- 1927, Friday November 25, The Almonte Gazette front page
W.S. MacDowall Dies Suddenly while Visiting
Had Gone To Kingston To See His Son Ross Student At Queen's
Former Reeve of Almonte Had Successful Business Career.
Imposing Funeral On Wednesday Was Under Auspices of Mississippi Masonic Lodge.
Mr William Samuel MacDowall, a prominent citizen of Almonte, died suddenly at the Kingston General Hospital after a few hours' illness. He was 47 years of age. With some Almonte friends he drove on Saturday to Kingston to visit his son, Ross, who is a student at Queen's University. he was in excellent spirits and seemed to be enjoying the best of health. He saw the game between Queen's and Hamilton and, along with Ross, left for the latter's rooms, promising to meet his Almonte friends at six o'clock when they had arranged to leave for home. About 4.15 o'clock it was seen that he was seriously ill and was taken to his hotel. There a doctor examined him and ordered his removal to the hospital. From the first there was practically no hope for his recovery and he passed away a few minutes before 6 o'clock on Sunday morning. He had been unconscious when he reached the hospital and remained in that condition to the end.
The Funeral
The funeral took place on Wednesday and was under the auspices of Mississippi Lodge A.F. and A.M. No 147. The service was the house was conducted by Rev J.R. MacCrimmon. The pallbearers were six past master of the Masonic Lodge: Dr J.K. Kelly, W.C. Pollock, N. Washburn, John Lindsay, B.K. Gunn and John Aspinall. There was a very large attendance of mourners. The remains interred in the Auld Kirk Cemetery. The late Mr MacDowall was for many years an outstanding citizen of Almonte, and had been very successful in business. He was a manufacturer of confectionary and ice cream, and owned the building alongside the river in which his business was located. He was well known in Masonic Circles throughout the Ottawa district and was a Past Master of Mississippi Lodge. He was also a Past First Principal of Granite Chapter Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of Bethany United Church. He was keenly interested in Municipal activities and served for a number of years on the town council. He was also an ex-reeve and represented Almonte on the County Council of Lanark.
Native of Pakenham
Mr MacDowell was 47 years of age, the second son of Mr Samuel MacDowell, and his wife Mary Comba, of Pakenham Township, where he was born. In earlier life he had learnt telegraphy and was employed by the C.P.R he was for a time in Montreal. When he sold his business to Mrs Cassie Fraser about two years ago, he continued the telegraph agency which had been part of his business for many years. The death of his wife about six years ago affected him deeply and he had never enjoyed the best of health since. Three years ago he became seriously ill but he had been much better of late, and his sudden death was very unexpected. The surviving members of his family are his three sons, Ross, Donald and Dawson. Since the death of their mother they have been cared for by their aunt, Miss Gertrude Muir. He is also survived by his father, one brother, John of Pakenham, and three sisters, Annie, Mrs Malcolm Lamount, of Kinestinoo, Sask; Carrie, Mrs John Kedey, of Vancouver, B.C.; Margaret, Mrs Andrew Stewart, of Ramsay. Ex-Mayor W.J. MacDowall of Almonte, is an uncle of the late Mr MacDowall.
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1880 - 1927 (~ 47 years)
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