William J. McMurtry^[1]

1811 - 1890  (79 years)

• Name	William J. McMurtry
  Born	22 Mar 1811	Milford, Carlow, Ireland
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221640074
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-29915
  Died	22 Mar 1890	Bowmanville, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario
  Buried	Bowmanville Cemetery, Bowmanville, Durham Co., Ontario
  Person ID	I29915	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Family	Jane Stephens,   b. 1815, Of, Bowmanville, Durham Co., Ontario ,   d. 1911  (Age 96 years)
  Children	1. Emily Jane McMurtry,   b. 1848, Bowmanville, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario ,   d. 31 Dec 1941, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 93 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F7907	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  MAJOR WILLIAM J. MCMURTRY, Toronto, Ont. In whatever enterprises this gentleman has I been engaged since leaving school, he has never been content to remain where he started. in, and, "forward" being his motto, has succeeded to an admirable degree. It is in insurance circles, however, that his abilities are most appreciated. He was born in Bowmanville, Ontario, April 14th, 1847, his parents being William and Jane (Stephens) McMurtry. The elder Mr. McMurtry was born in the county of Carlow, Ireland, and came to Canada in 1822, when a small boy, and soon afterwards took up his residence in Bowmanville. The mother of our subject was born in Cornwall, England, and came to this country with her parents in 1832. Major William J. McMurtry is the third eldest living of five sons and five daughters, three others died when very young. Those living are Sarah, wife of W. G. Perry, Toronto; Elizabeth, the next, is unmarried, and lives at home with. her mother: Emily, wife of J. F. Eby, of the firm of Eby, Blain & Co.; Eva, wife of E. S. Meath, of Bowmanville. His eldest brother, John, resides in Bowmanville, where he continues to carry on the business established by his father over 50 years ago, and is assisted by his youngest brother, Herbert. Samuel Arthur, now with W. W. Ogilvie in Montreal, was manager of the Ontario Bank in Lindsay for 19 consecutive years, and while here married Miss Florence Ogilvie, daughter of Senator Ogilvie. John married Miss Maggie Lyall, (daughter of the late John Lyall, township of Clark), who died some few years ago. The old gentleman died on the 22nd of March, 1890-his 79th birthday; but Mrs. McMurtry, who is 75 years of age, is hale and hearty, and as active as most people of 60. Major McMurtry received his early education in the Bowmanville grammar school, under the tuition of M. J. Kelley, M.D., M.D., now inspector of schools for the county of Brant, After leaving school, he attended the Kingston military school during a portion of the year 1866, where he took both first and second-class certificates. This was in consequence of his being appointed adjutant of the 45th battalion of volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col. Cubitt, so that he might be the better prepared to fill the duties of his office. In the summer of 1877, he attended the cavalry school, Toronto, under Col. Jenyngs, of the 13th Hussars, where he took a first-class certificate. When the Red River expedition expedition was organized under General Wolseley, he was appointed lieutenant of the First Ontario Rifles, and served through the whole expedition, which lasted about fourteen months. For fourteen years he acted as adjutant of the 45th battalion; but on account of leaving limits, he was allowed to retire, retaining full rank as major. After returning from Red River he went into business with his brother John, but retired to enter the Ontario Bank, in the same town, in 1874. At the end of two years he was appointed accountant of the Oshawa branch of the Ontario Bank, from which position he was promoted to that of manager of the same bank at Port Perry, where he remained for six years. Since coming to Toronto, four years ago, Mr. McMurtry has held the important position of manager for Ontario for the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association of New York. He is identified with some of the secret societies, being a member of Seugog Lodge, A.O.U.W, of Port Perry, and of Florence Nightingale Lalge, No. 66, IOOF, oof Bowmanville. He has been identified with the latter since January, 1872. He has also been an active and prominent curler for the past twenty-five years, having assisted in the organization of the Oshawa and Port Perry clubs though originally a member of the Bowmanville organization. He is now connected with the Granite Curling Club of this city, and was elected, at the last annual meeting, to the postion of honorary secretary for 1891-92 Treading in his father's footsteps, though never very active in political affairs, Mr. McMurtry has always been thoroughly affiliated with the Liberal party. Lake his parents, he is a Congregationalist in affinities and belief. He was married in Whitby, September 5th, 1872. to Miss Louisa Fothergill, daughter of George Fothergill, Esp. of the township of Pickering. who came to Canada when a small boy, from the Isle of Wight, in company with his parents, who, after moving around for a time, settled in the township mentioned. The result of this marriage has lwen nine children, three boys and six girls, two of whom, a boy and a girl, are dead. The names of those living are Dora Louisa, William Ernest, Constance Nevins, Gertrude Fothergill, Grace Muriel, Roy Fothergill, and Hope Fothergill McMurtry. All those except the latter, are attending school in Toronto Mrs. McMurtry's grandfather, Chas, Fothergill, was quite a remarkable man, a lineal descendent of the Earls of Granard, Ireland, and Baron Forbes, one of the oldest Scottish peerages. He was quite prominent in politics, and for several years previous to the McKenzie rebellion, was King's printer. He was also celebrated as a naturalist, and wrote several standard works. This should create no surprise, for his immediate ancestors were quite literary in their tastes. His uncle, at one time governor of Dhuboy, India, was a voluminous writer and very clever artist. He was the author of no less than fifty volumes, imperial folio, beautifully illustrated by himself. Royalty smiled approvingly, and scholars recognized his fine abilities to such an extent that, unsought, the titles F. R. S. and F. A. S. were conferred upon him. Prominent men of Canada: a collection of persons distinguished in professional and political life, and in the commerce and industry of Canada, Toronto: Canadian Biographical Pub. Co., 1892

  
  

• Sources

  [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Joseph F Eby Born: Waterloo Age: 27 Father: J W Eby Mother: P Eby Born: abt 1844 Spouse: Emily J McMurtry Age: 22 born: Bowmanville Father: Wm McMurtry Mother: Jane McMurtry married 5 Oct 1871

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 22 Mar 1890 - Bowmanville, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario  = Link to Google Earth