James McFeiggan

1837 - 1888  (50 years)

• Name	James McFeiggan
  Born	29 May 1837	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1871	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Store Clerk
  Occupation	1881	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Insurance Agent
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-103100
  Died	23 May 1888	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 4]
  	Cause: Pneumonia 1 week
  Buried	Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Person ID	I103100	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	David McFeiggan,   b. CALC 26 Jan 1799, , Kircudbrightshire, Scotland ,   d. 19 Dec 1868, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 69 years)
  Mother	Janet "Jennet" Campbell,   b. 12 Mar 1810, , Selkirkshire, Scotland ,   d. 21 Feb 1888, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 77 years)
  Married	1833	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  Family ID	F26437	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Death of Mr. James McFeiggan - It will cause a shock to our readers in this vicinity when they learn of the death of this widely-known and respected resident of Galt, for there are but comparatively few who even knew of his illness. The read words, however, have got to be spoken. After a short illness - he first complained on Thursday night of last week - Mr. McFeiggan peacefully passed away shortly after 11 o'clock on Wednesday evening, the efforts of local medical skill, coupled with that of Dr. Graham, of Toronto, being unable to check the progress of the disease inflammation of the lungs and liver. Mr. McFeiggan was one of the few natives of Galt who by his own energy and ability succeeded in achieving a position of honor and responsibility. He was born in "the old log village" on the 29th March, 1837, so that he had reached the age of 51 years and two months all but a few days. He went to school at a very early age, he being one of old Mr. Gouinlock's favorite and best scholars when Galt school population was taught by that gentleman in what is now Mr. Brydon's blacksmith shop. After leaving school he successively entered the employ of Courtenay & Hume, T.I.G. Busby, Richard Esterbrook, and finally Mr. Gavin Hume - all merchants in Galt in their day. With the latter gentleman Mr. McFeiggan remained until, in the year 1874, he received the appointment of Inspector of the Gore District Mutual Fire Insurance Company - a position which he occupied up to the time of his death, and which he filled with eminent satisfaction to the Directors of that company. In carrying out the duties of this office Mr. McFeiggan became widely known throughout the length and breadth of the Province, and his name became a household word in connection with the "old Gore." In his private life deceased was known as a kind and loving son so long as his aged parents required his care, and equally so a devoted brother since they passed away. In public matters any stand he took was a determined one, and opponents may sometimes have thought him harsh in the support of his own opinions; but back of it all was his evident honesty and love of principle, and his belief that what he supported or opposed was right. In church matters he was connected with the Central Presbyterian congregation, and his labours on behalf of that body were untiring. For many years he has occupied the position of Secretary to the Board of Managers; and but few months have elapsed since the congregation showed their appreciation of Mr. McFeiggan's services by presenting him with a handsome and costly gold watch. The funeral will take place from his late residence, South Water Street, this (Friday) afternoon, at 4 o'clock. Galt Reporter May 25 1888 pg 1 ________________ JAMES MCFEIGGAN. " As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." This is the divine principle on which our judgment of a man is to proceed. What does he think ? What is his purpose ? What is his reigning affection ? What is he in his heart ? But who can look into the depths of the inner nature ? Only God. He looks not upon the outward appearance as man looks, he looks upon the heart. And how much is there that fails to find expression ? How much lives there unseen by men ? What a revelation it would be to have all that is in the heart laid bare. Yet therein we have the real man, and to get anywhere near him there must be real love and true friendship, and that we claim in our relation to Mr. McFeiggan. He was a true man in the highest sense of the term, as sterling and trustworthy a man as ever lived; a whole-hearted, genuine man. As a business man, he was active, diligent, conscientious, as deeply interested in the affairs of the company he represented as though everything in it had been his own. His was no eye service. He had a high sense of right, and a noble conception of honor, and a large and justly comprehensive idea of duty, and therefore his business life was a worthy and an honorable one. Righteousness marked it with its distinguishing and famous brand. No one could charge him with taking mean advantages; he was open and honest and straightforward. He carried his Christian principles into the work of every day, to give him clear thought, full power of consideration, and just judgment in all matters that came before him. Many difficult problems he had to solve and many cunning tricks he had to discover, but he set about all as a Christian man should, and seldom failed of a singular success. And as he was in his worldly business, so he was in his church life. In " Memories of the Past " I speak of him in this way: " Another was a man, not large in body, but large in purpose, noble in thought, and of marked executive ability; quick and decisive, eye flashing, and voice tuned to the action of the mind; a man always to be de pended upon; an enthusiastic worker for his church. He was a born leader of men, generous to a fault, and lovable in a high degree because of his sterling character; a man whom you wanted to grapple to your soul with hooks of steel." He was Secretary of, the Board of Managers, and was in that office thorough and efficient. On January I7th, 1888, the Managers, in view of his length of service, extending well on towards twenty years, and the ability and faithful ness and accuracy with which he had discharged the duties devolving upon him, presented him with a handsome gold watch and chain. He took a deep interest in all that pertained to the prosperity of the Church, and that not from an outside and merely official relation, but from a true, spiritual relation to it. Many a brotherly talk we had together of sacred things, especially after the Sabbath evening service, and very refreshing and very helpful they were. He had been well trained in the truth, and had sought to digest it thoroughly for himself. He endeavored too, to reduce it to practice. He, after the death of his father, had taken his father s place, and had, by his business ability, made ample provision for the family. He was a faithful son, a loving brother, a sincere friend and a true Christian. His death was a great loss to the church, likewise to the community, and especially to his friends. We miss him much. We mourn, but would not murmur. 1a\bEbenezer: 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

  
  

• Sources

  [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 6. [S570] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 9. [S1338] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Galt Reporter (1846-1973), Obituary of James McFeiggan - May 25 1888 pg 1. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link . James McFeiggan/ died/ 23rd May 1888/ aged 51 y'rs. 1 mo. 24 d's./ Helen K. McFeiggan/ wife of A. K. McEachren/ died April 7th 1894/ aged 43 y'rs. 7 mo. 22 d's./ Elizabeth McFeiggan/ died Nov. 7th 1907/ aged 68 y'rs. 3 mo. 29 d's./ David J. Ashbury/ 1872-1950 [A] J. J. McF. [B] David M. [C] Father (D) Mother (E) James (F) Helen (G) Jane W. [S31] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Dumfries Reformer (1850-1892), Feb. 23, 1888 - Obituary of Janet Campbell McFeiggan.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 29 May 1837 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Store Clerk - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Insurance Agent - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Pneumonia 1 week - 23 May 1888 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth