[Welland Tribune March 11, 1940]
Death Comes to Agnes Ethelwyn Wetherald In her 83rd Year; The funeral on Tuesday.
Fenwick, Ont. March 11- Death had ended the career of one of Ontario’s most renowned and well loved women in the person of Miss Agnes Ethelwyn Wetherald, distinguished poetess and writer. Miss Wetherald passed away early Sunday morning succumbing to an attack of pneumonia.
Deceased was a daughter of William Wetherald and Jemima Harris Balls of Rockwood, Ont., where she was born on April 26, 1857. She was the sixth child in a family of 11 children, of which she was the sole survivor. Her maternal grandparents were Irish while her father was English coming to Canada from Yorkshire in 1820. Mr. Wetherald established in 1851 a boarding school at Rockwood , it later became known as Rockwood Academy, from which graduated many distinguished men. He later resigned his principalship to become superintendent of Havergal College, near Philadelphia, returning a few years later to settle on the farm near Fenwick. Known as “The Tall Evergreens.” where he became an ordained minister of the Society of Friends. He had a fine mastery of English which he imparted to his family and it was in this home and under the fine tutelage of her father that Miss Wetherald receiver her early education. Later she attended The Friends Boarding School at Union Springs, N.Y., and subsequently Pickering College, Ontario.
Literary Career
As a writer, Miss Wetherald won her first prominence in the years 1887-88-89 when she contributed articles frequently to The Globe at Toronto. Each article was about a column in length and was signed by the mon de plume of Bel Thistlewaite, a contraction of the maiden name of her paternal grandmother. In June 1889, Miss Wetherald was requested by the editor to come to Toronto to write “Notes and Comments” and an occasional editorial. The editor was John Cameron.
The following year Mr. Cameron resigned and returned to London, Ont., where in 1890 he founded a small monthly magazine titled “Wives and Daughters” and Miss Wetherald became assistant editor. This little magazine continued publication for three years during which time Miss Wetherald capably wrote nearly all the editorials, as well as the book reviews and was responsible for selected poetry, the children’s department etc. It was during those years in London that Miss Wetherald began writing her exquisite lyrics and sonnets, which have since charmed so many readers. By 1895 she had enough for her first book. “The House of the Trees,” and other poems. In 1902 appeared “Tangled in Stars,” and in 1904, “The Radiant Road,” In the autumn of 1907 a larger collection of her verse was published in Toronto, “The Last Robin; Lyrics and Sonnets,”
Miss Wetherald returned to her home in 1893, going to Philadelphia in the winter of 95-96 as assistant to Francis Bellamy the literary editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal. Her chance to assist Forrest Morgan, one of the editors of the “The World’s Best Literature” came about through correspondence. He had written in praise of her “Wind of Death” and later asked her to be his assistant, in which capacity she acted for nearly a year and included in ne of his volumes five or six of her poems.
Active to the end
Miss Wetherald, in company with her brother, Samuel, travelled extensively before returning to the quiet life she lived of latter years. One by one her large family predeceased her and for a number of years she has left the shelter of her home only on rare occasions.
Happily engaged with her books, her writing and a large correspondence with friends far and wide, this quiet unassuming little woman with her keen intellect and wide interests in the affairs of the world of today lived out her life to a happy end. Although she left her home but seldom, many famous people renowned in the world of letters and art found their way to her door.
A complete edition of lyrics and sonnets containing every poem which Miss Wetherald wishes preserved and comprising 350 in all was arranged and published in 1931. John W. Garvin was responsible for the arrangement of this work. A couple of her better known poems also had the distinction of being a part of the public school readers in Ontario.
Miss Wetherald leaves to mourn an adopted daughter, Miss Dorothy Wetherald, two nieces, Mrs. R.D. Linden of St. Paul, Minn, and Mrs. Thomas Wollsright of San Franscico, California, one nephew, Rene Wetherald of St. Paul; and a host of sorrowing friends.
A private service for intimate friends will be held at the home on Tuesday, March 12th, at 3 o’clock proceeding to the Friends’ church at Pelham Corners for public service at 2.30 p.m. Burial will be in the Friends’ cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 13, 1940]
Glowing Tribune Paid to Long Life and Service
Fenwick, March 13-Friends and neighbors gathered on Tuesday afternoon to pay their last respects to Miss Agnes Ethelwyn Wetherald, who passed away early Sunday morning. A short service for intimate friends was held at the family home “The Tall Evergreens,” then the funeral cortege proceeded to the Friends church, Pelham Corners, for a public service. The pastor, Rev. Stanley Van Every, officiated.
It was fitting that the final ceremonies for Miss Wetherald should take place in the place so closely associated with the life of the Wetherald family. Here for many years Mr. Wetherald, father of the deceased preached for divine worship, and Miss Wetherald herself was always a faithful adherent.
Mr. Van Every paid glowing tribute to the long life of love and service of the one who had gone, she had not really died, as her spirit would live eternally in the many lyrics she left behind and which were so much a part of herself, the pastor stated.
Six friends of many years standing acted as bearers, Frank Page of New Dundee, Wm. Dorland of St. Cathareines, J. A. Daboll of Ridgeville, Stewart S. MacInnes of Welland, Walter McRaye of Grimsby and Louis Blake Duff of Welland.
After a short service in the church, the remains were reverently laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 13, 1940]
A friend upon whom I leaned heavily
Is gone, and I shall miss her counsels true;
Instead of friendly cheer, now dreacfully
A yawning gulf now widens ‘twixt us two
Yet was her soul eternal, let us say,
As all who walk God’s earth, on other hand,
And will she not arise, that certain day
When trumpets call His flock, from every land.
Until that day of meeting, let mine be
A life still lived on well, and selflessly,
Which she would quite approve if she could see;
I know that I a better life can lead
Because she was a friend indeed;
God answered well, when He, a prayer, did heed.
-Dorothy Evelyn White
[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]
The homestead trees are black tonight
Against the winter sky,
And all the happy, eager earth
Has blossomed but to die.
My heart was ever one to sing
With shining field and wood;
The blind and cruel and bitter way
It never understood.
But still above the evergreens
I see the stars burn bright;
And there once more my soul mounts up
Where it is always light.
-Fisher Davidson
[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]
Tribute Paid Memory of Poet, Former Pupil
Fenwick, March 12- A special assembly of staff and pupils of Pelham Continuation school was held on Monday morning to pay tribute to the memory of Miss Ethelwyn Wetherald, renowned poetess and to Miss Evelyn Berry a former pupil of the school.
Miss Wetherald had presented the school with an autographed copy of her last book of lyrics and sonnets, on February 15, 1933, and from this volume two poems were read: “Parting” and “The Soul Knows.”
It is not given to many communities to have the honor of claiming such a famous and well loved person as their own, and while she has passed into that great beyond of which she wrote frequently, her works remain a living monument to the memory of a gracious and lovely lady.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Fellow workers and members of the Welland Hydro Commission this morning attended in a body funeral services for Steve Lapka, whose death occurred at the Welland County General hospital last Friday from injuries incurred in the line of duty as a Hydro lineman last January 10.
The funeral was held from the J.J. Patterson and Sons’ Funeral Residence 19 Young street to St Mary’s church where requiem was chanted by Rev. Father Horvath, assistant pastor of the Church of our Lady of Hungary, of which deceased was a member. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery.
Pallbearers were all fellow workers, J. Taylor, A. Acaster, O. Brown, F. Hartmier, J. Sylie and N. Cobolak.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Many friends, including some from Wainfleet, Long Beach and Buffalo attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Horace Rathfon on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Rathfon died at her residence in Bethel on Thursday in her 61st year. The funeral was held from the late residence to First Lutheran church, Rev. Theo A. Iseler conducted the service. Interment was in Overholt’s cemetery.
During the service Misses Helen and Marguerite Climenhage sang the duet. “The Old Rugged Cross,” accompanied at the organ by Miss Minnie Boneberg, The pallbearers were Emanuel White, George Schleffel, George MacIntyre, Allan Steele, Gordon Doan and William Christmas, neighbors and friends of the deceased.
Among many beautiful floral tributes were those of the Ladies Aid of First Lutheran church and the Bethel Sunshine Class.
[Welland Tribune February 28, 1940]
The funeral of Mrs. Walter Neff, who passed away at her residence, 183 Ash street, Port Colborne, on Saturday, was held yesterday afternoon. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. Wilmer Steele and at the graveside by Rev. A Cusler. Interment was in the Mennonite cemetery Sherkston.
The pallbearers were Earl Michael, Amos Mitchener, George Young, Roy Sherk, Roy Cudney and George Schleffle. Among the many floral tributes attesting to the high esteem in which the deceased was held, was a beautiful floral piece from the Maple Leaf Milling Co.
The funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. Sherkston, Ridgeway and the Port Colborne and Humberstone district.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Wellandport, Feb.26- Wellandport’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Nancy Jamieson, widow of the late Emerson Jamieson passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sutherland on Friday, February 23rd. Deceased who was in her 91st year was a daughter of the late Mathias and Mrs. Robins and had lived her entire life in the townships of Wainfleet and Gainsboro where although of a quiet and home loving disposition she had endeared herself to a multitude of friends. Her husband predeceased her in 1920. To mourn she leaves two daughters, Zelia (Mrs. T, Sutherland) of Wellandport, and Minnie (Mrs. Wm. Nunn) of Fenwick also three grandchildren, John Henderson of Wainfleet, Charles Nunn and Mrs. Theodore Bowman of Fenwick, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was held this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, Wellandport; followed by interment in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville.
[Welland Tribune February 23, 1940]
Brother Ministers, Friends and Relatives Attend In Large Numbers.
Fenwick, Feb 23- The funeral of Rev. George A. Cropp, superannuated minister of the United Church of Canada, held at Beachville Saturday afternoon, was attended by a large concourse of brother ministers, relatives and friends. Following a private service at the family home, conducted by Rev. P.E. Deeth of Lynden and Rev. W.T. Rose of the Beachville United church, a public service was held in the United church., a public service was held in the united church. Rev. W. Rose conducted the service and assisting ministers were Rev. Roy Johnson, Merritton; Rev. R.R. Elliot, Wellandport, who read the scripture lesson, Rev. William Fingland, Niagara Falls, who represented the Niagara Presbytery, and led in prayer; Rev. D.R. Willliam S, Daniels, Jerseyville, past president of the Hamilton Conference, who represented the conference; Rev. R.M. Geiger of Welland and Rev. C. D. Draper of Tara, intimate friends of the deceased, and Rev Earl Eddy of Hagersville, who closed the service with prayer and the benediction. Other ministers attending were Rev. W.L. Davidson, Tillsonburg; Rev. J. Hampson, Fenwick; Rev W. S. Owen, Rev. N. Godfrey, Rev. F.R. Hendershot and Rev. J. M. Wright all of Brantford; Rev. R.A. Graham and Rev M.P. Smith of London; Rev. Clark Logan, Woodstock; Rev. C.D. Daniels, Ingersoll; Rev. J.A. Jewitt, Cainsville and Rev. J.F. Bewell, St Catharines.
The pall bearers were William Dorland, T.K. Mangnall, Benjamin Holland, Hugh Hacker, William Bremner and Herbert Bremner. Interment was in the Beachville cemetery.
A large number of relatives and friends were present from out of town to pay their last respects to a kindly and respected friend.
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