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Paul Azan
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Paul Azan (1874-1951)
The War of Positions
Paul-Jean-Louis Azan was born on January 22nd, 1874 in the eastern region of France to his parents Joseph Azan (1846-1895) and Marie Card (1853-1914). He would grow to be a decorated military man and well known scholar amongst French intellectuals. His signature was found in one of the books that he himself wrote: “The War of Positions” which is a deepdive into the then-recent history of the first world war.
During WWI general Paul Azan was sent to the US to provide aid in shipping their ally across the sea. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and earned a croix de guerre, a medal for his service during the first world war. He also received a similar commendation for his service in the military during the French conquest of Morocco after the first world war had concluded. He also served in the Rif war in Morocco as well.
Paul Azan was awarded with the highest commendation for any military personnel: a seat in the Lègion d’honneur, an order in Paris that was initially established by Napoleon Bonepart in 1802. As a military leader, he rose up the ranks quickly: in 1923 he was appointed as a Colonel, in 1928 he was again promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, serving as the head of the historical service in the ministry of war. In 1933 he was promoted to the rank of Major-General, serving as the assistant general officer commander in chief for Tunisia. Then a year later, he was given the position of general officer commander in chief for Tunisia. He held that position for two years before retiring in 1936. In 1940, he was recalled and given the position of Lieutenant-General and the head of recruiting, organizing and training the Norwegian forces in French territories. He retired two months later.
Paul Azan was also well known as an author. He wrote several books on history. Many of his writings also involved the subject of France’s influence in North Africa, examining it from an analytical lens as well as how it could improve France itself. One such book was called L’Armee Indigene Nord-Africaine which was published in 1925. The subject of the book was concerning military powers in the French-controlled regions of North Africa. After the decimation of the French population from the first world war, he suggested that it was time for an army of North-African born soldiers. This notion induced much heated debate as there were many people who were for and against the idea.
Azan married his first wife, Henriette Marie Bouley on April 16, 1912. They would divorce just over three years later on September 9, 1915. Azan would not remarry for another five years until he met Françoise Henriette Preveraud de La Boutresse and married her on September 10, 1920. The two would have a son together, by the name of François Azan, born on October 9, 1921.
Paul Azan would die on August 16, 1951 in Lons-le-Saunier, leaving behind a decorated military career, a series of academic historical and political books, and a family.
Sources:
Drut, Olivier. n.d. “CTHS - AZAN Paul Jean Louis.” Cths.fr. Accessed November 21, 2024.
Cooke, James. n.d. “Paul Azan and L’Armee Indigene Nord-Africaine.” Jstor.org. Accessed November 18, 2024.
“Family Tree of Paul AZAN.” n.d. Geneanet. Accessed November 21, 2024.
“Biography of Lieutenant-General Paul-Jean-Louis Azan (1874 – 1951), France.” n.d.
Generals.Dk. Accessed November 21, 2024.
“Paul Jean Louis AZAN.” n.d. Geneanet. Accessed November 21, 2024.
“François AZAN.” n.d. Geneanet. Accessed November 21, 2024.
“About: Paul Azan.” n.d. DBpedia. Accessed November 21, 2024.
Photo:
Harvard. n.d. “Paul Jean Louis Azan (1874-1951).” Harvardartmuseums.org. Accessed November 18, 2024.
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Philandre Lathrop Cable
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Philandre Lathrop Cable (1891-1940)
Philandre Lathrop Cable was born in Tours, France, on 5 June 1891 to Ben Taylor Cable and Maria C. Benton. He also had an older sister, Susanne. They all lived in relative comfort in Rock Island, Illinois, in a Mansion bequeathed by Philandre's grandfather. In the 1900 Census, Ben, Maria, Susanne and Philandre, enjoyed a luxurious life style, which included the services of a governess, a butler, a waiter, two servants and a coachman.
The house, known as Old Cable Mansion had three residential buildings. The grand house, and two more houses for staff. The larger of these two houses was known as “Aunt Rachel’s” house. She was a former slave whose freedom was purchased by Ben’s father, and she lived in the house well into her eighties. Philandre’s father, Ben would have known her well as a child.
Ben, was a Democrat politician and was the elected representative from Illinois between 1891–1893. He was also a chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee and a recurring delegate to various Democratic National Conventions.
Philandre’s well-to-do upbringing allowed him the luxury of the finest education. In 1913 Philandre was studying mathematics at Harvard University. After graduation, in 1914, he became an instructor at Lake Placid School and later at Emerson Institute in Washington D.C. It was around this time that Mr. Cable changes his signature from Philandre to Philander.
While teaching in Washington he signed up to join the war on his birthday in 1917. The application describes him as blue eyed, light brown hair (not bald), stout and of medium height.
Just a few months after signing up, Philander joined the State Department in the Foreign Service. His first official posting was in Paris, 13 July 1918. In 1919 he was a secretary at the American Embassy in London. He was also assigned to Havana, Cuba, in 1920; Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1922; Sophia, Bulgaria, in 1923; Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1927; Berlin, Germany, in 1929; and Warsaw, Poland, in 1930. By October 1931 he is retired from the Foreign Services.
Philander's 1918 Passport Application matches the signature in the UPEI book, Whilomville Stories:
At the beginning of his diplomatic career Philander married Jeanne Marie Scott in Manhattan NY. Jeanne M. Scott, who often went by the name “Mimi” was a nurse, stationed in France, during the war. She met Philander while he was working in France as a diplomat. She had been engaged to Hobey Baker, an American hockey star and fighter pilot during WWI, but the engagement was broken off at the end of the war, just before Baker died in an airplane crash.
The marriage between Philander and Mimi took place on 7 June 1919. However, it did not last and no children came as a result of the union. The 30 July 1929 edition of the Port Arthur News in Texas reported:
Paris- The French Courts Monday granted a divorce to Mrs. Jeanne Marie Scott Cable, from Philander Lathrop Cable, first secretary of the American Embassy in Berlin, formerly of Buenos Aires. Her petition alleged indifference.
In 1931 Philander married Martha Linn Kelly. She enjoyed the privileges of being a diplomat’s wife. In October 1931 newspapers from across the U.S., such as the Piqua Daily Call from Ohio, reported the following society news:
Then there is another prominent American woman who knows what she wants in Paris and knows how and where to get it. She is Mrs. Philander Cable. Her husband was the first secretary of embassy before he retired. Lucile has further enhanced her natural charm and grace with an evening gown trimmed in a belt of strass [crystal] and amber glass, with a pendant of the same material from straps at the back. The material is crepe georgette struck with a velvet design in dark brown over gold lame.
Philander had no children of his own, but he did become a step-father of Martha’s two daughters, Fleury and Damaris, from a previous marriage.
After his retirement from the Foreign Service, Philander took a new career direction. In the 1940 Census, only months before his death, his occupation is listed as proprietor of a silver mine. He was living with his wife and step-daughters in Miami Township, Ohio.
Philander Lathrop Cable died on 28 September 1940. He is buried at Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Nine months after his death, the beautiful Cable Mansion of Rock Island Illinois was torn down, after local citizens entered in and stripped it clean.
Sources:
1900 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Rock Island Ward 6, Rock Island, Illinois; Page: 17; Enumeration District: 0120
1920 United States Federal Census. Census Place: France, Consular Service, Military and Naval Forces; Roll: T625_2041; Page: 85A; Enumeration District: Consular Service
1930 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Warsaw, Poland, Consular Service; Roll: 2630; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0000; FHL microfilm: 2342364
1940 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Miami, Greene, Ohio; Roll: m-t0627-03074; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 29-17
Port Arthur News, 30 July 1929.
Piqua Daily Call, 9 Oct 1931, p. 5.
Oestreich, Diane.“Old Cable Mansion.” Rock Island Preservation Society. Accessed September, 2015.
U.S. Passport Application, 1918. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Special Diplomatic Passport Applications, 1916-1925; Volume #: Volume 4
Photo:
Photo from Philander's 1918 U.S. Passport application., Ben Taylor Cable, Maria C. Benton, 1. Jeanne Marie Scott, 2. Martha Linn Kelly, Step-daughters: Fleury and Damaris
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Pius A. McDonald
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Pius A. McDonald (1878-1922)
Reverend Pius Augustine McDonald was born on 26 March 1878 to Ann Jane McDonald and Ronald McDonald in Vernon River, Prince Edward Island. He was baptised two days after his birth by Rev. James Phelan. He had at least six siblings, two sisters and four brothers: Margaret, John J., Francis, Roderick (who died as a small child), Ronald J., and Mary Ellen.
Pius had known tragedy early in life as his mother had passed away sometime between 1881-1891. His father remarried sometime between 1891 and 1901 to Mary, Pius’ stepmother. In the 1901 census, he is living at home with his Father, his stepmother, and four of his siblings. He is twenty-three and working as a teacher.
After Pius had attended the district school he went to Prince of Wale’s College and received his teacher’s license. He also attended Saint Dunstan’s University between 1901-1904. While at St. Dunstan’s, Pius was well liked, was a meticulous student and even became the Captain of the football team “...he was a careful, painstaking, and conscientious student, and always took an active part in College activities. He was Captain of the football team --the best ever foregathered on St. Dunstan’s Campus…” (Red & White, 11).
Pius then attended the Grand Seminary in Montreal where he would study theology and prepare for the priesthood. He was ordained on 5 Jan. 1908 by Bishop McDonald in St. Joseph’s Convent Chapel. He then joined the Cathedral Staff where he became the director of the League of the Cross.
Rev. Pius McDonald enlisted in the army on 30 May 1916. He served in both England and France in many regiments. During his time in the army, he was well revered and liked by all. “All who associated with him attest to his great influence for good, his generous giving of himself for the service of others, and to his high and noble character. No doubt he fills an early grave, because he was a martyr to duty.” (Red & White 12).
After the army, he would become the priest of Saint George’s Parish in Cardigan where he would continue teaching and preaching.
Reverend Pius A. McDonald died at the age of 44, in 1922, and was buried in the Saint George’s Roman Catholic Cemetery.
We have attached scans of two books from the UPEI Provenance Collection associated with Pius A. McDonald:
The Early Scottish Church: Its Doctrine and Discipline. by Edmonds, Columba, published in 1906, includes Pius' pink stamped signature, and The life of St. Francis De Sales, which is from Pius' time in Grand Seminary, Montreal. It is signed and dated “Dec. 1907". The book also includes the bookplate of Monsignor G. J. MacLellan.
Other Pius A. McDonald related books in the UPEI Provenance Collection:
Gigot, F.E. Outlines of New Testament History. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1898. [Pink stamped signature, plus signature twice].
Wells, Warre B. An Irish Apologia. Some Thoughts on Anglo-Irish Relations and the War. Dublin and London: Maunsel & Co., 1917. [Pius pink stamped signature twice, plus a bookplate from the Bexhill Library “In Memory of those killed on land and sea, through the actions of the enemy, 1914-1919".]
Sources:
1881 Census of Canada. Census Place: Lot 50, Queens, Prince Edward Island; Roll: C_13164; Page: 9; Family No: 35
1901 Census of Canada. Census Place: Lot (township/canton) 50, Queen's (east/est), Prince Edward Island; Page: 10; Family No: 84
“The Late Father Pius McDonald." Red & White, 1922, 16th ed., sec. 1.
“Prince Edward Island Baptism Card Index, 1721-1885," database with images, FamilySearch, Ann Jane Mcdonald in entry for Pius Augustine Mcdonald, 28 Mar 1878; (accessed 12 December 2014) citing p. 107, volume 3, Vernon River , Prince Edward Island, Public Archives, Charlottetown; FHL microfilm 1,487,761.
Photo:
Photo courtesy of SDU Digital Archive. Class of 1904. Identifier: sdu:50, Ronald McDonald, Ann Jane McDonald
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R. Snazelle
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Robert Snazelle (1899-1973)
Robert Snazelle was born in the year 1899 in Islington, London, England, to parents Charles Albert and Sarah Jane Snazelle. Robert was the middle child of the five Snazelle siblings, he had two older sisters, Rose and Florence, and a younger sister Frances Evelyn and younger brother Albert.
In 1916, Robert would immigrate to Ontario, Canada, where he would lodge with the Lynn family and worked as a Supervisor in an unknown occupation.
He would eventually move to Prince Edward Island and on 10 April 1931 in Charlottetown, Robert married Marion Ida Gates. They had a son R. Franklin Snazelle, in 1933.
Robert also became the first manager at the Cotton Memorial Trust which was established by Robert L. Cotton in 1945. The nursery was was also known by many different names such as: the Robert L. Cotton Nursery for Rural Beautification, the Bunbury Nursery, and the Bunbury Nursery Garden Centre.
Under Robert’s management, Bunbury Nursery was well known for their quality of plants and knowledgeable staff. The nursery supplied Prince Edward Island with various trees, shrubs, fruits, plants, and bulbs at fair prices.
Robert would retire as manager from Bunbury Nursery and Keith Brehaut would take over the position. After Brehaut’s retirement in 1996, the nursery was unfortunately closed but on 2 June 1998, the Town of Stratford took over the property and created the Cotton Memorial Park.
Robert Snazelle passed away in 1973 and was buried in Sherwood Cemetery, Charlottetown, PEI.
UPEI’s Provenance Collection has the book, Roses of the World in Color, by J. Horace McFarland, which has Robert’s signature and address, R. Snazelle. 140 Cumberland Str Charlottetown Prince Edward Island.
Sources:
Prince Edward Island, Canada, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, 1780-1983
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA), 1911.
Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds.
General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. London, England: General Register Office. © Crown copyright. Published by permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Office for National Statistics. You must not copy on, transfer or reproduce records without the prior permission of ONS. Database Copyright © 1998-2003 Graham Hart, Ben Laurie, Camilla von Massenbach and David Mayall.
Parks & Trails. Town of Stratford. (2019). Retrieved from
http://www.townofstratford.ca/residents/respect_stratford/community_facilities/parks_trails
Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada, 1911. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2007. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1911/Pages/about-census.aspx. Series RG31-C-1. Statistics Canada Fonds. Microfilm reels T-20326 to T-20460.
Robert B. Snazelle 1899-1973. Billion Graves Record
https://billiongraves.com/grave/Robert-B-Snazelle/8723636?referrer=myheritage
Memory PEI. Fonds Acc4836 - Bunbury Nursery fonds. Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.gov.pe.ca/paroatom/index.php/bunbury-nursery-fonds, Sarah Jane Snazelle, Charles Albert Snazelle, Marion Ida Gates, R. Franklin Snazelle
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R. Y. Tyrrell
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R.Y. Tyrrell (1844-1914)
Robert Yelverton Tyrrell was born in Ballingarry, County Tipperary, Ireland, on 21 January 1844. He was the youngest son of Reverend Henry Tyrrell and Elizabeth Shea. Reverend Henry Tyrrell died of cholera, when Robert was only five years old. The name Yelverton comes from his godmother, a “Miss Yelverton of County Kildare", according to biographer W.B. Stanford [p.7].
Robert studied the classics at Trinity College, in Dublin. He became a professor in 1871, and he first started teaching Latin, then Greek and, finally, ancient history.
Robert married Ada Shaw on 1 August 1874 in London, England. There are indications that they may have had six children, three daughters and three sons, but we have only found documented evidence of four: Deena Tyrrell (Hanson), Ada Tyrrell (Thompson), Phyllis Maud Tyrrell, and Robert L. Tyrrell. Deena's birth was announced in the The Belfast Newsletter on 2 February 1877. It reads:
<9>TYRRELL- January 31, at 34 Waterloo Road, Dublin, the wife of Robert Y. Tyrrell, F.T.C.D. [Fellow of Trinity College Dublin], of a daughter.
In the 1881-1882 Annual Report of the Commissioners of Education, in Ireland, it was announced that Robert, Fellow of Trinity College, had been appointed Commissioner, alongside a Mr. Pigot.
In 1893, Robert went to the United States and gave a series on Latin Poetry. The majority of the lectures were given at John Hopkin's University and these lectures were published in 1895 as Latin Poetry; lectures delivered in 1893 on the Percy Turnbull Memorial Foundation in the Johns Hopkins University. In UPEI's Provenance collection, this books contains a personal letter written by Robert to W. MacNeile Dixon, pasted in the front cover. The letter, on Trinity College letterhead (House 4 Trinity College, Dublin), was dated May 8, and reads as follows:
My dear W. Dixon,
I send back ? with a few additions, but if you did not think of reprinting it let it go as it is. I don't know L'd Balfour, but I used to know Sir Henry Craik. If you let me know where I should address him I will write to him. I should be very glad to have a hand (if I could) in transferring to a sphere of wider influence and greater emolument.
I hope you will come and see us whenever you visit Dublin.
Yours...?...
RY Tyrrell
W.B. Stanford's article on Robert includes a personal description of the man: “Tyrrell [was], ironical, self-depreciatory, persuasive, generous in praising others, keeping safely within the limits of his own intellectual scope, [and] concerned more with style than with ideas" [p.16]. Stanford also notes that, “Tyrrell was very popular with the students. They had an affectionate admiration for him..." [p.16].
One of Robert's students was Oscar Wilde, and he spoke highly of his professor, stating, ,“I got my love of the Greek ideal, and my intimate knowledge of the language, from Mahaffy and Tyrrell; they were Trinity to me... Tyrrell was very kind to me- intensely sympathetic and crammed with knowledge. If he had known less he would have been a poet." (Harris, 29).
In the 1911 Census, Robert, Ada and two of their adult children, Deena and Robert, were living in Dublin with three female servants.
Robert was one of the original Fellows of the British Academy. He died on 20 September 1914, in Dublin, Ireland.
Sources:
1911 National Census of Ireland. The National Archives of Ireland. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/: accessed 14 June 2018.
The Belfast Newsletter. Belfast, Northern Ireland. Periodicals & Newspapers, Irish & Reference. Linen Hall Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 2 February 1877, p.1.
Education (Ireland). Annual Report of the Commissioners of Education in Ireland for the Year 1881-1882. (Dublin: Alex Thom & Co., 1882), 3.
Harris, Frank. Oscar Wilde. His Life and Confessions, Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions Limited, 2007.
Stanford, W.B. “Robert Yelverton Tyrrell.” Hermathena, no.125 (Winter 1978):7-21., Ada Shaw, Deena Tyrrell, Ada Tyrrell, Phyllis Maud Tyrrell, and Robert L. Tyrrell, Henry Tyrrell, Elizabeth Shea
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R.F. Maddigan
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R.F. Maddigan (1867-1928)
Ireland and the Land League: Key to the Irish Question
Richard Francis Maddigan was born on the 12th of October, 1867 to parents John Maddigan (father) and Anastasia Grau (mother). He was born on P.E.I., and from what can be gleaned, he spent his entire life on the island. When Maddigan was thirty years old, he married his first wife, Anastasia (Annie) Joy. Together they had four children; Wilfred John Maddigan (1899-1982), Vernon F. Madigan (1902-1974), Gerald J. Maddigan (1904-1983), and Mary Camilla Maddigan (1906-1960). Annie Maddigan died five years after the birth of their last child in 1911, leaving R.F. Maddigan a widower.
In 1914, Maddigan remarried to Jane Egan who was willing to help raise his four children alongside him. R.F. Maddigan would have been around 46 at the time. By census records, it can be seen that his new wife was living with him by 1921 at his place of residence 125, Pownal St. Charlottetown. Mr. Maddigan would die just seven years later on the 24th of February in 1928, he would have been 61 at the time.
R.F. Maddigan was an owner of R.F. Maddigan & Co. A grocery store located on Queen Street in Charlottetown. He bought out the previous operation which was known as W. Grant & Co. Who in February of 1900 posted in several newspapers that they were selling their business to R.F. Maddigan, asking their patrons to continue to shop with the new grocery store. In the same advertisement, Maddigan told patrons that his grocery was fully stocked, sold for cheap, and had free shipping throughout the city. Prior to buying W. Grant & Co, Maddigan sold custom stencil and rubber stamps, using the previous grocery as his primary vendor. In 1906, R.F. Maddigan and Co expanded their business further to start producing soda pop as an alcohol free option for saloons. The store also began selling books which were able to be delivered.
The business venture that R.F. Maddigan was best known for was actually postcards. He advertised that he had around 80 varieties of cards, many of which were picturesque paintings of the beautiful landscape and nature of the island he grew up on. His business, as well as other local businesses on the island were commissioned to produce en masse. An interesting statistic showed that R.F. Maddigan & Co. supplied 10% of their product based on commission in 1915.
In addition to having his own business, R.F. Maddigan was also relatively well involved in the community as well. Maddigan was a member of the Benevolent Irish Society for many years. In 1892, he was re-elected for the position of secretary, with James Egan (his future father in law) working as the treasurer. The Benevolent Irish Society put on celebratory events like St. Patrick’s Day, to which Maddigan had directly been involved in. In 1915, R.F. Maddigan had become the treasurer for the Benevolent Irish Society. In 1925, his business was also listed as one of the trustees for Falconwood Hospital and Provincial Infirmary, providing yeast and other things for the hospital.
Richard Francis Maddigan was a well liked local entrepreneur and an active member of the community he was raised in.
Sources:
“Groceries, Soft Drinks and Postcards;R.f. Maddigan & Co.” 2017. STRAITPOST. May 2, 2017.
“Prince Edward Island Magazine.” n.d. Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
N.d.Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“Prince Edward Island Magazine.” n.d. Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“06 Our Quiet but Engaging Scenery P30-35.” n.d. Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
N.d.Islandnewspapers.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“Richard Maddigan - Historical Records and Family Trees.” n.d. MyHeritage. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“The Descendants of John Maddigan and Anastasia Grace.” n.d. Islandregister.com. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“Michael-T-Carroll - User Trees - Genealogy.com.” n.d. Genealogy.com. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“Year Book Province of Prince Edward Island 1915.” n.d. Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
“Report of the Trustees and Medical Superintendent of Falconwood Hospital and Provincial Infirmary Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada for the Year Ending December 31st 1925.” n.d. Islandarchives.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
N.d.Islandnewspapers.Ca. Accessed October 30, 2024.
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Ralph Grant Strathie
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Rev. Ralph Grant Strathie (1872-1912)
Ralph Grant Starthie was born on the 10th of May 1872 to John Strathie (1831-1911) and Jane Hanlon Strathie (1840-1889). He was born into a very big, blended Presbyterian Newfoundland family. This family included children from the marriage of his mother and father and previous marriages. About half of the children survived childhood.
The first marriage was between John Strathie and Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie (1835-1867). They were married in 1855 until Sarah died in 1867. Together, they had six children; although for one child, it is uncertain who her mother is, she is connected to John regardless, and the time frame of her birth makes it seem like she is Charlotte’s daughter. In 1857, John and Charlotte had a son named James Thompson Strathie (1857-1880). In 1860, John and (probably) Charlotte had a daughter named Tryphena (Fannie) Strathie (1860-1934). In 1861, they had another daughter named Elizabeth McDonald Strathie (1861-1881). Their next child was born in 1863, and his name was Alexander Strathie (1863-1874) – he did not make it past childhood. The second to last child the couple had in 1865 was a male named Allan Robert Strathie (1865-1945). The last child they had together was a female, Charlotte Sarah Strathie (1867-1867), but she unfortunately only lived three or four months.
Between all of these births with his father and his father's first wife, Ralph’s mother had a child with her first husband, Robert Burns Trapnell (1836-1863), who married in 1858. They had three children, Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison (1860-1938), Rufus Trapnell (1862), and Robert Henry Trapnell (1863–1957). Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long as Robert went on a sea voyage and got lost at sea in 1863. He was 27 years old.
After the events of 1863 and the last child in 1867, Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie passed away a month after the birth of her final daughter in August. She was 31/32 years of age.
John was then a bachelor for a few years, marrying Jane Hanlon Strathie (1840-1889) in 1869. In 1870, they had their first child together, although it is uncertain whether or not she is the mother due to a lack of records, but nonetheless, William H Strathie (1870-1950) was born in 1870 to the family. In addition to William, in 1870, the family had two other new additions to the family, a set of twins, Maggie and Jennie, who did not last very long. They were born in October of 1870, and in August of 1871, Maggie passed away at ten months old, Jennie soon following the next month at 11 months old. In 1872, Ralph was then born, followed by two more births in 1879. In 1879, Margery Laura Strathie (1879-1884) and Fergus Alexander Strathie (1879-1882) were born to the family, but like the other set of twins did not survive childhood. The final addition to the family came in 1880. In 1880, a boy was born to the family; they named him Hanlon Strathie (1880-1882); unfortunately, he did not survive childhood either.
To make things clearer, those who died in childhood consist of the following: Rufus Tranell, Alexander Strathie, Charlotte Sarah Strathie, Maggie and Jennie, Margery Laura Strathie, Fergus Alexander Strathie, and Hanlon Strathie (8 siblings).
The siblings that survived childhood consist of the following, not including Ralph: James Thompson Strathie, Tryphena (Fannie) Strathie, Elizabeth McDonald Strathie (who died in her early 20s), Allan Robert Strathie, Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison (later marrying Donald Morison in 1881, a very famous politician) Robert Burns Trapnell, and William H Strathie – these are the ones we can name as according to a news article from 1911 about the death of John it lists a few siblings that are not on the overall list giving us an unknown son and an unknown Mrs. R. M. Hall (Martin Hall) from Newfoundland (9 siblings).
It is unclear how the death affected him throughout his life and his family, but we do get a clear picture of his life as he matured, got his first job, and later went to study at Dalhousie.
Aside from his birth, Ralph's first record comes from a directory of the city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, from 1890. He is listed as a bookkeeper for R Prowse and Son bds Central Hotel. He was 18 at the time of this listing. He was living with Maud Strathie, who was a domestic at 61 Patrick.
In 1891 Ralph went on to attend Dalhousie University. He is listed in the May 1892 Dalhousie Gazette (Volume 24, Issue 10). He was a faculty of arts student, taking Latin, Greek, English, philosophy, and moral philosophy. He graduated in 1895 with a BA.
After attending Dalhousie University, Ralph went on to attend Pine Hall Divinity College. He graduated in 1897 with a BD (Bachelor of Divinity).
In the same year, Ralph was ordained (July 1), inducted into his first charge in Nova Scotia, and married Elise Stewart (1869-1919), the daughter of a reverend.
In 1898 he was “officially” labelled as immigrated, according to the records that surfaced. He immigrated from Newfoundland (which was not a part of Canada at the time) to Nova Scotia. He went to visit Newfoundland in 1907 with his wife and in 1910 by himself.
After two years, he was inducted into the service at St. Andrews Chruch in Truro, NS. Later on, he resigned and went to do studies in Edinburg, Scotland. After his studies, Ralph went to Prince Edward Island in 1903, where he was called to Summerside.
In Summerside, Ralph attended and was inducted in October 1903. He continued to stay with the congregation in Summerside for seven years before being called to Charlottetown.
Besides being a reverend, Ralph was also involved in the Presbytery. There were quite a few men in attendance, as there was in every mention of the Presbytery in the paper. In March of 1908, he was included in the group of people in attendance as well as being the one who would hold Greek examinations for the students. On various other occasions, like in February 1908, he was appointed clerk of the meetings.
In January of 1910, Ralph preached his first sermon at Zion in Charlottetown. He immediately took up the cause of rebuilding the Zion church, the first stone being laid in 1911.In the cornerstone that was laid for the church various items were placed inside. There were various newspapers, half pennies, cents, and a picture of Ralph (among various other items). Throughout his time with the Zion church, Ralph coordinated Sunday school, sermons, and various other events in the church, like baptisms and weddings. According to the records from PARO he conducted (at least) 75 baptisms and 30 marriages during his time on PEI.
Meanwhile, his wife participated in the Presbyterial WMFS meetings on PEI and also aided in putting on plays for the community. She and her husband were good role models for the community.
In April of 1911, Ralph received devastating news: his father had passed away in Newfoundland. This newspaper article also points us in the direction of multiple other children whose graves were not easily found – or not found altogether. His father was 80 years old at the time of his death.
In March of 1912, Ralph conducted his last sermon. During that time, he had come to find he had a serious heart condition, so much so that at one point, it was reported in the Guardian that he was confined to his bed. He was given a six-month leave of absence where he and his wife went to Newfoundland.
October 28, 1912, at 7:30 a.m., Ralph Grant Strathie passed away in his bed, surrounded by family in Newfoundland. According to his death records, he died of endocarditis. The medical definition of this ailment is: “Endocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fungal infection.” In the Guardian, it was stated that he was a well-loved pastor with the Zion church. He is also said to be one of the ablest men in the Maritimes and that he was a forceful speaker. Pastors in PEI paid tribute to him in their services, the Presbytery, and by his wife. The Presbytery, in particular, said that he put great thought into everything he preached, gave thoughtful sermons, and served God to the fullest. He was buried Buried in General Protestant Cemetery, St. John’s, Newfoundland. He shares this monument with his niece Marjorie Morison; Marjorie was the daughter of Ralph's half-sister Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison.
On November 1st, 1912, a memorial service was held for Ralph at the Zion Church. A letter that he wrote on his deathbed was presented to the visitors at the service. This letter can be accessed Here
It is eloquently written and speaks volumes of the passion he had for working with God.
Unfortunately, Ralph did not have any children. But his name is still remembered by the Zion church for his hard work. And as he had no children, he passed everything onto his wife. His will reads as follows, which is transcribed by Judy Benson & Ivy Benoit in the Newfoundland Will books, volume 9, page 537:
IN RE: RALPH GRANT STRATHIE. DECEASED
This is the last will and Testament of me, Ralph Grant Strathie, of Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island, but at present of St. John's Newfoundland, Presbyterian Minister.
First: I revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my true last will and Testament
Second. I appoint my wife, Elise Stewart Strathie, sole Executrix of this my will.
Third. I give, devise and bequeath to the said Elise Stewart Strathie all property, estate and effects of every kind and wheresoever situate of which I shall die possessed for her sole and absolute use and benefit forever
Witness my hand at St. John's aforesaid this 25th day of July A.D. 1912 - R. G. Strathie - Signed Published and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last will and Testament in our presence who in his presence and in the presence of each other (both present at the same time) have hereunto our names subscribed as witnesses. D. Morison S.S. Hall
Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar
(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat Nov 11/12 C. J. Probate Nov 12/12 granted to Elise Stewart Strathie Estate sworn at $6000.30
Besides Ralph's death in 1912, a work was published under his name. The work is called “Climbing the Ladder.” Besides this publication, according to a book published in 1991, Ralph had also published another work in 1906, but it is yet to be found. The work is named “Psychology and Prayer” and was published in Theol. 16.
On 4 August 1919, Elsie passed away on PEI. She was sent to be buried in Church Grove Cemetery, Annapolis Valley, NS, near her father. In 1922, after the death of Mrs. Strathie, a tribute in the name of Ralph was sent to the Dalhousie Library. Elsie gave funds to the Dalhousie University Library. The suggestion was to use the money for the purchase of books in his name. This was weighed in by another one of our Booklives people: S. N. Robertson from Prince of Wales College, now UPEI, the man our library is named after, and also the friend of R. G. Strathie: he was pleased with the idea as he, if you have not read his story yet, was a man who was a driven teacher and advocated for well-stocked libraries.
The book in which we discovered Ralph’s signature is in: Handbook to the Grammar of the Greek Testament. Together with a complete vocabulary and examination of the chief New Testament synonyms by Rev. S. G. Green D. D. His name is written at the top of the page with the date of May 1, 1896, as well as the page after. On the first cover page, there is a faintly inscribed “2.00,” indicating this book may have been on sale at some point.
The book itself was donated to the Prince of Wales College Library on March 3, 1969.
Bibliography
1901 Canadian Census. Item number 34927245; Reference number RG31 - Statistics Canada; Family Number 134; Colchester, Truro (Town) Nova Scotia; Page 14.
1911 Canadian Census. Item number 6925633; Reference number RG31 - Statistics Canada; Family number 248; Dawson, Yukon; page 21.
“Calendar of the Presbyterian College, Halifax, N.S. : 1897/98.” Accessed through Acadia University, Vaughan Memorial Library, Wolfville, N.S.. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_01489_18. See Page 30.
"Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X9VQ-BF?cc=1823240&wc=36Y9-2VS%3A981984701%2C982044201%2C981986201 : 22 May 2014), North Sydney, NS > Aug 1907 > Glencoe > image 3 of 3; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“Charlottetown and Queens Country – Rev. R. G. Strathie…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 21 April 1911, Page 3. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
Death Record - Elsie Stewart Strathie: 1919. Place: Charlottetown.Entry number:13646. Source: RG19/s2/ss6: Death registration books, 1913-1919, p. 340. Source: Prince Edward Island, Public Archives and Records Office.
“Directory Of The City Of St. John's Newfoundland 1890.” Directory of Newfoundland. Accessed through Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site. See Category “S.” http://ngb.chebucto.org/M1890/m1890-might-s-city.shtml.
Gauvreau, Michael. “Evangelical Century: College and Creed in English Canada from the Great Depression.” McGill Queens University Press, Quebec. See page 365. https://books.google.ca/books?id=CALhms3yxRsC&pg=PA365&lpg=PA365&dq=Rev+R.+G.+Strathie&source=bl&ots=xF09NqicVg&sig=ACfU3U3AL-zL0KRxPvg6rBYdWopcB1up-g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGnP2Qg86BAxUKq4kEHQDrAuY4FBDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=Rev%20R.%20G.%20Strathie&f=false.
“General Protestant Cemetery – St. John's City – SECTION 3.” Accessed through Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site. http://ngb.chebucto.org/Cemetery/cem-gen-prot-sect-3-sjc.shtml.
“Handsome Gift To Library Strathie Memorial Fund.” The Dalhousie Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 1, January 1922. https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/43491/dalhousiegazette_volume54_issue1_january_1922.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.
“Keyword - Strathie- Results.” Source: Prince Edward Island, Public Archives and Records Office.
MacDonald, D. Scott., et al. “A history of the Zion Presbyterian Church, Charlottetown, P.E.I: a celebration of 150 years.” Accessed through IslandLives Community History Collection (1997). See pages 32-33, 95-98, 121, 152, and 209.
“Meeting of the Presbytery.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 6 November 1912, Page 5. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“Meeting of the Presbytery.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 12 March 1908, Page 1. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
Memorial Index - Alexander Strathie 1863-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697479. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Allan Robert Strathie 1867-1945. Place: Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington, USA. Memorial ID: 22623014. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison 1860-1938. Place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Memorial ID: 204873888. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Charlotte Sarah Strathie 1867-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697386. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie 1835-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183696770. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Donald Morison 1857-1924. Place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Memorial ID: 204873821. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.
Memorial Index - Elise Morrison Stewart 1869-1919. Place: Church Grove Cemetery, Melvern Square, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Memorial ID: 204841749. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Elizabeth McDonald Strathie 1861-1881. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697540. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Fergus Alexander Strathie 1879-1882. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697975. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Hanlon Strathie 1880-1882. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698038. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - James Thompson Strathie 1857-1880. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697754. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Jane Hanlon Strathie 1840-1889. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698180. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Jennie Strathie 1870-1871. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698133. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - John Strathie 1831-1911. Place: St. Andrews Presbyterian Cemetery Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 196042563. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Maggie Strathie 1870-1871. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698086. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Margery Laura Strathie 1879-1884. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697802. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Rev Ralph Grant Strathie 1872-1912. Place: General Protestant Cemetery, St. John's, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 196043983. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - Robert Burns Trapnell 1836-1863. Place: Buried or Lost at Sea. Specifically: Lost aboard the Lord Raglan. Memorial ID: 196043168. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Memorial Index - William H. Strathie 1870-1950. Place: Hillside Old Public Cemetery, Dawson, Yukon Census Division, Yukon, Canada. Memorial ID: 123353565. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.
Newfoundland Will books, volume 9, page 537. (1912)
"Partner Trees: MyTrees.com," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:QSRN-PKP : accessed 17 October 2023), entry for Fannie Strathie; file (2:2:2:MMXW-VLJ), submitted 2 January 2020.
“Rev. R. G. Strathie Has Passed Away…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 29 October 1912, Page 1. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“Rev. T. F. Fullerton…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 9 November 1912, Page 5. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
Strathie, R. G. Climbing the Ladder. [Charlottetown, P.E.I.: s.n.], 1912.
“Summerside Presbyterian Church.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 13 May 1952, Page 12. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“Summerside Presbyterian Congregation Celebrates its Fiftieth Anniversary.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 7 September 1912, Page 1. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“The Dalhousie Garzette.” The Dalhousie Gazette, Volume 24, Issue 10, 10 May 1892. https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/handle/10222/28274. See Pages 298 and 299.
“The Dalhousie Gazette.” The Dalhousie Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 10, 10 May 1895. https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/handle/10222/28307. See Pages 328, 334, and 336.
“The Dalhousie Gazette,” Volume 36, Issue 1, 14 October 1903. http://hdl.handle.net/10222/43532. See Page 26.
“The Dalhousie Gazette,” Volume 37, Issue 7, 30 March 1905. http://hdl.handle.net/10222/43635. See Page 200.
“The Entertainment Entitled…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 9 May 1906, Page 8. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“The Minutes of Presbytery.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 26 February 1908, Page 4. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“The Presbyterial W. M. F. S. Meeting.” The Charlottetown Guardian, 12 July 1906, page 4. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.
“The Queens County Guardian – A private note…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 16 May 1912, Page 5. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue., May 10 1872, Harbour Grace, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, October 28, 1912, Newfoundland, Jane Hanlon Strathie (1840-1889)., John Strathie (1831-1911), James Thompson Strathie (1857), Tryphena (Fannie) Strathie (1860), Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison (1860), Elizabeth MacDonald Strathie (1861), Rufus Trapnell (1862), Robert Henry Trapnell (1863), Alexander Strathie (1863), Allan Robert Strathie (1865), Charlotte Sarah Strathie (1867), William H Strathie (1870), Maggie Strathie (1870), Jennie Strathie (1870), Margery Laura Strathie (1879), Fergus Alexander Strathie (1879), Hanlon Strathie (1880). Two other unknown siblings, one of which is R. M. Hall.
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Raymond V. MacKenzie
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Raymond V. MacKenzie (1896-1963)
Raymond Vincent MacKenzie was born on 21 September 1896 in Millview, Lot 49, (Vernon River) Prince Edward Island to Elizabeth Currie and John J. MacKenzie. They had 10 children; two daughters, Minnie and Isabella, and eight sons, Charles, Herbert, John, (Rev.) Joseph, Frank, George, (Rev.) Wilbert, and (Rev.) Raymond. Three of those sons became Catholic priests; Raymond was the youngest of the three.
After his education at the Vernon River School and the Queen Square School in Charlottetown, Ray attended Saint Dunstan's University. After graduation he attended St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto Ontario. In 1923 he was ordained as a priest at St. Dunstan's Basilica in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
In 1924-25 he completed his Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. He also held, at least, three honourary degrees: Literary degree from Laval University in 1944; LLD from the University of New Brunswick in 1950; and another LLD from the St. Mary's University, Halifax NS, in 1952.
Shortly after his ordination Ray became part of the faculty of St. Dunstan's University as a Professor of English. In 1943 he became the Rector of the University and held that post for thirteen years.
Ray was a veteran of WWI and was an Air Force Chaplain, stationed in Charlottetown, during WWII.
After the war, in 1948, Raymond V. MacKenzie was appointed as Domestic Prelate (now known as Honorary Prelate) by Pope Pius XII.
He died of heart failure at the Charlottetown hospital on 26 April 1963 and was buried in the Priests' Plot in his native Parish of Vernon River.
UPEI's Provenance Collection has Ray's copy of The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, edited by J. Logie Robertson and published in 1909. The inscription reads:
Ray. V. MacKenzie. 199 Kent St. Ch'town. from W.B. MacKenzie. Xmas.
W.B. MacKenzie would have been Ray's brother, Wilbert Basil MacKenzie, who was also ordained as a priest in St. Dunstan's Basilica. He took up priesthood in the Archdiocese of Vancouver and eventually became a hard-working missionary throughout central British Columbia. In 1941 Wilbert took a trip, from B.C., to Prince Edward Island to visit his family, including his brother Ray.
The Provenance Collection also includes the book Selected Essays from Sainte-Beuve edited by John R. Effinger. The book appears to have been used by both brothers, Wilbert and Raymond, during their first years at St. Dunstan's College. Wilbert attended there beginning in 1912 and Ray was at the college in 1915. The inscription reads:
W.B. MacKenzie S.D.C. 1912-13.
Below Wilbert's signature, in different script, is:
Ray V. MacKenzie. S.D.C. 1915-
Bibliography:
Bolger, Francis W.P., The History of Vernon River Parish, 1877-1977. (Prince Edward Island: St. Joachim's Paris, 1977), 55-56.
Photo:
Photo, with kind permission, from St. Dunstan's Digital Archive.
Identifier: sdu:6130
Title: MacKenzie, John J. MacKenzie, Elizabeth Currie
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Reuben MacDonald
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Reuben MacDonald (1870-1942)
Benjamin “Reuben" MacDonald was born on 4 July 1870 in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, to William and Elizabeth MacDonald, née Gordon. He had two brothers and two sisters: Ralph, William, Matilda, and Amanda.
Reuben attended Georgetown school in 1885, and was a student noted for “good work” in multiple subjects. This was just the beginning of his academic success, Reuben would lead Prince Edward Island in entrance marks for Prince of Wales College; where he remained in the top of his class and was the recipient of many prizes. Reuben’s siblings Ralph, Matilda, and Amanda were also class-leaders.
After finishing his education, Reuben was a schoolteacher for ten years, as well as a bookkeeper in local firms in Georgetown. He joined the staff of the Patriot newspaper in 1900.
Sadly, in March 1919, Reuben and his wife Emma Alice Roper lost a child, Athol William MacDonald born on 13 Oct 1917, he died at age 17 months. Athol was survived by his sisters, Jean Elizabeth (4 Sep 1920) and Doris Helen (10 Nov 1921).
In 1929, Reuben became editor-in-chief and managing director of the Patriot, for which he would also become a publisher and major shareholder. He was extremely serious about politics, dedicating time to publicly support the Liberals, while defending attacks from the Conservative paper, The Guardian.
He continued to manage the Patriot until his death on 10 July 1942 at the age of 73.
In UPEI's Provenance collection, the book Treading the Winepress by Ralph Connor, has the inscription "Reuben MacDonald, Charlottetown, December 1st 1925" on the inside cover.
Sources:
Mair, Nathan H. Georgetown stories 1786-1950. Charlottetown, P.E.I.: N.H. Mair, 2000. 21.
Mair, Nathan H. Genealogical resource for Georgetown, P.E.I. - Volume 1. Georgetown, P.E.I. N.H. Mair, 2000. 51, 62, 84.
“Political fight delights editor." The Guardian [Charlottetown] 18 Nov. 1964: 13. Island Newspapers. Web.
“‘The Patriot’ records news of a century for the Island.” The Guardian [Charlottetown] 18 Nov. 1964: 11. Island Newspapers. Web.
Prince Edward Island Baptismal Index. Prince Edward Island, Canada: Public Archives and Records Office.
1911 Census of Canada. Census Place: 35, Georgetown, Burnt Point, Georgetown Royalty. District: 139 Kings, Page: 1, Family No. 4.
1921 Census of Canada. Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 105; Census Place: Charlottetown (City), Queens, Prince Edward Island; Page Number: 3., 4 July 1870, Elizabeth, née Gordon, William, Emma Roper, Athol William (1917-1919), Jean Elizabeth (4 Sep 1920) and Doris Helen (10 Nov 1921)
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Rev. John J. MacDonald
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Rev. John J. MacDonald (1864-1931)
John J. MacDonald was born on 3 December 1864 to parents Charles and Isabelle MacDonald of Prince Edward Island.
John attended St. Dunstan’s College and later went on to teach English and Mathematics.
He would also attend Laval University for Graduate studies in Theology. While in Quebec, he was called to Fargo, North Dakota by Reverend John Shanley, D.D. Bishop of Fargo. John completed his studies for Priesthood at St. Paul’s Seminary in North Dakota.
On 1 August 1899, at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, John was ordained by Bishop Shanley. He was first appointed as an assistant in Jamestown, North Dakota. On 1 December 1899, he would be appointed Pastor of Michigan and Missions. John would celebrate a Silver Jubilee on 1 August 1923 which was thought to be “an outstanding event.”
John would spend most of his grown life in Michigan and was well known as a poet. He wrote two published books titled, Christ of the Andes and Other Poems and Charm of the Lake Region. He was also involved in the community and became a charter member of the Michigan Lions Club on the evening of his death.
Reverend John J. MacDonald died on 21 May 1931, and was buried in Michigan Cemetery, Michigan, Nelson County, North Dakota.
John was well loved by everyone, over 1,500 people, and not only parishioners, went to St. Lawrence Catholic Church to pay their respects. A public address system was installed so the many people could witness the service for John.
His Excellency Rt. Rev. James O’Reilly, Bishop of Fargo gave the sermon and praised the many strengths of John, "Father McDonald's lips were so formed that they could not utter an uncharitable word of any living thing." He emphasized the qualities of an excellent priest, which found their exemplification in the life of Father McDonald, who for 33 years had lived and labored among the people of this parish.” (Rev John McDonald, Find a Grave).
Interment at the cemetery was officiated at the grave by Rt. Rev James O’Reilly, “The funeral procession was the largest ever witnessed in the city. Automobiles were still falling in line at the church when the head of the procession was at the cemetery. It is estimated that over 400 cars were in the city Monday morning.” (FaG).
At the close of the service, final absolution of the casket was given by His Excellency Most Rev A.A. Sinnott, Archbishop of Winnipeg, with Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus standing as guard of honor.
UPEI's Provenance Collection holds the book Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey, which was signed by Rev John J MacDonald, “A souvenir of Rev. John J. MacDonald.”
Sources:
Rev John MacDonald. Find A Grave.
Bolger, Francis W.P. (1977). The history of Vernon River Parish,1877-1977. IslandLives.ca.
Donahoe, Rev. James. Prince Edward Island Priests Who have Labored or are Laboring in the Sacred Ministry outside the Diocese of Charlottetown. 2nd Edition.
Whitman, Mapes. Michigan City North Dakota Centennial 1883-1983., Isabelle, Charles
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