Showing 82 results

Event Date : Friday, April 22, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : William Cyril Selby, whose pioneer ancestors in York County became early settlers in West Gwillimbury, died in York County Hospital on April 22, following a coronary. He was the last surviving member of his family to reside in this area. Born on the 9th Concession of West Gwillimbury, 76 years ago, Mr. Selby served throughout the years of the First World War with heavy artillery. Returning after the war, to the farm of his birth, he made his home there, and that farm his life interest, until 1960, when he purchased a home on Church Street and retired to Bradford. Of a quiet and kindly disposition, he was liked by his neighbours and other friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Anglican Church. The story of the Selby family is one which reminds us of the early history of this area, his great-grandmother having been Isabel Sutherland, a Selkirk settler, and another grandparent being a U.E. Loyalist. Mr. Selby was predeceased by two brothers, Mr. Ernest Selby and Percy, one time reeve of West Gwillimbury, and by a sister, Mrs. Roy Kneeshaw (Mary). Two sisters survive him, namely Mrs. Lena B. Selby of Asbury Park, N.Y., and Mrs. Thomas (Stella) of South Orange N.J. The funeral service was held in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Coulson's Hill, with the services being conducted by his rector, Rev. W. H. Warnica, and interment in St. Paul's Cemetery. The pallbearers were Dr. Selby Kneeshaw, Messrs. Carl Bowles, Keith Bowles, Victor Sloane, John Fennell and Sam Lee. Flower bearers were Messrs. Norman Bowles, J. L. Henderson, Waldy Crossland, Thos. Brown and Seward Lee.

A collection of items relating to Hon. Earl Rowe; Sir William Mulock; The World War I Roll of Honour and Veterans; The World War II Roll of Honour and Veterans; Soldiers of Simcoe County.

Event Date : Wednesday, March 26, 1958
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Petrolia, Ont.

Description : A former resident of Bradford, Mr. A. C. W. Soper, died at his home in Petrolia on March 26 following a paralytic stroke. He was 86 years of age. Born in London, England, he came to Canada when 17 years of age, first making his home with a brother in Russell, Manitoba. In 1899, at the outbreak of the South African War, he enlisted at Winnipeg and served as a Lance Corporal in the Boer War. For many years he was a commercial traveller for Canada Packers Co., and other firms throughout Ontario. His first wife was the former Eva Edmanson of Bradford, and after his retirement, for a number of years, Mr. and Mrs. Soper resided in the old Edmanson home on John Street west in Bradford, until after Mrs. Edmanson's death. His second marriage was to Mrs. Isobel Hill of Bradford, and shortly after this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Soper moved to Shelburne. They had lived in Petrolia since last August. Mr. Soper was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Russell, Man., and joined the Royal Arch Chapter in England in 1906. He is survived by his widow, Isabell Soper, two daughters, Mrs. Howard Vallat (Doria) of Toronto, and Mrs. Wm. Mann (Caroline) of California; two step-daughters, Mrs. John Eakens, Sarnia, and Miss Rita Hill, with the U.N. staff in Egypt. Following a private funeral service at the residence in Petrolia, conducted by Rev. W. R. Parson, rector of Christ Anglican Church, funeral services were held at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home in Bradford, conducted by Rev. R. Woolley. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Wednesday, May 18, 1955
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Matlock, Bath, Derbyshire, England

A former well known resident of this district passed away recently at Matlock, Bath, Derbyshire, England, in the person of George Washington Stoddart. The late Major Stoddart was born on March 5, 1877, the youngest and last surviving child of Robert Stoddart, and Sarah McConkey Stoddart, his wife. His early education was obtained at Middletown School and later at Bradford. Early in his career he became interested in military affairs and enlisted in the 36th Peel Regiment under the command of Lt.-Col. Tyrwhitt. He trained at Stanley Barracks, Toronto, and Wolsley Barracks, London, and rose to Captain of his Regiment. He offered his services in the South African War but his services were declined because of the small number of enlisted men taken from Canada. On June 4, 1902 he married the late Pearl Wood, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Wood of Bradford. The issue of this marriage are Winston and George Stoddart. He served on the Council of the Village of Bradford and was subsequently Reeve. Under his Reeveship, Hydroelectricity was first installed in Bradford. He constructed a number of houses in the Village, principally on Barrie Street. He was a lover of trees and many of the fine maple trees on the Village streets were planted during his term of office on the Council. On the outbreak of World War I he offered his services. Early in 1915 he went Overseas with the 74th Battalion. He lost a leg during the War, but returned to Canada only in 1919. Mrs. Pearl Wood Stoddart died on March 6, 1926. In 1943 he married Bernice Hardstaffe of Matlock, Bath, England, who survives him, as well as a daughter, Georgina, by his second marriage. In 1938 he went to England, making his home there until his death on May 18 last. He visited this country several times since the end of World War I and was keenly interested in Bradford and vicinity.