History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF DETROIT

1091

WILLIAM GILBERT POVEY, M. D. Devoted to the noble work that his
profession implies, Dr. W. Gilbert Povey, well known among the physicians of the West Side of Detroit, where he has offices and residence at No.
1114 Michigan avenue, has proved a faithful exemplar of the healing art,
and has not only earned the due reward of his efforts in a temporal way,
but has proven himself worthy to exercise the important functions of his
calling through his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in
behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine
is broad and comprehensive, and the profession and public afford him an
honored place among the medical practitioners of Detroit. He was born
November 1, 1873, in the city of Brooklyn, New York, son of the Rev.
Jesse and Sarah Elizabeth (Poole) Povey, both parents being natives of
England, the father of London and the mother of AMalsmbury. They
were married in England, and the family came to the United States in
1865, locating in Brooklyn, New York, where the father served as pastor
of a Congregational church until 1889. At that time he came to Detroit
to take charge of the Fort Street Congregational church as pastor, and
subsequently acted in a like capacity at the "Red Jacket" Congregational church at Calumet, Michigan, where he now resides, being still
active in the ministry.
Dr. Povey attended the Brooklyn, New York, public and high schools,
graduating from the latter, and next entered the literary department of
the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1895. He then engaged in teaching school, and from
1895 to 1896 was principal of the high school at Iron Mountain, Michigan. At that time he took up the study of medicine, and entered the
medical department of the University of Michigan, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1899, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine,
having been in the regular or allopathic department. Subsequently Dr.
Povey took post-graduate work at Sloane Maternity Hospital, New York
City, and at the Pennsylvania General Hospital, Philadelphia, giving
special study to gynecology. He was gynecological house officer at
Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, from 1892 to 1898, and during that
same time gynecologist in charge of the Lakeside Hospital Dispensary
and demonstrator in gynecology at the medical department of the Western Reserve University, Cleveland. For some time while in Cleveland
Dr. Povey also served as first assistant to the noted physician, Hunter
Robb, M. D.
In 1908 Dr. Povey came to Detroit and opened offices at No. 1114
Michigan avenue, where he has since been located. During this time he
has carried on a large general practice, but has paid special attention to
gynecology, and has won an enviable reputation in this field. He has
retained a representative support, controlling a large business in his profession, his skill and discrimination being not less popularly appreciated than his unfailing courtesy and sympathy. He has shown a decided
and active interest in the work of the various medical organizations established to advance the profession, he being a member of the Wayne County
Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American
Medical Association. When he can find leisure from his arduous professional duties he interests himself in fraternal matters, and is at present a popular member of City of the Straits Lodge, F. & A. M., having
been connected with that order of Masonry since its organization.
Dr. Povey was married to Miss Florence Edna Lennan, of Chillicothe,
Ohio.
JAMES HENRY BOULTER, M. D. One of the best known men in
Detroit, who is popular not only on account of his medical skill and
knowledge, but also on account of the strength of his personality, is