DUFFERIN COUNTY  -   FENIAN RAID

These are some items found in the newspapers referring to the Fenian Raid

(This page was last updated: Sunday December 17, 2006)

Orangeville Banner dated July 16, 1914 Page 6, Column 3
Their Golden Wedding. -- Mr. and Mrs. John Byers, of Marsville, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on Monday. A happy family reunion commemorated the event. Their sons and daughters - William Byers, Waldemar, James and Wesley Byers, Toronto, Mrs. Jos. McBride and Mrs. W. O. Nodwell, East Garafraxa - were all present as was Mrs. Byers' sister, Mrs. Ellen McKitrick, the bridesmaid of fifty years ago. Their family presented the happy couple with a handsome rocker and a rug in token of their hearty good wishes. Mr. and Mrs. Byers are both enjoying good health and look good for many years yet. Mr. Byers is a Fenian Raid veteran and received his $100 grant from the Ottawa government a year or so ago. The Banner joins the numerous friends in extending its good wishes and congratulations.

Orangeville Banner dated March 25, 1915 Page 6, Column 3
Major Douglas Dead - Major J. W. Douglas, barrister at law, for many years a resident of Shelburne, died at the home of Arch McNee, a well-known newspaper proprietor at Windsor, Ont., on Thursday, March 11th. Deceased was a native of Perth and was for many years senior officer in the 47th Perth Regiment and was a Fenian Raid veteran. He practiced law in Perth for several years before he moved to Rapid City, where he purchased a grist mill and saw mill, but his venture was not a success and he lost over $40,000 in the venture. Afterwards he returned to Ontario and settled in Shelburne where he practised his profession until he moved to Ottawa some years ago. For the last five years he resided in Windsor. He is survived by his widow and three sons, Ted, Reuben and James, who are all occupying important positions in banks and financial institutions. In politics the deceased was an ardent Conservative and a member of the Anglican church. He was 75 years of age. His remains were taken to his old home, Perth, for interment on Friday last. The bereaved widow and sons have the sympathy of a large number of old friends in Shelburne. -- Free Press

Orangeville Banner dated May 13, 1915 Page 3, Column 5
M. WILKINS DEAD. - Was One of Orangeville's Oldest Citizens and Fenian Raid Veteran. - Mr. Matthew Wilkins, one of Orangeville's oldest citizens, died at the family residence on Zina St. about 8 o'clock on Monday evening at the ripe age of 86 years. Deceased had been confined to the house for perhaps three months, but had only been bedfast for the last two weeks. His death was due to general breakdown resulting from extreme old age. The late Mr. Wilkins was born in County Sligo, Ireland and came to Canada when about 18 years of age. A short time after his arrival he settled in Mono township, where he farmed for a number of years. About 50 years ago he moved to Orangeville and opened a real estate and insurance office. This business he has carried on ever since, in recent years in partnership with his son George, who intends to continue the business.  Mr. Wilkins was one of Orangeville's young men in the stirring times of the Fenian Raid. His loyalty and ardour impelled him to volunteer for the defence of his country and he enlisted and served through the Raid with the Orangeville militia company As one of the veterans of the Raid he received his medal from the Government, the grant of $100 voted a few years ago and a land grant in New Ontario. Deceased was a member of the Methodist Church, a pronounced Conservative and was formerly identified with the Orange and A.O.U.W. Orders. He was closely attentive to his business affairs and until last year or so was seldom absent from his office in business hours. As a citizen he was held in general esteem and he will be greatly missed by many old and tried friends. He was married to Miss Sarah Little, a daughter of the late George Little, of Mono. His widow and a family of four sons and three daughters survive. The sons and daughters are: -- Matthew, of Regina, Sask., Will and Chas., of Killarney, Man., George, of Orangeville, Mrs. Will Richardson, of Winnipeg, Mrs. D. Grierson and Mrs. Geo. Switzer of Toronto. The sympathy of their many friends is extended to the widow and family in their time of sorrow. There was a large attendance of friends and townsepeople at the funeral which was held to the Forest Lawn Cemetery at 2.30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Rev. G. W. Robinson and Rev. G. W. Tebbs conducted services at the house and grave and members of the Methodist Church choir led in the song service.  There were numerous beautiful floral offerings.     The pallbearers were Matthew and Geo. Wilkins, two of the sons, D. Grierson, a son-in-law, Roy Switzer, a grandson, T. J. Wilkins, a nephew, and Wm. Little, a brother-in-law.

Orangeville Banner dated December 23, 1915  Page 3, Column 1
Major Wm. H. Ryan died at his home in Ayton on Monday, December 13th, in his 85th year. Deceased was a Fenian Raid veteran and an enthusiastic Orangeman. He walked to Toronto for the warrant for the Orange Lodge in Mt. Forest.

Orangeville Banner dated January 20, 1916  Page 8, Column 5
Death of W. M. Lockhart  - William Maxwell Lockhart, husband of Mary Jane Bowles; Fenian Raid veteran, brother of J. A. Lockhart of Buffalo, Mrs. Andrew Ewing of Orangeville, Mrs. Robt. Moffatt of Hockley and Mrs. Sherman? of Toronto. <only brief notes - please email if you'd like full details> 

Orangeville Banner dated April 16, 1916  Page 1, Column 3
Thos. Crombie, a former resident of Derry West district, died at his home in Brampton recently. Deceased was a Fenian Raid veteran.

Orangeville Banner dated June 29, 1916  Page 1, Column 3
Jas. Grady, a veteran of the Fenian Raid, died at his home near Owen Sound the other day.

Orangeville Banner dated July 13, 1916  Page 1, Column 3
George Cooper, a Fenian Raid veteran and a resident of Barrie for over 50 years is dead.

Orangeville Banner dated 02-Nov-1916 Page 1, Column 5
John Hope, a Fenian Raid veteran, died at his home in Owen Sound on Monday, October 16th. He was born at Annan, six miles from Owen Sound in 1847, and went with the Leith Co., to Kingston under Capt. J. P. Telford in 1866.  His remains were interred in the Annan cemetery.

Orangeville Banner dated 07-Jun-1917 Page 5, Column 5
THE LATE RICHARD WEBB - On Thursday last, one of the old landmarks of the town in the person of Richard (Corp.) Webb, passed away.  The deceased was born at Ospringe, Kent County, England, in 1820, thus being in his 96th year.  When a young man he married Miss Abbie Kenworth and in 1842 sailed for Canada, settling first at Armstrongis Mills, in Eramosa Township but later moving to Erin village where the family home has been ever since.  There were born to them four sons and four daughters, all of whom -- excepting Richard, who was born in England -- being born in Erin.  The sons are: Richard of Guelph; John, of Eden Mills; William of Winnipeg, and Sam at home.  The daughters are Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. R. Dunbar of Guelph; Mrs. Dunbar, of St. Louis, Mo., and Mrs. Thomas of Grand Coulee, Sask.  His wife predeceased him sixteen years ago last January.  He was a member of the Orange Order for over 60 years. At the time of the Fenian Raid, he enlisted being one of those who took part in that trouble and for which he was awarded a Medal, and has ever since been called "Corporal" Webb.  In religion he was a member of the Anglican Church and was a Conservative in politics.  For some years past he has devoted most of his time to his garden and to his home which was always a model of neatness.  He was a man who was always a good neighbor, obliging and kind, and respected by all.  Since the death of his wife, he and his youngest son, Samuel, have lived alone, the latter taking charge of the household duties during his spare time and being in every way a most attentive and dutiful son to his aged father.  The funeral took place on Sunday to Everton Cemetery, under the auspices of the Orange Order, the Rev. H. Newton Smith, Rector of the Anglican Church, Erin, conducting the service. -- Erin Advocate.

Orangeville Banner dated 14-Jun-1917 Page 1, Column 4
    John Campbell, a former old resident of Mulmur, died on Monday, May 28th, at Englehart, New Ontario, from a paralytic stroke. Deceased was a Fenian Raid veteran.

Orangeville Banner dated 04-Oct-1917 Page 3, Column 4
JOHN LONGEWAY - Mr. John Longeway, who will be remembered by many of our older citizens, passed away at his residence, 215 Gladstone avenue, Toronto, on Wednesday evening of last week at the age of 83 years. Deceased was in the dry goods and grocery business on Broadway for more than 35 years, removing to Toronto about twenty-five years ago. He was a Fenian Raid veteran. He was a member of St. Helen's church, and is survived by his wife, four sons, Frank, John, Henry and James, and three daughters, Mrs. Wm. Mulholland, Mrs. Wm. Sullivan and Miss Mary Longeway at home. The funeral was held to Mount Hope cemetery on Saturday morning, service being held in St. Helen's church.

Orangeville Banner dated 17-Oct-1918 Page 1, Column 4
Major Wm. Loveys, aged 82, a veteran of the Fenian raid, is dead in West Zorra. The greater part of his life was spent in Oxford county.

Orangeville Banner dated 08-May-1919 Page 1, Column 3
John A. Cornett, a Fenian raid veteran, passed away in Owen Sound recently aged 79 years. He was a resident of Proton for about 6 years.

Orangeville Banner dated 26-Feb-1920 Page 4, Column 5
    The death occurred at Riverview, Melancthon township on Monday of last week of David J. Martin, a well-known resident of that locality for many years. Deceased was 75 yeas of age and was a Fenian Raid veteran, having in his possession a valuable medal which was awarded him for his services.

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This page was last Updated: Sunday December 17, 2006