HIS HONOR LORNE B. C. LIVINGSTONE

County Judge of Welland County

Over the span of years there has always a few names in every community that are linked inseparably with its progress and prosperity, and which reflect real lustre upon its history by reason of their honorable lives and exceptionable achievements. Such a man is Lorne B, C. Livingstone, for years one of the foremost citizens of Welland County, a well-known jurist, and long identified with many of the leading civic interests of the community. It was also through Judge Livingstone’s interest and moral support that this history was so successful.

Judge Livingstone was born on October 18^th, 1871, in the Town of Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ont., and is the son of William W. and Margaret (Jackson) Livingstone, the former being a solicitor and town clerk of Simcoe, who came originally at the very early age of seven years from Scotland. His grandfather was related to the celebrated David Livingstone, the noted African explorer. Judge Livingstone, the subject of this review, was educated at the Simcoe Public and High Schools, and became a student in the office of Ansley & Slaght, barristers, (Mr. Ansley was the County Crown Attorney of Norfolk County), and also in the office of Beatty, Hamilton & Snow, of Toronto-Mr. James Beatty of this firm then being Mayor of Toronto. Mr. Livingstone began his professional career as barrister in Simcoe for a short time,

When he went to Tillsonburg, Ont., where he practised law until he was appointed to the bench for Welland in 1913 as County Court Judge. Judge Livingstone took considerable local interest in war activities; he was chairman of the Patriotic Fund for Welland County, wherein he was instrumental in bringing about a very strong local organization, which under his leadership raised a lot of money; on two occasions in Welland City alone over sixty thousand dollars. He assisted in all other war activates, and was especially interested in recruiting for overseas. He was chairman of the Welland County Loan Campaigns, and this unit won a number of flags in contests. As a recognition and appreciation of his splendid work, the Great War Veterans at the conclusion of the war conferred upon him honorary membership. During his term of office as Judge he has been noted for his impartial administration of justice, and an enormous increase has been made in his judicial work by reason for the increased population in Welland County. Judge Livingstone is a member of the Welland Club and the Lookout Point Club, and is an enthusiastic lawn bowler. For a number of years he was President of the Welland County Bar Association and is now its honorary president; he also takes an active interest in the Welland Boy Scouts. Another of his activities was that he was one of the organizers, and the first President of the Welland Historical Society, and is still a member of its Council. His religious affiliations are with the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of England. He was married in 1900 at Tillsonburg, Ont., to Miss Frances Isabel. Van Sittart, daughter of James A. Van Sittart, a barrister of that place; they have three children: Margaret, the eldest, is married to Dr. Donald W. Cameron, who is engaged in the Connaught Laboratories at Toronto; one son, John Van Sittart Livingstone is a student in the office of Price, Waterhouse & Company of Toronto; and Betty Isabel, a daughter who resides with her parents. Mrs. Livingstone is a granddaughter of the celebrated Admiral Van Sittart, who settled at Eastwood, near Woodstock, Ont. The admiral kept an open house and was noted for his hospitality. The noted authoress, Mrs. Jamieson, after a visit there gave an account of the place in her book, “Summer Rambles in Ontario.” One of the principal streets in Woodstock is named after the Van Sittart family.

Judge Livingstone’s sterling business integrity, by his exemplary career in the community, his denial disposition, and his high ideals of life and conduct have won for him an enviable place in the community; and his kindly influence will long be remembered in Welland County, where he has labored so long and so indefatigably for the common good.

A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930