An old resident of this town passed away on Sunday last in the person of William McGuire, at the age of eighty-two years. He had been ill for weeks with bowel trouble. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon from the residence on Murray Street, and was in the charge of Fred Forster, I.P.M., of St. George's Lodge No. 41, A.F. & A.M., Kingsville, of which deceased was an honourary member. A large number of members from Thistle Lodge were also present. Rev. J.F. Parke, Rector of Christ Church, conducted the burial service of that denomination. Internment was made in Rose Hill cemetery, the following being pallbearers were M. Barrett, Wm. Borrowman, F.J. Maloney, Albert Fox, C.W. Martin and John Ryan. Mr. McGuire was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and came with his parents to this country. When quite young, his father being a soldier was stationed at Halifax, with his regiment for some time, and later came to Amherstburg where he received honorable discharge. There were eight children, only three of whom are now living, being Mrs. Dan. Smith, Amherstburg; James, of Ionia, Mich.; and John in the United States. The father, Terence McGuire, and his wife died in this town in the years 1876 and 1870 respectively. The deceased was married to Amelia Betree, who predeceased him by three years. They had a family of six, only three of whom are living, Ellen, Mrs. Wayne, Detroit; Annie, who took care of him, the past year or two, and James, Sandwich Street. Some years ago the deceased conducted an ashery at the south end of Dalhousie Street. He also had a general store where Lovegrove & Scratch now occupy; at the same time he ran a wood dock on Murray Street. He was councilor on different occasions, reeve one year, and town assessor different times. He held the position of bailiff for some time being succeeded by Colborne Wright.

untitled, The Amherstburg Echo, January 20, 1905

Obituary

Chas. W. Thomas, for forty years a prominent resident of this section of the county died on Sunday night, the result of an accident that he met with on Thursday night previous. For some years past Mr. Thomas has lived alone in his residence adjoining his grist and saw mill on the 3rd concession in Anderdon alongside the M.C.R. On the evening in question his son, Aaron S., who lives close by, passed the house to come to town and on going in to see his father was requested by the latter to rub some liniment on his back, which he did. The son returned about 11 o'clock and as he was getting out of the rig his father, who was walking up and down the front yard, called to him to hurry and throw water on him, that he was burning up. The son got a quantity of cream and threw that on him then wrapped him up and sent to town for a doctor. Dr. Hobley soon arrived and administered to the suffering man. Mr. Thomas could not explain just how the accident happened but from what he could recall and what can also be conjectured he was going one room to another attired only in his night dress and underclothes and carrying a lighted lamp when the lamp exploded, the oil flying over his night dress and setting fire to same. In an instant he was one mass of flames yet with presence of mind he hurried outside and rolled himself in the grass. The flames had spread so, however, that he was burnt from his chin to his feet, the flesh of his body being literally cooked. Where the liniment had been rubbed on the small of his back the burns seemed to be deeper, due to the oil in the liniment. His whiskers were also partly burned off. It is thought that the accident happened about half an hour before Aaron arrived and in the meantime Mr. Thomas must have suffered agonies. The best of care and attention was given him by his relatives and medical attendant and he retained consciousness up until Sunday morning, but so much smoke had been inhaled and the burns were so deep that all efforts were fruitless and about 8 o'clock that evening he passed away. The remains were brought to the residence of his son, C.M.S. Thomas, Richmond Street, on Monday morning and the funeral took place on Wednesday morning to Christ Church thence to Rosehill Cemetery. Rev. J. Berry, M.A., rector of Christ Church officiated, and a large number of friends and acquaintances attended to pay their last sad respects to the departed. The funeral was in charge of the Masons, of which order deceased was an old member, Dr. Hobley, W.M. of Thistle Lodge, No. 34, A.F. & A.M., performing the duties of his office. A large number of local and visiting craftsmen were present. The pallbearers were H.G. Duff, E.H. Haynes, F.J. Maloney, P. Darragh, J.H. Lockhart and John Healy.

Deceased was born in Oakville, Ont., on September 23rd, 1830. At the age of 18 he entered the employ of Melancton Simpson ship-builder at Oakville. He later went to New York City for the purpose of perfecting himself in draughting and there became foreman of the steam-frigate Niagara, then being built; also foreman of the yacht America. Returning to Oakville, he there made his first venture as ship-builder and owner, in 1855, by building the schooner Crescent, which was afterwards lost, with all hands, on Lake Ontario. He afterwards built and was owner of the schooners Mary, Chieftan, and Junius. In 1859 he sold out his shipping interests and settled in the township of Anderdon, where he built a lumber and flour mill. In 1866 - 67 he built a lumber and flour mill in the town of Amherstburg where the waterworks now stands, but these were burned in 1868 at a loss of $20,000; he re-built in 1869 and in 1876 they were again burned; in 1877 he again re-built the flour mill and then sold out. In 1878 he built a lumber mill at Texas Landing, on the Detroit River, which he operated one year and then sold. He has since operated his lumber and flourmills in the 3rd concession of Anderdon, near the M.C.R. track. He was twice married, first to Mary Ann Smith, who died July 14th, 1868, and second to the widow of Thomas A. Mears, who died March 4th, 1879. By the first union there were six children, fours sons and two daughters. All died in infancy but Charles M.S. and Aaron S., the former druggist in this town and the latter living in Anderdon. By the second union there was no issue.

In municipal matters deceased took an active interest and in 1864 was elected Reeve of Anderdon, holding that position for 1865 and 1866. In 1870-71-72 he was Deputy Reeve of Amherstburg. He was also a councilor of Amherstburg the first year the town had a Mayor. The late H.H. Cunningham and deceased had many warm contests for municipal honors in Anderdon and it is remarkable that both should have passed away within a few weeks of one another. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity; being initiated on October 23rd, 1866 and Master of Thistle Lodge, No. 34, in 1871-72-74-75 and 1876 and was also made a member of the Royal Arch Chapter in 1876 and First Principal of said Chapter for 1878 and 1879. He was one of the oldest Justices of the Peace in the County of Essex, having been appointed in 1867 and always endeavored to have the parties appearing before him settle their differences amicably without going into law. An inveterate reader he was well informed on almost all subjects.

Death of J.R. Park

John Richardson Park, one of the best known citizens of the town, died at his home, Dalhousie Street, Wednesday evening. He was taken ill on October 1^st and this sickness resulted in a stroke of paralysis and bronchial pneumonia, which hastened the end.

Mr. Park was born near Oxley, township of Colchester South, September 21^st, 1837 and was a son of the late John Richardson Park, of Boston and Amelia Gamble. He was the eldest of a family of six, the only surviving member that is Earnest G. Park, Postmaster at Amherstburg. The deceased was married October 39, 1866 to Mary Elizabeth Gilman at Christ Church, by Rev. F. Mack. The result of their union was three children, Ellen A., Mrs. H.M. Stancliffe, Mrs. A.M. Aikman and one grandchild, Charles Richardson Aikman. Mr. Park was a graduate of Oaradoo Academy, near London, Ontario. For seven years he was chief clerk in the Sheriff's Office at Barrie, Simcoe County. In 1866 he came to Amherstburg and went into business with his uncle Theodore J. Park. Later he went into partnership with C.W. Thomas in a saw and grist mill on the site of the waterworks, also entered into partnership with Wm. Borrowman in a sash and planing mill, dissolved this partnership Oct. 23r^d, 1896, Mr. Park continuing the business until his death. He was one of the oldest members of Thistle Lodge No. 34, A.F. & A.M., and also the Order of Chosen friends. He always took an active interest in municipal affairs and held several offices including that of reeve.

The funeral will be held tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon from the residence at 2:30 o'clock. Deepest sympathy is extended the bereaved family.

Death of Reeve Wilkinson

This week it is our painful duty to chronicle the death of a very prominent and highly esteemed citizen, one who has lived among us during the past thirty-two years. William Thomas Wilkinson, was the eldest son of the late Capt. James Wilkinson, and was born at Chamblay, Quebec, on April 7th, 1841. He opened a business in this town, as a saddle and harness maker, about 24 years ago, which business he has since conducted until his death, which occurred on Tuesday last, with marked success. By amicable manners and uprightness he had won many fast friends. His life as a public man has been with an upward tendency since he first placed himself before the people; having been a councilor of this town, the first year of its incorporation, in 1878, and also the following year. In 1880 he was first elected Deputy Reeve, which office he held for two consecutive years, and in 1883, 1884 and thus far in the present year he ably represented his town as its Reeve. He was a member of the Public School Board during 1872 and 1873, and about five years ago was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Ever since the organization of the Fire Brigade, Mr. Wilkinson, has held the office of either captain or chief which later position he held at the time of his death. At the meeting of the County Council just closed he was appointed chairman of the Education Committee, a member of the special Building Committee and a member of the Board of Audit, and several other important committees, and was considered one of the most active members of the County Council. He was a member of the Thistle Lodge, A.F. and A.M., for about 20 years and was a Past Master of this society, and also a member of Prince of Wales Chapter, R.A.M. He had been an active member of the Church of England, of this town and was an important element in the choir and served two years as churchwarden. Capt. James Wilkinson, father of the deceased, was, during 25 years a soldier in the British Army, being corporal for three years and 17 years sergeant. Seven years of his soldier's life was spent in the West Indies and he was subsequently one of the organizers of the Royal Canadian Rifles, in 1840, and served for 12 years in that regiment, principally in Amherstburg, Niagara and St. Catharines, and was commissioned Captain of the Amherstburg company in 1858. He was honorably discharged, from the British army in 1852, and immediately afterwards settled in this town. Here he died on August 22nd, 1882. He had been married in the West Indies in 1839 and his widow is still alive. The members of the family still surviving are Robert J. of Essex Centre ; Capt. John, of the Detroit and Windsor ferry Excelsior; Mrs. W. Dornan, of this town; Stephen of Essex Centre; Frederick of Windsor; Ellen, unmarried, of Windsor and James of Essex Centre. William T., the deceased, was married in Amherstburg on August 15th, 1863 to Julia Ann Keenan, of Amherstburg, and she and their two sons --John and William T. survive him. Deceased had taken a severe cold while attending County Council last week and on Friday and Saturday, complained of feeling unwell in consequence. Neglecting to attend to his slight indisposition, on his arrival home, on Saturday evening, he took to his bed, which he never again left alive, congestion of the lungs and pneumonia having set in. He had, during his life, accumulated considerable property, as a result of his industry and shrewdness, and leaves his family well provided for. The funeral took place from the late residence. Dalhousie street, yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, under the direction of the Masonic fraternity -- W. Bros. George Gott, C.W. Thomas and J.R. Park, Bros. George T. Florey, William Pocock and R. Sample acting as pall-bearers -- to Christ Church, thence to the Amherstburg cemetery. The funeral cortege was arranged in the following order: Amherstburg Starlight Band, a deputation of Oddfellows, the Firemen, the Town officials, the Town Council; with a deputation from Colchester South Council; the Masonic brethren, the hearse, the mourners, and afterwards a large number of carriages. The funeral was one of the largest seen in Amherstburg, for some time. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, flags were flying at half mast, from the town hall and from several places of business and private residences out of respect of the deceased who leaves a wide circle of friends to morn his loss. The family have the sympathy of the whole community. Amherstburg can ill afford to lose so valuable a citizen.