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LEVI WILLSON
WELLAND PIONEER PASSES AWAY
Death of Levi Willson, Lifelong Resident, in 81st Year
RECALLS DAYS OF LONG AGO
[People’s Press, 9 March 1915]
A lifelong resident and one held in the highest esteem by the entire community passed away on Saturday morning in the person of Levi Willson, a resident all his life of a farm just north of Welland town in Thorold township.
Deceased, who was in his 81st year, was born on the farm where he died. His father, Richard Willson, was a U.E. Loyalist who came here from New Jersey and secured the land directly from the Crown, the family being still in possession of the Crown patent. At one time the father of deceased owned the land as far south as the river, now a part of Welland and it can be said that he was the first resident of our present thriving community. At that time this district held but a few scattered people. Richard Willson had to load a bag of grain across his horses’ back and go, with his gun across his shoulder, to Niagara on the Lake to have it ground into flour.
The memory of Levi Willson went back to the time when a big bear invaded their barn yard and tried to carry off a hog, the father and sons dropping the animal with their guns.
Deceased suffered an attack of pneumonia two years ago and never afterwards fully regained his health. Since last summer he has been failing rapidly.
Mr. Willson was a Liberal in politics, was prominently connected for many years with the Agricultural Society and was an active temperance worker. While he never sought public office, he was one of the solid citizens of the community and a man of sterling integrity. In religion he was a member of the Hixite Friends church. He is survived by a widow, Melissa Jane Williams of Allanburg; two sons, Arthur of Thorold township and Charles B. of Welland, and two daughters, Mrs. H.R. Dawdy of Welland and Miss Eve at home. Two children predeceased him, Richard two years ago, and Mrs. Roy, Mabel, Page seven years ago. He is also survived by one brother, Robert of Fort Erie, six years older than deceased, who has been an invalid for many years.
The funeral takes place today. Service will be held at the house at 2 p.m., and interment will be made in the Friends burying grounds, Pelham.
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