Local fraternal
societies lost two of their best known and most highly respected
members within a few hours through the death of W. P. Kelley, who died
on Sunday morning, and his sister, Mrs. Walter Cole, who succumbed to
pneumonia at an early hour Monday.
Mr. Kelley has been living
with his sister and her husband at the corner of John and Grove
streets, since last July. A short time ago Mrs. Cole fell on the walk
in front of her home, but was not seriously ill till Tuesday of last
week, when she was forced to her bed with the fatal pneumonia.
The late William Poldon Kelley
was connected with the British Canadian newspaper for a great many
years, and was one of the oldest persons who was born in Simcoe.
Mr. Kelley was the eldest
child and only son of George Kelley and Harriet Dell, his wife, who
was the eldest daughter of the late Richard Dell of Windham.
He was born on the 31st of
May, 1838, in a house that stood near the corner of Norfolk and Young
streets, where the home of Mr. Eben Edmonds now is.
With the exception of a short
time, he has been a continuous resident of the town during all this
period.
As a boy he used to go into
the office of the old Long Point Advocate after school hours, where he
learned to set type.
As he grew older he decided on
the business of printing as his life work. He became a first class
printer, and as the custom was in those days, he learned all about the
trade that could be learned in a country printing office, not only one
part as is so often the case today.
After he learned his trade he
worked for a while in the village of Vienna, and also in the city of
Buffalo. Afterwards he returned to the town, where he worked for some
time in the office of the Norfolk Messenger.
In 1860 when the late William
Wallace purchased the plant of the Simcoe Standard and started the
British Canadian, Mr. Kelley commenced work in that office as a
journeyman printer. Later he assumed the mechanical charge of the
paper. He continued with the Canadian till the year 1912.
He was remarkably faithful in
the discharge of his duties in the office. After the death of Mr.
Wallace, he became the editor of the same and for some time his name
appeared in it as its publisher.
It is scarcely necessary to
add that he was a Conservative in politics. Some of his ancestors
fought for Britain in the War of the American Revolution, and then
being associated with the late Mr. Wallace his political convictions
were strengthened. For many years he was connected with the executive
of the Conservative party here, and when he became incapacitated they
lost a worthy and whole-souled worker.
He was an enthusiastic and
ardent Mason, having been initiated into Norfolk Lodge No. 10, on the
14th day of June, 1964, and was the oldest member of that lodge.
In due time he became a master
of the lodge; also passing through the chairs of Ezra Chapter No. 23,
R.A.M. From 1887 to 1904, he acted as secretary of Norfolk Lodge. He
was Scribe E of Ezra Chapter from 1889 to 1904.
He was a member of the
original Free Library Board of the town, and in his younger days was
connected with the Orange Order, and also with the Manchester Unity of
the I.O.O.F. He was a member of the A.O.U.W. for years.
In 1869 Mr. Kelley married
Elizabeth Enis, daughter of Mr. John Auckland. There were three
children born to them: George, now an engineer on the Grand Trunk
Railway at Guelph; Hattie, who married Charles Rohrbeck, and is living
at Dayton, O.; and Walter P., who resides in Simcoe.
Mr. Kelley was forced to
retire from active work a year or two ago as he found it difficult to
walk, but enjoyed good eye-sight, and was able to keep well posted on
current events till the last. He was a very amiable man, and was
always in favor with those with whom he was associated.
Mrs. Kelly died on the 20th
April, 1912. From that date till July of last year Mr. Kelley and his
son Walter lived in the old home on Kent street, where the greater
part of his years were spent. Since July, he has been living with his
brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cole, where he found a
most pleasant home, and where death claimed him early on Sunday
morning.
The funeral took place on
Tuesday afternoon to Oakwood cemetery, and was conducted by the
Masonic order, a large attendance being present.
Mrs. Walter Cole, who passed
away within twenty-four hours after her brother, was a couple of years
younger, and was formerly Sarah J. Kelley, have been married to Mr.
Walter W. Cole in 1876, Since their marriage they have lived
continuously on John street. There are no children,
For years Mrs. Cole has been
prominently connected with Fern Rebekah Degree Lodge of the
Oddfellows, and was a past noble grand, and on one or two occasions
represented Fern Lodge in the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario.
In religion she was a
Methodist, being a member of St. James Methodist Church.
The funeral took place
yesterday to Oakwood cemetery.
