- Almonte lost an outstanding citizen last Thursday afternoon, April 7th, in the death of Dr Joseph Tweeddale Kirkland, district magistrate, former postmaster and town clerk.
Early in December Dr Kirkland underwent an operation in the Civic Hospital Ottawa, from the effect of which he failed to rally. His death came as a great shock to a host of friends throughout this part of Ontario.
The late Dr. Kirkland was one of the ablest magistrates in the Province and his passing is a distinct loss to the legal profession.
Pleasing Public Speaker
Dr Kirkland was a pleasing public speaker and a writer of note. Readers of the Gazette are familiar with some of his contributions to the columns of the paper on historical subjects. It is safe to say that no one had a wider knowledge of those events that made history in years gone by. He was a prolific reader and a delightful conversationalist. Perhaps it could be summed up best by saying that Dr Kirkland was a most charming man with a personality that radiated good fellowship. His like will never be seen again and his loss to the town is tremencous. Flags on the town hall, Almonte and the court house, Perth, flew at half mast as a tribute to the great man who has passed away.
He was born in Sparta, Ont, in 1867, a son of the late Henry Kirkland and his wife Sarah Louise Tweeddale. Following his primary education he attended Trinity College, Toronto, where he graduated in 1887 as the gold medalist of his class, with the degree of bachelor of Civil law. In 1898 he was called to the bar with the degrees of L.L.B. and D.C.L. For several years he was lecturer in the law faculty of Trinity College and it is interesting to note that two of his contemporaries of that day were Goldwin Smith and Cheif Justice Horace Harvey of Alberta.
Practised in Windsor
For a time Dr Kirkland practised law in Windsor when that city was a comparitively small place. In 1892 he came to Almonte and practised his profession most successfully until his appointment as postmaster. On Dec 20th he was made twon clerk, apost he continued to occupy until May 1, 1921, when he resigned. he served as police magistrate for a number of years and when the present system of district magistrates became effective he continued to fill that position. After holding the position of postmaster for 27 years Dr Kirkland resigned in compliance with the regulations demanding that a district magistrate give his full time to the position.
In fraturnal circles he was a member of Mississippi Lodge A.F.&A.M. No 147 and in 1911 and 1912 was presiding master of the lodge. Interested in all forms of sport, he was a member of the bowling and curling clubs of the town. He was also an active member of the 100 club.
Dr Kirkland was twice married. His first wife Margaret Johnston, died in 1906, leaving five children. Hal of Almonte; John of Schumacher; Maurice of Oshawa; Mrs Arthur Cotton of Windsor and James who was killed in the Great War of 1918.
In 1909 he married Susan Magdalen MacGregor, who survives him. Also surviving are two brothers, Frank of Colorado Springs, Col, and Harry of Lancaster, Pa. He was predeceased by one brother, Robert of Dutton, Ont and one sister, Mary.
Accomplished Musician
Dr Kirkland was a musician of rare ability, being especially proficient on the pipe organ. His library is one of the most extensive in the Ottawa Valley.
The funeral was held Saturday afternoon from his late residence, William Street, with only the immediate friends of the family present. Interment was in the Auld Kirk Cemetery. Rev A.J. Terrill, former Trinity United Church minister here and now of Grafton, Ontario conducted funeral services at the family home and graveside. the pallbearers were three sons, Hal, John, and Maurice; two nephews, Harry and Thomas Warner of Ottawa, and a son-in-law, Arthur Cotton.
Tribute From Bench
At the opening of the county court session, Monday, Magistrate Lester Clayton paid the following tribute to the late Magistrate J.T. Kirkland of Almonte, who passed away last Thursday. "I am sure that all who knew him will be deeply shocked and greived to hear of the death of Dr Kirkland, magistrate of Lanark county. A cultured gentleman of the old school, he had thorough knowledge of the law but his decisions were always pempered with a keen understanding of human nature. He was well known for his kindness and unfailing courtesy and his death is a distinct shock to the magistrate's bench of the province. He was an example of British justice at its finest and best. the sincere sympathy of the court officials and constables is extended to his family in their great loss.
|
1867 - 1938 (70 years)
