FAMILY  FOLIAGE.

James Albert Johnston  (1882 ~ 1964)

 

5.9.3. Third child of Isabella Adams and Robert Johnston, James Albert Johnston, was born February 6, 1882, in Clarke Twp., Durham Co., Ontario. 

  He married Clara Armitti Hill, daughter of Charles Stewart Hill and Catherine M. Soles, November 23, 1904, Penetanguishene, Ontario and had two children:  

 

• (5.9.3.1)  Baby Boy  (1906 ~ 1906)

• (5.9.3.2)  Gladys Melissa Isabelle  (1908 ~ 1983)

 

  James A. Johnston died August 18, 1964, aged 82 years in Penetanguishene, Ontario and Clara A. Hill Johnston died June 15, 1948, aged 81 years in Midland, Ontario and are interred at Lakeview Cemetery.

 

 

----- OBITUARIES -----

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James A. Johnston

Eighty-two years a resident in the Midland-Penetanguishene area, James Albert Johnston died suddenly August 18, 1964 in Penetanguishene following a short illness.

  Mr. Johnston was born in the Township of Clarke, February 6, 1882. He came to Midland at the age of 10 months. Living in both Midland and Penetanguishene. Mr. Johnston was married in Penetanguishene to the former Clara Hill who predeceased him.

  He was a stationary engineer with James and Norman Playfair and Midland Shipyards. Conservative in his political views, Mr. Johnston was a keen hockey enthusiast.

  The funeral service was held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, August 20, with Rev. Donald Cousens officiating.  Interment was at the Lakeview Cemetery, Midland. Acting as pallbearers were Ray Switzer, Toronto, Arthur King, Scarborough, V. J. Cummings, Agincourt, R. A. Megaw, and R. G. Megaw, Midland.

  Out-of-town relatives and friends attending came from Toronto, Mount Forest, Connecticut, Scarborough and Agincourt.

  Mr. Johnston was predeceased by his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnston, brothers, Charles and John, and sisters, Mary (Mrs. Allan Laidlaw) and Margaret (Mrs. Alf. Switzer).

  He is survived by a daughter, Gladys, (Mrs. Donald Howard), Scarborough; a sister, Miss Maude Johnston, Midland, and granddaughters, Pamela, (Mrs. Arthur King), and Lynn and Gwenn Howard. Midland Free Press, Sept. 9, 1964.

 

Clara A. Hill Johnston

November 24, 1866 ~ June 15, 1948

The death occurred at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, June 15, 1948, of Mrs. James Johnston, resident of Midland for the past 47 years.

  Born Clara Hill in Fairhaven, N.Y. in 1866, she married James Johnston in Midland in 1904. She was a member of the Gospel Hall.

  Funeral service was conducted June 18, by Graham Swales, from the funeral parlors of A. Barrie and Sons, with interment in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were: William Scheetz, Martin Bolher, William Howard, G. Perce Smith, Melville Howard and Bert Megaw.

  Relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral included: Mrs. Irene Scheetz, Mrs. Allen Laidlaw, Mr. and Mrs. L. Clark and son, Bill, Mrs. D. Houston, Mrs. Charles McCarter and Wm. Scheetz, all of Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Duncan French, Elgin Mills; Mrs. Dinah Adams, Mrs. Stanley Harriot, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Graham, all of Conn; and Melville Howard, Orillia.

  Mrs. Johnston is survived by her huband, James Johnston; one daughter, Mrs. Don Howard (Gladys); one brother, Ira Hill; and three grandchildren, Pamela, Lynn, and Gwenn Howard, all of Midland. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Duncan French, Elgin Mills, and Mrs. Anna Gravley, Fairhaven, N.Y. Midland Free Press, June 20, 1948.

 

Charles S. Hill

July 5, 1832 ~ August 5, 1933

Mr. Charles Stewart Hill, Midland’s oldest resident, passed peacefully away at 11 o’clock Saturday night [August 5, 1933] one month to the day after his 101st birthday.

  He was well and mentally active almost to the last. On the same day that he died he sat in his wheel chair for his usual two-hour period, and was eagerly looking forward to riding in the Kiwanis Street Parade on Monday evening. He suffered some pain a short time before he died, but the end was quiet.

  The funeral was held on Tuesday morning from St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, where the service was conducted by Rev. J. F. Kehoe and Rev. J. M. Castex. Interment was made beside his late wife in Lakeview Cemetery.

  The late Mr. Hill was the last of five veterans of the United States Civil War, who formerly resided in Midland. He was born in Fairhaven, N.Y., where he lived until coming to Canada. He was three times married, the first time at the age of 18 years, to the late Martha Cockeran of Fairhaven. His second wife was a Canadian, Katherine Soles, although the marriage was solemnized in Fairhaven. He was married to his present wife [Olga Mary Ovendon] in Midland 11 years ago. 

  He fought with the Northern Army in the United States Civil War, and often spoke to his friends of his adventures during that conflict. Up until the time of his death, he was in receipt of a pension from the United States government for his services at that time.

  A little over 50 years ago, he came to Canada with his second wife and their family, settling first in Prince Edward County, and coming to Midland some two years later. Here he plied his trade as a fisherman, running two sailing sloops, the “Lady Maude” and the “Mary Jane.” The one was a fore-and-after, the other carried a single sail. As he grew older, he bought five acres of land on Elizabeth St., the present home of his son, Ira, and farmed there on a small scale, for a short time also operating his fishing boats in the spring and fall.

  Eleven years ago, following the death of his second wife, he was married for the third time, and since then has lived at his late home at the corner of Queen and Elizabeth Streets.

  Almost 25 years ago, a cataract formed over his one eye, and was later followed by one over the other eye, as a result of which he had been totally blind since 1926. Of recent years he was confined to bed the greater part of the time, although he was able to sit in his wheel chair for a two-hour period practically every day until the end. His hearing was unimpaired, and he listened with interest to the radio programs daily. He was also sound mentally, and at the time of the inauguration of President Roosevelt, was able to tell in advance what the next step in the ceremony would be, as it was broadcast.

  He was formerly a Baptist, but of late years subscribed to the Roman Catholic faith. Previous to coming to Canada, he was a member of the Grand Army Lodge of the United States.

  Surviving are three daughters and a son, all by his second marriage: Mrs. J. A. Johnston (Clara) of town; Mrs. D. French (Elizabeth) of Elgin Mills; Mrs. Annie Gravely, of Fairhaven, N.Y., and Mr. Ira Hill, of town. Three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive. Midland Free Press, Aug. 10, 1933.

 

Catherine M. Soles Hill

April 20, 1842 ~ April 20, 1921

An old resident of Midland passed peacefully away on Tuesday morning, April 20, 1921 in the person of Mrs. Catherine M. Soles, wife of Mr. Charles Hill, at her home, 93 Elizabeth Street.  Mrs. Hill had resided here continuously for the past thirty years, coming to Midland with her husband and family from Trenton.  She was born near Kingston in 1842, and after her marriage lived for some yars in New York State. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and a constant attendant until prevented by the infirmaties of advancing years. Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, viz.: Mrs. Clara Johnston, Midland; Mrs. Annie Gravely, Fairhaven, N.Y.; Mr. Ira Hill, and Mrs. John McKinley, Midland. The funeral will take place from 83 Elizabeth Street, east, on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, to Lakeview cemetery. Midland Free Press, Apr. 21, 1921.

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