- 1904, Friday December 30, The Almonte Gazette page 4
Mr Andrew Wilson's Demise
One of Lanark County's Stal-Men Passes Away After Months of Suffering Patiently Borne. After an illness of more than six months, Mr Andrew Wilson, sr., one of the most prominent men in the political and social life of Lanark county, passed away from a painful disease, gangrene. Mr Wilson was born in the parish of New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 20th of February, 1820. He migrated to this country with his father, Mr Jas Wilson, in 1825. His father settled on the farm on the 10th concession of Ramsay where the deceased resided until about twelve years ago when he moved to Appleton, where he has since lived, his son James, succeeding on the farm. They were preceded to this country by the deceased's two uncles, Messrs William and Robert Baird, in 1821. His father bought the farm on which he settled from the Canada company for eight shillings and nine pence per acre. His father died about fifty years ago being denied the pleasures of his labours when the hardships of pioneer life were passed. Mr Andrew Wilson over half-a-century ago married Margaret Bryson, sister of the late Robert Bryson and Mrs James Baird, of this town and of the late Hon George Bryson of Fort Coulonge. Mr and Mrs Wilson had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding about twelve years ago, but Mrs Wilson predeceased him about two years ago. To them were born four children, one of whom died in infancy. Maggie, the second eldest, who married Geo Newman, died about 21 years ago, Mary lives in their village home, to which the deceased retired about 12 years ago, and their only son, James, lives on the homestead. Mr Wilson was a man who took an active interest in the public affairs of the county. For more than twenty-five years he was a director of the N.L.A.S., was first vice-president for many years and served as president for a couple of years. He also held an honourable position in the municipal affairs of the county and township. He was township councillor for seven years and deputy reeve several times. He was reeve at the time when the reeves formed the county council. In 1890 he was census commissioner. In religion he was a Presbyterian, a member of St Andrew's church Appleton, and for many years, a manager and treasurer. In politics he was a Conservative and a great admirer of Sir John A. McDonald. The funeral took place Sunday afternoon and was largely attended. The pallbearers were Messrs R.W. Fumerton, Wm Paul, John Kirkwood, D. Dowling, Wm Garvin and John Stewart. Interment took place in the 8th line Ramsay cemetery. Mr Wilson was a stalwart gentleman of the old school, reared amidst the hardship of pioneer life. In day when characters were formed as strong as the hard ground from whence they drew their sustenance and more rugged than the lofty forest whose crashing fall betokened the advance of civilization. His actions all through life have been tempered with the straightforward honesty and justice of his father's time, which is unfortunately, rapidly becoming all too rare in our too greatly enlightened age. There passes away a man who will be greatly missed for he was greatly admired.
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1819 - 1904 (85 years)
