George Arnot Laidlaw

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-100688P
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Iron Turner

Notes:

In Galt, on Friday afternoon, 30th ult., at half-past 4 o'clock, George Arnott, eldest son of William W. Laidlaw, aged 15 years, 3 months and 11 days.

Galt Reporter Oct 7 1881 pg 1 Part 1

A Sad Death - The death on Friday last of Mr. George A. Laidlaw, eldest son of Mr. Wm. W. Laidlaw, of this town, was a peculiarly heavy blow on a happy and mated family. The young man had only been ailing since the Monday previous, and appeared to be doing well until Thursday afternoon, when delirium set in, and about 4 o'clock on Friday he breathed his last. The deceased was employed in the machine works of Cant, Gourlay & Co., in which his father is a partner, and was universally respected by all who knew him. His parents have the earnest sympathy of their many friends extended to them.

Galt Reporter Oct 7 1881 pg 1 Part 2

Other Events:

• Interesting: business, story
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2093.2
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Historic Building: 1862, 97 Concession St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; stone house
• Residence: 1862, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Builder
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter

Notes:

MR. WILLIAM LAIDLAW. Sympathy is not only the sweetness of life, but it is also one of its chief supports; it doubles the strength of the soul because it adds that of another soul to it. Paul loved sympathy, and greatly appreciated that of the Roman Christians, who, Luke says, when they " heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the three taverns, whom, when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage." Our Lord loved sympathy, and felt acutely the want of it. How strongly that feeling is expressed in that question: "What! Could ye not watch with me one hour?" These human hearts of ours must have sympathy or die. Sympathy was Mr. Laidlaw s distinctive quality; he carried in him a heart full of kind, intelligent sympathy. Cheerful and happy, he was ever ready to say something to encourage one in his work, and he never failed to do that. He eschewed anything that had a tendency to discourage; he believed in shedding light rather than gathering darkness.

He prized very highly his place in the company of God's people, and enjoyed the services of God's house, and was thoughtfully attentive to strangers; and this last excellence of char acter is a rare quality among Presbyterians, and yet it is one that is most advantageous to the prosperity of the Church. How much congre gations lose for the lack of it, and how much they gain that possess it! It is a golden virtue in a congregation; it is a bond that is very strong and not easily broken; it makes men feel at home at once, and at home, too, in God's house, where all are on an equality. Mr. Laid- law always had an open heart, and an open hand to extend a gracious and kindly welcome to strangers. One word as to his personal appearance as it lives in our memory. He had a high color on his cheek, a bright, twinkling eye, an open countenance, and a slight nervous stutter when he spoke. He had as another distinguishing element in his character a twin grace to sympathy, namely, kindness. On one occasion he heard that Mrs. Dickson would like a lap-board for sewing purposes, and he made her one and came and presented it to her. That gift was bestowed many years ago, and it is still kept in grateful memory of the giver, and is now doubly dear, for both giver and receiver are no longer with us. Business carried Mr. Laidlaw often from home to other towns and cities, and while away he was sure to find out where the weekly prayer-meeting was held, and go to it; and also where the church choir practiced for Sunday services, and meet with them, as he had a great love for music. Everything pertain ing to the house of God and the prosperity of the cause of Christ he took a deep and lively interest in. It was a real joy to him to see the Church advancing, and overtaking the work entrusted to it. One great trial that came into his life was the death of his son, George Arnot, a young man of excellent disposition, and many fine qualities. This left a blank which could not be filled, but through it poured spiritual influences which wrought upon heart and spirit alike, refining the nature and elevating the thoughts Godward.

What a marvellous leverage God has in the removal of a loved one! Thereby he lifts up the soul, fills it with considerations unthought of before, changes it through and through, and moulds it to a new life; so that God's greatest mercies often mingle with our greatest miseries, and out of our most trying sorrows come God's richest sunshine and satisfaction. He empties earth that He may furnish heaven with inhabitants, who give the celestial city a large human interest, and a mighty attractive force. He draws us upward, and " Nearer my God, to Thee " be comes more than a prayer-song, it becomes an experience.

Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson

_________________________

William Laidlaw was born on a farm on the Roseville road in July 1832, the son of William Laidlaw, Sr. Mr. Laidlaw was described as "an energetic industrious citizen who spent long years in the manufacturing business". In 1864 he was in partnership with his brother Walter in the operation of a sash, door and planing factory under the name William & Walter Laidlaw. In 1878 Mr. Laidlaw acquired an interest in the firm of Cant, Gourlay & Co., manufacturers of wood working machinery. A few years later he was a partner in the new firm of Cant, Laidlaw & Co., later known as Cant Bros. & Co. Mr. Laidlaw retired from manufacturing in 1885 to become a salesman for a number of enterprises including the Peter Hay Knife Works of Galt. Mr. Laidlaw died on December 9, 1894 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery.


Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

Historic Building:
This 2 story stone house was probably constructed by and for William Laidlaw in about 1862 when William took out a mortgage for the property.

William married Euphemia Patterson 25 Jul 1862, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Euphemia (daughter of George Patterson and Margaret Hutton) was born 1 May 1836, Bowden, , Roxburgh, Scotland; was christened 29 May 1836, Bowden, , Roxburgh, Scotland; died 12 Dec 1918, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Euphemia Laidlaw
• Name: Euphemia Oliver
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-100686
• Immigration: 1856, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1862, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2093.3
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1857, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Teamster
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church

Notes:

William Laidlaw Elmira Signet Jul 1 1870 pg 3

______________

In Galt, on Tuesday, the 28th inst., Mr. Wm. Laidlaw, sen., aged 62 years.

Galt Reporter - 1870

William married Jane Beattie 22 Apr 1831, Ettrick, Selkirkshire, Scotland. Jane was born 1813, , Roxburghshire, Scotland; died 3 Feb 1885, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Laidlaw
• Name: Jane Sproat
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29742
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church

Notes:

Very Sudden Death

While sitting in her chair on Tuesday afternoon last Mrs. John Sprout was suddenly seized by a stroke of paralysis or heart disease. She was just able to walk from the chair to the lounge when she lay down and in a few ? she was dead. The deceased lady was the widow of the late William Laidlaw, contracting her second marriage with our old town-man, Mr. John Sproat, a few years ago. She was very much respected in this locality and will be much missed by a large circle of friends. Messrs. William and Walter Laidlaw, sons by her first marriage, are prominent residents of Galt Mr. Gideon Laidlaw, the other son being a resident of the neighboring town of Berlin. She also has her two daughters - Mrs. Cressman, of Goderich, and Mrs. William Smith, of Guelph. Some year or two ago Mrs. Sproat suffered from an attack of paralysis from which she never fully recovered, although able to go about and there can be little doubt that her death on Friday was caused by a second attack of the same disease.

Galt Reporter Feb 6 1885 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-254255
• Occupation: 1826, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; jointer
• Residence: 1856, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1867, Maple St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

In Galt, on Wednesday, November 27th, George Patterson, sr., aged 67 years.

Funeral, today, (Friday) at 2 o'clock, p.m., from his late residence, Maple Street.

Galt Reporter Nov 29 1867 pg 2

George married Margaret Hutton 19 Jun 1826, St. Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Margaret was born 1804, , Roxburghshire, Scotland; died 16 Sep 1888, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Patterson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-254256
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian

Notes:

MRS. GEORGE PATTERSON and her daughter, Miss MAGGIE ARNOT PATTERSON, devout and devoted souls! Making much of the sacred Word, meditating in it day and night and enjoying much of the blessedness of which the psalmist sings. They came of a godly and cultivated stock and were ever hymning their thoughts in metre. Many of their compositions have we seen, all bearing evidence that they net only had the poetic temperament, but they had also the facility of verse. But their greatest talent was the pious, godly lives they lived, and by which they still speak to all who knew them. Their motto was: " For me to live is Christ." They were the meek ones of the earth and were willing to have their lives hid with Christ in God.

1aEbenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson