[Welland Tribune June 18, 1897]
Hamilton, June 10- Nicholas Awrey, registrar of the county of Wentworth, died at his residence, East Hamilton, this evening. He had been ill for months with a complication of diseases, and for several days was unconscious. He was 46 years of age, and leaves four children to mourn his death. The deceased was M.L.A. for South Wentworth for many terms, having been first elected when but 27 years of age.
He retired from public life in 1896 to the position he held at his death. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, in charge of the Masonic order. Mrs. Awrey died about a year ago.
[Welland Tribune November 26, 1897]
Peter Herman Ball, ex-police magistrate of Merriton, died on Saturday night, at the advanced age of 80 years. He was a pioneer resident of the county, and was the son of a U.E. Loyalist, who came to this part of the country during the revolutionary war. The deceased was a farmer before being appointed magistrate, an office he filled for many years until his retirement about one year ago. He was born in the house where he spent his lifetime, and from where he passed away to his home of rest. At one time he owned a large farm around that part of the country where he resided. As the town became populated many acres were sold, but up to the time of his demise twenty-three acres were still in his possession. He leaves a sorrowing wife and daughter to mourn their loss, two sons (John and Bernard) having died some time ago.
[Welland Tribune November 26, 1897]
Charlotte, widow of late Edward Carter of the township, died at the residence of her son-in-law, George Newman, St Catharines, on Saturday last, at the advanced age of 79 years. She leaves two sons and two daughters to mourn her death, viz., Nelson Carter of British Columbia, Lachlan Carter of Thorold township, and Mrs. George Newman and Mrs. Joseph Newman, St Catharines.
[Welland Tribune April 23, 1897]
Died at his late residence in the township of Gainsboro, April 18, 1897, Cyrus Robins, of heart failure, which for many years had rendered his life more or less unpleasant, and death a long expected calamity that became a sad reality in the early hours of Easter Sunday a day well befitting the occasion of the death of one whose exemplary life and christian integrity had served to stamp upon the minds of his acquaintances an image which the hand of time cannot efface. To the church of his adoption (Canada Methodist) he was a living epistle, read and known of all men. He had no fear of death, at the very door of which he could exclaim; “Oh death where is thy sting; oh, grave where is thy victory!” “May my last end be like his!” “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them,” The subject of this obituary was born in the township of Wainfleet in 1834. His birthplace was approximate to the scene of his demise. His wife previous to their marriage, was Miss Huldah Putman (daughter of the late Albert Putman of Wainfleet), who with seven sons and daughters survive him, as follows; Orlando, Amos P., and Mrs Wm Goss of Gainsboro; Alvin A. And Mrs. Cyrus E. H. Brown of Pelham and Mrs. N.F. Johnson of Wainfleet. In politics Mr. Robins was a staunch Liberal, but always willing to accord due regard for the opinions of those whose views of the situation placed them in the ranks of his opponents. He served his municipality more than a score of years as councillor and deputy-reeve, with few intermissions, having been elected almost continuously during that time.
His funeral at Salem church on the 20th inst. was largely attended. His friends in the locality where his whole life had been spent were legion, his enemies few. Thus terminates the life of a kind father, a faithful and affectionate husband, until the last trump of God shall sound to call forth the dead from their graves to judgment. We will all be there.
[Welland Tribune April 22, 1897]
A Prominent Resident of St Catharines who has lived 89 years
St Catharines, Ont., April 22 – One of the oldest residents of St. Catharines passed away this morning in the person of Charles W. Hellems. He was about 89 years of age. Mr. Hellems was at one time one of the most successful business men in St. Catharines and his name was a household word for years. He was of German descent and came here in his early life from Pennsylvania, He was identified with the building of the old Welland canal, and it was he who sank the first mineral well in this city. He had an extensive industry and from the success of the enterprise he was enabled to acquire considerable property, An aged widow survives but deceased leaves no children. He was a brother to late Squire John Hellems, a prominent pioneer of Welland town and father of police Magistrate Hellems.
[Welland Tribune November 5, 1897]
Mrs David Magwood died at her home near Lowbanks on Monday, Oct. 25Th, 1897. She leaves a husband, one son and two daughters to mourn her departure. She was doubly afflicted; with consumption and cancer in her mouth. She was a loving companion and mother, and a patient sufferer, realizing that the dawn of the morning would drive away the pain and enable her to bask in the sunlight of a Saviour’s love. She died putting her full trust and confidence in the Lord. She said she was only waiting for God to call her home. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. Major at the Zion U. B. Church, and the remains were laid in their last resting place in Dawdy’s cemetery, Pelham Centre. The following Orange brethren acting as pallbearers, by the request of the deceased; J. Bradley, N. Bradley, C. Moor, Geo. Brown, W. Lambert, S. Moriarety.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 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 and active and powerful champion and many friends one whose many social qualities had endeared him to them.
John Guinter was born in the 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. One 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 value 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 one son-J.Fraser Guinter-survives.
The bereaved widow also survives, but in 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 of a most hospitable and social disposition and his many guests ever met with a warm welcome in his large and bountiful supplied mansion home.
For nearly a year past Mr. Guinter was quite apparently a doomed man; a victim to 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 1p.m. and interment at Hansler’s burying ground. Friends and mourners gathered from near and far to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed friend and tender their truest sympathies to the bereaved survivors.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
Rebecca Brackbill died in Buffalo last week at an advanced age, and her remains were laid to rest in the Friends’ burying ground, Pelham, on Saturday. Jacob Brackbill, her husband, formed one of the ill-fated company of Canadian gold-seekers who was lost in the memorable disaster of the burning of the Str. “Golden Gate” on the Pacific coast in 1862. County Treasurer G.L. Hobson, who had the gold fever bad at the time, had fully intended going with the Golden Gate party, but his departure was incidently delayed, Mrs. Brackbill was a daughter of late Samuel Taylor, formerly a foremost resident of Pelham, and to whom belongs the credit and distinction of first starting the nursery industry in that township. She will be well and kindly remembered by the older residents of the township of Pelham.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
Mrs William Brown of Marshville died at the residence if her son-in-law, Mr, George Anderson, near St. Catharines, on Monday, 6th inst., at the age of 55 years and 6 months. Her fatal malady was an affliction of the throat, from which she suffered for several months. Mrs Brown’s maiden name was Elizabeth A. Tims; she was born at Port Robinson in 1842, the daughter of H.W. Tims, who afterward moved to Suspension Bridge and died there during the cholera epidemic at that place. From the time of her marriage to the late William Brown up to last September, when she went to visit her daughter, Mrs. Anderson, she lived in Marshville. She was a consistentand devoted member of the Church of England, active in all good works and charities, endearing herself to the whole community of which she was a member. Her late husband, William Brown, county councillor, died on the 29th of March last.
Two daughters survive to mourn-Mrs A. B. McLean of Marshville and Mrs. George Anderson of Grantham. The funeral took place on Wednesday, from her home, Marshville, at 10.30 a.m., services by Rev. A. Bonny in Christ church, interment at Morgan’s cemetery, a very large attendance certifying their love and respect for their departed friend by attendance at the obsequies and heartfelt condolence with those who mourn.
[Welland Tribune June 4, 1897]
John R. Swayze was a descendant of a U.E, Loyalist family, and was born in what is known as the “Beaverdams Settlement,” June 8th, 1832. His grandfather, Israel Swayze, one of the first pioneers of the place, came from the United States about the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled on four hundred acres of land, granted to him for his attachment to the crown of Great Britain, where he passed the remainder of his life and where he died. At the time of his coming to this country it was an almost unbroken wilderness, small clearings having been made at a few places. The father of deceased, Hiram Swayze, was born in the United States and was three years old when he came to this country.
In 1857 John R. Swayze was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Barrett, who with one son and four daughters, today mourn the loss of a most devoted husband and an affectionate godly father.
Deceased was for several years a member of the Thorold township council. He was a Reformer in politics, and has filled the position of president and director in both the township and county Agricultural societies. He also served several terms on the board of license commissioners for the county of Welland. As a farmer Mr. Swayze might be copied after to advantage. His buildings and farm stock showed a neatness and thrift unexcelled in his township.
During the ministry of Rev. J. H. Starr on the Thorold circuit in 1866, Bro. Swayze was converted to God, and ever after continued a faithful member of the Methodist church. His conversion took place in connection with a four days meeting held in the old Beaverdams church. The first sermon was preached by the late Rev. John Carroll. Mr. Swayze was an earnest, active Christian, and entered with his whole soul into temperance and moral reform week. On the night of his conversion he erected the family altar, and continued it as long as he was able to attend to its duties. He was a member of the quarterly and trustee boards for many years, and his place was never vacant in the house of God till his affliction rendered it impossible to attend. His last illness was paralysis, which, though lingering for years and at times very painful, was yet borne with Christian fortitude. He died in great peace, May 20th, 1897. The funeral took place on the Sunday following interment at Beaverdams cemetery. We expect to meet our brother in the “Homeland,” when the day breaketh and the shadows flee away.
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