[People’s Press, 1 June 1915]
On Friday, May 28th, the remains of Elizana Buchner, relict of the late John Marshall of Crowland, were interred in Doan’s Ridge Cemetery. Service was held at the homestead and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Turnbull of Crowland Presbyterian Church, of which congregation she had long been a member.
Mrs. Marshall was born in the township of Crowland, on February 18th, 1841, of United Empire Loyalist descent, the daughter of the late John Bender Buchner and Jane Learn. She was 74 years, 3 months and 7 days of age at the time of her death. Her husband predeceased her within a few days of eleven years.
There are left to mourn the loss of a kind and faithful mother, five sons and one daughter, namely, W.S. of Vancouver, B.C; John C. of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Arthur W. and Warren W. at home; Edward E. of West Lorne, Ont., and Ella, wife of James Ives, Chippawa, who were all present at the obsequies. The five sons and son-in-law bore the casket to the grave, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends.
Mrs. Marshall also leaves twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild; also one brother, Alem Buckner of Tonawanda, N.Y., and one sister, Mrs. George Storm of Humberstone, to mourn a void and loss which is irreparable.
Was Division Court Clerk and Prominent Citizen
ONE OF OLDEST RESIDENTS
[People’s Press, 20 April 1915]
[PHOTO: Hattie Belle and W.J (Bud) Livingstone taken by Welland photographer, Caleb Swayze, circa 1885]
John Malcolm Livingstone, one of Welland’s oldest and best known citizens, passed away early Friday morning in his 67th year. Deceased had been ailing for some years, but heart trouble, which set in three weeks ago, was the cause of death. Our subject was born in Norfolk County and came to Welland with his parents when ten years of age. After residing here a few years he went to Pelham. Forty-two years ago, immediately after his marriage to Emily Kelsey, he returned to Welland and has resided here ever since. For the past 32 years he has been connected with the piano and music business here. Deceased was a life-long Conservative and received the appointment of division court clerk a year after the change of the Ontario government, holding this office until his death. He is survived by a widow, two sons, W.J. Livingstone and Frank Livingstone, one daughter, Mrs. Wm. Doney, one sister, Mrs. R. Skinner of Allanburg and three brothers, G.C. Livingstone and J.H. Livingstone of Allanburgh and M.E. Livingstone of Collins, Sask.
The funeral took place at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Service was conducted at his late residence, 164 Division street, and interment was made in Fonthill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 25 March 1915]
After enduring the trials of a confirmed invalid for 23 years, Robert Willson died at Fort Erie on Sunday at the advanced age of 86 years. The funeral took place on Tuesday, just two weeks after that of his brother, the late Levi Willson of Thorold township. Paralysis was the cause of death. His wife predeceased him by some years. One son, W.F. Willson of H.M.C, and one daughter, Miss Jennie Willson, both of Fort Erie, survive.
Arthur Willson of Thorold twp. and C.B. Willson of Welland, attended the funeral on Tuesday.
[Welland Tribune, 28 September 1915]
A number of motorists have contributed to the police court coffers this week for exceeding the speed limit, and half a dozen bicyclists have been fined for riding on the sidewalks. A couple of drivers of rigs have also contributed for violation of traffic law.
Alex Sherbeck, charged with theft of $51 from a fellow employee at the Billings Spencer plant, was committed for trial by Magistrate Burgar yesterday morning. He is defended by H.R. Morwood and T.D. Cowper appearing for the Crown.
Little Fellow’s Sad Death
[Welland Tribune, 28 September 1915]
A bright young life passed away Sunday morning, in the death of Willie Wright, only son of Mrs. S. Wright, Division Street. The little fellow was stricken with diphtheria a few days ago, and put up a strong fight for life, but with the best of medical skill and tender nursing his little body could not withstand the shock, and he passed to the great beyond. Willie would have been six years old in January. He was an exceptionally bright lad of his years, and was a general favorite with all who knew him, both old and young.
Died: 25 September 1915
[Welland Tribune, 28 September 1915]
Mrs. D.D. Ostrander, half sister of Mrs. Henry Hederick of Welland, Mrs. Burkett of Low Banks and Thos. Wallace of Buffalo, died recently at Lakeview, Mich. Following is an extract from a paper published in that place:-
Caroline Wallace was born in Stafford, Canada, August 13, 1834, being at the time of her death 81 years, eight months and five days old.
She was married to D.D. Ostrander May 21, 1853 at Niagara Falls, when 19 years of age.
To this union 10 children were born, one dying in infancy. The deceased was always a hard working woman, spending her time and strength in caring for her home and family, and doing whatever she could to help others.
They moved to their present home near Lakeview 36 years ago; when the county was comparatively new, and by hard work, made for themselves a comfortable home. Besides her aged husband, she leaves nine children, Mrs. Geo. Dell of Weldman; Mrs. Thos. Graham of Fremont; Mrs. Chas. Witheral of Lakeview; Mrs. Frank Johnson and Mrs. Clarence Elfritz, near Lakeview; John of Muskegan; D.W., James and Dell, also residing near Lakeview, all being present at the time of her death.
Besides her children she leaves 31 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren to mourn her departure, and many other relatives and friends.
[Welland Tribune, 28 September 1915]
Mr. and Mrs. S.K. Brillinger, 161 Bald St., announce the engagement of their daughter Bessie to Mr. Omand of Guelph, marriage to take place Oct. 11, 1915.
WELLAND PIONEER PASSES AWAY
Death of Levi Willson, Lifelong Resident, in 81st Year
RECALLS DAYS OF LONG AGO
[People’s Press, 9 March 1915]
A lifelong resident and one held in the highest esteem by the entire community passed away on Saturday morning in the person of Levi Willson, a resident all his life of a farm just north of Welland town in Thorold township.
Deceased, who was in his 81st year, was born on the farm where he died. His father, Richard Willson, was a U.E. Loyalist who came here from New Jersey and secured the land directly from the Crown, the family being still in possession of the Crown patent. At one time the father of deceased owned the land as far south as the river, now a part of Welland and it can be said that he was the first resident of our present thriving community. At that time this district held but a few scattered people. Richard Willson had to load a bag of grain across his horses’ back and go, with his gun across his shoulder, to Niagara on the Lake to have it ground into flour.
The memory of Levi Willson went back to the time when a big bear invaded their barn yard and tried to carry off a hog, the father and sons dropping the animal with their guns.
Deceased suffered an attack of pneumonia two years ago and never afterwards fully regained his health. Since last summer he has been failing rapidly.
Mr. Willson was a Liberal in politics, was prominently connected for many years with the Agricultural Society and was an active temperance worker. While he never sought public office, he was one of the solid citizens of the community and a man of sterling integrity. In religion he was a member of the Hixite Friends church. He is survived by a widow, Melissa Jane Williams of Allanburg; two sons, Arthur of Thorold township and Charles B. of Welland, and two daughters, Mrs. H.R. Dawdy of Welland and Miss Eve at home. Two children predeceased him, Richard two years ago, and Mrs. Roy, Mabel, Page seven years ago. He is also survived by one brother, Robert of Fort Erie, six years older than deceased, who has been an invalid for many years.
The funeral takes place today. Service will be held at the house at 2 p.m., and interment will be made in the Friends burying grounds, Pelham.
[Welland Tribune, 3 June 1915]
Elizabeth McLaren, wife of Peter McIlvride, died at her home at Chantler on Sunday, after a long illness.
Deceased was born in Scotland and had been in this country about 10 years. She is survived by her husband, six sons, James, Robert, Donald, and John of Welland and Alexander and George of Saskatchewan; three daughters, Mrs. Wm. Bacon of Welland, Mrs. Gilmour, Blantyre, Scotland and Miss Margaret at home.
The funeral took place on Tuesday from her late residence at Chantler, and interment was made at Fonthill cemetery. Rev. J.D. Cunningham of Welland conducted the services.
The pall-bearers were:
James, Donald, John and Robert McIlvride, sons: Peter McIlvride (grandson) and W. Bacon, son-in-law.
[People’s Press, 15 January 1915]
The marriage took place on Wednesday evening, Jan.6th, 1915, at the Methodist parsonage, Dunnville, of Miss Fleeta B. Rounds and Mr. A. Abraham, both of Dunnville. Rev. Dr. S.A. Laidman, M.A., Ph.D., performed the ceremony. The bride is well known in Welland town and county, being connected with two of the oldest and most respected families. Since residing in Dunnville she has conducted a large and successful millinery business and has made many warm friends. Mr. Hendershot spent several years of his life in the town of Welland, and we reprint below what one of the Welland papers said of him when he left Welland under the heading “Welland’s First Mayor.”
“A. Hendershot, the first mayor of Welland town, was born in Pelham township on the Hendershot homestead, the farm settled on by his grandfather a century and a quarter ago, a farm of two hundred acres still held by the family and on which four generations of Hendershots have lived. It was in 1861 that Mr. Hendershot and his brother, J.H. Hendershot began a mercantile business in Welland. These young men for a number of years following carried on a large general store in the only brick business block then in the town. This property which was then theirs is now owned by J.H. Burgar. Besides their store business they were extensively engaged in dealing in wood, lumber, timber and grain sending each year over $50,000 worth to American markets, which was a large item for distribution of money in the district about Welland. They owned a large wharf and storehouse on the canal where they received all the merchandise shipped here by water. Other merchants in Welland and surrounding places took advantage of these facilities. Hendershot Brothers were among the first to ship a cargo of grain to a foreign market. After his brother had removed from Welland, Mr. Hendershot turned his attention largely to real estate. In 1878 he built and owned forty-two dwellings and business buildings in the town. He had one hundred acres of land in the corporation which he laid out in streets, lots and a park. A census of Welland taken at the time by J.D. Strawn, showed the population to be 3250, which is more than a thousand in excess of the population shown by the last assessment roll. We need not refer to the depression that set in at that time. The loss sustained by holders of real estate is a matter of history. Up to 1876 Mr. Hendershot had been a member of council and high and public school boards for several years. In 1876 and 1877 he was elected Reeve and during the latter term the municipality was incorporated as a town. At the end of the year a convention was called to elect a candidate for the office of Mayor.
The late Dr. Frazer, M.P., and the Hon. J.G. Currie, M.P.P., were invited to be present. The last named was chosen chairman and after several names were brought before the convention, including that of the Honorable Richard Harcourt, a ballot was taken, and four remained in the contest, which was one of the fiercest in the history of Welland; Mr. Hendershot was elected and had thus the honor of being the first Mayor of Welland town. As well as setting the government machinery of the new town in motion, and seeing to its running, Mr. Hendershot acted as Police Magistrate. When he stepped down and out from the council he was given an extra one hundred dollars and presented with a very flattering resolution.”
“It is due Mr. Hendershot to add the following facts. During the three years he was at the head of Welland’s Municipal affairs, he represented the town’s two terms in the County Council, and also acted as Police Magistrate. This was during the enlargement of the Welland Canal, and there being a large number of men employed in and around Welland, made it necessary to have three policemen in uniform placed under his charge. During those years his Magistrate’s record books shows that over 400 cases were brought before him, which he tried and disposed of. In all this large number of cases only one was ever appealed, and not one of his decisions were reversed. In the enlargement of the canal, they closed up the old canal that furnished the only water power for Welland, and Mr. J.J. Sidey and Mr. Hendershot were appointed to go to Ottawa and lay the matter before the government showing the injustice done Welland. After a long interview the government was induced to place in the estimates $30,000 to build a raceway, which has furnished the water power for Welland ever since. During all the many years Mr. Hendershot was in the mercantile business in Welland, he bought all his goods in Montreal, which city he visited twice a year, and during these visits he became interested in the Young Men’s Christian Association of that city. He induced Mr. Anderson, a leading man in that association, to come and help start a branch in Welland. In order to organize, a meeting was called in the Baptist church, attended by the leading men of the different churches. Mr. Hendershot was elected president which position he held for three years. He was also superintendent of the Sabbath school two different times. It is apparent that notwithstanding his busy life he did not neglect doing something for his native town toward bettering its condition. If nothing else, he takes pride in these two facts-first, although his financial transactions were many and on a large scale extending over 30 years, no one in Welland can say he owes them one dollar, second- he takes pride in the fact he was elected to every office in the gift of the people of Welland who knew him all his life.
Since Mr. Hendershot has become a citizen of the town of Dunnville, he has occupied his time in improving and beautifying a small farm adjoining the town, which he has laid out in lots, and what was a few years ago a rough and unsightly piece of ground in the surrounding country, this, together with being buyer and financial manager of the F.B. Rounds millinery and Fancy Dry Goods business in Dunnville, has occupied his attention since he left Welland.”-Dunnville Chronicle.
[See related article on EARLY CITIZENS: WELLAND’S FIRST MAYOR PASSES AWAY]
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