After
a lingering illness of several years' duration, entirely owing to
general debility, one of the Township of Middleton's best known and
highly respected residents, Mr. John Ostrander, of Courtland, passed
peacefully away, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 1, after a well spent
life of nearly 83 years.
Deceased was born in
Crowland Tp. on Dec. 22, 1821, being a descendant of a U. E.
Loyalist family, who came to Bayham the next year.
When a young man, Mr.
Ostrander settled in Middleton Township, where, by dint of honest
tout, ingenious ability, and shrewd enterprise, he succeeded in
forging his way to the front rank of that township's most successful
and useful personages.
In 1845 he built a sawmill
in addition to his work of clearing up a farm. In 186[6], he erected
a grist-mill on Little Otter Creek, lot 4, Con. 2, Middleton, and
another mill in 1873 on Venison creek, Con. 14, Middleton.
Mr. Ostrander entered the
Middleton Council in 1852, being for twelve years its deputy reeve
and for several years its reeve, and also township engineer,
afterwards until failing health compelled him to retire there from.
As as evidence of his
peerless municipal experience he enjoyed the distinction of never
being defeated at the electoral polls from first till last year
(1885).
He was also a warden of
Norfolk County for a year, and a magistrate for many years. He also
took a great interest in agricultural society fairs. He was a great
reader and enjoyed a good walk above any other exercise.
In 1845 Mr. Ostrander
married Miss Edith Holmes of Bayham, who died a few years
thereafter, leaving a son, Mr. D. M. Ostrander of this town.
In 1848 the subject of this
sketch and Mrs. Emmeline Earls, daughter of Henry Sovereen of Delhi,
were married, who along with their family of two daughters -- Mrs.
O. F. Twiss of this town and Mrs. G. A. Graves of Washago, Ont. --
and a son, John A., Courtland, also a stepson, [William] Earls,
Courtland, are left to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and
parent.
Three brothers -- Simeon of
Cass City, Mich.; Charles of Morley, Mich.. and Andrew of Guysboro
-- and three sisters -- Mrs. Wm. Gray of Arlington, Iowa; Mrs. Wm.
Stilwell of Eden, and Mrs. R. P. [Feignmore] of Indiana -- also
survive the deceased gentleman.
All of the above mentioned
relatives with their respective families will have the sympathy of
the community -- Tillsonburg Liberal.
