Tilsonburg's foremost resident is dead and the town mourns generally.
E. D. Tillson was known far and wide as the head
of one of Ontario's largest milling industries and as the promoter of many
enterprises that have helped to build up the town his father founded.
He
died on Friday last after an illness of less than a day. His trouble
was strangulated hernia. An operation was decided upon as necessary
and a fast special train was run from London to bring the clever surgeon,
Dr. Wishart, of that city.
The operation was successfully performed
and for a time it was thought the patient would do nicely. His
advanced age, however, was against him, and collapses ensued, from which
he was unable to rally.
Mr.
Tillson had held all the local offices in the gift of the people, being
Tilsonburg's first mayor after incorporation.
Besides looking after
his immense milling interests, for many years he devoted much time in
promoting the dairy interests, and ran a large dairy farm.
He was
instrumental in getting good roads in all directions from the town, and
always took a deep interest in municipal matters.
He was postmaster
for over forty years.
He was a devoted member of the Methodist
church, and was its most liberal supporter. In politics he was a
Conservative, though seldom taking an active part.
His
father, George Tillson, was the founder of the town, settling there in
1825. The business founded by him at that time has been ably carried
on by the deceased, who was born on March 28, 1825, and married Mary Ann
VanNorman on July 4, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Tillson celebrated
their golden wedding on July 4, 1900.
