E.J. ANDERSON, FORMER M.L.A. DIES SUDDENLY

[Welland Tribune February 1, 1947]

Widely known citizen had long record of public service

Edward J. Anderson, manufacturer, churchman, former mayor and former member of the Ontario legislature, died suddenly at his home, 96 Bald street, last night. He had appeared to be in the best of health, and his death at about 8 p.m. last evening from a heart attack came as a shock not only to many friends and acquaintances throughout the  the county, but to his family and intimate friends. He was in his 71st year.

Prominent in municipal and political life, E.J. Anderson was known as a man of fair judgment, straight forward in his dealings, with an indefatiguable capacity for work. He had the typical reserve of a Scots man, but an innate friendliness won for him from people with whom he came in contact a mingled feeling of affection and respect. As a member of the Legislature, and during the last few years when he represented Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, minister of labor, in this constituency, he carried out cheerfully the many duties entailed in these offices, and retained his popularity through the years.

Born in Forfar, Scotland, Mr. Anderson received his education in the public, high and technical schools in Knockbain, Rosshire, Scotland.

He emigrated to Canada in 1900, and after two years in Hamilton, made Welland his home town.

Coming here with the qualifications of a mechanical engineer, he started his life as an employe in Welland plants. By 1914 he went into business for himself as the owner and manager of the Thorold Iron Works at Thorold. During this time he continued to reside in Welland and in 1918 he established the Welland Iron and Brass Company, of which he was the manager and co-owner with  G.W. McIntyre.

Mr Anderson entered on his political career via the municipal field. He was on the city council as an alderman in 1923 and 1924 and served as mayor for a four-year term from 1925 to 1928. During his term of office Welland embarked on the construction of its present modern waterworks plant, and Mr. Anderson served for two years as a member of the board of water commissioners after leaving the council.

Tenure in Legislature

He was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1934, and was M.L.A. for the Welland riding from then until 1943 when the Liberals were swept out of office.

His interest in politics continued and he was president of the Welland County Liberal Association. In that capacity, he represented Hon. Mr. Mitchell, who as a member of the federal cabinet, was unable to spend as much time here as the ordinary member might. He was very active on that account and made many trips to Ottawa to discuss local problems with Mr. Mitchell.

As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Anderson was particularly interested in labor matters, and was a member of the labor committee.

Church Activity

A prominent member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian church, Mr. Anderson had been a church elder and member of the Session since 1918. He also served on the board of managers, was treasurer for 20 years, and for many years was representative elder to the Presbytery, A generous supporter of the church. Mr Anderson’s latest contributions were chimes for the organ, and an amplifying system for the tower.

Even before entering actively into municipal life, Mr. Anderson had been interested in community affairs. He was for many years a member of the board of the Welland County General hospital, and had also been a member of the Welland City Old Age Pensions and Mothers’ Allowances Board for 11 years, two as chairman, the Children’s Aid Society, and the Welland Board of Trade. He was also a member of the Welland Club, and of the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association being on the legislative  committee of that body.

In 1907 Mr. Anderson married Alberta McAllister of Welland. Mrs Anderson and a daughter Mrs. W. Baldwin of Brooklin, Ont.,survive; also two grandchildren.

The remains are resting at the Sutherland-Tthorpe Funeral Home, 152 Hellems avenue, whence funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to St Andrew’s Presbyterian church. Rev. A.D. Sutherland, minister, and Rev. R.A. Cranston, former minister of the church, will officiate. Interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery.

Mr. Mitchell’s Tribute

By telephone, from Ottawa today, Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, Minister of labor, sent the following tribute to the late E.J. Anderson.

“News of the sudden passing of my friend E.J. Anderson has come as a great shock to me personally, as I know it has to his hundreds of friends in the county of Welland and his former associates in the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

“It is difficult to put into words how I feel about his death. To me, he had been a staunch and true friend ever since I met him. He was the type of citizen, who has contributed to the greatness of this country. Coming from his native Scotland to Canada as a young man seeking his fortune, and possessing those native talents and attributes through which those of Scottish birth have given so much to the life of Canada, he worked hard and conscientiously first as an employe and then as an employer. He made a success of his life and won the admiration and respect of all who knew him.

“He was a wise and kind employer, and in my opinion, an outstanding man in his well-loved community of Welland. As one who knew him intimately, I can say his thoughts were always on the welfare of his city and the county of which he was so proud.

“The late Mr. Anderson was, of course well known outside his county. As a member for Welland at Toronto for nine years, he played his part in the solution of the different problems which faced the Province of Ontario during that period. I know he was highly esteemed as the member for Welland, and he was equally esteemed in official circles at Ottawa.”

“From the first time I visited the county to become the Federal Liberal candidate and subsequently the member in the House of Commons, the late Mr. Anderson was my friend and advisor. He stood by me at all times and to him I owe more than I can say. I shall always cherish his memory.

“As a member of the Dominion Cabinet, it was not my privilege to visit the county as often as I wished. Therefore I came to lean on the late Mr. Anderson. He was ever ready to help in regard to matters which were of concern to the county. He gave of his time and energies in the solution of many problems and often visited me in Ottawa to discuss them.

“I shall miss him very much as I know he will be missed in the county of Welland and particularly in his home city.

“To Mrs Anderson, her daughter, and those close to the family circle, I extend my heartfelt sympathy.”

T.H. Lewis, M.L.A, declared that Welland had lost a good citizen in the passing of E.J. Anderson. Over a long period of years, Mr Anderson carried out public service duties with integrity and exercised sound business sense.”In his quiet way,” the member for Welland added, “Ed Anderson was active on behalf of the people and always sought to give decent representation.”

Mayor H.W. Walker said that Mr. Anderson’s passing would be deeply regretted by all members of city council. “He was gentlemanly and courteous, an outstanding mayor and never ceased to be interested in civic affairs and the welfare of the community,” the mayor declared.