- #186
pg.823, 824
1957, Almonte Gazette, front page, Thursday April 11
Well Known Citizen Lost
Almonte lost one of its best known citizens in the death, Saturday night at the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, of William Caldwell Pollock. He was in his 92nd year and while in failing (health) somewhat physically, he had been out walking two weeks before his death and he had been confined to his bed only about 10 days.
Mr. Pollock was a very well preserved man and he retained his habitual cheerfulness and mental alertness to the end. He had a fine manner and was popular with the young people as well as the more elderly section of the town's population. He was interested in such sports as lacrosse, baseball and hockey and retained his enthusiasm in this respect to the end.
He conducted a general insurance business for 56 years and at the time of his retirement last August, when he sold to his nephew, Mr. R.A. Jamieson, QC, he enjoyed the distinction of being the town's oldest businessman in point of time and age. He had his office in the post office building - the same one in which he served as collector of customs until Almonte ceased to be a port in 1929. There he was to be found every business day, despite increasing years, carrying on as usual until he decided that the time had come when he must take it easy. The period of retirement turned out to be short - little more than six months.
Native of Lanark
Mr Pollock was born in Lanark Village August 4, 1865, the eldest child of Robert and Mary Ann Pollock. The family moved to Brockville in 1875 and to Almonte in 1880. He was educated in Brockville and Almonte Public Schoools and in Almonte High School under P.C. McGregor. He is the last of his high school classmates so far as is know some of whom were, Dr James Naismith, Dr R Tait McKenzie, Dr Welland Gemmill, Dr Peter Drummond, Mr Dan Drummond, Bruce Crusoe, Harold Jamieson, W.H. Stafford, Walter Lawson, James Steele, Robert Knowles, James Knowles, John McLaren and Leslie Ferguson.
In his holidays he worked for A. Caldwell and Son, who then operated a sawmill near what has always been called 'the Island' on the banks of the Mississippi River just above the Fair Grounds.
Mr Pollock returned to Lanark Village in 1883 to take charge of the lumber business of W.C. Caldwell. He came back to Almonte in 1884 to work in the office of the Victoria Woolen Mill better known as no. 2 mill, operated by Elliott and Shiriffs, later owned by Elliott and Company. He left the employ of the Ellioot and Co. mill to operate his own lumber yard in Almonte and managed the Merilees flour mill her and in Blakeney. He was named Collector of Customs, here in 1889, suceeding J.M. Munro, and continued in that position until 1929, when he was superannuated.
Continued in Business
Mr Pollock continued his general insurance business in Almonte as recorded above. He married Bertha Cole, daughter of J.K. Cole in 1890 and they celebrated their golden wedding in September 1940. He acted as Assessor in Almonte for 25 years and was the town auditor for the same period. He was a member of Mississippi Lodge, A.F. and A.M., Almonte and Granite Chapter of Royal Arch Mason. He held a 50 year Past Master jewel and a 50 year Past 1st Principal Jewel. He was a regular lodge attendant at both of these lodges for many years. His wife died in December 1940, and his oldest son, Robert died in 1900. His sons are Frank J. Pollock of Windsor and William W. Pollock, QC, of Carleton Place.There are two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mr Pollock was a long and faithful member of Almonte United Church and Bethany Church before Trinity merged with it. He was on the official Board; served on the Board of Managers, was member of the Cemetery Board and at the time of his death was still on of the church trustees.
The Funeral
The funeral was held from the Kerry-Scott Funeral Home, Elgin Streeet, Tuesday afternoon to the Auld Kirk Cemetery. In the absence of the regular United Church pastor, Rev Fred Williams of Carleton Place conducted the services. Pallbearers were:
Messrs Raymond A. Jamieson, QC, William A. Jamieson, H.B. Kirkland, Donald M. Cameron, Benson Cole, Ottawa and A.S. Hanna.
There were many relatives and friends from out of town especially from Ottawa, Carleton Place and Perth. Mr G.R. McLennan, formerly of Almonte and now clerk of the Supreme Court at Perth was among them as was Mr Pete Burchell of Perth, Liberal candidate in the forthcoming general election.
Among the beautiful floral tributes were pieces from the following:
Granite Chapter No. 61, Almonte; Bar Assn of Lanark County; Carleton Place Branch of the Canadian Legion No. 192; Management Canadian Bridge Co, Walkerville, Ont.; Board of Trustees, Almonte United Church; Corporation of Carleton Place; Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte; Western Assurance Company.
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1865 - 1957 (91 years)
