- 1926, Friday May 14, The Almonte Gazette front page
John W. Neilson
Mrs John Stewart, of Appleton writes as follows to the Gazette:
It seldom falls the lot of your correspondent to chronicle a death which had caused such widespread sorrow and sympathy as that of Mr John W. Neilson, who passed to the "Great Beyond," on Sunday morning at his home in Almonte. Mr Neilson was in his 68th year. He was born, and raised on the farm now occupied by his third son, John B. Neilson. About nineteen years ago he bought from his youngest brother, James, the Elm Dale Farm, now occupied by his second son, William H. Neilson. On that farm he made a real home, until four years ago, when Mrs Neilson failing health caused them to abandon the strenuous life of the farm, and move into Almonte. Since that time his own health had been giving anxiety to his friends. A stroke of paralysis last Monday evening of last week, brought his useful life to a close. He leaves to mourn his passing, besides his wife, five sons, George, William H. and John B. of Ramsay, Gordon of Winnipeg and MacFarlane of Chatham. Two daughters, Laura and Elsie predeceased him. He is also survived by his youngest brother, James, of Toronto, and two sisters, Annie, Mrs Alec Turner, of Ramsay, and Maggie, Mrs Robert Karr of Vancouver. A younger sister, Jean, Mrs Wood, died in Haileybury, some years ago. Mr Neilson was a Presbyterian in religion and a Liberal in politics. He was a prince of good neighbours, absolutely honourable and upright in all his dealings, genial, friendly and hospitable, doing a good deed whenever, and wherever possible. We mourn the passing of a type of man not often met with in this age. The sympathy of this community goes out to Mrs Neilson and family in their great bereavement. Another correspondent of the Gazette writes: "It was very sad to lose John W. Neilson. He was a rare type of man. He had simple, unassuming ways, and neither affectation nor ostentation had any place in his life. He was all genuine. Friendliness and consideration for others were conspicuous traits of his nature. The art of being kind ? the most needed art in all the world ? was the one in which he was most proficient, and many there are who bear witness to his gracious deed of kindness and to his warm sympathy in time of trouble. "When he retired from farming he still kept in close touch with his boys who remained on the farms, and at the same time his two sons who were absent from the home circle were not forgotten, for they found in his numerous letters a faithful chronicle of the doings of the folk at home. He missed sadly his daughter Laura who died in 1902 when she was only 18 years of age. Another daughter died in infancy." The funeral was held from his late residence on Church street, and the large attendance indicated the esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. The floral tributes were numerous and very beautiful. The service was conducted by Rev Edwin Preston of the Presbyterian church. Interment was made at the Aud Kirk Cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs Robt Woods, George Neilson, John Simpson, William Simpson, Herb Simpson and John Metcalfe. Friends from a distance included Mr and Mrs Wm Scott and Miss Florence Scott, Sault Ste Marie; Mrs Robt Woods, New Liskeard; Mr Geo Neilson, Toronto; Mr and Mrs J. Forgie and Miss Sarah Neilson, Renfrew; also friends from Arnprior, Ottawa and Carleton Place etc.
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1858 - 1926 (~ 67 years)
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