The
following item is taken from the Galt Reporter of Tuesday, Feb.
13th, and refers to a well-known resident of Simcoe:
One of Galt's
well known sons, who has made a name for himself practically
throughout Canada, in the person of William H. Davidson, died at the
Galt hospital last night at 10 o'clock after an illness of six weeks'
duration.
The late Mr.
Davidson became ill, and came to Galt for medical treatment to which,
however, he failed to respond and his death came very peacefully. He
was in is 49th year.
Deceased was born
in Galt, the third son of Mr. J. B. and the late Mrs. Davidson, former
well known and highly esteemed residents of this city.
He learned the
blacksmithing trade at the shop of Mr. William Bryden, at the head of
Main street, and at the age of sixteen years left for the far west,
going to British Columbia, where he spent several years. Here he
interested himself in mining in the Teotenay and British
Columbia.
Later coming east
he went to Northern Ontario where he bought claims in the Porcupine
region, claims that were the first to tell the world of the rich
silver of the Porcupine. As the discoverer of the Porcupine the late
Mr. Davidson is well known and he held extensive stock in that
district.
During the past
five years he had resided in Simcoe, and owned and managed a fruit
farm some nine miles from the city [sic].
A recent trip to
Missouri led to his starting the lead and zinc mines better known as
the Davidson Joplin mines. Since opening these he had spent his time
between Simcoe and Missouri.
Wherever he was
known, the late Mr. Davidson was admired and respected for his
splendid executive ability, and liked for the friendliness and
cheeriness with which he met everyone with who he came in contact.
There was
probably no place where he was more deeply loved than Galt, where not
only he, but his parents and family, are so well known.
His mother
predeceased him three years ago, dying in Galt, and being interred in
Mount View Cemetery. His father, who survives him, resides in
Edmonton, and three brothers, Adam, J. Louis and Charles, also reside
in Edmonton. James resides in Williamsport, Pa., and Rodd in [Binghamton], N.Y., and one sister, Mrs. George Robertson, lives in Los
Angeles, Cal.
Besides his
brothers and sisters deceased is survived by a sorrowing wife, who was
with him during his illness, and one son, J. B., who is in France with
the Mechanical Transport, and one daughter, Winnie. To these the
sympathy of the community goes out in their loss.
The funeral,
which will be under Masonic auspices, will take place from the
residence of Dr. Adam Thomson, Main street, on Wednesday afternoon at
2.30 o'clock, the Mt. View, Cemetery.
