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Jabez Cyrus Vanstone  (1853 ~ 1903)

 

4.5.6. Sixth child of Elizabeth Elford and Samuel Vanstone, Jabez Cyrus Vanstone, was born September 28, 1853, in Tyrone, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario.

  He married Selena Jane Cole, daughter of Matthew Cole and Elizabeth Woodley, June 26, 1877, in Tyrone, Ontario and had three children: 

 

 

  Jabez C. Vanstone died June 29, 1903, aged 49 years in Bowmanville, Ontario and Selena J. Cole Vanstone died June 28, 1931, aged 74 years in Toronto, Ontario and are interred at Bowmanville Cemetery.

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----- MARRIAGE -----

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Vanstone—Cole

On June 26, 1877, at the residence of the bride’s father, by Rev. W. Joliffe, Mr. J. C. Vanstone to Selena Jane, second daughter of Mr. Matthew Cole, all of Tyrone, Darlington. Bowmanville Statesman, June 28, 1877.

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----- OBITUARIES -----

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Jabez C. Vanstone

September 28, 1853 ~ June 29, 1903

After a courageous fight against an insidious disease one of Bowmanville’s very best citizens passed peacefully to sleep on Monday last, June 29, 1903, in the person of Mr. Jabez Cyrus Vanstone, proprietor of the well know Vanstone’s Flour Mills in this town and in the village of Tyrone. For a little over a year he sought and received the best advice and treatment to be obtained in this country, but in spite of all that was done the disease triumphed. The ailment was cancer of the bowels and at one time it was hoped that X-Rays treatment would check the progress of the disease, for he seemed to derive temporary benefit and gained considerably in strength so that he was able for a time to walk up town and was quite encouraged, but the improvement was only apparent or temporary, for soon again he became much worse and gradually sank to rest on Monday evening.

  Deceased was a man of strong character and known for business uprightness and was one of the successful men of his times in mercantile life. The writer knew him intimately and never knew a more straightforward man in all his dealings. He hated shams of every kind and had an aversion to ostentatious show.  He was more generous and responsive to appeals for assistance then the world knows of and his benefactions were not confined to his own community. He was one of the best supporters to the Methodist Church and was ever ready to do his part in such church work as he considered himself fitted to perform. He was a member of the Official Board, of the Trustee Board and a representative from the church to the Sabbath School Board. He served on the Town Council for two years but had no liking for municipal council and though pressed to be a candidate for the mayor’s office, he persistently declined to accept any position in the council. He was afterwards appointed to the High School Board a position which he filled most efficiently for some years and only resigned his seat when his illness prevented him from attendance at the meetings. A very appreciate resolution was unanimously passed when his resignation was accepted.  

  Mr. Vanstone was born in Newcastle, September 28, 1853, his father being the late Samuel Vanstone, Esquire. He was educated at Tyrone and Hampton Public schools and afterwards took a course at Bowmanville Grammar School. He came to town in 1868 to learn the dry goods business but as it was not to his liking he entered his father’s mill at Tyrone in 1870 and in 1878 became the owner of the flour mill which he continued to run until he had to give up business on accunt of failing health. In 1886 he bought the Bowmanville mill and soon changed it form stone to roller system which in 1891 was enlarged from 75 to 150 barrels per day. His flour has always found ready sale not only locally but besides foreign shipments he did a large trade in Quebec and Maritime Provinces. He did extensive business with farmers both in flour and feed and bought all the wheat they would bring in. He also imported a large amount of wheat from Manitoba.

  He was a life member of Toronto Board of Trade and at a time he was taken ill was President of the Dominion Millers’ Association. He was an active Liberal worker and held the office of Vice President of West Durham Reform Association for years. He was connected with the Oddfellows, Masons and United Workmen. During his illness he arranged his business affairs and handed over his milling interests to his eldest son, Fred C. Vanstone, who bids fair to be a worthy successor of his father. His second son, Mr. Byron S. Vanstone, is ledger-keeper in the Ontario Bank and Miss Ida May Vanstone, the only daughter resides at home.

  Some years ago Mr. Vanstone bought the brick residence on the hill west of the pond known as Cedar Cliff.

 The funeral on Wednesday, Dominion Day, was very largely attended, the number of relatives and near friends being very great. Rev. D. O. Crossley, his pastor, and Rev. W. Joliffe (who officiated at his marriage) conducted the service at the house and grave. The pall-bearers were his two brothers, Arthur L. Vanstone of Brantford, and Lucius N. Vanstone of Toronto; two nephews, Herbert R. Tilley and W. Norman Tilley of Toronto; and two brothers-in-law, W. C. Cole, Bowmanville and T. H. Cole, Tyrone. Bowmanville News, July 9, 1903.

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Selena J. Vanstone

August 31, 1956 ~ June 28, 1931

Following an illness of several months, death came to the relief of Mrs. Selena J. Vanstone, at her home, 177 Westminster Ave., Toronto, on Sunday, June 28, 1931, in her 75th year.

  Mrs. Vanstone was the eldest daughter of the late Mathew and Elizabeth Woodley Cole and was born in Tyrone where she was educated and grew into womanhood. On June 26, 1877, she was united in marriage with Jabez C. Vanstone of the same village. In 1886 they moved to Bowmanville, residing at Cedar Cliff now occupied by their son F. C. Vanstone.  Her husband passed away on June 29, 1903.

  Twenty-four years ago Mrs. Vanstone moved to Toronto where she had since resided. Mrs. Vanstone was a woman of very fine character and to know her was to live her which made her many friends both in this town and in the city where her later years were spent.  She was a very highly esteemed member of Howard Park United Church and before moving to the city an equally esteemed member of Bowmanville Methodist Church.

  The funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 30th, at her late residence, Toronto, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Dr. Thomas, assisted at the house by Rev. S. J. Allin. The remains were brought to Bowmanville Cemetery for interment. A large number of relatives and friends assembled at the grave to show their sympathy for the bereaved ones.

 Surviving are two sons and a daughter, Mr. F. C. Vanstone, Bowmanville; Mr. B. S. Vanstone, Toronto; and Miss May Vanstone, who has been her mother’s companion throughout they years of her illness. Three brothers, Thomas and James of Victoria, B.C., and William C. Cole, Bowmanville, and one sister, Mrs. A. H. Cass (Charlotte) of Minneapolis, Minn., also survive.

  The pallbearers were Messrs. Frank Vanstone, Russell Vanstone, Philp Tilley, Percy Elford, Lorne Brunt and Cecil H. Dudley.

Many beautiful floral tributes expressed the sympathy of a large circle of relatives and friends. Bowmanville Statesman, July 9, 1931.

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