hurd. Jesse Hurd, now deceased, was for a number of years a prominent business man of the city of Jackson; his widow makes her home in Detroit with a daughter.  Her family at this time consists of three daughters, two of whom are married. Dr. DeCoux has a well appointed office at No. 10 Canal street, and he keeps himself in touch with the progress of his profession by diligently studying the leading literature pertaining thereto. Hi is an enthusiastic student as well as a close practical observer, characteristics which have marked the career of the great majority of the world’s distinguished men in all lines of professional and industrial activity.

Transcriber: Jeri Landheer
Created: 10 September 2006