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Arthur Levi Vanstone (1857 ~ 1918)

4.5.8. Eighth child of Elizabeth Elford and Samuel Vanstone, Arthur Levi Vanstone, was born October 5, 1857, in Tyrone, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario.

He married Elizabeth Martha “Annie” Sinclair, daughter of Robert Sinclair and Martha Anne Tilley, November 22, 1882, in Bowmanville, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario and had six children:

(4.5.8.1) Howard Sinclair (1884 ~ 1884)
(4.5.8.2) Wilfred Arthur (1885 ~ 1906)
(4.5.8.3) Russell Sinclair (1888 ~ 1974)
(4.5.8.4) Byron Percival (1892 ~ 1893)
(4.5.8.5) Harold Ross (1894 ~ 1894)
(4.5.8.6) Gertrude Winona (1897 ~ 1932)

Arthur L. Vanstone died September 19, 1918, aged 60 years and Annie Sinclair Vanstone died March 24, 1919, aged 78 years in Brantford, Ontario and are interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

----- OBITUARIES -----

Arthur L. Vanstone

October 5, 1857 ~ September 19, 1918

We are sure the many friends of the family in Bowmanville and Durham county will sympathize with Mrs. Vanstone and family in their severe affliction which although anticipated for several weeks came as a shock to all of them and the wide circle of other relatives and acquaintances. In conversation with his pastor at General Conference in Hamilton last week Rev. Dr. G. W. Henderson he told us what a serious loss Wellington-st. Church had sustained by his death Brantford Expositor contained this sketch:

Death removed a well-known Brantford merchant and a highly respected resident of this city for a period extending over 30 years in the person of Mr. Arthur L. Vanstone, who passed away at the family residence, 89 Nelson street. Death followed a severe illness for 6 months. The late Mr. Vanstone came to Brantford from Bowmanville 33 years ago and at once took up the grocery and chinaware business on George street, which business he was actively engaged in at the same place up to the time of his death. In his business connection he was widely known throughout the province.

As a pillar of Wellington street Methodist church for 25 years or more he will be greatly missed. He served the church in almost every active capacity, and served it faithfully and well. He was secretary of the Trustee Board and taught the Adult Bible Class for 25 years. He was also Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School for over 20 years, and could always be depended upon to assist efficiently in every good work undertaken in connection with the welfare of his church.

In politics, he was a life-long Liberal. He was a member of the Southern City Court, C.O.F., member of Royal Templars and A.O.U.W. In lawn bowling circles he was a popular favourite in many a match for the Heather Club, of which he was one of the charter members.

He leaves a widow, one son, Russell S. and one daughter, Gertrude, to mourn the loss of a very devoted husband and father; one brother, Lucius N. Vanstone, Toronto, and one sister, Mrs. (Dr.) W. E. Tilley, Bowmanville.

The funeral took place on Sunday, September 22 from the family residence to Greenwood cemetery, service in charge of his pastor, Rev. Dr. Henderson, assisted by Revs. S. E. Marshall and J. Fred. Kaye, friends of the deceased. The musical service was led by Prof. T. Darwen. Mr. George Crooker rendered with heartfelt expression “No Burdens Yonder”. The pall bearers were: Messrs. D. H. Coates, W. G. Ranton, J. B. Detwiler, Thomas Fissette, J. W. Sherperson, T. W. Standing.

A very large concourse of representative citizens and friends were in attendance. Officials of Wellington-st., Methodist Church and teaching staff of Sunday School, attended in a body, some sixty in number. An unusual number of beautiful floral tributes testified to the esteem and affection in which the departed was held by the community. Among those mention might be made of: The Cross and Crown from Official Board of the Methodist Church; wreaths from Sunday School, Heather Bowling Club and numerous ones from friends and wholesale firms.

A large number followed the remains to Greenwood cemetery, where the interment was made in the family plot, Revs. Dr. Henderson and J. Fred. Kaye officiating. Fitting reference was made to the life and work of the departed in a memorial service in Wellington-st. Methodist church on Sabbath evening.

Among those from a distance were Mrs. W. E. Tilley, Mrs. P. C. Trebilcock, Mr. F. C. Vanstone, Bowmanville; Mr. J. J. Sinclair, Amherstburg; Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Vanstone, Mr. Byron S. Vanstone, Dr. Frank C. Trebilcock, Messrs. Alf. N. Mitchell, Henry Nerlich, John Burns, A. Bushell, A. Lyons, Tom Jackson, Toronto; Mr. J. L. Bradshaw, Stratford, and Mr. C. S. Syme, Hamilton. Bowmanville News, Oct. 11, 1918.

Annie Sinclair Vanstone

March 31, 1858 ~ March 24, 1919

The life of one of Brantford’s brightest little women was brought to a close on Monday, March 24, 1919, in the passing of Mrs. A. L. Vanstone, who was a daughter of the late Robert Sinclair and was born in Bowmanville and came to make her home in Brantford in 1886. She was one who in her quiet, reserved manner endeared herself to a large number of friends, who deeply mourn her demise. Her husband predeceased her six months ago. Her long illness was borne with the Christian fortitude so characteristic of her. She was a member of Wellington Street Methodist Church for 33 years and was an active worker in the W.M.S. and Ladies’ Aid Societies. She is survived by a sorrowing son, Russell, and daughter, Gertrude, and two sisters, Mrs. P. C. Trebilcock, Bowmanville, Mrs. Minnie Amos, Exeter, and three brothers, J. J. Sinclair, Amherstburg, F. W. Sinclair, Grand Rapids, and N. A. Sinclair, New York. The presence of many sympathizing friends and the profusion of beautiful flowers gave heartfelt expression to the high esteem and affection in which she was held, at the last sad rites on Wednesday afternoon. Her pastor, Rev. Dr. Henderson, assisted by Rev. S. E. Marshall and Rev. G. A. Woodside, officiated. Reference was made to the many Christian virtues, love and forbearance of the one whom so many will miss, in her home, the church, and her own bright, winning way radiating cheerfulness and sincerity all along the pathway of her life. Mrs. Frank Leeming sang most feelingly “The Resurrection Born.” Those who bore her to the last resting place were Messrs. W. J. Davies, Jas. Harley, Geo. Kirkby, J. W. Lewis, F. J. Waterson, R. T. Whitlock, internment being made at Greenwood Cemetery. Among the floral offerings, mention might be made of the tributes from the joint boards of Wellington-st. Methodist Church, the Ladies’ Aid and Women’s Missionary Society, the Sunday School, the Choir, the Bible class, the Grocers’ and Butchers’ Association, Ozias Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and a wealth of exquisite sprays. Those present from out of town were: Mrs. T. A. Amos, Exeter, Mrs. P. C. Trebilcock, Mrs. W. E. Tilley, Mr. F. C. Vanstone, Bowmanville; Mr. F. W. Sinclair, Grand Rapids; Mrs. W. N. Tilley, Messrs. L. N. Vanstone, H. Nerlich, A. Bushell, W. J. Sisson, Toronto; Mr. A. J. Trebilcock, Peterboro, and Mr. Hugh Sinclair, Beamsville.—Brantford Expositor. Bowmanville Statesman, Apr. 3, 1919.