Obit: Wallace, John  June 4, 1891

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Monaghan Index
Copyright

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File contributed by: Susan Marcus Smrcus@aol.com April 8, 
2010, 12:47 pm


There passed to his rest on Thursday, June 4th [1891], Mr. 
John Wallace, of Wallace Island, in the Saint Lawrence, at 
the mature age of 83 years. The funeral took place on 
Saturday, June 6th, from his residence to the Ebenezer 
Cemetery, on Gananoque road, and was largely attended by 
relatives and neighbors. The funeral service was taken by 
the Rev. J. C. Young, of Lansdowne, according to the usages 
of the English Church, of which the deceased gentleman was a 
member, the sermon being preached at the house, Rev. Mr. 
Young taking for his text the words of Scripture, "Until the 
Day Break and the Shadows Flee Away."

Perhaps never was witnessed on the St. Lawrence a more 
thrilling yet soothing spectacle than this funeral presented 
on its way from the Island to the main shore; the Islands 
clothed in their lovliest spring foliage; the bright 
unclouded sky; the perfect calm of the clear blue waters on 
which was mirrored the funeral cortege, with the boats that 
followed in admirable order. All combined to make up a scene 
of peacefulness, though the mourning, which can never be 
forgotten by those who were present.

The arrangements reflected the greatest credit by Mr. F. 
Cole, Undertaker of Lansdowne, who had charge of the 
funeral, and were carried out without the least hitch or 
confusion of any kind; six sons-in-laws of deceased acting 
as pall bearers, and all members of the family being present 
except the second son, whom distance alone prevented from 
coming.

Mr. John Wallace was one of the old pioneer settlers in this 
country. He was well known and respected by a large circle 
of friends and neighbors, and passed the declining years of 
his life in seclusion and tranquility on the Island, which 
now bears his name. Born in the year 1808, in the county of 
Monaghan, Ireland, he came to this country in 1822, and 
first of all resided in the Province of Quebec. After 
staying there a few years he obtained occupation under 
Government Contractors in Upper Canada, as overseer of the 
Cornwall Canal, which was then in the course of 
constructiobn. While thus occupied, the rebellion of 1837 
broke out, and he often took pride in speaking of the share 
he took in repulsing the rebels, being a non-commissioned 
officer in the regiment of dragoons. From Cornwall Mr. 
Wallace went to Escott Township, in the County of Leeds, in 
the year 1844, and took up land adjacent to the St. 
Lawrence, where he followed in the occupation of lumbering 
and farming for a number of years. Finally, about the year 
1863, he settled down on the Island, where he died, and for 
a number of years had charge of the well known Lindu 
Lighthouse, in the Canadian Channel, so familiar to all who 
have journeyed to and fro on the St. Lawrence. Besides, he 
held the position of guardian of the Island, and fishery 
inspection of that section.

Whilst at Cornwall he married Jane, the eldest daughter of 
James Johnston, Esq., formerly of County Fernmauagh, 
Ireland, who survives him, and had issue fourteen children, 
eleven of whom are still living. They are Jas. Wallace, his 
eldest son, now owner of the homested in Escott Township; 
Robert J., Principal of the University Business College, 
Denver, Colorado, USA; John G., who is now, as he has been 
for some years, successor to his father at the Lighthouse, 
fishery inspector and guardian of that section of Islands; 
surviving daughters are, Elizabeth, wife of D. Darling, 
Esq., Merchant, Gananoque; Margaret, wife of Samuel Cook, of 
Gananoque, teacher of the public schools; Ellen, wife of R. 
Bailey, of Leroy's Islands; Eliza, widow of the late Charles 
Fisk, Merchant of Theresa, NY; Emma, wife of Wm. Mitchell, 
Esq., of Lansdowne; Lois, wife of Thos. Hunt, Escott; Sarah, 
wife of Albert Greer, Esq. Warburton, and Alice M., who 
reides with her mother and brother on the Island.

Besides his children, a brother in Lansdowne and a sister in 
Buffalo NY, who survive him, deceased leaves twenty-five 
grandchildren.

The late Mr. Wallace was a man who scarcely knew a day's 
sickness, until lately. He was very energetic and active, 
and only during the last few months has he shown any signs 
of declining health. About three weeks ago a spasmodic 
attack almost terminated his life, but he rallied for a 
short time, and the day before his death, just three weeks 
after his first attack, he had been able to walk for a short 
time in his garden.       

Additional Comments:
Died in Ontario,Canada