Mr.
Benjamin Birdsill, one of the pioneers of Tillsonburg district died at
his home on Tillson avenue, on Monday, Sept. 21st, after a long illness.
He was in his eighty-first year and had resided in Norfolk county and
Tillsonburg all his life.
He was born in
Townsend, Norfolk. His parents were U. E. Loyalists and were among the
first settlers in the Long Point district. The family afterwards went to
Charlotteville, near Glenshee. Mr. Birdsill married Miss Clarissa Curtis
of that place over fifty-six years ago, and they settled on a farm
there. Forty-seven years ago they moved to Houghton township, having
purchased a farm at Glen Meyer. About fourteen years ago on account of
advancing age, they retired from the farm and came to Tillsonburg to
live.
When in
Houghton, Mr. Birdsill took an active part in public affairs. He was a
member of the Houghton Council seven years and served on the Glen Meyer
School Board many years.
He
was a Conservative and took a deep interest in the affairs of his party
and held the position of president of the South Norfolk Conservative
Association several years.
He
was a member of the Baptist church and organized the first Sunday school
at Glen Meyer, being superintendent of this school eleven years.
Mr.
Birdsill was very kindly and genial and merited and held the esteem of a
wide circle of friends, both at his old home in Glen Meyer and in his
town.
His is
survived by his wife, and three children: Wallace, at home, Mrs. John
McDonald, of Radison, Sask., and Mrs. D. Meharg, of this town.
The
funeral took place on Wednesday, the services being conducted by Rev. C.
N. Dewey. The interment was made in the town cemetery.
The
pallbearers were Messrs. O. E. Twiss, John Swance, B. F. Madill, S.
Piett, John Burks and Chas. Bentley.
The
friends present from a distance were: Mr. John Curtis and daughter,
Mrs.
Geo. Hurlburt, of Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Lane of Brantford;
Mr. and
Mrs. John Birdsill of Waterford; Mr. Frank Curtis and Mr. James Curtis
of Vienna; Mr. Lorne Curtis and Mrs. Kelly, of Lynedoch; Mrs. Henry
Davis of Glen Meyer and Mrs. Fulkerson of Brownsville.
