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

Martha Esther Murphy[1]

Female 1838 - 1925  (87 years)


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

  • Photos
    Murphy-MarthaEstherBowlby-001-UniversityofWaterloo.jpg
    Murphy-MarthaEstherBowlby-001-UniversityofWaterloo.jpg
    Martha Esther Murphy Bowlby - Clement Bowlby Famly Fonds. https://digital.library.uwaterloo.ca/uwdl-cad3d5c9-aa05-40ed-bf1f-f55bfee04798/bowlby-martha-esther-murphy
    Murphy-MarthaEstherBowlby-002.jpg
    Murphy-MarthaEstherBowlby-002.jpg
    Martha Esther Murphy Bowlby - The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener, 125th Anniversary book.

  • Name Martha Esther Murphy 
    Born 4 Jul 1838  Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Gender Female 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108095054 
    Name Martha Esther Bowlby 
    Residence 1856  Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    Residence 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Church of England 
    Residence 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Church of England 
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Church of England 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Anglican 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Income 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Anglican 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-38725 
    Died 29 Dec 1925  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • The Mount Royal Cemetery of Montreal provided information that Adine Bowlby and Martha Esther Bowlby were cremated at the Mount Royal Crematorium but the ashes were not interred there.
    Person ID I38725  Generations
    Last Modified 9 Sep 2024 

    Father Alexander Murphy, Esq,   b. Abt 1808, Of, Montreal, Ile DE Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Jane Allen,   b. Abt 1808, Of, Montreal, Ile DE Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Sep 1863, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 55 years) 
    Family ID F22095  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Dr. David Sovereign Bowlby,   b. 15 Sep 1828, Townsend Township, Norfolk Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Dec 1903, Rome, , Lazio, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Married 1 Jul 1856  Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  [9, 10
    Children 
     1. Bowlby,   b. of, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Dec 1860, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Bowlby
     3. Jane Elizabeth "Janie" Bowlby,   b. 18 Apr 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jul 1942, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years)
     4. Emma Allen Bowlby,   b. 1862, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Jan 1897, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 35 years)
     5. Dr. - Mayor George Herbert Bowlby, M. D.,   b. 16 Jul 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Nov 1916, Seaford, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years)
     6. Grace Esther Bowlby,   b. 18 May 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Oct 1936, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years)
     7. David Shannon "Shannon" Bowlby,   b. 24 Jan 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Oct 1938, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years)
    Last Modified 11 Sep 2024 
    Family ID F10129  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Mrs. M. E. Bowlby

      The funeral of the late Mrs. M. E. Bowlby who died at her home in Kitchener from burns received when her clothing took fire on December 29th, was held on Wednesday afternoon. After service was conducted at the home the remains were taken to Montreal for interment. The late Mr. Bowlby was one of the leading doctors in Kitchener for many years and died suddenly while on a visit to Rome, Italy. Three children survive, Mrs. E. P. Clement, Mrs. J. P. Fennell and Crown Attorney D. S. Bowlby all of Kitchener.

      Waterloo Chronicle, 7 Jan 1926, p. 5

      ________________

      DEATH SUMMONS ESTEEMED LADY

      Mrs. D. S. Bowlby, Sr., Resident For 71 Years, Suffers Fatal Burns

      One of Kitchener's best loved and most venerated ladies, in the person of Mrs. D. S. Bowlby, sr., age 89, passed away at 6.30 o'clock last night as a result of injuries sustained when she was seriously burned shortly before noon. Her dressing gown had caught fire from a small gas heater in the bathroom and she was taken to the Kitchener and Waterloo hospital where she lingered until evening.

      Mrs. Bowlby, who was alone in her home, 60 Margaret avenue, with her maid when the fatal accident occurred had apparently lighted the small gas heater. The maid who was downstairs, heard calls for help and rushed to the aid of her mistress, finding her clothing a mass of flames from head to foot. She snatched a rug from the floor, wrapped it around Mrs. Bowlby and smothered the flames. She then called the doctor and summoned the family. Without delay Mrs. Bowlby was rushed to were death occurred slightly more than six hours after the accident.

      Her tragic death is mourned by three children, all of Kitchener, Mrs. E. P. Clement, Mrs. J. P. Fennell and Crown Attorney D. B. Bowlby. Her husband died very suddenly in Rome, Italy, in December 1903.

      Mrs. Bowlby's sad death breaks the few remaining links city's past history. She came to Kitchener, (then (then Berlin) from Montreal as a bride of 18, in ever 1854. She has lived here ever since, a period of 71 years. She was the last surviving member of her family, being a sister of the late John Murphy, founder of the firm of John Murphy Company, Montreal, departmental store, now owned by the Robert Simpson Company and who was also a member of the dry goods firm, the Murphy Gamble Company of Ottawa. The late Mrs. H. F. J. Jackson, wife of H. F. J. Jackson, local railway contractor, who built the section of the Canadian, National Railway which passes thru Kitchener in the 50's, was a sister of the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were the leaders of social life in the early days of the city, their palatial home, recently torn down, at the corner of King and Water streets, being the scene of many social events. Mrs. Bowlby's maiden name was Martha Esther Murphy.

      Mrs. Bowlby was always a most active woman, both socially and in the various organizations with when she was identified. She was the first secretary treasurer of the Kitchener and Waterloo Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, a position which she held for a number of years. She was a outstanding member of St. John's Anglican church, where she was the organist for many years. She was also president of the Ladies Auxiliary of that church of 27 years. In addition she was the first regent of the Princess of Wales chapter, Daughters of the Empire, being a charter and life member of that organization.

      She was in good health generally and was quite active around her home, altho not able to be around as much outside as formerly. She always made her large circle friends most welcome at her at her home.

      Mrs. Bowlby's obliging and cheerful disposition fund of rare humor won the friendship of all with whom she came in contact. As a result of this fine trait and her many years of residence in Kitchener, her sudden and tragic passing has cast a pall of gloom over the Twin City. Many residents will recall the old Bowlby homestead, which was, located where Victoria school now stands, where every friend was made welcome at any time. Dr. D. S. Bowlby, the husband of the deceased, was one of the leading doctors of the county for many years, his advice frequently sought by other practitioners of the city up to the time of his sudden death in Rome.

      The funeral is being held this afternoon at 4 o'clock at St. John's Anglican church, the remains being taken to Montreal on the 5.20 train.

      Kitchener Daily Record, December 30, 1925, page 1

  • Sources 
    1. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012022-94.
      George Herbert Bowlby, 28, occ. Physician, b. Canada, res. Berlin, son of David S. and Martha married Blanche Alexandrine Seagram, 22, b. Canada, res. Waterloo, daughter of Joseph E. and Stephanie, Witn D.S. Bowlby of Berlin and Beatrice Osler of Toronto, 18 April 1894 in Waterloo.

    2. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, div 3 pg 23.

    3. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-11 Page 12.

    4. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 35.

    5. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 64.

    6. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div. 3 Page 23.

    7. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 38 Page 7.

    8. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 1 Page 24.

    9. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), 09 Jul 1856.
      01 Jul 1856 In Montreal, on Tuesday, July 1st, by the Rev'd. John McLoud, at the residence of the bride's father, Martha Esther, youngest daughter of Alexander Murphy, Esq., Merchant of Montreal, to David S. Bowlby, M.D. of the town of Berlin, County of Waterloo, C.W.

    10. [S107] Book - The Canadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Ontario Volume, 1880.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 4 Jul 1838 - Montreal, Ile de Montreal, Quebec Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1856 - Montreal, Ile de Montreal, Quebec Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 1 Jul 1856 - Montreal, Ile de Montreal, Quebec Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Income - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 29 Dec 1925 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Montreal, Ile de Montreal, Quebec Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth