Dr. RD. and Amelia McKie MacNeill

Dr. Roderick MacNeill (McNeill)

Roderick MacNeill, MD. was born at Whycogomah, N.S. He was the son of Donald and Mary McLeod MacNeill. He received his early education at the Free Church Academy, in Halifax, and returned to Cape Breton to teach for a number of years. He came to Prince Edward Island and continued teaching in Georgetown.

Whenever he had any leisure time, his determination to become a Medical Doctor showed through his activities. He continued his medical studies under the instruction of Dr. John Jenkins, M.R.C.S., formerly of England. In 1865, he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and later the University of Pennsylvania. From here, he graduated as a Doctor of

Medicine.

He began his Medical practice in Stanley Bridge in the late 1880’s. At the same time he became a landowner to the west of the bridge. Two of the largest land acquisitions included 48 acres from the Kielly family and 75 acres from the Fyfe family. Dr. MacNeill was also involved for many years in community activities. Some of these included the appointment as Auditor of the Stanley Bridge Dairy, a member of different Lodges, as Past Grand Master of Prince Edward Island, an elder of the Presbyterian Church, a Coroner for Queens County, and a Commissioner for taking affidavits and writing deeds for the Supreme Court of Prince Edward

Island.

The Provincial Government Health Act of 1871 approved the establishment of the first Medical Board for Prince Edward Island. Dr. MacNeill was chairman of the first Board which soon was responsible for the establishment of the first Hospitals on Prince Edward Island. This in turn led to a decrease in the number of rural doctors. Dr. and Mrs. MacNeill moved to

Charlottetown in 1900.

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