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JOHN GUINTER
[Welland Tribune, 10 December 1897]
“John Guinter is dead.” This announcement on Monday last, though not unanticipated by his friends, carried sadness to many hearts throughout the Niagara district, Mr. Guinter having a circle of warm friends, equalled in extent by few, if any, in this section. In his death this district loses one of its most progressive and successful farmers, the Liberal party an active and powerful champion, and many friends one whose many social qualities has endeared him to them.
John Guinter as born in this township of South Cayuga, county of Haldimand, on the 25th of June, 1837, the son of Peter Guinter and Louisa, his wife, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Canada in 1837. Our present subject, John Guinter, was brought up a farmer and began life on his own account on the farm on which he lived and died. Richly endowed with habits of industry and perseverance and possessing good business ability, he made a marked success at farming and allied enterprises, accumulating property and other assets valued at $40,000 a few years ago, from a beginning on a capital of $1,000 twenty-five years previous. Owing to falling land values and failing health limiting his opportunities this ample competence has probably not been much increased of late years, but so well were his lands and buildings maintained that his estate came nearer holding its own in values than most others. His lands comprised 300 acres fully stocked with horses, cattle and sheep, with buildings among the finest in the county, rich orchards. All the etceteras of the up-to-date farmer. In 1861 he married Bertha Laws of Pelham township, of which union four children were born. Of these, the eldest died in infancy, two daughters were taken away in the bloom of young womanhood, and on son-J. Fraser Guinter-survives. The bereaved widow also survives, but in a most precarious state. A few hours after the death of her loved life partner she was the subject of a stroke of paralysis, and at this writing was hovering between the living and the dead.
In politics Mr. Guinter was a sterling Liberal. He was a justice of the peace, and has represented his township at both the local municipal and county councils, and for many years held positions of trust on public school and agricultural society boards. He was one of a most hospitable and social disposition, and his many guests ever met with a warm welcome in his large and bountifully supplied mansion home.
For nearly a year past, Mr. Guinter was quite apparently a doomed man; a victim of that slow but remorseless destroyer, consumption, which followed an attack of pneumonia. But with that indomitable will and energy for which he was noted, he refused to give up, and it was not until one week before he died that he actually took to his bed.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, services at his late residence at 1 p.m., and interment at Hansler’s burying ground. Friends and mourners gathered from near and far to pay the last tribune of respect the departed friend and tender their truest sympathies to the bereaved survivors.
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