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EGERTON RYERSON HELLEMS
[Welland Tribune, 22 April 1904]
Egerton Ryerson Hellems, who died at his home at Welland at 1.30 o’clock yesterday (Thursday) morning, was a native of the town of Welland-or, more correctly speaking, was born in that part of the township of Crowland now comprising part of the town of Welland, before its separate incorporation as a village. He was 69 years of age on the 9th of March last.
Mr. Hellems was of U.E. Loyalist descent, of which he was justly proud. His father, John Hellems, was a native of Pennsylvania; the family on quitting that state lived for a time in the Mohawk Valley, New York State, and subsequently came to Canada. The father, “Squire John Hellems, although a mere youth at the time, participated in the war of 1812, fighting at Lundy’s Lane as a member of a flank company. He also held a commission in the Loyalist ranks during the rebellion of ’37. On coming to Canada the family settled here, and was one of the most influential in the district, John Hellems being commissioned a justice of the peace as early as 1840, and taking a conspicuous part in keeping order in this section during the turbulent times of the canal building about that time.
Our present subject, Mr. E.R. Hellems, was given a liberal education and followed the profession of school teaching. For six years he was master of the public school at Allanburg, and fifteen years at Welland, a very large proportion of the adult residents of town having affectionate remembrance of “the Squire” as the teacher of their boyhood days.
After retiring from teaching, Mr. Hellems carried on the stationery and express business in which Mr. O.H. Garner was afterward associated with him. He held the office of town clerk from 1870 when he succeeded J.J Sidey in that office until his demise. He was appointed Police Magistrate in 1881, for which he was eminently qualified, being possessed of quick and correct perceptions, a well-balanced mind and a though knowledge of the laws it was his duty to administer.
Deceased was married on Dec. 21, 1857, to Maria, daughter of late Jacob Garner of Stamford. Mrs. Hellems died Oct. 24, 1901. One daughter, Mrs. O.H. garner, and one son, Prof. F.B.R. Hellems, of the Colorado State University at Boulder, survive; also one brother, C.W. Hellems, St. Catharines; and one sister, Mrs. Dennis Rice of Thorold township.
Mr. Hellems has been gradually but perceptibly failing for some months past, but struck manfully to his post, expressing a wish to “die in the harness.” He was confined to the house but a week preceding his death which was caused by an affection of the heart and asthma.
The funeral will be held tomorrow from his late residence (Saturday) at 2 p.m., interment at Fonthill cemetery.
“Squire Hellems,” as he was usually designated, was possessed of marked ability. As an extempore speaker in matters within his province he was eloquent and convincing and had few equals. He was possessed of a large share of the “milk of human kindness,” and his memory will ever be cherished in affectionate remembrance by all who knew him.
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