- Obituary - The Perth Courier Newspaper - Issue of Friday, July 1, 1921, page 8 -
McLean : "Gentle, good, and kind"; such was the character given to him by one of the officiating clergymen at the funeral services of the late Mr. William John McLean, of Rideau Ferry; and no better summary of any good man's virtues and disposition could be given than were expressed by these few words. This grand old man of North Elmsley, under the burden of eighty-nine years, gave way under their weight on Sunday last; but not until a life of usefulness, of benevolence and kindly helpfulness to his family and neighbors had been fully lived out, and he was fully ready and prepared for his reward in the better land.
Mr. McLean was a son of Dr. McLean, a native of Scotland, who after graduating in medicine and surgery in his native land entered the imperial service to serve professionally, and after the long wars in the early years of the last century settled in Canada, and on the Ferry road, near the lovely Rideau Lake, homesteaded a farm, and made it his home until he died. To him were born six sons and daughters, and after his death his widow and children moved to Perth, where the family were educated after the best manner afforded in the early forties and after at the Perth schools. Deceased was a man of full education, and this and his natural intelligence and general reading, brought him a fund of general information which made him a favored and desirable associate where ever he found himself. The same characteristics prevailed through the whole family, so that whatever community where any of them became a member was benefited by their presence, whether here or in the West, where some of them settled. Off all the family only one, Archibald, who lives beyond the Ferry, survives; and he at eighty-five years of age, is at such an advanced age, a fair exponent, like his brother just deceased, of what a clean, moral life can do for a man and the benignant legacy it entails at the feebler years of a long life.
Mr. McLean was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, an elder in the Ferry congregation, and as all his connections are and were, a staunch Liberal in politics, and his son David was on two occasions the candidate of that party in South Lanark for the local Legislature, and a niece married the late Mr. M. G. Cameron, M.P.P., for one of the Hurons. Mr. McLean was an intelligent and successful farmer, and as his sons grew to manhood, he provided each of them with a good farm when their intentions pointed that way. The second son, however, Thomas N., studied medicine, and in early years began practice at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and died there a few years ago. Mr. McLean married a daughter of the late Thomas Nichol, who died some years since, and their children were : John F., on the homestead farm; Thomas H., deceased; David, in Drummond; Adam, of Miller, Alberta; Mrs. George House, Leeds County; Mary at home, and Archibald B., of Bathurst. The funeral took place on Tuesday to the Rideau Ferry cemetery, and the services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Walker, pastor of the local congregation, and Rev. J. H. Miers, of Knox Church, Perth. The funeral was the largest ever held in the township, and the yard and the roads adjoining were lined with parked cars from all the townships around and from Perth, which had been freighted with neighbors and acquaintances anxious to pay their last respects to so good and esteemed friend. Among those present were two survivors of deceased early days -- Archibald, his brother, and Mr. Duncan Kippen of Perth, whose age last birthday was ninety years. These two, with Mr. William Richey, of Smiths Falls, also near his ninetieth year, all went to the same school master in Perth; and these are the only survivors. The casket was borne to the hearse and to the grave by six grandsons of deceased; and as the long procession moved to the old cemetery the soft sighing of the wind among the maple trees of the avenue, and the singing of the birds in their leafy bowers, were not an unpleasing accompaniment to the last tokens of respect which men and women were then offering to the life and memory of one who was the friend of all.
-----------------------------------
Ontario Death Registration - Lanark County, Division of North Elmsley, Registration # 018042-
says William John McLean was born at Perth on March 22, 1831. His father was John McLean (mother's name not given). It says his father was born in Engalnd & his mother was born in Scotland. William was a farmer. He died on June 26, 1921 at part lot 18, con. 6, of North Elmsley, at the age of 89 years, 6 months. The cause of death was old age and heart failure. He had been under the care of Dr. A. W. Dwyer of Perth, Ontario, from Jan. 1921 to June 26, 1921. The informant of his death was his son, David McLean, of Perth. William was buried at Rideau Ferry on June 28, 1921. The undertaker was Thompson & Blair from Perth.
|
1831 - 1921 (89 years)
