OBITUARY – JAMES MACGLASHEN

[Welland Tribune  August 27, 1897]

Ex-County Treasurer James Macglashen died at his home, “Elm Brae,” Welland, at midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1897. Up to within ten days of his death Mr. Macglashen was in his usual health, and able to be about town, but a collapse came on Saturday night, 14th inst., when he was taken suddenly ill, death resulting about ten days later, the cause being enteric fever. For over sixty years Mr. Macglashen has been one of our best known and most honored men.

He was born at Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland, in September 1810, and was the son of Leonard Macglashen, the youngest son in a family of ten. Two sisters residing in Scotland, are the only surviving members of that family. Mr. Macglashen came to this country about 1831, settling first at Niagara Falls. Later he entered into mercantile business with James Macklem at Chippawa, then a thriving village, and in September, 1841, married Mary, a daughter of the late Gilbert McMicking, who passed away five and a half years ago. Going out of business in Chippawa  about 1842 he went into the wholesale trade in Toronto with his brother, the late John Macglashen of Niagara Falls South, in which he remained seven or eight years. During this time the firm endeavored to build up a trade between Toronto and the north by way of the lakes, sending goods to Collingwood and bringing back lumber for the city markets, but their vessel was wrecked off Port Maitland, causing heavy loss.

About 1849 Mr Macglashen returned to this county and for some years was secretary to Dr. Macklem of Chippawa, going to visit his old home in Scotland for the last time in 1855. After his return he undertook farming, settling on land about three miles from Chippawa. Here he was held in high esteem by the community, and was elected as reeve of the township of Willoughby for the years 1861-2-3-4. But Mr. Macglashen’s choice was not that of farming and after spending ten years of his life he abandoned it and received the appointment of county treasurer in 1864. This responsible position he held until failing eyesight compelled him to resign in June, 1891, after a faithful service to the county of twenty-seven years, During many years of this time Mr. Macglashen was connected with the banking business of the town-first as manager of the  Welland branch of Molsons bank then as manager for the Imperial bank. He held the latter for about twelve years and until failing health made it necessary for him to resign. Since 1891 he has lived a quiet retired life at “Elm Brae.” the beautiful family home on the banks of Welland river. In politics he was a Conservative. He was an old and respected member of the Masonic fraternity, and at his death was an honorary member of Copestone lodge of this town. As a citizen of the county he was always one of its most prominent and trustworthy men, and the community extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved and sorrowing family, the survivors of which are; Leonard Macglashen, manager and owner of the Ontario Silver Works, Mrs. Thomas Cumines and the Misses Helen and Maggie Macglashen.

The funeral will take place from Elm Brae at 2 p.m. on Saturday, tomorrow; service at the house by Rev. Dr. Johnstone of Holy Trinity church, and interment in the family plot at Fonthill.

The pall-bearers will be the county officials with whom deceased was long and intimately connected, and W.M. German, M.P.P., member for the county.