Waterloo Region Generations
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Nellie E. Lundy

Female 1862 - 1963  (101 years)


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  • Name Nellie E. Lundy 
    Born 14 Mar 1862  Sheffield, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 
    Gender Female 
    Interesting life story 
    Name Nellie E. Graham 
    Residence 1891  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Presbyterian 
    Residence 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-63077 
    Died 15 Sep 1963  [5] 
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Person ID I63077  Generations
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 

    Father Dr. John Bostwick Lundy,   b. 23 Jan 1826, Whitchurch Twp., York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Aug 1902, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Mother Lydia Eck,   b. 26 Feb 1835, Whitchurch Twp., York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Apr 1921, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Family ID F23064  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family James Young Graham,   b. 20 Mar 1854, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jul 1902, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 48 years) 
    Married 5 Oct 1886  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 6] 
    Children 
     1. Christine T. Graham,   b. 25 Dec 1887, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Isabell Graham,   b. 12 Mar 1889, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Dec 1925, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 36 years)
     3. Evelyn Graham,   b. Jul 1891, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1936  (Age ~ 44 years)
     4. Agnes Evelyn Graham,   b. 10 Jul 1892, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Sep 1936  (Age 44 years)
     5. Jean C. Graham,   b. 13 Apr 1895, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Dr. William Lundy Graham,   b. 24 Jun 1899, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 
    Family ID F16036  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • AN INTERVIEW WITH A SENIOR CITIZEN, MRS. J. Y. GRAHAM

      By Carol Dunnett

      A most rewarding experience for me during recent months was making the acquaintance of Mrs. Nellie Graham, widow of James Young Graham who was well-known in Galt for many years. Mrs. Graham, who will celebrate her 96th birthday on March 14, 1958, now resides at Preston Springs where she delights all those who come in contact with her with tales of her interesting family and the early history of this section of the country.

      Born in Sheffield, Ontario, in 1862, Nellie Lundy Graham was the daughter of the late Dr. J. B. Lundy and Lydia Eck Lundy. Dr. Lundy was born in Whitchurch township near Newmarket, the son of Isaac and Kezia Bostwick Lundy. Isaac Lundy was a stern old Quaker from Pennsylvania who settled at Newmarket. It was the custom in those days for the head of the family to decide the future occupation of his children and Isaac had decreed that John B. should assume his responsibility on the farm. However, John B. revolted against the idea since it had always been his dream that one day he should become a doctor. Thus it was that he left home without his staid old father's permission, determined to start his career by teaching school. After attending Rockwood Academy and later Toronto Medical School, he married one of his former pupils, Miss Lydia Eck, and settled in Sheffield where he practised medicine in the old home located on the property presently owned by Dr. Seaton. This home was later burned, charred beyond recognition, and all the surrounding growth completely destroyed.

      Mrs. Graham, recalling the old stone school at Sheffield, is pleased that it still stands. She remembers many trips through the "Toll Gate" at the intersection of Concession St. and the Hamilton Highway, then known as the "Macadamized Road."

      In 1878 Dr. Lundy moved his family to Galt, to the Date residence on North Water St. In 1881 fire destroyed this house but they were able to save most of the furniture since the fire burned slowly. The "Tassie Boys" having come to watch the fire and make an attempt at helping, had a gay time parading down to Main St. with blackened faces. The wreckage and property were sold to Thomas Todd who rebuilt it and added a strip of land on each side. It is now occupied by his grandson, M. Milne Todd.

      Of interest to many readers will be the marriages of two of Mrs. Graham's sisters. Kezia became the wife of F. G. Hughes, a dentist; Dorita, known as "Dete," the first wife of the late Dr. J. S. Wardlaw. Two brothers followed in their father's footsteps, Frank, a bachelor, becoming well-known in the field of medicine in Manitoba while Edgar married and also practised in Portage La Prairie. Dr. Edgar's son, Frank, is a medical doctor in Calgary.

      In 1886 Nellie Lundy married James Young Graham, whose grandfather, Thomas Graham, emigrated from Ecclefechan, Scotland, in a sailing vessel around 1800. Thomas' wife, nee Carlyle (a cousin of the famous Thomas Carlyle), and eight children began the trip with him but Mrs. Graham became ill and passed away at Ellis Island.

      The eldest son, William, at 18 years of age worked as a carpenter, later as a contractor for many of the old stone buildings in Galt, notably the City Hall and the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J. P. Brown. This residence, next door to First United Church, was owned and occupied for many years by Dr. Leslie King.

      Thomas Graham was buried in the ground now known as High Park but his remains were later removed to the St. Andrew's St. cemetery. His tombstone with inscription is in the pergola there.

      James Young Graham, son of William Graham, was apprenticed for three years to Henry Miller, the druggist. He opened his own drug store on Main St. in part of the location now occupied byWoolworth's store but later sold the business to Thomas McLelland and moved to the opposite side of the street.

      The Graham family all belonged to Knox's Presbyterian Church, under Dr. J. K. Smith, first minister of the new church. James Graham was secretary of the Board of Managers for a time before his death in 1902. Mrs. Graham recalls that a series of revival meetings which drew large crowds, were held in the new Knox's church. As a result of these meetings First Church lost many of its members to Knox's. When the union of the churches took place many years after her husband's death, Mrs. Graham transferred her membership to First United Church.

      As a bride Mrs. Graham was taken to her first home on Oak St., the property of which ran through to Spruce St. where the Narrow Fabrics factory now stands. John N. MacKendrick's old home was next door. In 1886 the property on McNaughton St. where the late Mr. MacKendrick built his new home was just a cow pasture. The grass was very poor but when remarks were made to this effect the MacKendrick's promptly reminded the speaker to consider the beautiful view of Galt which the cow had from her lofty height.

      The Graham home which still stands had three stories at the back and 1 1/2 stories at the front and faced Spruce St. In this home Nellie and James Graham reared four daughters and one son. Isabel died at the age of 36. Christine became Mrs. George Lethbridge and now resides in London. George Lethbridge was the organist at Knox's church for several years. Jean married C. S. Evans, a son of W. E. Evans, a former master at the G.C.I. They live in Chatham. Evelyn married Harold Phin, a son of James P. Phin, once prominent citizen of Hespeler. She passed away in 1936. Dr. William Lundy Graham interned in Toronto General Hospital and in New York, later practising in Toronto. He was on the medical staff at Camp Borden until the end the second World War and has since retired. He did not marry.

      After Mr. Graham's death, Mrs. Graham sold her property to Percy Fitch who represented the Narrow Fabrics Co. She then moved to 107 Wellington St., staying there until her children were out on their own, when she moved to Whitby where her daughter, Mrs. Phin, resided. She made her home with the Phins for 20 years after which she lived briefly in London, Ontario. Seven years ago she came to Preston Springs where she feels the ties of the past are much closer to her. Her love for the United Church has remained strong in her heart throughout the years, and, since coming to Preston she has become again a member at First United Church in Galt. While she is not able to attend services she welcomes a visit from Dr. Faichney periodically, and keeps up with the church's activities through the press.

      Blessed with a clear mind and her eyesight, she takes a keen interest in the affairs of the community. The last of her generation, she is delighted with the news she receives about her grandchildren, most of whom have continued to favor medicine and science. The influence of her father, the well-known and beloved J. B. Lundy, who showed his determination to conquer at an early age, has been evident in the lives of her own children and grandchildren. Once again the combination of Pennsylvania and Scottish stock has contributed much to the growth and welfare of our local community and has continued to spread out to the east and to the west coast as the descendants of Isaac Lundy and Thomas Graham leave the mark of their sojourn here.

      Forty-Fifth Annual Volume [1957] of the Waterloo Historical Society

  • Sources 
    1. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 98.

    2. [S259] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1901, Galt (Town/Ville) C-5 Page 4.

    3. [S572] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1911, Div. 16 Page 1.

    4. [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Section 2 Page 133.

    5. [S2697] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge, Mount View Cemetery Internet Link.
      In memoria refidere/ James Y Graham/ born March 20th 1854/ died July 30th 1902/ Faithful unto death/ his wife/ Nellie Lundy/ born March 14th 1862/ died Sept 15th 1963/

    6. [S2488] aaa Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, marriage certificate 036004 (1886).
      Name:Nelie E Lundy Age:24 Birth Year:abt 1862 Birth Place:Sheffield, Ontario Marriage Date:5 Oct 1886 Marriage Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Father:John B Lundy Mother:Sydia E Lundy Spouse:James Y Graham

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 14 Mar 1862 - Sheffield, Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 5 Oct 1886 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - 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 


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