Alexander McTavish whose life was ended December
24th, 1903, when, after but a week's illness, he entered into rest,
was born March 20th, 1842, in Orford township, County of Kent, on
the fine farm of 100 acres, township range, Lot 68, where his whole
life was spent, a son of Alexander and Isabel (Gillies) McTavish, of
Argyllshire, Scotland, who were married in the County of Elgin,
Ontario.
Alexander McTavish, Sr., came to Canada in 1810
with his parents, and located in Orford Township, County of Kent.
Here three brothers, Alexander, John and Malcolm, each took up 200
acres of land. Alexander remained upon his property until his
death, in September, 1860, when he was fifty years of age. His
widow survived him until 1890, dying at the age of eighty-four
years, and like her husband firm in the faith of the Baptist
Church. They were both buried in the New Glasgow cemetery, County
of Elgin, Ontario. When they first located in Orford all the land
was a wilderness, and they were obliged to guard against wolves and
other wild animals. Their children were: Catherine, of Duart,
Ontario, who married George Gillard; John, Daniel and Archie,
deceased; Margaret, who died unmarried at the age of 29 years;
Henrietta, who died unmarried at the age of 20 years; Alexander; and
Miss Mary, who resided with Alexander.
On October 24th, 1864, at Detroit, Michigan,
Alexander McTavish, our subject, married Hannah Marilla Cornwall,
and the following named children were born to them: (1) Miriam, of
Ridgetown, Ontario, married L.J. Ruth. (2) Miss Mattie is at home.
(3) Edgar Wilson, a farmer of Orford township, married Eva Evaline
Congo. (4) Frank Cornwall, a physician of Vancouver, B.C.
graduated from Toronto University with the degree of M.B., after
which he entered Edinburgh University; he next went to London,
England, where he received the degree of L.R.C.A.; and then enlisted
in the Imperial Yeomanry, as surgeon, spending two years in South
Africa. Returning home at the close of the war, after a few
months he returned to England and took the degrees of L.R.C.P. and
M.R.C.S. In July, 1903, he married Grace A. Brown, of Niagara
Falls, and since his location in Vancouver has rapidly risen in his
profession. (5) William Alexander is a physician of Olds,
Alberta. (6) Miss Edith Marilla, of Woodstock, is a trained
nurse. (7) Hiram Roy is a student at College. Mrs. Hannah Marilla
(Cornwall) McTavish was born in Orford township, August 13th, 1844,
daughter of Joseph and Bethany (Wilson) Cornwall, of England, who
were reared in Canada. They were among the early settlerss of the
Dominion and soon after their marriage, which took place in 1837,
they located in the County of Kent. The father died August 27th,
1885, aged 65 years. Both died at the home of their son-in-law, Mr.
McTavish, and they are buried in the Morpeth Cemetery. Their
religious connection was with the Methodists. The children born to
their union were: Hiram, a farmer of Ellensburg, washington;
Nicholas, a farmer of Assiniboia; Mary, who married Archie McTavish
(a brother of our subject), a farmer of Howard township; Hannah
Marilla; Percilla, who married John Sinnington, of Howard Township;
Emily, who married Rev. C. Burdett, of Ridgetown, Ontario; and Jane,
deceased.
Alexander McTavish spent his life upon his farm
and was frankly and justly proud of his beautiful home and fine
land. The dwelling is one of the modern model farm houses of the
county, fitted with all modern improvements, including hot and cold
water, baths, gas, etc., and handsomely furnished. One of the
conspicuous features of the furnishings is the collection of various
South African curios, including some magnificent tiger rugs, brought
to his parents by Dr. Frank C. McTavish.
In politics Mr. McTavish was a Reformer and
active in local affairs, for two years serving as a member of the
township council, and for six years as a school trustee. For
twenty-three years he was treasurer of the Baptist Church, finally
resigning the office in 1903. His religious affiliations were
always with that church, of which he was a liberal and earnest
member. Fraternally he belonged to the A.O.U.W. and the A.F. &
A.M., instituted 28 years ago.
Probably no man in the County of Kent was a
better representative of the agricultural interests of the locality
than Mr. Mctavish. Although his life was spent within the borders
of his native county, he was a man of broad ideas, well informed as
to current events, and was a clearly felt factor in political
matters. The family is one of the oldest in Orford township, and
its various members fully sustain the reputation gained by the
founder, all of the name being upright, honourable and courteous
gentlemen, conscientious in the discharge of all duties, whether
those of a public or private citizen. Mr. McTavish not only
established himself firmly in the community, but reared a family
which does him credit, and reflects favourably upon his wisdom and
management. His death was deeply deplored, and a large concourse of
friends came to do his memory honour. His remains rest in Greenwood
Cemetery, Ridgetown, Ontario.