The Late William
Bannister
On Saturday, October
16, on of the pioneers of Woodhouse passed quietly away at his home on
St. Patrick street, Port Dover, at the advanced age of 82 years.
William Bannister, the son of the late Captain John Bannister, was born
on October 5, 1833, on lot 20, Broken Front, Woodhouse, on the farm
which his father was then clearing from the almost unbroken forest of
the locality.
As a young man he learned
blacksmithing, but later was attracted by shipbuilding, which was then a
flourishing industry, and became a ships carpenter.
He helped to build a
number of vessels at Port Dover, Port Ryerse and Port Royal, all of
which were then carrying on a brisk trade in grain and lumber with
American ports.
He also worked in Buffalo, where
he helped to construct some of the largest freight and passenger boats
of those days.
Later he returned to the old homestead, which he had
purchased, where he continued to live until six years ago, when he built
a residence on St. Patrick street and retired from active life.
In 1884 he was saved by the
grace of God, and by a quiet consistent Christian life has done much
both by precept and example to lead others to put their trust in the
Savior he so deeply loved.
In 1865 he was married to
Elizabeth Cruickshank, who survives him, together with their three
daughters,
Mrs. Robert Feargue, Bentpath, Ont.;
Mrs. W. V. Slocombe,
Chicago; and
Miss Mabel at home; and three sons,
George of Cheboygan,
Mich.,
John of Chesley, Ont.; and
Edward, on the homestead.
Of a large family of brothers
and sisters, only three remain,
Mrs. Aldridge of Port Dover;
Robert of
Windham; and
James of Port Dover.
