The death of Robert T. Livingstone, Esq., Judge of the County of Norfolk,
at seven o'clock last Friday morning, after a severe illness of a few
days, was a shock to the community at large, and expressions of regret
were heard on every hand that His Honor had thus early in life fallen a
victim to the cruel shafts of the grim monster, Death.
Judge Livingstone, the eldest son of the late
Rev. Martin W. Livingstone,
for many years pastor of the Presbyterian congregations of Simcoe and Lynedoch,
was born at Musselborough, near Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1837, and came to
Canada when fourteen years of age.
He attended the University of
Edinburgh, and continued his studies in the University of Toronto,
graduated as B.A. in 1862, was the silver medalist in metaphysics and
ethics, taught the Grammar Schools of Perth, county of Lanark,
Bowmanville, and Chatham, studied law in the offices of Messrs. Wilson
& Matheson, in this town, and in the Toronto offices of Messrs. Reid
& Boyd.
Deceased was called to the bar in 1866, entered into
partnership with D. Tisdale, Q.C., M.P., and continued till his elevation
to the bench on the death of the late Judge McMahon in 1885.
He was
eminently successful in his profession, noted for profound thought and
legal acumen, and his judgment was never called into question. He
enjoyed the respect of all who knew him, irrespective of creed or
politics; a thorough gentleman, uniformly courteous to all, quiet and
unassuming in manner.
He took a deep interest in educational
matters, and was chairman of the board of school trustees for many years,
was reeve and mayor of Simcoe, and deeply interested in the prosperity of
the town. Prior to his elevation to the bench, he took an active
interest in politics, and was a thorough Conservative.
He married a
daughter of George Jackson of Simcoe, who died eight years ago. One
son and three daughters survive him.
His funeral took place on Monday afternoon, and the large assemblage that
followed his remains to their last resting place in Oakwood Cemetery, was
an evidence of the high estimation in which he was held by the community
generally. Rev. Mr. Dey, the newly appointed pastor of St. Paul's
church, of which the deceased was an enthusiastic adherent, officiated,
and Mr. Jas. T. Chadwick acted as Marshall.
The following gentlemen
were pall-bearers: Col. Tisdale, Q.C., M.P., E. Deedes, Esq., Sheriff; C.
C. Rapelle, Esq., Surrogate Registrar and Clerk of County Court; J. H.
Ansley, Esq., Clerk of the Peace and Crown Attorney; Geo. W. Wells, Q.C.,
and Thos. R. Slaght, Esq., Attorney.
The Union School was closed and
the teachers and a large number of pupils were present; the stores and
places of business were closed in the afternoon and the people of the town
generally joined in paying the last tribute to departed worth.
