Private Melvin William Ronald Bristow

Other Events:

• Military: WW1 - 118th Battalion
• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197787P
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, 118th Battalion, Service #751246
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Private
• Occupation: 1915, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1919, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197784
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Raster, Felt Factory
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1915, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Frank D. Bristow, grandson of the founder of Elmira, died To-day April 3, in Elmira Private Hospital. Born January 11, 1873, he was 91. He had been in the Elmira Hospital since March 1961. Edward Bristow, grandfather of the deceased, built the first house in what is now Elmira, in 1840, when the area was populated by Huron Indians. He also opened the first shoe store, and later added a tannery and a potash shop. He also took on the duties of the settlement's first postmaster. At that time, Edward Bristow bought the four hundred acres of land on which he settled, for one dollar an acre. Frank Bristow's father was the first white child born in the new settlement, then known as Bristow's Corners. Mr. Bristow had compiled a history of Elmira, although some periods since Elmira's found are missing from it. It is available as a reference material in Elmira Public Library. Several organization have, on occasion, expressed their willingness to publish it, but this, as yet, has not been done. Surviving is a son Charles, of Kitchener. He was predeceased by his wife, four sons and one daughter. Remains will be at the Dreisinger Funeral Parlor till Friday at 2.30 from Wesley United Church. Burial will be in Elmira Cemetery. Rev Donald Badger will officiate.


Elmira Signet 4 Apr 1963

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Frank D. Bristow - by Record Staff Writer - Elmira - Frank D. Bristow, 91, of Elmira, died today at Elmira Private Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Elmira Jan. 11, 1872, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bristow and was a grandson of the first Elmira settler. A lifelong resident of Elmira, he was a member of Wesley United Church. His wife, the former Sarah Hodgkin, predeceased him. Surviving are a son, Charles of Kitchener; one brother, Sydney; 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by four sons and one daughter. The body will be at the Dreisinger funeral Parlor until Friday noon when removal will be made to Wesley United Church for a memorial service at 2: 20 pm. Interment will be in Elmira Cemetery, Rev. Donald Badger will officiate.

Unidentified Newspaper Obituary

Frank — Sarah Hodgkin. Sarah was born 5 Jan 1875, , England; died 29 Aug 1937; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Bristow
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197785
• Immigration: 1875, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1915, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-171719
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1873, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; miller

William married Amanda Harris 14 Jan 1844, Rockton, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. Amanda was born 14 Jan 1844, Rockton, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Amanda Bristow
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-127323

Other Events:

• Family Photograph: Edward Bristow and Hannah Streeter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-171709
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1881, Shipley, Perth Co., Ontario; Postmaster

Notes:

Thriving Elmira ..

"THE WOOLWICH METROPOLIS"

A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE, COUPLED WITH A GRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE MERCANTILE AND INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS OF OUR THRIFTY NORTH-END NEIGHBORS

…[Edward] Bristow came to this region, then known as West Woolwich, some time in 1833, and for a number of years was engaged in clearing up and cutting himself out a home in the wilderness. He was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, being for three years the only white man in the neighborhood. His cabin was a welcome shelter for new settlers en route north and south and many a belated pioneer adventurer found within its thatched walls a safe and comfortable refuge from the freezing blasts of a winter's night or wild beasts. While he did not profess to keep a public lodging house all who came were tendered his hospitality without money and without price. But this generous soul soon found that this constant drain upon his limited source of supplies threatened his own existence and consequently about the year 1843 he converted his home into a tavern, the first establishment of the kind for many miles around. He then made a small charge for the bill of fare he could afford. In addition to the actual necessaries of life with which his table was supplied he kept on tap a quantity of liquid refreshments for the accommodation of those of his guests who were not total abstainers. It was indeed an indispensable resort for passengers en route on the stage running then between Glenallen and Hamilton. Here the half-frozen passengers could find relief in the cheerful glow of a log fire in the primitive fire place, or, per chance, seek consolation at the bar in the way of an "eye-opener". On many an occasion the old inn was taxed to its utmost limit to accommodate all who sought shelter beneath its roof, and frequently there was "standing room only". In other words, it was a haven of rest for all manner of humanity, and occasionally had for its guests men eminent in Canadian jurisprudence.

Bristow was undoubtedly a man well fitted to maintain the gradual advancement of civilization in an unbroken wilderness, being qualified to hold positions without which progress in a new settlement would be impeded by various obstacles. In addition to being landlord he was for many years a Justice of the Peace, the first official of the kind in the community, and for several years he owned one of the first threshing machines introduced in Woolwich Township, and after harvest time, with his odd pioneer contrivance, would go about the neighborhood threshing for the settlers. For years one Eisenhour carried the mail on horse back from Glenallen to Waterloo, and many a thrilling adventure he could relate pertaining to his experience as a servant of the Government when his route was over a mere trail along which lurked many dangers. On several occasions he was attacked by wolves and had to keep his horse at full speed to make his escape.

Mr. Bristow was also the first postmaster. He was succeeded by Henry Christman, father of Jacob and Philip Christman, now of Elmira. Christman was followed by Peter Wenger, who held the office for 25 years. After the latter it was held by several others until Sep. 11, 1889, when the present incumbent, Mr. John Ruppel, took charge.

Bristow died some time in 1883 at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Wm Henry Peterson, on the farm now owned by Wm. DeKay, in the vicinity he was mainly instrumental in transforming from the primeval wilderness to one more adapted to civilized life. His son Walter still lives here. Mrs. William Peterson, of Hawkesville, who died several years ago, was a daughter.



Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1

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Edward was reportedly from Horsham, Sussex, England some of his children born in Shipley, Sussex, England.

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Edward married Hannah Streeter 31 Jul 1827, Shipley, Sussex, England. Hannah (daughter of Michael Streeter) was born CALC 2 Jul 1808, , Surrey, England; died 2 Aug 1873, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Harris-Howick Baptist Cemetery, Howick Township, Huron Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Family Photograph: Edward Bristow and Hannah Streeter
• Name: Hannah Bristow
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-171710
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist