Dr James Simpson Steele was one of Comber's general medical practitioners between the years 1901 and 1924. A now little-known but popular in his time doctor (with a magnificent moustache), who also invested significant time in his local community.
James was born on 28 October 1862 in Ballymena, named after his father, a farmer. He attended Ballymena Intermediate School, and then went on to complete his medical training. He completed the Triple Qualification in 1889. This qualification was created in 1884 by the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Completing it allowed the qualifying person to use L.R.C.P.E, L.R.C.S.E, L.F.P.S.G after their name (quite a signature!). James used the first two on the 1901 census.
On 15 September 1898, he married Marion McAlpine, daughter of David McAlpine, farmer of Mount Alexander Comber by special license at the bride's father's residence. On the 1901 Census, James and Marion are living on Castle Street, Comber and by 1911 they have moved to The Square.
Life as a Doctor
Although from 1890, The Medical Register listed his residence or employment place as Kirkinriola, Ballymena, Co. Antrim until 1910 when it changes to The Square, Comber, Co. Down, Dr Steele was in fact practicing medicine in Comber from at least 1901, originally on Mill Street.
Dr Steele sat as a member on the Newtownards Board of Guardians. The Board were responsible for governing the workhouse and poor law union following the introduction of the Poor Law (Ireland) Act 1838. On 13 July 1908, it was reported in the Belfast Newsletter that the Newtownards Board of Guardians had voted against the appointment of a midwife for Comber district, following an amendment by Dr Steele against the proposal.
Later, on the 25 February 1910, at the weekly Board meeting, Dr Steele drew attention to a case where a Comber woman, Mrs McMillan, who had accompanied patient Mrs Lundy to the infirmary via ambulance, had not been permitted admission by Nurse Kennedy. Dr Steele was adamant that a nurse did not hold that authority and stated, ‘when the place is kept up by the ratepayers it should not be kept like a jail’. He wished that Nurse Kennedy be asked to provide an explanation. Another Board member, Mr McConkey stated that ‘he hoped there was no personal spleen in the matter’, to which Dr Steele replied, ‘that is an insinuation: but we will have a talk about that next day’. Steele was clearly emphatic about the rights of patients and their access to the institutions that they are paying for and was not shy about defending his stance or himself.
Society Circles and Civic Engagement
Dr and Mrs Steele were both active members of the Comber Community, being present at a number of engagements including the Masonic Bazaar in June 1905, the North Down Cricket Club Summer Fete in 1907, and the wedding reception of Miss Eliza Montgomery (Nina) Andrews and Mr Lawrence Arthur Hind in April 1906. Dr and Mrs Steele gave a plaque as a wedding gift. Dr Steele was one of the members of the panel who discussed the proposed memorial to Thomas Andrews Jr., following his death on the Titanic in April 1912.
Marion was an active member of Second Comber’s Young People’s Guild and she also took an interest in medicine by sitting on Comber District Nursing Society for many years.
The Big Celebration
In March 1905, a crowd celebrated Dr Steele at the residence of Mr Shean in Comber to ‘testify their respect and esteem for the worthy doctor’, who was described as one of the most popular medical men in the country’. Quite the accolade. A number of local men were there including John Miller Andrews, Robert Milling and James Berkeley, celebrating his medical skills and his ‘genial and sympathetic disposition’. Mr James D. Shean, J.P., presented Dr Steele with one hundred sovereigns and his wife Marion with a pearl pendant, gold necklet and diamond ring. Certainly a testament to his popularity!
Death and Burial
Dr James Simpson Steele died on 29 January 1924 from hemiplegia which he was stated to have had for three years. Margaret Nelson was present at his death, and it was certified by Dr Robert Henry, Comber’s other general medical practitioner. Dr Steele was buried in Kirkinriola Graveyard on 31st January 1924, later joined by his siblings.
Marion Steele died on 28th January 1943 from pernicious anaemia. David N. Cromie was present at her death, and it was certified by Dr Robert Henry, as her husband’s before her. Marion Steele was buried in New Comber Cemetery (now known as Comber Cemetery).
As they had no children, their house was listed for sale via auction on 19 March 1943 in the Belfast Telegraph and Northern Whig. On 30 March her effects were passed to Margaret Ferguson, widow, and Elizabeth McAlpin, spinster, as per her will.
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