Walsingham,
Dec. 15, 1914 --- The sudden death of Fred Kirn on the morning of the
9th inst. cast a gloom over the neighborhood, not only because of the
loss of so good a son, neighbor and citizen, but on account of the
peculiarly sad bereavement of the lonely father, Louis C. Kirn, who
after the death of two brothers, his wife and then his father some
years ago, lost his son George a little over a year ago two weeks
later his aged mother, and now as the last surviving member of his
family in this country, is called upon to mourn the loss of his son
Fred.
The late Frederick Jacob Kirn
was born March 25, 1886 on Lot 11, Concession 7, North Walsingham,
where he has always resided. He did not marry, but stayed with his
father, the two, since the death of the latter's mother a year ago,
having lived there alone.
A strong attachment existed
between them and they were to be seen much together. Being in
comfortable circumstances they would have had much to enjoy and had
planned to leave on the 14th inst. to spend the winter in the south.
Fred was never robust
physically, but his moral and mental strength more than made up for
what in some would have been a handicap.
Sincere, energetic and bright,
he finished at public school and entered Port Rowan High School. He
had early displayed considerable artistic ability and a successful
career was promised until poor heath compelled him to discontinue
school.
Cheerful and studious he
pursued some of his favorite studies, and while employed upon the farm
and among his fruit worked out and applied not a few scientific
ideas.
For a year or so prior to the
death of his brother he held a clerical position at Simcoe, but the
state of his health and the lonely position of his father induced him
to abandon another ambition he was not to realize.
Naturally frank, kindly and
genteel, he had many friends, and all unite in extending sincere
sympathy to the bereaved father.
