- Ottawa Citizen - May 10, 1937 - Bryson
At Spruceholm, Fort Coulonge on Saturday, May 8, 1937, George Bryson, MLC, in his 85th year. Funeral from his late residence on Tuesday afternoon, May 11 at 2 pm (standard time). Interment in Fort Coulonge cemetery.
Ottawa Citizen - May 10, 1937 - Hon. Geo. Bryson, Noted Canadian Figure, Dies; Lumberman and Banker
Dean of the legislative council of Quebec, of which body he had been an honored member for half a century. Hon. George Bryson passed away Saturday at his residence, Spruceholm, Fort Coulonge, Quebec. The noted politician and businessman and outstanding citizen, not only of his native community or province, but of Canada, died in his 85th year. He was of a very philanthropic nature and made many contributions, not only to his own church, but to many other churches throughout the district. At all times he took a keen and active interest in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church, with which he had been connected since childhood. His passing will undoubtedly be the cause of keen regret by all who knew him.
He was not only a public servant of single ability, but also a keen businessman and at various times in his life was connected with many of the important commercial concerns in the Dominion. His business acumen was of the highest order and his advice on matters of moment was frequently sought by those high in the mercantile world.
Mr. Bryson was a true Quebecer, a man whose sympathies were strong toward both races in his native province. It was frequently stated by his colleagues in the legislative council, in which he served under five sovereigns, 11 lieutenants-governor and ten prime ministers, that he was responsible in no small measure for the warm feeling of cordiality which radiates through the Upper Chamber.
When he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a member of the council in November of last year, Hon. Hector Laferte, in a statement in the Upper House at that time, said that it was a remarkable event, not only in Quebec, but in Canada, and perhaps the whole empire. He said that it certainly falls to the lot of a few men to spend a lifetime in one legislative body.
In 1931 he was sworn in as minister without portfolio in the Tachereau administration, a post he held until 1934 when he resigned. He was chosen to represent the English minority in Quebec.
The last of the second generation of Bryson's on the Upper Ottawa, George Bryson was born on the Bryson farm at Fort Coulonge on July 20, 1852, the son of George Bryson of Paisley, Scotland and his wife, Robina Cobb of Glasgow, Scotland, both of whom had emigrated to Lanark County, Ontario in 1821. He received his primary education at Fort Coulonge, later attending colleges in Toronto and Montreal.
Following his graduation from college, he entered the lumber business with his brother, the late John Bryson, MP under the firm name of J. and G. Bryson. The lumber business was not entirely new to this young man, his father having made a notable contribution to that industry for many years previous. In 1909, he became a director of the Fraser-Bryson Company.
In banking circles he was an esteemed figure. His father was one of the founders of the Bank of Ottawa at the time of it's inception.. During it's early days this bank was known as the 'Lumberman's Bank' for the reason that four of its early directors were directly identified with the lumbering business, while others had direct interests in that line.
At the time of the merger of the Bank of Ottawa and the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1919, Hon. Mr. Bryson was its president, an office which he held from 1914. During the time he was president the bank made rapid strides, and at the time of the merger there were branch offices across Canada. Following the merger, Mr. Bryson was nominated to the office of director of the Bank of Nova Scotia, an office which he filled with honor during the balance of his life.
In 1887 he was appointed to the legislative council, a body upon which his father had served with distinction for many years. Mr. Bryson Sr. was a Liberal member in politics. His son was a Liberal and throughout his entire lifetime was an ardent and worthy supporter of the party.
In church circles, coming as he did from a long line of Presbyterians, his work was well-known. He gave generously of his time and talents to the many demands made upon him for charitable work and supported freely his home church, St. Andrew's, Fort Coulonge. Local politics also proved of great interest to Mr. Bryson, and he was a former mayor of Mansfield and Pontefract.
He married the late Helen Craig of Glen Walter, Ontario in 1875. Her father, James Craig, represented Glengarry County in the Ontario legislature at the time of Confederation. She predeceased him in 1933. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bryson enjoyed the utmost popularity not only in their own community, but wherever they were known.
He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. J.H. Francis of Indian Head, Sask, and Mrs. Owen C. Toller of Ottawa. A sister, Mrs. Albert Boulter, of Fort Coulonge, died in February. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren; Miss Helen Cameron, who lived with Hon. Mr. Bryson at Fort Coulonge, J.B. Francis, Indian Head, Mrs. Curtis Bogart, Noranda, Miss Jean Moore, Master Bryson Moore, Mrs. Fred Bingham, Mrs. Arthur Henry Smith, Miss Nora Bryson, Master George Bryson, Miss Jean Bryson, Master George Toller, Master Eric Toller and Miss Joan Toller, all of Ottawa, one great-grandchild, Miss June Bingham, Ottawa and a son-in-law, Owen C. Toller of Ottawa.
The funeral will take place at 2 pm Tuesday to St. Andrew's Church, Fort Coulonge, and burial will be in the family plot there.
He was a keen sportsman and took great delight in hunting and fishing. He was an expert angler and whenever possible took the opportunity of going away with a few friends on a fishing trip. Another major interest in his life the Ottawa River Forest Protective Association, an organization which he served for many years as a director.
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1852 - 1937 (84 years)
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