Dr. James Gifford Gemmell

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-195355
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340697
• Occupation: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber - Shop
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Richard Gemmell Passes

One of Ayr's oldest residents, Richard Gemmell, passed away at the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital on Saturday, December 6th, in his 87th year from the effects of a fall sustained the previous week. Born in Woodstock, son of the late James Gemmell and Mary Flynn, he came to Ayr in 1889. For over 50 years he carried on a barber business here with the exception of a few years when he lived in Toronto and Nassau, Bahama. In 1897 he married Margaret Wilson, daughter of the late Adam and Betty Wilson, who predeceased him in 1909. Later he married Jean Russell, daughter of the late Harry and Fanny Russell, who survives him. Also surviving are a son, Dr. James G. Gemmell, Pinoche, Nevada, and two daughters Bessie, Toronto, and Margaret, Milton. He was a member of Knox United Church and a member of Dolman Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows for the past 63 years. He received the Lodge's 50-year membership jewel in 1943. Funeral service was held at his late residence, McDonald Street on Tuesday, December 9th, conducted by Rev. W. J. V. Buchanan. Committal service was held at the chapel in Ayr Cemetery. Pallbearers were: George Stockton, Henry Wolfe, Jack Swan, Norman Perriman, Robert Schmidt, and George Pitcher, Kitchener.

Ayr News 11 Dec 1958

_________________________

Richard Gemmel, a business man in Ayr for nearly fifty years, saw many changes in the village and community.

Born on May 5, 1872 in Woodstock, of Scottish - Irish parents, son of the James Gemmel and Mary Flynn, he came to Ayr in 1889, at the age of sixteen as a barber in the Oscar Johnson shop. A year later he left Ayr and during the next four years, he worked at his trade in Toronto, New York City and Nassau, Bahama Islands.

Returning to Ayr in 1894, he set up his barbershop, having purchased it from his former employer and continued in business for the next forty-four years - first in the shop on the present site of W.O.Ball Funeral Home, and from 1914 in the shop now operated by Henry Bechtel. He retired in 1938, due to failing eyesight.

During the next twenty years, he was a familiar figure on the streets of Ayr, was well known to young and old in the village and surrounding municipality, and continued to take a keen interest In every day happenings, both local and International. He had a remarkable memory for recalling people, and events of early days in this district.

Mr, Gemmel was a valued member of Stanley Street Presbyterian Church , later of Knox United Church. He was a member of Ayr Dolman Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows for over sixty-five years, receiving the fifty year membership jewel in 1943.

Mr. Gemmel was always interested in the game of checkers, and his shop was the scene of many checker tournaments among young and old.

A keen follower of politics, Mr.Gemmel was proud of being the thirteenth Conservative in the village of Ayr, at the turn of the century.

He was married twice. In 1897, he married Margaret Wilson, whose parents Adam and Betsy Wilson had come from Edinburgh, Scotland, and settled In Ayr in 1868, who died in 1909.

Later, he married Jean Russell, whose parents Harry and Fanny Russell had come from King Sorabourne, Hampshire, England, and settled in Ayr in 1874.

Mrs.Gemmel survives her husband, who passed away on December 6, 1958.

Mr.Gemmel had a family of three: a son, Dr.James, a physician and surgeon in North Las Vegas, Nevada; two daughters, Bessie, a social worker in Toronto, and Margaret, a teacher in Milton.

Written by his daughter -
Margaret Gemmel

Ayr Women's Intitute Book, Ayr Public Library

Richard married Margaret Davidson "Maggie" Wilson 27 Jan 1897, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of Adam Wilson and Elizabeth "Betsy" Davidson) was born 9 Apr 1871, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Sep 1909, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maggie Wilson
• Name: Margaret Davidson "Maggie" Gemmel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340696
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dress Maker

Notes:

Death of Mrs. Gemmel

The sympathy of the entire community will go out to Mr. R. Gemmel in the death of his wife, which event took place early yesterday morning, after an illness of about four months from typhoid and complications. The deceased, who was in her 39th year, was born in Ayr, and was united in marriage with Mr. Gemmel in 1897, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. J. S. Hardie, of Listowel, who was then pastor of Stanley-st. church, Ayr. Besides her sorrowing husband, a family of three children survive to mourn the loss of a loving wife and mother, viz., James G., Bessie D. and Margaret S. Mrs. Gemmel was a daughter of the late Adam Wilson. Her mother, four sisters and a brother survive. They are: Mrs. A. C. Minty, Rock Bay, Vancouver Island, B. C., Mrs. D. Cuthbertson, Ayr, and Jeannie, Bessie and Adam at home. Deceased was a consistent member of Stanley-st. church and an active worker in church circles. The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon to Ayr cemetery. The News joins a wide circle of friends in extending sympathy to the sorely bereaved family in their hour of deep affliction.

The Ayr News Sep 30 1909 pg 8

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340694
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Finisher
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Directory: 1884, Swan St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Adam married Elizabeth "Betsy" Davidson 17 Mar 1865, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Elizabeth was born 14 Mar 1841, Hawick, , Roxburgh, Scotland; died 14 Feb 1918, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 17 Feb 1918, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Bessie Davidson
• Name: Betsy Davidson
• Name: Elizabeth "Betsy" Wilson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-340695
• Immigration: 1867, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1869, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Demise of Mrs. Wilson

Once more the Grim Reaper, has visited our little community and summoned one of the oldest residents. On Thursday morning Mrs. Adam Wilson was called to join the vast throng of those who have passed on before. The span of her years was close upon eighty about fifty of which were spent in Ayr. Betsy Davidson, her maiden name, was a native of Hawick, Scotland, where she married, coming here with her late husband when the country was still in the making. That she endured some hardships, and witnessed many changes, goes without saying. And during all these years "change and decay" was written largely of the universe as well as of the immediate community, but the most terrible struggle the world has ever witnessed is the issue which she was not permitted to see the end. The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in her younger days was active in good work. Three daughters and one son survive. They are: Jennie, Bessie and Adam and Mrs. David Cuthbertson. The funeral took place on Sunday; interment being made in the Ayr cemetery, whither the remains were followed by a goodly number of citizens. The services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Brown, assisted by Rev. Dr. Thomson. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. W. Henderson, A. G. Watson, Robt. Cuthbertson, Walter Robertson, Hugh McCartney and E. J. Whitson.

The Ayr News Feb 21 1918 pg 1