GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST

[Welland Tribune, 5 January 1883]

With deep regret we record the death of one of our highly esteemed and promising young men of this town, that of GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST, who departed this life on Sunday, the 31^st ult, at 5.30 a.m., after an illness of nine days, at the age of 20 years, 9 months and 28 days, of spinal disease with malarial fever supervening. The Christ Church (Church of England) of which George was a member, was draped in mourning on Sunday and the members on entering the church for morning prayer were struck with awe to find that one, who was loved and respected by all, was dead. At the evening service in this church, the Rev. Canon Houston in his sermon referred in words the deep sympathy to the death of George, who brought tears to every eye; also kind words of sympathy were spoken of George in other churches; also at Dunnville, where he was known. The funeral of the deceased took place on Tuesday, the 2^nd inst., from his father’s residence. At the house the Rev. Canon Houston read the beautiful service of the English Church, and spoke feeling terms of the many good qualities and virtues of the deceased, and how, a year ago, New Year’s day, George was calling on his many friends, and this New Year’s day, was dead; and how his smiling face would be missed on the streets and in the church and Sunday school. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. The following lists the names of those who sent them. A beautiful pillow of white flowers with the words, “George,” in everlasting flowers, in the centre, from the church warden, John Murray, Ontario, Nellis, and the congregation of Christ Church, Niagara Falls, Ont., another very fine pillow with the word “George” in natural violets in the centre, from R. Skinner, Wm. Brennan, Geo. Phemister, _ Mullen, Chas. Barnfield, T.K. Wynn, W. Ward, W. Ward, A. Oatman, Susp. Bridge, N and M.C. MacFarland; a beautiful one from Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Leggett; a bouquet from Mr. Wilkins, of Rochester, N.Y.; a basket of flowers from Miss Ida Murray; a beautiful anchor from Mr. G. Rosli; a handsome five pointed star from Kate Elsheu and Hannah Gibbs, of Susp. Bridge, N.Y; a very pretty sickle from Misses Nellie, Aggie and Stella Skinner; a very fine wreath of ivy leaves with a calla lily in the center from Mrs. Sime, of Dunnville; a very fine and handsome anchor from his companions, Willie, Minnie and Mrs. Drew, with the words “Dear Georgie” in everlasting flowers on the cross part and anchor part of the anchor. The pall-bearers were R. Skinner, Frederick Rutherford, Wm. J. Drew, Wm. H. Brennan, Francis H. Williams and Thos. Douglass of Susp. Bridge, N.Y. The firemen and hook & ladder companies, of which George was an honorable member, attended the funeral and made a very fine appearance. The funeral was a very large one. His remains were interred in the Drummondville cemetery, there to remain until the new town cemetery is in order, then they will be removed to the new. The deceased leaves a father and mother, three sisters and three brothers to mourn the great loss. The chief mourners besides his family were Mrs. McDowell, Mr. Wilkinson, Rochester, and Mr. and Mrs. Richart, Buffalo, N.Y. The family have the sympathy of the whole community in their affliction.

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST.