Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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James Gladstone Fair

Male 1869 - 1948  (79 years)


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

  • Name James Gladstone Fair 
    Born 3 Jul 1869  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 
    Gender Male 
    Club Membership Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
    Ayr, Ontario - Independent Order of Odd Fellows    		 Ayr, Ontario - Independent Order of Odd Fellows
    Left to right top row

    Charlies Rafferty, George Gourley, Dr. McClury, Duncan Fair, M. Lillico, Jack McVittie, William Manson, George Stuart, John R. Hall, Jack Fair, Thomas Brown, Frank Boulton




    Sitting
    H. Player, Sandy McDonald, Bob Gourlay, George Hamilton, Alex Watson, W. E. Gammon, Jim Bowie, Charles Boulton, Ed Whitson, H. Gemelin, James Hall, Jack Watson, James Bell David Bowie and James Fair.
    Interesting politics, story, business, public service 
    Residence 1871  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    C. Presb. 
    Residence 1881  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    C. Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1891  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Watch Maker 
    Residence 1891  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    C. Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1901  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Watch Maker 
    Occupation 1911  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Jeweller - Jewellery store 
    Residence 1911  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-290355 
    Died 2 Aug 1948  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Buried 4 Aug 1948  Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Person ID I290355  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2025 

    Father William Fair,   b. CALC 5 Nov 1836, , Roxburghshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 May 1889, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 52 years) 
    Mother Jane Gladstone,   b. 1840, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Aug 1907, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 67 years) 
    Married 16 Jul 1858  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9, 10] 
    Family ID F247987  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Jamesena Gordon McRuer,   b. 23 Jun 1886, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Aug 1973, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years) 
    Married 30 Sep 1920  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Children 
     1. Jane Gladstone Fair,   b. 26 Aug 1921, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Dec 2008, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2025 
    Family ID F247985  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Passing of James G. Fair Mourned by Community - With the sudden passing of James Gladstone Fair, early Monday morning, this village lost one of its most prominent and valued native sons. He had been in ill health for several years but his passing was entirely unexpected. Born in Ayr, a son of William Fair, and Jane Gladstone, he received his education here and as a young man, after learning his trade in Brantford, opened a watch repairing shop in the Masonic Building.

      Conducted Business For 56 Years

      After a period of one year, he moved to the stand on Stanley Street now conducted by Kenneth A. Lingelbach, where he ran a jewelry store and watch repairing business for a period of 55 years, retiring in October, 1946. He held the distinction of having been a member of the business community for a longer term than that of any other person in the history of the village.

      Prominent In Civic Affairs

      During his lifetime, Mr. Fair took an active and prominent part in furthering the different civic enterprises, as they were brought forward, for the improvement of the village. IN this connection, his good judgment and considered opinion were always sought after. He was connecter with practically every organization and movement which functioned here during the period of his lifetime. These included the Ayr Masonic Lodge, Dolman Lodge, I.O.O.F., Ayr, Horticultural Society, Ayr Bowling Club, Ayr Curling Club, the former Ayr Horse Show, the Ayr Rural Telephone Co., Ayr School Board, the Ayr Park committee, Centennial of 1924, activities of the different committees functioning during the two world wars, Ayr War Memorial Committee which planned the erection of the imposing Cenotaph, corner of Stanley and Northumberland Streets, Ayr Hockey Club, Ayr Cemetery Board, Ayr Council Ayr Library Board and other Organizations. It might be mentioned in particular that he was secretary of the Ayr rural Telephone Company during its entire existence with the exception of one year. This company was just recently taken over by the Bell Telephone Company.

      The Carnegie Library

      His services as a member of the library beard were also outstanding. With the exception of the year 1906, when he was a member of the Ayr Municipal Council, he was a valued member of the Ayr Library Board from 1901 to 1942, being appointed secretary-treasurer in 1903. As secretary-treasurer of the board, he made application on October 18, 1909, for the Carnegie grant to provide for the erection of a new library in Ayr. This grant was received on December 24, 1909, and the present fine structure was subsequently built. As a matter of fact, Mr. Fair could be counted upon to take a leading part in every effort which was made towards bettering the living cultural conditions in his native village. Of a kindly and considerate disposition, he was always willing to lend a helping hand, and his friends throughout the district were legion.

      Noted For Integrity

      During the lengthy period in which he conducted a jewelry business here, Mr. Fair enjoyed a high reputation for his integrity and dependability. Surviving are his wife, the former Jamesena McRuer; a daughter, Miss Jane, and a brother, John. The funeral, which was private, took place from his late residence this (Wednesday) afternoon to the Ayr Cemetery.

      The Ayr News Aug 5 1948 pg 1

  • Sources 
    1. [S326] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1901, Ayr (Village) A Page 1.

    2. [S205] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1881, North Div. 2 Page 46.

    3. [S1282] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1911, p 6.

    4. [S564] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1891, pg 32.

    5. [S355] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1871, Div. 2, Page 38.

    6. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      Name: James Fair
      Event Type: Birth
      Event Date: 03 Jul 1869
      Event Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
      Gender: Male
      Father's Name: William Fair - carpenter of Ayr
      Mother's Name: Jane Gladstone
      Certificate Number: 5575

    7. [S564] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1891, pg 33.

    8. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      [Front/East] James Gladstone Fair/ died Aug. 2nd 1948/ his wife/ Jamesena Gordon McRuer/ died Aug. 9th 1973/ Their daughter/ Jan Gladstone Fair/ 26th Aug. 1921 - 8th Dec. 2008/ Fair
      [Back/West] F/ Duncan McRuer Fair/ Mar. 28, 1863 - Jan. 11, 1929/ his wife Jessie AngelIne Malone/ Jan. 22, 1872 - Mar. 6, 1956/ Fair

    9. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      William Fair b. Scotland res: Ayr Age: 27 born abt 1831 father: William mother: Isabella Tait married Jane Gladstones Age:: 18 born abt 1840 b. Canada Spouse res: Galt father: Robert mother: Wilhelmine Nichols married 16 Jul 1858 county: Waterloo

    10. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Name: William Fair Age: 27 Birth Date: abt 1831 Birth Place: Scotland Marriage Date: 16 Jul 1858 Marriage County or District: Waterloo Father: William Mother: Isabella Tait Spouse: Jane Gladstones Spouse's Age: 18 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1840 Spouse Birth Place: Canada Spouse Residence: Galt Spouse Father: Robert Spouse Mother: Wilhelmine Nichols Residence: Ayr

    11. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Name: Jamesina G McRuer Age: 35 Birth Date: abt 1885 Birth Place: Township Blenheim Marriage Date: 30 Sep 1920 Marriage County or District: Waterloo Father: James McRuer Mother: Jane Kyle Spouse: James G Fair Spouse's Age: 51 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1869 Spouse Birth Place: Ayr Spouse Father: Wm Fair Spouse Mother: Jane Gladstone

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 3 Jul 1869 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsClub Membership - Independent Order of Odd Fellows - - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presb. - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Watch Maker - 1891 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1891 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Watch Maker - 1901 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Jeweller - Jewellery store - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 30 Sep 1920 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 2 Aug 1948 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 4 Aug 1948 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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