5.9.2.3. Frances G. Laidlaw (1909-1990)

Frances Genevieve Laidlaw (1909 ~ 1990)

5.9.2.3. Third child of Mary Jane Johnston and Allen Laidlaw, Frances Genevieve Laidlaw, was born May 12, 1909, in Midland, Simcoe Co., Ontario.

She married Robert Addison “Bert” Megaw, son of Robert James Megaw and Emma Caroline Addison, August 1, 1931, Midland, Ontario and had two children:

(5.9.2.3.1) Mary Caroline (1933 ~ 1982)
(5.9.2.3.2) Robert John (1938 ~ )

Frances G. Laidlaw Megaw died November 11, 1990, aged 81 years and Robert A. Megaw died September 22, 1982, aged 79 years in Midland, Ontario, and are interred at Lakeview Cemetery.

----- MARRIAGE -----

Laidlaw—Megaw

Knox Presbyterian Church was on Saturday [August 1, 1931] the scene of a charming and fashionable wedding, when Frances Genevieve, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Laidlaw, of Midland, became the bride of Robert Addison (Bert), younger son of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Megaw, of Vancouver.

The bride was becomingly gowned in a white satin dress and net veil trimmed with lace caught with orange blossoms, and presented a pretty picture as she came up the aisle of the church leaning on the arm of her father, and carrying a shower of bouquet of Briar Cliff roses and baby’s breath. She also wore white hose matching her dress, white silk crepe shoes trimmed with silver, and white lace mitts, while about her throat was a beautiful pearl necklace, the gift of her mother.

As she approached the front of the church, where the groom awaited her, supported by the bride’s brother-in-law, Mr. Dorval A. Houston, of Elora, Ont., the bride was preceded by a flower-girl, Joan Laidlaw, her youngest sister, daintly dressed in a long blue dress of crepe de chene, made on princess lines, who carried a pretty nosegay of sweet peas in pastel shades. Jack Laidlaw, the younger brother of the bride, dressed in a page-boy’s suit of blue linen, followed her, carrying the bridal train.

Mrs. D. A. Houston, the bride’s eldest sister, acted as matron of honor, and was charmingly dressed in green georgette, with a green picture hat, shoes to match, beige hose and white gloves. She carried a bouquet of Ophelia roses.

Charming, too, were the bridesmaids, Naomi Laidlaw, younger sister of the bride, and Miss Lillian Elsom. They were identically dressed in pale pink georgette dresses, wide pink mohair hats trimmed with pink satin ribbon, white lace mitts and light colored shoes and hose, and carried bouquets of yellow pernet roses.

The ushers were Messrs. Donald Ross and Morgan John.

Mrs. Allan Laidlaw, the bride’s mother, was dressed in black and white chiffon, with white panama hat and corsage of pink roses and fern.

The Lohengrin wedding march was played by Miss Gwen Anderson as the wedding procession proceeded up the aisle of the church; and a wedding selection from Mendelssohn was played after the ceremony. During the signing of the register, Miss Norma McKinley sand “Because”, after which the happy couple walked down the aisle to their waiting car outside and were driven to the home of the bride’s parents, where a wedding reception was held for a number of their closer friends.

Among the out-of-town guests at the reception were, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Houston, of Elora, and daughter, Barbara; Mr. and Mrs. A. Houston, of Nashville, and their two daughters, Lorraine and Vedera, and Miss Dora Hook of Toronto.

The newly married couple left the same afternoon by motor for Toronto, where they took a C.P.R. train for their honeymoon, which will be spent with the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Megaw, at Vancouver, B.C. On their return they will reside in Midland. Midland Free Press, Aug. 3, 1931.

----- OBITUARIES -----

Frances G. Laidlaw Megaw

Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 13, 1990 for the late Frances Genevieve Megaw of 568 Dominion Ave., Midland. Services were held at Nicholls Funeral Home in Midland with Rev. Jim Kitson of the Presbyterian church as officiating clergyman.

Mrs. Megaw passed away Sunday, November 11, 1990 at Huronia District Hospital. She was 81.

Mrs. Megaw was born in Midland, the daughter of Allen and Mary Laidlaw. She attended local schools, including Midland District High School.

Mrs. Megaw was married to Robert A. Megaw on August 1, 1931 in Midland. The couple lived in Midland, at 568 Dominion Ave. since 1938.

Mrs. Megaw was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, was active in the Presbyterian Ladies and was a Sunday School teacher. She was a lifetime member of Midland Curling Club.

Mrs. Megaw is survived by son Robert J. Megaw of Kipling, Sask.; by brother John Laidlaw of Willowdale; by sisters Ruth Porter of Agincourt and Joan Giles of Sarnia; also survived by eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Megaw was predeceased by daughter Mary Caroline; by brother Aberdeen; and by sisters Mildred and Naomi.

Pallbearers at the funeral were grandson Paul Donaldson of MacTier, Ont., grandson-in-law Phil Sifft of MacTier, grandson-in-law Stephen Adams of Barrie, friend Stephen Laurin of Midland, grandson-in-law Joe DiPasquale, and grandson Rob Megaw of Barrie.

Interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Midland. Midland Free Press, Nov. 30, 1990.

Robert A. Megaw

January 7, 1903 ~ September 22, 1982

Funeral services were held for Mr. Robert Addison (Bert) Megaw on September 25, 1982 at Nicholls Funeral Home in Midland. Rev. Paul Brown of Knox Presbyterian Church, Midland was the officiating clergy. Interment Lakeview Cemetery, Midland.

Mr. Megaw passed away at Huronia District Hospital on September 22, 1982 after a short illness. He was 79 at the time of his death. His last residence was 568 Dominion Avenue, Midland.

Born in Goderich, he was the son of Robert James Megaw and Emma Caroline Addison. He married Frances Genevieve Laidlaw on August 1, 1931 in Knox Presbyterian Church, Midland. Following their marriage the Megaws lived in the Tanner Apartments, Midland, 1931-38 then to his late residence on Dominion Avenue.

Robert Addison Megaw took his education in Victoria Public School, Goderich, Goderich High School and graduated from Sprott-Shaw Business College, Vancouver, B.C. He was stricken with polio at the age of six and after surgery in Sick Children’s Hospital, Toronto, Mr. Megaw played baseball, hockey, golf and curled very actively.

He worked at the Midland Copeland Flour Mills, 1922-23, was a junior clerk at Parker Wedd Meat Packers, Detroit, Michigan, 1923-24 as a shipping clerk. In 1924 he joined Redpath Chautaugua (travelling shows) on the work crew and toured the southern U.S.A. He met and worked with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and “Charlie McCarthy”. The season ended that September Mr. Megaw sailed the Great Lakes on the James E. Davidson as a coal passer also the freighter Boston returning at the end of December 1925 to Midland. In January 1926 he returned to Copeland Mills with R. J. Pinchin and worked up to being a manager until it was torn down in 1976.

A member of Knox Presbyterian Church, Mr. Megaw served on the Board of Management 1957-61 and directed the financial canvass in 1960 for Knox church. He was the Director of the Midland Curling Club 1953-54, Director of St. Andrews Hospital Board 1954-56 and Chairman of Purchasing for the building of the new wing on St. Andrews. Mr. Megaw served on the Board of Directors, Midland Golf and Country Club, 1960-65 and was elected to the Midland Public Utilities Commission 1941-45.

He is survived by his wife Frances Genevieve Laidlaw and Robert John of Herbert, Saskatchewan, as well as by eight grandchildren. Midland Free Press, Sept. 29, 1982.

M. Caroline Megaw Donaldson

March 18, 1933 ~ February 9, 1982

Of Muskoka Lakes. At Parry Sound General Hospital, on Tuesday, February 9, 1982, Caroline Megaw, 48, beloved wife of Edward (Ted) Donaldson and dear mother of Paul, Mary Jane, Susanne, Heather and Sarah Lynn. Loved daughter of Bert and Frances Megaw of Midland and dear sister of Bob Megaw of Herbert, Saskatchewan. A memorial service will be held in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Parry Sound, on Thursday, February 11, 1982 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan. Toronto Star, Feb. 10, 1982.

Robert J. Megaw

May 19, 1862 ~ January 29, 1955

Passed away January 29, 1955, Robert James Megaw of 3866 W. 13th Ave. in his 93rd year. Survived by his loving wife Alice, two sons, Frank, Vancouver; Bert, Midland, Ont.; one daughter, Mrs. D. A. Yeomans, Vancouver; two grandchildren. The deceased was past master of Maitland Lodge No. 33 A.F. and A.M. Goderich, Ont. Was founder and honorary life member, Victory Lodge No. 94 A.F. and A.M. Vancouver. Honorary life member Dunbar Lodge No. 145 A.F. and A.M. Vancouver. Honorary life member West Point Grey Lawn Bowling Club. A member of Scottish Rite Rose Croix, London, Ont. Funeral service Wednesday, at 3 p.m. in Simmons and McBride Funeral Chapel, Broadway at Maple St., Rev. Harry Parker officiating. Interment Masonic Cemetery, Burnaby. Toronto and Midland papers please copy. Vancouver Sun, Jan. 31, 1955.

Emma C. Addison Megaw

April 12, 1863 ~ March 9, 1936

The death of a former resident of Goderich, in the person of Emma C. Addison, wife of Robert J. Megaw, occurred on Monday, March 9, 1936, at Vancouver, B.C., where she and her husband had been living since their removal from Goderich about twelve years ago. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Addison of Goderich. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Megaw lived for some years at Keewatin, Ont., and Portage la Prairie, Man., returning to Goderich when the Megaw brothers took over the Big Mill, which had been idle for some years, and organized the Lake Huron & Manitoba Milling Co.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Megaw leaves two sons, Robert A., of Midland, Ont., and Francis R., of Vancouver, and a daughter, Mrs. D. A. Yeomans, of Vancouver. Two sisters and two brothers also survive: Mrs. H. B. Pollock and Miss Alice H. Addison, of Vancouver; James H. Addison, of Mount Forest, Ont., and George E. Addison, of Weston, Ont. The funeral took place at Vancouver on Thursday, March 12, Rev. G. Harrison Villett officiating. Interment was in the Masonic cemetery, Burnaby.

Mr. and Mrs. Megaw were down from Vancouver in February on a visit to their son at Midland and were in Goderich for a few days less than a month ago, and the new of Mrs. Megaw’s death, which occurred shortly after their return to Vancouver, was a surprise and shock to her friends here. Goderich Signal, Mar. 19, 1936.

Samuel Megaw

1820 ~ May 18, 1900

A Good Man Gone. One by one the old residents of the town are going to their last rest. This week it is our duty to chronicle the decease of one who had lately passed the fourscore mark, but who a few days ago seemed fresh and vigorous and apparently had many years of life still before him. We refer to Samuel Megaw, whose death, which occurred on Friday [May 18, 1900] morning last, was quite unexpected. He and his now bereaved widow had planned to remove at the end of this summer to Seaforth, to live with their daughter, Mrs. Archibald. On Monday of last week they had a sale of their household furniture, having made arrangements to spend the summer in a furnished house, and the following day Mr. Megaw, in lifting some heavy article, overstrained himself and caused an internal injury. Although it was not considered very serious at first, this injury, in spite of medical attendance, resulted in his death early Friday morning. Mr. Megaw, though very quiet in his mode of living, was well known in town, and was esteemed for his uprightness and sincerity of character and his kindliness of disposition. He was a member of the Brethren denomination and was a truly Christian man. He leaves three sons and three daughters: Alex Megaw, of Winnipeg; W. R. Megaw, of Vernon, B.C.; Robert J. Megaw, of Keewatin; Mrs. William Holmes, of Clinton; Mrs. James Archibald, of Seaforth, and Mrs. Eph. Davidson, of Kamloops, B.C. To these and to his widow the sympathy of all who know them is extended in their hour of sorrow. The remains were conveyed Saturday afternoon to Seaforth, where the funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon. Goderich Signal, May 24, 1900.

Mary Jane Riggs Megaw

April 29, 1822 ~ May 14, 1911

Another connecting link with the pioneer days of Goderich has been severed by the demise of Mary Jane Riggs, relict of the late Sam Megaw, whose death took place at the home of her daughter in Seaforth on Sunday last, May 14, 1911. The deceased lady had passed the allotted span of life by almost a score of years, her age being eight-nine years and fifteen days. She was a native of Dublin, Ireland, but for the last fifty years her life had been associated with the progress of Huron county from a wooded wilderness to its present fertility as an agricultural district. Since the death of her husband eleven years ago, the late Mrs. Megaw had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Archibald, of Seaforth. The other members of the family are S. A. Megaw, of Winnipeg; W. R. Megaw, of Vernon, B.C.; R. J. Megaw, of Goderich; Mrs. Holmes, of Clinton, and Mrs. Davidson, of Vancouver. All will be present at the funeral tomorrow (Friday) except Mrs. Davidson and S. A. Megaw, who is in England at present. The remains will be interred in Maitlandbank cemetery, Seaforth. Goderich Signal, May 18, 1911.