John Basil Grey "Basil" Blatchford

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190526257
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82481
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1940, 266 Water St. N., Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1949, RR4, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1958, 277 Highland Rd. W., Kitchener Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Blatchford

John Basil Blatchford of 189 Snyder Rd. E., Baden, died Friday at St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness. He was 81.

A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Blatchford, he was born Sept. 30, 1887, in Hespeler. He was a machinist at Canadian Blower and Forge Co. for 37 years and retired in 1957. Mr. Blatchford attended services at the Salvation Army Citadel.

Surviving are his wife, the former Lydia Wenzel, and a stepdaughter, Doris Wenzel of Kitchener. He was predeceased by his first wife, the former Minnie Schuster, and one brother and a sister.

Funeral service was held at the Schreiter-Sandrock Funeral Home on Monday, Maj. John Fayter of the Salvation Army officiating.

Burial was in Mount Hope cemetery.

New Hamburg Independent, July 16, 1969

John married Wilhelmina Elizabeth "Minnie" Schuster 29 Jan 1821, Stratford, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada. Wilhelmina (daughter of Herman Wilhelm Schuster and Catherina "Katie" "Catherine" Boegner) was born 12 Jun 1883, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1958, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208341227/john-q-blatchford
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-312128
• Occupation: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Railroad Track Man
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Laboer
• Occupation: 1901, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Laboer

Notes:

Another old resident of Hespeler, on Sunday, in his 79^{, th} year. He had been ailing for some time due to his advanced age and had been at the hospital in Guelph for several weeks prior to his death. He was born in Devonshire, England and came to Canada with his parents in 1856, making the voyage in six weeks. The family settled in Wellington County. As a young man, he worked with Squire Phin. Later, after marrying Mary Ann Parks fifty-two years ago, he took up farming for himself in Holland Twp. , near Owen Sound. He later managed the Sorby farm but moved to Hespeler some twenty-five years ago and was employed in Forbes Mill. Mr. Blatchford was a life-long member of the Methodist Church and in his younger days, was active in church and temperance work. His wife predeceased him in 1911. Three children remain: George Blatchford and Mrs. Minnie Griffith of Owen Sound; Basil Blatchford of Kitchener. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon from the residence of his brother-in-law, William Hortop. Many of his old friends and acquaintances were present to pay their last respects.

__________________________

JOHN BLATCHFORD DEAD.

The death occurred in Galt Hospital of a well known and greatly liked citizen of Hespeler in the person of John Q. Blatchford. He was in his 79th year. He worked for many years on the Grand Trunk railway and was a faithful worker. He lived for many years on Silver Heights where he built a fine home. His wife predeceased him some years ago. John was greatly loved and respected in Hespeler for his many sterling qualities. One and all will regret to hear of his death.

Bazil Blatchford, of Kitchener, is a son of the deceased

The Chronicle Telegraph, 7 Apr 1921, p. 6

John married Mary Ann Parks 25 Nov 1869, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Alexander Parks and Mary Ann Eagle) was born 30 May 1845, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jul 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208341328
• Name: Mary Ann Blatchford
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-312129
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Very suddenly, at her home on Silver Heights, early Wednesday morning, after suffering a paralytic stroke on Monday. One of Hespeler's most esteemed citizens and one who did a great deal of good in the circles in which she moved. Wife of John T. Blatchford. She was a daughter of the late Alex Parks, born at Puslinch Lake 68 years ago and was married in 1868. She and her husband resided in Puslinch Township, Williamsford and Waterloo Townships, before coming to Hespeler twenty-seven years ago. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church and was greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends. She leaves her husband, three children, George and Mrs. Griffith of Owen Sound; and Basil, at home; brothers, Will and Wesley J. Parks; sisters, Mrs. Hannah Brown and Mrs. William Hortop. Another sister, Mrs. Howitt died some years ago. The funeral took place from her residence on Fri. , July 21 at 2: 30 to the Hespeler Cemetery for interment.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57613

George — Elizabeth "Betsy" Quance. Elizabeth was born CALC 8 Apr 1816, Of, Devonshire, England; died 8 Jan 1888; was buried , Howitt Memorial Cemetery (formerly Kirkland Cemetery), Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth "Betsy" Blatchford
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82459

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208342286
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-81983

Notes:

PARKS, ALEXANDER

It is our painful duty to record the death of another old Puslinch settler, Mr. Parks of Puslinch Lake, at his residence, on Thursday morning, February 5, 1880, quietly, after a short illness, being at the time nearly 62 years old. He was buried in Hespeler Cemetery on Friday afternoon. About 400 people followed the body to the grave, and after the committal, they went to the Methodist Church in Hespeler, where Rev. E. Holmes preached a funeral discourse. He was born in Preston in 1819. His father, a native of Ireland, emigrated at an early period and died a few years ago, aged 99 years, after falling in a creek. When quite a young man, he removed to Beverly where he resided for several years. He came to Puslinch Lake in 1843 from Beverly and lived here thirty-seven years. He was a carpenter, a keen and successful hunter. Speaking of Mr. Parks early life, a Guelph Mercury correspondent says: Puslinch Lake was then surrounded by an almost unbroken forest, with here and there a settler struggling against great difficulties and endeavouring with uplifted axe and hard continuous toil to obtain the necessaries of life and carve out a home in the wilderness. In those days, the woods were full of game, the lake with fish. Bear and deer were numerous. At this period, packs of wolves were often heard in the stillness of the night, howling in dismal chorus on the banks of Puslinch Lake. The successful hunter was then an important member of society. All these things, then so common, are now unknown and nearly forgotten. In a few short years, all the old settlers will be gone, all the living actors in the early history of Canada will have disappeared from the scene and we shall be left with only a traditional knowledge of backwood life and pioneer's difficulties and hardships, which our fathers passed through in the early settlement of our country. He is survived by his widow and six children, four of whom are married and two remaining at home. Mr. Parks was justly respected by his friends and neighbours for his great kindness of heart and for his obliging disposition. He was generous almost to a fault and no one ever applied to him for assistance or help in any shape in vain.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Alexander married Mary Ann Eagle 8 Dec 1842. Mary (daughter of Samuel Eagle and Anne Cook) was born 24 Sep 1827, , Norfolk, England; died 4 Feb 1908, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208342338
• Name: Mary Ann Parks
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-81981
• Immigration: 1835

Notes:

PARKS, MARY ANN (Nee Eagle)

Another of our oldest and most respected residents, relict of the late Alexander Parks, in her 81^st year. On Tuesday morning, February 4, 1908, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Hortop. She had been quite infirm for a few years but was always able to be more or less about, until some few weeks ago, when she was taken seriously ill at the home of her daughter. Born in Norfolk County in England, she came to Beverly with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eagle, when she was 11 years of age. After a time, they removed to the head of Puslinch Lake, to the farm now occupied by Marvin Eagle. Mrs. Park's mother was one of the earliest schoolteachers in these parts. She taught school in her own home. Archie McAllister was one of her pupils. Mrs. Parks remembered when Galt was so small that it could boast of nothing but a blacksmith shop, hotel and one store. After the grist mill was built at Galt, her husband would take the flour home on his back. Her nearest relatives lived in Blenheim Township and there, she would sometimes visit, taking her children on horseback, following the blazed trail through the woods. Great excitement prevailed when the macadamized road was being built to from Hamilton to Guelph. The next epoch of the kind was when the railroad was being built through Hespeler. The late A. J. Brewster, while filling a contract for railway ties, lived at her home. Her father, on one occasion, was extra late getting home, as a consequence of having to await moonlight to get home safely, for a pack of wolves were in the neighbourhood. Mother and daughter went in search of the father and the wolves passed them by, on the side that the wind protected them from detection. A panther was in the vicinity on one occasion. These are some of the thrilling stories that she was able to tell to her grandchildren. She was married to Alexander Parks on December 8, 1842 by Rev. William Meldrum. Mr. J. W. Parks is the proud possessor of their marriage license, which is properly considered an heirloom of the family. Printing was out of the question; it was neatly written with pen and ink. They settled at Puslinch Lake (at Barber's Beach), on property now owned by Mr. J. Wayper, having paid for the property with a goose and a gander. For many years, they conducted the Park's Hotel, now the property of Josh Wayper. Mrs. Parks was a member of the Methodist Church for upwards of sixty years. That she always inculcated righteous living in her family may be known by the godly walk of those, who are following in her footsteps. Since the death of her husband twenty-six years ago, Mrs. Parks made her home with her children. She was blessed with no less than forty grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Mrs. Alfred Howitt predeceased her sixteen years ago. Survived by Mrs. John Blatchford, Mrs. Hannah Brown, William Parks, J. Wesley Parks and Mrs. William Hortop. The funeral took place on Wed. , Feb. 6 at 2 from the residence of her son- in-law, William Hortop and was largely attended. Interment Hespeler Cemetery.

- Information from marriage certificates: Elizabeth Ann Parks married Alfred Howitt. Mary Ann Parks married John Blatchford.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Majorie Clark

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82470

Notes:

PARKS, ALEXANDER

It is our painful duty to record the death of another old Puslinch settler, Mr. Parks of Puslinch Lake, at his residence, on Thursday morning, February 5, 1880, quietly, after a short illness, being at the time nearly 62 years old. He was buried in Hespeler Cemetery on Friday afternoon. About 400 people followed the body to the grave, and after the committal, they went to the Methodist Church in Hespeler, where Rev. E. Holmes preached a funeral discourse. He was born in Preston in 1819. His father, a native of Ireland, emigrated at an early period and died a few years ago, aged 99 years, after falling in a creek. When quite a young man, he removed to Beverly where he resided for several years. He came to Puslinch Lake in 1843 from Beverly and lived here thirty-seven years. He was a carpenter, a keen and successful hunter. Speaking of Mr. Parks early life, a Guelph Mercury correspondent says: Puslinch Lake was then surrounded by an almost unbroken forest, with here and there a settler struggling against great difficulties and endeavouring with uplifted axe and hard continuous toil to obtain the necessaries of life and carve out a home in the wilderness. In those days, the woods were full of game, the lake with fish. Bear and deer were numerous. At this period, packs of wolves were often heard in the stillness of the night, howling in dismal chorus on the banks of Puslinch Lake. The successful hunter was then an important member of society. All these things, then so common, are now unknown and nearly forgotten. In a few short years, all the old settlers will be gone, all the living actors in the early history of Canada will have disappeared from the scene and we shall be left with only a traditional knowledge of backwood life and pioneer's difficulties and hardships, which our fathers passed through in the early settlement of our country. He is survived by his widow and six children, four of whom are married and two remaining at home. Mr. Parks was justly respected by his friends and neighbours for his great kindness of heart and for his obliging disposition. He was generous almost to a fault and no one ever applied to him for assistance or help in any shape in vain.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-168318

Samuel married Anne Cook 12 Oct 1820, Sporle, , Norfolk, England. Anne was born 28 Oct 1790; died 1856, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260734658
• Name: Anne Eagle
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-168322

Notes:

EAGLE, ANN (Nee ?)

Wife of Samuel Eagle, died in 1856. During improvements in the Hespeler Cemetery, her grave stone was discovered. For some years before a school was organized, she taught the children in the Puslinch Lake district in her home.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark