YOU Said..
Subscribe..
Thorold News
[Welland Tribune, 7 January 1898]
We regret to announce the death of Miss Mary P. Upper, eldest daughter of Mr. Luther Upper, which occurred on Sunday, Jan 2nd. It was just a year ago that Mr. and Mrs. Upper lost another bright girl. They have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their sad bereavement. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon to Lakeview cemetery.
Thorold News
[Welland Tribune, 7 January 1898]
Another old resident has passed away in the person of Jerry Lahey. He was well known figure on the streets and a great friend of the late Geo. McConaghy. The funeral took place yesterday to the R.C. church, thence to Lakeview cemetery.
[People’s Press, 20 December 1898]
Mrs. Lemuel Pursel died at the residence of her son, Mr. Nelson Pursel, on Thursday, Dec. 8th. Mrs. Pursel’s maiden name was Abigail Young and she was born near Simcoe, Jan. 25th, 1825.In the year 1849, she was married to her late husband, Lemuel Pursel, who, less than a year ago preceded her to the better land. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Waterford, where they have since resided. Mrs. Pursel, with her husband, was baptized by the late Elder Slaght, and united with the Baptist church here, of which she remained a faithful and devoted member till her death.
Her funeral, which took place on Saturday, 10th, was largely attended, showing the esteem in which she was held. The services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Murdoch and her sons acted as pallbearers. The flowers-pillows and wreaths of white chrysanthemums and white roses-were very beautiful.
Wellandport News
[People’s Press, 27 December 1898]
The funeral of the late Clement Riggs took place on Tuesday, 20th inst. He had been ailing for some two months or more with kidney trouble. He was a first class stone cutter. He and his sons carried on the marble works here for some years, which will now be carried on by his son, George. Deceased was well-to-do, and leaves the family very well provided for. He leaves one daughter and six sons, of whom two sons are married-one in Wainfleet, the other is in the marble works at Clifton. His wife went to England some years ago on a visit, where she died. Mr. Riggs in politics was a staunch Conservative, a good honest member of society, and he will be very much missed. The family have the sympathy of the whole neighborhood.
Thorold News
[People’s Press, 27 December 1898]
Our citizens were pained to learn on Saturday morning (17th) that Mrs. Peter Steep had passed away. Her death was very sudden, as she was only taken ill on Wednesday. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon to Lakeview cemetery, and was very largely attended, The TRIBUNE extends its sympathy to Mr. Steep and family in their sad and sudden bereavement.
ADAM MISENER, OF TROY, ARRANGING TO CELEBRATE HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
The Centenarian is Still Active and Healthy-Remembers the Battle of Lundy’s Lane-Sketch of His Life
[Welland Tribune, 14 January 1898]
An event of some interest to residents of the Province, and of especial significance to Welland county, will take place on the 20th of next month, when there will be commemorated at Troy, a village near Harrisburg, the fact that Adam Misener or “Uncle Adam,” as he is more familiarly termed, has overstepped by thirty years the Psalmist’s allotted span, and has reached the day which makes him a centenarian.
THE YEAR OF HIS BIRTH
Adam Misener was born during one of the most momentous periods in the world’s history. His natal year is infamous as being the one in which Nelson struck so great a blow at the maritime power of Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile, and in which the Irish rebellion of 1798 was quelled, two events now become almost ancient history. In those days the eastern world w in arms and it may be that the centenary has been mde possible by the birth of the subject amid the peaceful scenes of Canada, away from the bellicose manifestations of Europe, with their accompanying difficulty of existence.
HIS ANTECEDENTS
In a log hut in the township of Crowland, Welland county, built upon land which his father cleared, the centenarian saw the light of day. His grandfather was a Hollander, who settled in New Jersey about 1720. His father, Nicholas, towards the close of the revolution, married an Irish woman named Jane McLean, and in 1793 started for Canada with a yoke of oxen, a cow and a mare. His wife and child, the latter being ten weeks old, were mounted upon the mare, which was harnessed to the cow. Arrived at Oswego, they sent the animals by land and took a boat for Niagara, which they reached on July 4th, 1793. Shortly afterwards they settled in Crowland township and Adam No. 1 walked to Toronto, then Muddy York, to swear allegiance , and obtain a land patent. It was then upon the land then occupied that Adam No. 2 was born, on February 20th, 1798.
HEARD THE BATTLE
The house was not very far from the battlefield of Lundy’s Lane, and Adam, who was sixteen years old when the victory was won, remembers to this day with revival of the warlike feeling of the moment, the fierce cannonade and musketry fire which began shortly before sundown on July 25th, 1814, startling himself and his sisters, then in the fields. After the fight the children visited the scene; saw the blood-stained ground and a fence-rail with forty-two bullet holes, and carried home quite a store of empty cartridge cases. Uncle Adam lost the sight of one eye when a small boy while playing knife with companions; but, strange to say, has only recently commenced to use spectacles.
In March, 1818, three years after the Battle of Waterloo, the old man went to Beverley township, then covered with forest, and containing a population of seven families, with sixty-three names on the assessment roll. In company with a friend he started a saw-mill, like everybody else in those days, but at the end of the month the place was burned down with the result of a month’s work.
HIS DESCENDANTS
Three years afterwards, Uncle Adam married Mary Miller, who died in five years. He remained a widower for five or six years, and then married Lena Coleman, who died in April 1895, at the age of ninety-five, the two having lived together for the remarkably long period of sixty-four years. Only one out of their ten children has died up to the present time. The longevity of the Misener stock may be judged from the fact that out of twelve brothers and sisters, all but two passed the age of eighty. One of these two died in infancy and the other at seventy-nine years of age. The old man’s sister Elizabeth died in January 1897, aged ninety-three, leaving him the last of that branch of the family. It will not die out with him, however, for at the approaching celebration no less than five generations will be represented. The old gentleman is still comparatively strong and hearty. He splits the daily supply of wood for his home, attends to his garden and is so active as to give on the impression that he may go considerably beyond the century mark.
There are five families in Toronto who will be represented at the contemplated family gathering. Mrs. Chapman, of 262 Sherbourne street, wife of School Inspector Chapman; Mrs. Ellington of 185 John street; Mrs. Galer, of 328 Spadina avenue; and Mrs. Bookless, of 14 Widmer street, are all nieces of the old man, and Mrs. Beamer, of 57 Garden avenue, Parkdale, is a granddaughter.
[Welland Tribune, 14 January 1898]
On Friday, last, Isaac Pew of Port Robinson was not a little surprised upon going to the post-office at receiving a letter from one who had not been “located” for a number of years. The party referred to is Wm. H. Clark, who at one time farmed it just outside of the town, in Crowland. As “Billy” was so well-known, and thinking his many friends would like to know somewhat of his doings and whereabouts, Mr. Pew has kindly placed his letter into the hands of one of our reporters, who has sent us some of the more interesting points contained therein. At the time of the Fenian raid, in ’66, Mr. Clark hurried over to the town and enlisted in the Welland canal field battery, under Capt. Dr. R.S. King, and saw active service at that time. He afterward went west. It was reported at the time that he was drowned; but lucky for him, it was some other fellow. We will now quote one section of his letter, which proves him to be a thorough Canadian. He says:-“Now, I will tell you how I am getting along: I came here to Colorado in 1879 and went in to get rich quickly, but slipped up. Then, went prospecting for a few years: gave that up and went to work for the Denver & Rio Grande R.R., at first clerking and checking freight , then into the baggage and express department, and went in for saving money and now have rent enough coming in to keep wife and I in our pleasant home. Have a soft job: will keep right on working for all that. He then goes on telling about the state and its advantages, and winds up his letter by stating that he has not seen a sick day since landing there. Billy is a resident of Leadville, and would be pleased to hear from any of this old chums, of which he had a multitude in and around Port Robinson.
Michael Blake, to Wit
Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, Oct. 17, 1898
[People’s Press. 1 November 1898]
To Mr. J.J. Sidey, Welland, Ont.:
SIR: I beg most respectfully to address this letter to you, hoping that it may find you and respected family in as good health as this leaves me at present. I was living with my son in Liverpool. They used me well, but I found it lonely; he always at sea and his wife constantly employed every day. I thought I would come to Chelsea. I like it very well. We all have the liberty we desire; only one roll call, at 9.30 p.m. Hyde park, Kensington park, St. James Park, Green park, Battersea park, within easy reach. We have beautiful grounds of our own. There are such beautiful walks and promenades and recreation grounds. The Thames embankment is just at the foot of our grounds. Everything is delightful; the parliament house and Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s cathedral, Trafalgar square, National gallery, art gallery, museums, &c.-lots of things to see and to amuse you. We have a good library and reading-room, with two billiard tables and several games to occupy our time.
I was very proud of Canada. She has done well. Sir. W. Laurier is very energetic. The prohibition was a grand thing, although if I was there I would vote against it. I know much misery is caused through drink. I have a pint of beer daily, and that is all. The times are in a ferment everywhere in church and state. While I was at Liverpool we had some correspondence with Mr. Tom Ray. I was glad to hear that Brother James Foster was well and doing well.
We had a very dry season in London. They are short of water in parts of the city. I go to Hyde park on odd Sunday to hear the discussions on Socialism and Hebrewism-a curious crowd of fanatics- but the grand carriage drive and bike and motor car are worth seeing. I like this place very much; every man has a room to himself, a table, a chair, shelves, a large box; no man to bother you; go out a la militaire or in your own plain clothes. Your meals are brought to you hot-coffee mornings, tea evenings. We have fruit pies in season; extas, Yorkshire pudding, &c.
I conclude and beg to remain truly
Your sincere well-wisher, M. Blake.
Wainfleet News
[Welland Tribune, 28 January 1898]
On Thursday of last week, Jan. 20, one of the oldest and best known citizens of the Niagara peninsula, in the person of Edward Henderson, of the township of Wainfleet, passed over to the silent majority at the good old age of 95 years.
Deceased was born in the county of Sligo, near the city of Sligo, Ireland, in the year 1802. Coming to Quebec in the year 1829, he pushed his way up the great lakes and through the lone and desert wilderness of Upper and Lower Canada to the Niagara peninsula. At that time the Welland canal was being constructed, and during the years 1830, 31-32 he was being engaged as foreman on the said canal between Welland Junction and Port Colborne. Later Mr. Henderson and the late Arch. Galbraith of Stromness, father of T.J. Galbraith of Port Colborne, were foremen and contractors on the Welland Canal feeder under the firm of Collier & Bate. The firm met with financial difficulties and were unable to make payments leaving Mr. Henderson heavily indebted to the farmers of the surrounding district. However, being successful at all times, he soon discharged this embarrassment. In the latter part of 1833 he went to Toronto, known only at that time as Little York, where he met and married Jane Irwin, who died Aug. 16, 1874. This union proved an exceedingly happy one, and as a result ten children were born, eight of whom, six sons and two daughters, are still living. Leaving Toronto our subject traveled to Lockport, N.Y., where he was employed as foreman for Judge, Bissell & Clarke, merchant millers.
In the year 1837 he came to Wainfleet, thence to Marshville, when he was again on the survey of the Welland canal, and in this place he opened and taught in later years the first school. After the completion of the Welland canal feeder the Government of Upper Canada, recognizing his sterling worth and great ability, offered him the superintendency of the same, a position held at present by John Scott of Dunnville, but Mr. Henderson refused to accept and nominated therefor Frank Ramsey. During the summers of 1839-40 he was employed as culler of staves for Calvin, Cook & Counter of Kingston. Leaving Marshville again, in 1850, he purchased the farm where he lived until his demise, making as great a success of this profession as of others. Deceased was appointed bailiff of the second division court of the county of Welland in the year 1856, which post he held about thirty years, and at the time of his retirement was considered one of the oldest division court bailiffs in Ontario.
He was a life-long Conservative, had witnessed the rise and fall of many governments, both in this land and the old, and had seen four monarchs occupy the throne of Great Britain. His house was forever known throughout the county for its hospitality and the liberality of its master. His hand was always ready to assist the poor. Yet this remarkable man, who was more “bent to raise the wretched than to rise,” had accumulated sufficient of this world’s good and much more to give him comfort in his latter days. Until the last few weeks deceased enjoyed good health, when he was attacked by the grip, to which diseased he succumbed in the early hours of the 20th of January. The funeral was held on Saturday from his late residence and was largely attended testifying to the esteem and respect in which the aged gentleman was held.
The funeral obsequies were conducted by the Rev. A. Bonny, service being held in Christ church, Marshville, and interment taking place in the English church burying ground, Welland, where he was borne and laid to rest by his six sons. There were many beautiful flora offerings, including a pillow, an anchor, a cross and other designs –from the sons and daughters and other relatives and friends.
The surviving and mourning family consist of Edward Henderson of Ancaster, John Joseph, Charles, Richard and Robert Henderson of Wainfleet; Mrs. T.J. O’Neil of Port Colborne, and Miss Jane Henderson, who resided with her father.
[Welland Tribune, 26 August 1898]
At noon on Tuesday, 23rd inst., John G. Spencer, an old and well-known resident of Welland town, after a long illness, passed over to join the great majority gone before.
Mr. Spencer was a native of his county, having been born on the Quaker road near Fonthill in 1825, and was therefore in the 74th year of his age at the time of death. All his long life had been spent in this place and vacuity. His father, the late Thomas Spencer, died only some eight or ten years ago, having attained a relatively advanced age. The Spencer family, though some of them came from the States to Canada, are of English descent, and the ancestors of deceased were leading members of the Society of Friends in their time.
Our subject, John G. Spencer, had a good veterinary practice until the infirmities of advancing years interfered. He was a man of strict integrity, and had many friends.
In politics he was an unswerving Liberal, through good and through ill report. He leaves a widow, five sons, and six daughters. The sons are John G., Richard, James, William and Orin, several of whom live in Buffalo. The daughters are all married, as follows: Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Amos Guy, Mrs. Erastus Shultis, Mrs. John Holmes, Mrs. William Myers, all of Buffalo, and Mrs. John Kelly, at present of Lachine, P.QF
The funeral took place yesterday, (Thursday) interment at the Friends’ Burying Ground, Pelham. A large number attended to signify the deep respect in which deceased was held by those who knew him best.