- 1944, Thursday February 17, The Almonte Gazette, front page
W.H. Black Was Popular Figure
Former Almonte School Teacher Great Favourite With His Old Pupils
Following a lengthy period of illness, the death occurred in Toronto on Thursday, Feb 10th of Mr. William Hamilton Black, a former well-known resident of Almonte. He was born on the 7th line of Ramsay, 86 years ago, a son of the late James Black and his wife Janet Johnstone. Mr Black attended the local schools and while a young man went to the American West where he spent several years. He worked as a carpenter in the States of Utah, Colorado and California in the days when pioneer conditions existed and when the advice of Horace Greeley was being followed ? "Go West, young man and seek that better land." When he was in a reminiscent mood Mr Black sometimes talked of his experiences on the Western coast. While discussing newspaper work he once dropped the information that he was employed in the circulation department of the San Francisco Argonaut for a time.
Becomes A Teacher.
Returning to his own country. Mr Black resumed his academic studies graduating from the Ottawa Normal as a teacher. He had been a brilliant pupil at the Almonte High School standing High in the estimation of the late P.C. McGregor for that reason. Under these circumstances it was not surprising that he himself proved a most successful educationist. He taught in many places generally in the capacity of principal. Among these might be mentioned Arnprior, Pakenham, Whitby, Carleton Place, Marmora and Almonte. He was principal of the public school here for some years and is remembered affectionately by his old pupils as one who mingled kindness and humour with that degree of discipline necessary to succeed in the profession of his adoption. When Mr Black retired as headmaster of the local school he was appointed secretary of the Public Utilities Commission of Almonte, a position he filled with the upmost satisfaction up to some ten years ago when he retired and made his home in Toronto where his son Eric resided. Aside from his work he had many interest during his long life in this town. He was a great reader of good books and he liked to discuss public affairs. His ideas on such subjects were reflected in letter which he sent to the press. Many of them appeared in the Gazette and were written in the style of essays. They were read with great interest and especially by those who were personally acquainted with their author.
A Faithful Churchman.
A faithful and active churchman, Mr Black, a former Presbyterian, transferred to the United Church at the time of Union and worshipped with the Bethany congregation up to the time of his departure from Almonte. He served for years as clerk of the session and in other capacities on church organizations. For a time he also discharged the onerous duties of committee secretary in connection with the Auld Kirk Cemetery. Mr Black took a great interest in this last mentioned institution and on one occasion wrote an excellent history of this pioneer burying ground going to the personal expense of buying engravings to reproduce printed pictures of the new McLeod memorial entrance, the old church and other scenes. Among his donations to Bethany Church, outside of his liberal monetary contributions, was a fine brass name plate to be seen on the front of the building and a handsome pulpit lamp. After he left Almonte to live in Toronto, Mr Black kept in touch with his old friends through letters and occasional visits. He was always a cheerful conversationalist and people liked to see him back in the old town. For some years before he left he lived at the Hotel Almonte where he was a favourite with the proprietor, Mr Charles Tallon, the staff, other boarders and the travelling public. Shortly after the turn of the century Mr Black lost his wife, the former Anna Greig of Almonte. There was one son and one daughter, Eric Black who survives, and Marion, a clever young lady who died in a tragic level crossing accident about twelve years ago. This was a terrible blow to the father and it is doubtful if he ever fully recovered from it. There were nine members in Mr Black's family. Five brothers and three sisters predeceased him. They were: Walter, James, Gilbert, Robert and Charles; Margaret (Mrs A. Gilmour); Jessie and Agnes (Mrs E. Steele). The remains were brought to Almonte Saturday morning and deposited in the Auld Kirk Cemetery. The body was expected to arrive on the Pembroke local and a number of old friends had assembled at the station to pay a last tribute to the departed. It developed, however, that the train from Toronto to Ottawa had been late and the local did not wait for it. The remains were sent to Carleton Place on the pool train which leaves Ottawa shortly after the local and they were conveyed by motor hearse from that town to the cemetery, A service was conducted by Rev W. J. Scott of Bethany Church and the following acted as pallbearers: Messrs. J.B. Illingworth, L.B. Jamieson, Ed James, W.A. Metcalfe, N.S. Lee and W.C. Pollock. Out-of-town friends present for Mr Black funeral were: Mrs Marion and Mr Maurice McFarlane of Ottawa; Mrs May Colborne of Ottawa; Mrs R. Tomilson and Mr Charles Gilmour of Braeside. All above are nieces and nephews of deceased.
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1857 - 1944 (87 years)
