Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

William W. Laidlaw[1, 2]

Male 1832 - 1894  (62 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name William W. Laidlaw 
    Born 20 Jul 1832  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Gender Male 
    Occupation 1861  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Carpenter 
    Residence 1861  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Free Church 
    Historic Building 1862  97 Concession St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    stone house 
    • 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.
    Interesting business, story 
    Residence 1862  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Occupation 1871  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Builder 
    Residence 1871  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    C. Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1881  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Carpenter 
    Eby ID Number 00028-2093.2 
    Died 9 Dec 1894  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 8
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Person ID I100685  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father William W. Laidlaw,   b. 1807, , Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jun 1870, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Mother Jane Beattie,   b. 1813, , Roxburghshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Feb 1885, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years) 
    Married 22 Apr 1831  Ettrick, Selkirkshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Family ID F7844  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Agnes Common,   b. 1834, of, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 May 1858, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 24 years) 
    Married 5 Mar 1857  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F22531  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Euphemia Patterson,   b. 1 May 1836, Bowden, , Roxburgh, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Dec 1918, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years) 
    Married 25 Jul 1862  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Children 
     1. Jane Beatty Laidlaw,   b. CALC 4 May 1864, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jul 1865, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 1 years)
     2. George Arnot Laidlaw,   b. CALC 19 Jun 1866, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Sep 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 15 years)
     3. James Harvey Laidlaw,   b. 1869, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Sep 1922, Sarnia, Lambton Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 53 years)
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F25907  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • 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

  • Sources 
    1. [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 483.

    2. [S1338] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Galt Reporter (1846-1973), Obituary of George Arnot Laidlaw - Oct 7 1881 pg 1 Parts 1 and 2.

    3. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 1 Page 42.

    4. [S570] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1871, Div. 1, Pg. 64.

    5. [S313] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1851, Pg.44.

    6. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      William Laidlaw Birth Place: Galt Residence: Galt Age: 29 Father Name: William Mother Name: Jane Beattie Spouse Name: Euphemia Oliver Spouse's Age: 26 Birth Place: Bowden, Scotland Spouse residence: Galt Spouse Father Name: George Patterson Spouse Mother Name: Margaret Hutton Marriage Date: 25 Jul 1862 Marriage County: Waterloo

    7. [S1838] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1861, Galt 1861 Div. 3 Page 34.

    8. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link .
      Wm. W. Laidlaw/ died/ Dec 9,1894/ aged 62 yrs/ Euphemia/ his wife/ Dec 12,1918/ aged 84 yrs/ Laidlaw

    9. [S29] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - St. Andrews Presbyterian.
      William LAIDLAW, s/o William & Jean (Beattie), 30 July 1832, bap: 23 Sept 1832

    10. [S1788] Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910, GS Film number 1067924, 1067925.
      William Laidlaw
      Spouse's NameJean Beattie
      Event Date22 Apr 1831
      Event PlaceEttrick,Selkirk,Scotland

    11. [S31] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Dumfries Reformer (1850-1892), 11 Mar 1857.
      COMMON, Agnes married 5 Mar 1857 to William W. LAIDLAW By Rev H Gibson. Both of Galt.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 20 Jul 1832 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 5 Mar 1857 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Carpenter - 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Free Church - 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - stone house - 1862 - 97 Concession St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1862 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 25 Jul 1862 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Builder - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Carpenter - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 9 Dec 1894 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth