Mr. W. R. Townley of Chicago
arrived in Simcoe at an early hour Tuesday morning, bringing with him
the body of his father, Thomas Townley. The deceased gentleman had,
since the death of his wife two years ago, lived with his son in
Chicago. He had, however, spent the summer with his niece, Mrs. Barr,
who lives at Onekama, a northern
Michigan watering place. And it was there that he died so suddenly on
Friday evening, that his son had no word of his being in any other than
his usual state of health, which however, had been through the pressure
of accumulating years, none too god of late.
On its arrival in Simcoe, the body was
taken to Trinity Church, where the funeral was held at 3 o'clock on
Tuesday afternoon to Oakwood Cemetery. Canon Hicks read the service and
the pallbearers were C. C. Rapelje, Walter C. McCall,
H. A. Carter, F. E. Curtis, E. H. Jackson and Frank Stevenson.
Mr. Thomas Townley was born in Lancashire,
England, on August 8th, 1830. He came to America in 1851, settling in
Simcoe, and starting business as a merchant tailor in 1852. In this
business he engaged successfully for nearly thirty-five years, when he
retired. He was of an enterprising disposition and built and owned a
number of properties in the town. He was active in militia affairs. He
was color-sergeant of the old Fenwick Rifles, and one of his prized
possessions was his Fenian raid medal. Afterwards for many years he was
drum major of the 39th Regiment. He married fifty-four years ago in
Trinity Church, Miss Letitia Reid, of Walsingham, who as already stated,
predeceased him, the couple having enjoyed each other's companionship
for fifty-two years.
Mr. Townley was a man of sterling
character. Perhaps somewhat strong in his opinions, but holding them
sincerely and honestly. He lived, for a third of a century, a bustling,
useful life in Simcoe's business world. He passes to his eternal rest
with the "Well done" of those of his former fellow-townspeople
who remember the days of his activity.
