- 1903, Friday April 3, The Almonte Gazette page 8
Mr Gavin Hamilton Dead
One of Ramsay Township's Earliest Settlers and Most Useful Residents Called Away
The news on Monday morning of the death of Mr Gavin Hamilton, of Ramsay, came as a shock to his many friends. For some time he had not been enjoying robust health, but until a few weeks before his death he was able to be about and to attend to light duties around his home. On Sunday afternoon he was bright and cheerful, and chatted pleasantly with his brother, Mr Duncan Hamilton, and others who had called to see him, but before another morning had dawned the silver cord was loosed, and his spirit had taken its flight to Him who gave it. The deceased was born in Paisley, Scotland, and was the eldest son of a family of eight children. These are Dr John Hamilton, of Pompeii, Mich; Margaret (Mrs Frank Hall, Appleton), who died very suddenly some years ago; Martha (Mrs Robt Leishman), in Almonte; Thomas, in Huntley; Douglas, in Michigan; Ellen (Mrs John McCallum), Colorado, and Duncan, in Almonte. When about fifteen years of age he with his mother and brothers and sisters came to Canada to join his father who had come out a couple of years before, and being the eldest of the children upon him fell the duty of sharing with his mother the responsibilities of the journey. The family lived for a few years in Carleton Place, where his father, who was a tanner, followed his trade. He then went to Pakenham, where he continued in the same business, the family removing to Huntley township, and from that time forward following the business of farming. Mr Gavin Hamilton took up the same occupation, and went on to the farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life in 1855, in which year he married Margaret Neilson. To them a family of six children were born, one of whom died in infancy, and another, John, died about seven years ago. Those living are Thomas in Smith's Falls; James C., at Moose Jaw, N.W.T.; Mrs Robt Duncan, at Pilot Mound, and Marion at home. Mrs Hamilton and Mrs John Hamilton also survive. In his young days, Mr Hamilton did not have an opportunity of acquiring an education, as he never went to a day school and only attended a night school until he was eight years of age, after which he had to go to work. But what was lacking in that respect was made up for in his intelligence and good natural ability. He, early in life, began to take an interest in both municipal and political matters, and was widely read and well versed in the affairs not only of his own community and county, out of the country at large. He was appointed assessor of Ramsay in 1871, which office he held for nine years. In 1880 he resigned the assessorship and was elected to the council, and one year later he was chosen reeve, and for sixteen years served the township in that capacity. In 1887, the first year in which county councillors were elected to that office, Mr Hamilton was one of those chosen to represent Galbraith division, and was returned at each succeeding election until this year, when he sustained his first defeat in thirty-two year, and on that occasion his defeat was the result of overconfidence on the part of his friends In 1883 Mr Hamilton was elected warden of the county and discharged the duties of that office with his usual efficiency and with satisfaction to all concerned. While in the county council he was a member of the most important committees, and there, probably his best work was done, his sterling good sense and practical knowledge of details of county council matters being brought to bear with most beneficial results. The deceased was a Liberal in politics, and on more than one occasion his name was mentioned in connection with the candidature of North Lanark, but that was an honour he persistently declined. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and was for many years a much respected member of the session of St Andrew's church. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was attended by a large number who gathered to pay last tribute of respect to one whom in his lifetime they had esteemed and honoured. The pallbearers were chosen from among those with whom he had sat in county council. They were: Messrs Pattie and Cram, Carleton Place; Mrs W.J. Rintoul, Darling; and Messrs A.M. Grieg, and Geo W. Willoughy, Almonte, and Mr Adam Johnston, Ramsay, who acted in Mr C.H. Ferguson's place, he having been unavoidably prevented from attending. It is needless to say that the sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved ones, for no good man can go from any community without being missed, not only by his own family and friends, but the wider circle who have been helped by his life or benefited by his usefulness.
|
1828 - 1903 (74 years)
[1] 
