- 1890, Friday March 28, The Almonte Gazette page 4
?b?DEATHS?/b?
In Ramsay, March 23rd, Mr Eneas Toshack
1890, Friday March 28, The Almonte Gazette front page
?b?Another Pioneer at Rest?/b?
One by one the old settlers of Ramsay ? who, with courage and high hopes, came to this part in 1821 ? are dropping off. Very few of the first settlers are now left. The last one to leave us, in obedience to the stern demands of death, was Mr Eneas Toshack, who died on Sunday last at the age of 77. Deceased was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb 26th, 1813, and came to Ramsay with his parents when 8 years of age, in 1821. Some idea of the hardships may be gathered from the way in which they reached Ramsay. They came from Montreal to Prescott or Brockville in flat boats, rowed by Frenchmen. They were then conveyed to Perth in waggons, over muddy roads, full of deep ruts and bog-holes. A rough temporary road had been cut to Lanark, where there was a military post. many of the first settlers in Ramsay went first to Lanark, and then slowly and toilsomely made their way along the windings of the Mississippi till they reached the point they selected to settle. About 50 years ago Mr Toshack married Miss Margaret Wilkie (who survives him), and settled on the farm on which he died. Mr Toshack is the last of a large family but one ? Mrs Peter Cram, who lives with her daughter, Mrs Turner, in Carleton Place. Mr Toshack had a family of 11 children, of whom only 7 are living. Three of his family died within the past three years, all victims of that fell disease, consumption. The surviving members are James, living in Winnipeg; Mrs William Marshall, of Bracebridge; Andrew, on the homestead; Daniel and Greville, in New York; Robert, in Minnesota; and Eneas, in Toronto. Mr Toshack had generally been a healthy man, although he has been somewhat frail for the past few years. For many years he was an earnest colporteur of the Bible Society, being sent during several winters to visit the lumber shanties. He was an earnest Christian, and a warm supporter of the Presbyterian church, of which he was long a sincere member, and died in the full assurance of a happy issue out of all his troubles, and a blissful entrance upon the rest that remains for the people of God. Mr Toshack belonged to a very intelligent family. His father had been frequently employed in Glasgow as a lay preacher, and the deceased and all his brothers were well read and intelligent men. He was always an enthusiastic Liberal in politics. We tender the bereaved widow and family our sincere sympathy in their sorrow.
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1813 - 1890 (77 years)
