William Quarrie

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• Interesting: business, life story, post,
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65410
• Immigration: 1834, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1845, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; harness maker
• Occupation: 1846, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; harness maker
• Residence: Jul 1846, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saddler
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1859, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; saddler
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sadler
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saddler
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1877, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster
• Occupation: 1877, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster

Notes:

DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM QUARRIE

It is with regret that words can but feebly express that we today announce the very sudden death of Mr. William Quarrie, Postmaster of Galt. During Wednesday he was at the office as usual, although not feeling quite well: but it was not until shortly after 8 o'clock in the evening that anything serious developed. At this time Mr. Quarrie had gone up stairs to rest himself, and was lying on the bed when he fainted. This alarmed the family and medical aid was sent for. When it arrived, and the patient was turned on his side, there was a discharge of blood from his mouth; but the medical gentleman succeeded in subduing this discharge, and in a short time he was resting quite comfortably. This attack was only the prelude, however, to a far more violent one which set in about midnight; shortly after that hour, like an infant calmly falling asleep, he passed from this life to enter upon the promised one where death is unknown.

Mr. Quarrie was a native of Berwickshire, Scotland, and came out to Canada with his parents about the year 1834. His brother John (since deceased) had preceded the rest of the family by a year or two, and had taken up what has since been the family homestead in Paisley Block. When the family arrived from Scotland, John gave up this farm to them and went to Dundas, where he started business as a harness maker. When about 21 years of age, William went as an apprentice to his brother in Dundas to learn the business. He did not remain there his full term, however, as the death of an elder brother in Paisley Block threw a farm on to the hands of William, and he thought it better to take possession and work it himself. He accordingly left Dundas and went on the farm in 1844; but the first year showed him that he was unsuited to the heavy work of a farm, and he decided to leave it in charge of a brother, and in 1845 removed to Preston. Here he started in business as a harness maker for himself, carrying it on for about a year and a half, when he decided that the then village of Galt offered him a better business outlook. Accordingly, in July, 1846, Mr. Quarrie removed to Galt, where he opened out a shop which, while a business success, also became the head-quarters for nearly all the celebrities of the day in the village and neighborhood. Many an earnest discussion have the old walls of that shop echoed back: but alas! Few are there now left who can recall to their minds the nightly meetings in "Quarrie's shop". After serving some time as a workman in the shop Mr. Thos. Field, in 1852, entered into partnership with Mr. Quarrie, the firm remaining the same for some nine years. Mr. Field, then retired, Mr. Quarrie continuing the business himself until some time after his appointment as Postmaster of Galt in the year 1877.

Mr. Quarrie was married in the year 1845, his partner in life (who still survives) being Miss Catherine Turnbull. From this union there were born six children, four of whom are now living, namely:-Mrs. Major Walker, Calgary; Miss. Quarrie living at home: Georg, assistant postmaster: and Allan, on a farm in Manitoba.

Of the original family that left Scotland there yet survive George, living on the homestead farm; Mrs. J. Cleghorn and Mrs. R. Cleghorn, residing on the Paisley Block: and Miss Quarrie, living on the homestead with her brother.

The subject of these words was one of the most widely known residents of Galt. For over Forty years he has been in and out amongst the people of this town and townships surrounding; and both in his business and social relations he has ever held the name of being a man who loved what was right for its own sake. Never taking an active part in public life he nevertheless possessed strong opinions of his own, and up to the time of his appointment to the Postoffice was an active supporter of the Reform party. Although frequently solicited, he always declined to enter Municipal life, and upon one occasion, when he was elected by acclamation decided to pay the fine which could be enforced rather than take his seat. Of a cheerful disposition, Mr. Quarrie was a genuine and living companion, and one whose familiar form will long be in the memory of our readers that Mr. Quarrie was confined to the house for several weeks by a serious illness a few months go. This illness left him with a hard lump in his right side, just below the ribs; and there is but little doubt that an artery became so weakened by this foreign growth that it finally burst, and thus caused his death.

Galt Reporter, Friday August 19 1887

____________________

Quarrie, Wm., Postmaster; also manufacturer of and dealer in saddlery. Is a native of Scotland. Born, 1819; came here, 1845.

Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881

William married Catherine Turnbull 16 Jan 1845, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Alexander Turnbull and Euphemia Davidson) was born 1818, , Scotland; died 16 Jan 1895, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Euphemia "Effie" Quarrie was born 31 Aug 1849, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Mary Lairmont Quarrie was born 26 Jan 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 May 1933, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 31 May 1933, Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. William Quarrie was born 1 Sep 1853, of, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Apr 1859, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. George A. Quarrie was born 28 Oct 1855, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Aug 1933; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Allan Quarrie was born 1858, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25526

William — Mary Learmont. Mary was born 1782, of, Berwickshire, Scotland; died 1848, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Paisley Block Memorial Cemetery, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Mary Quarrie
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182842