Walter Irvine Reid

Other Events:

• Business: North Dumfries Concession 10 Lot 31, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reid Brothers
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159974950
• Honoured: Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reidsville name for him
• Honoured: Waterloo Fall of Fame
• Residence: 2648 Alps Rd., North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-73822
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1869, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer & Sawyer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada
• Occupation: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Miller
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

The Passing of W.I. Reid - Seldom has this community been so sorely afflicted by the hand of Death as during the week in which Matthew F. Ainslie and Walter I. Reid passed "to the bourne from whence no travelere'er returns." Both were men widely known and highly esteemed, and to both the summons came suddenly while they were about the every day affairs of life.

On Thursday morning Mr. Reid came in from his home at Reidsville in his usual good health and was engaged in directing the affairs of his business here up to about 9 o'clock, at which hour he suffered a stroke of paralysis and sank to the floor in his office. His son, Mr. John Q. Reid, who was with him at the time, at once summoned medical aid, and the patient was removed to the residence of his brother, Mr. A.J. Reid, where death ensued shortly after 1 pm.

The deceased was born at Reidsville in the year 1843 and resided on the homestead all his life. Like many of his peers of those early days, he was metaphorically cradled in a sap trough and educated in the log academy which stood on an adjoining farm. When he had attained the years of manhood, he and his brothers engaged in the business of sawyers, a small mill having been erected on the farm for that purpose. About ten years ago the original industry was added the manufacture of cooper's supplies, employing from ten to fifteen hands.

Not only was the subject of this brief sketch a self-made man, but he achieved success in everything he undertook. As a farmer he was a good plowman, wining many prizes at the matches held in the early days. His business sagacity also stood him in good stead when he entered the wider field and launched out as a manufacturer. Much as he loved his calling on the farm or in the mill, he also found time to engage in manly sports. For years he held the quoit championship of Ontario, and was a member of the invincible Reid rink that bore off the curlers' trophies. In music he also excelled, being a splendid violinist, as well as a poet of no mean order. In the church circle he likewise had his place, filling important positions with credit to himself and advantage to his fellow men. At the time of his death he was an elder of the Stanley St. Kirk Session, a prominent member of the Masonic Order and of the Sous of Scotland.

In the death of such a man the community loses one whose place is not easily filled, one whose marked geniality and sociability will be missed at every turn, and one whose home was always open to a wide circle of friends.

In 1869 Mr. Reid was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Anderson, who predeceased him six years. A family of three sons and two daughters survive, viz., William A., John Q., Walter I., Nellie and Clara. Three brothers, John, Alexander and Andrew, also survive.

The funeral on Sunday from Reidsville to Ayr cemetery attested the high esteem in which the deceased was held, the whole countryside and many of the neighboring towns, especially Galt, being well represented. At the outskirts of the town the cortege was met by fellow members of the Masonic order, who marched in a body and formed in a circle around the open grave as the remains of their brother were lowered to their last resting place.

The services at both house and grave were conducted by rev. D.I. Ellison, assisted by Rev. John Thomson. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Chas. McGeorge, John McNab, Thos. Hall, Alex Edgar, Cameron Marshall, Alex E. Scott.

Ayr News Dec 2 1909 pg 8.

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In Loving Memory Died, In Ayr, on Thursday, Nov. 25th, 1909, at 2 o'clock p.m., Walter J. Reid, In his 67th Year. The Funeral Will take place from his late residence, Reidsville, on Sunday, Nov. 28, '09, at 2 p.m., to Ayr Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

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Flash from the Past: Harmony Grove was Walter Reid's showpiece residence

Walter Reid had energy and ambition. He ran a successful lumber business, competed in several sports, wrote poetry and regularly performed in public on the violin. He did all of these while living on the rural property where his parents settled after coming to Canada from Scotland in the early 1830s.

An undated photo owned by collector Dave Moore of Waterloo shows 28 lawn bowlers in front of Harmony Grove, the impressive Queen Anne-style home that Reid had built for his family in 1885 at Reidsville, a hamlet four kilometres outside of Ayr along Alps Road in North Dumfries Township. The decorative wood shingles visible on the home's exterior walls were no doubt produced by Reid's firm.

In addition to his private bowling green, Reid had pits for playing quoits, a game not unlike horseshoes. Travelling far from his home, he won numerous trophies because of his skill at tossing quoits, heavy rings made of metal or wood. In the winter months Reid hosted curling competitions on a frozen pond created by damming a section of Cedar Creek behind his home. With wood from his business, he built one of this area's first covered curling rinks.

Inside the home, Reid presented concerts with a 10-member orchestra he formed, largely with family members. He eventually built the 250-seat Reid Hall in Ayr (later destroyed by fire) so larger musical events could be held.

The Reidsville homestead was a gathering place even before Walter Reid's birth there in 1843. After purchasing 50 acres in 1831, his parents, John and Catherine, built a log cabin where members of the Reidsville Debating Society argued into the night on topics such as whether wood or iron was of greater benefit to mankind.

Four of John Reid's sons launched a shingle mill on the property in 1857. It grew to include a steam-powered chopping mill and sawmill that produced lumber sold for construction projects in nearby communities and eventually as far away as Toronto. In 1885, Walter Reid, then 43, bought out his brothers. Harmony Grove would remain his home, but in 1899 he moved the business to Inglis Street in Ayr. He was 66 when he died there on Nov. 25, 1909.

As the Ayr News reported: "On Thursday morning Mr. Reid came in from his home at Reidsville in his usual good health and was engaged in directing the affairs of his business here up to about 9 o'clock, at which time he suffered a stroke of paralysis and sank to the floor of his office."

Medical help was summoned, but Reid died later the same day at the Ayr residence of one of his brothers.

Walter Reid was honoured in 1976 with induction in the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. Harmony Grove, still a private residence but not owned by the Reid family for many decades now, has been designated a heritage landmark by the Township of North Dumfries. The Reid family's log cabin still stands on the property.

Sons of Walter Reid relaunched his business as the W.I. Reid Lumber Co. after his death and that firm continued to operate for several decades with divisions (later separate firms) in both Galt and Ayr.

flashfrompast@gmail.com

Fear, J. (2015). Flash from the Past: Harmony Grove was Walter Reid's showpiece residence. TheRecord.com. Retrieved 25 November 2019, from https://www.therecord.com/living-story/5529172-flash-from-the-past-harmony-grove-was-walter-reid-s-showpiece-residence/

Honoured:
The name "Reidsville" was given to a settlement that developed by a small stream and lake in North Dumfries Township in 1831. The lot had been purchased by John Reid, a Native of Boghall, Scotland.

In 1857 four of Reid's sons established a shingle mill and later this was expanded to a chopping mill and sawmill and steam power was added. In 1885 one of the sons, Walter, bought out his brothers. In 1899 the sawmill was moved to Ayr and a lumber yard was started in Galt in 1909.

Reid was a keen athlete and sportsman and was the champion quoit player of Ontario in 1877. He built a bowling green on his front lawn and a curling rink on his millpond, one of the first enclosed curling rinks in Ontario.

He was also a poet and musician and conducted an orchestra consisting mostly of his own family.

Past and Present Inductees. (2019). Waterlooregionmuseum.ca. Retrieved 18 January 2019, from https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/exhibits/past-and-present-inductees.aspx

Walter married Agnes Anderson 31 May 1869, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Agnes (daughter of William Anderson and Ellen Scott) was born 2 Nov 1844, Hawick, , Roxburgh, Scotland; died 12 Jan 1904, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. John Quincy Reid was born 24 Jun 1869, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Oct 1944, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 17 Oct 1944, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. William Anderson Reid was born 12 Jul 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Mar 1922, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 1 Apr 1922, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Nellie Scott Reid was born 23 May 1873, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Mar 1919, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried 20 Mar 1919, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Walter Inglis Reid was born CALC 11 Jan 1876, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jan 1935, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 28 Jan 1935, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Clara Hayden Reid was born 6 Jun 1882, Reidsville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Dec 1970, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 11 Dec 1970, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Interesting: sports, story
• Residence: 2648 Alps Rd., North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-58626
• Immigration: 1830, , Canada
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.

Notes:

Death of Mr. John Reid, Sr.,

This gentleman one of the Pioneers of the Township of North Dumfries, died on Tuesday morning last, at his residence near Cedar Creek aged 83 years. He came to this country from Roxboroughshire in 1831 and almost immediately settled on the farm where he died. His energy and perseverance met with its just reward, evidenced by the line property on which for many years he and his family have resided. About two years ago he had lost his wife. His family are all grown up and for many years have carried on an extensive lumber mill on the same property. They are well known throughout our Province.

Mr. Walter Reid is the champion Quoit player of our Province, while the four brothers, Robert, Alexander, Andrew and Walter Reid turn out a curling Rink which is hard to beat. The other son is Mr. John Reid of Ayr. The old residence of North Dumfries, the men whose hardihood and energy have made the Township what it is, and rapidly passing away, and but few remain. All honor to their memory, and to the record for industry and uprightness they have left to us.

Galt Reporter May 2 1879 pg 2

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The first settlers of Dumfries were generally of a superior class. With few exceptions, they had received a good education at the Parochial Schools of their native land, and many of them brought with them to Canada a thirst for knowledge which even the necessities of bush life could not eradicate. This led to very early endeavours to combine instruction with amusement during their leisure hours.

It will surprise many to learn, however, that as early as 1834, when clearings were but few and far between, and when the wolf and bear were not unfrequent visitors, that a Debating society was in full blast during the winter evenings. Such was the fact„ however, and long and excit-ing were the discussions which took place.

The scene of these intellectual combats was the home Mr. John Reid, after whom the clachan of Reidsville has been called, and who only passed away to his rest a few months ago. The members of the society were Messrs.John Black, John Reid, Thomas and James Dalgliesh, William Veitch, Alex. Turnbull, Thomas Ritchie, William Hastie, Andrew Mathieson, James Cunningham, Andrew Elliott, John Currie, John Johnston, George Cunningham, Alex. Beckett, James Oliver, Thomas Cleghorn, and occasionally a few others. A majority of these gentlemen still survive, and the mere recital of their names will awaken in the minds of those acquainted with them, many pleasing, and possibly some sad, reminiscences of the past.

It is needless to say that this Society was an exceedingly vigorous one, and that the questions discussed were characteristic of the time. Among them were the following:

(1) Which is most benefit to mankind, Agriculture or Commerce ?
(2) Whether is the profane man or the hypocrite most injury to society?
(3) Which is the most destructive element, fire or water?
(4) Whether does wood or iron most benefit mankind ? and
(5) Would a ship made of iron sink or swim?

The debates upon these and similar subjects, which, in the absence of candles, sometimes took place by the light of burning pine knots, were characterised by deep interest and not a little talent, and, to use the language of one of the participants: "Nothing could exceed the enjoyment of these gatherings."

The annual dinner of the Debaters was an occasion never to be forgotten. It was also held at Mr. Reid's house, but the viands were provided by the members of the Society generally. It could not boast of the cuisine of Delmonico, nor of bills of fare in French and perfume. It was considered, however, a veritable feast at that time. The Society unitedly purchased a sheep. That was the first step. From this was made soup, a haggis-the oat-meal for which had to be brought from a drug store in Dundas and roast and boiled joints. Add to this description, a few " cakes of the period," and you have the dinner, gastronomically considered, in all its glory

It was, however, "the feast of reason and flow of soul" which followed, that gave the occasion its princi-pal attraction. The speeches-the songs-the hilarity-can be better imagined than described. As an illustration of the mirthful spirit which prevailed, it may be mentioned that, on one occasion, whilst ladling out huge platefuls of the steaming haggis, John Black, the chairman, vigorously recited Burns' address to that famous dish:

"Fair, fa your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race;
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe or thairm,
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm."

Nothing could better illustrate the character of the early settlers of Dumfries than efforts at intellectual improvement under such formidable difficulties. It is not too much to say of them, that no part of Canada has been settled by a class of men of greater physical and mental energy. "None but Lowland Scotchmen would ever have cleared North Dumfries," is a remark which has frequently been made. This may be an exaggeration. But those who remember how heavily timbered, how stony and how swampy its rugged hills and valleys were forty years ago, will readily admit, that only the highest courage, and most indomitable energy and perseverance, could have made the township what it is today in the same space of time. Had their work to be done over again, could a magician's wand once more make Dumfries the tangled forest it was when this history began, we venture to say their descendants would never undertake to perform it!

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose

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Died. In North Dumfries, on Tuesday morning, May 6th, At a quarter-past 2 o'clock, John Reid, Sr., Aged 83 Years and 10 Days The Funeral Will take place on Thursday, 8th inst., at 1 o'clock p.m., from his late residence, to the Cedar Creek Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. North Dumfries, May 6th, 1879.

Funeral Card

John — Catherine Mathison. Catherine (daughter of Alexander Mathieson and Isabel Grey) was born 14 Mar 1799, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died 6 Nov 1876, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Reid
• Residence: 2648 Alps Rd., North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-58627P
• Birth: 16 Mar 1799, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland
• Immigration: 1830, , Canada
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.

Notes:

In North Dumfries, n Monday morning, 6th inst., at 3 o'clock, Catherine, wife of John Reid, sen., aged 77 years, 7 months and 22 days.

The deceased was one of the oldest settlers in Dumfries, having come to this country from Scotland with her husband in 1830 or 1831, and having lived on the farm then taken up until the day of her death. She was universally respected, and her memory will long be cherished by those who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.

Galt Reporter Nov 10 1876 pg 3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-72071

Alexander — Isabel Grey. Isabel was born Abt 1780, of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died , , Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Isabel Mathieson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-77264