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

John Albert "Albert" Gillespie

Male 1882 - 1954  (71 years)


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

  • Name John Albert "Albert" Gillespie 
    Born 28 Apr 1882  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Gender Male 
    Interesting accident, railway, life story 
    Residence 1891  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1901  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Farmer Son 
    Misfortune 17 Mar 1954  near, Toronto, York Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    killed in train accident 
    Occupation Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Director of the Ayr Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-72443 
    Died 17 Mar 1954  , York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Buried Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Person ID I72443  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father John Gillespie,   b. 14 Dec 1843, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jun 1932, RR5, Galt, Waterloo Region, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Mother Jennie Taylor,   b. 10 Jul 1858, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Sep 1922, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years) 
    Married Apr 1879  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 5
    Family ID F34891  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Carrick,   b. 16 Feb 1886, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 May 1952, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 5 Apr 1911  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Children 
     1. Jennette Gillespie
     2. Robert John "Bob" Gillespie,   b. 10 Oct 1915, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Sep 1999, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     3. George Thomas Gillespie,   b. 1919, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 May 2008, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 89 years)
     4. Hugh C. Gillespie,   b. 22 Aug 1924, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Aug 1973, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 49 years)
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F248801  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • J. Albert Gillespie, 72, prominent South Dumfries farmer, was killed this (Wednesday) morning when the crack C.P.R. diesel passenger stream-lined "Dayliner" was derailed at Dixie, near Toronto. Mr. Gillespie was aboard the train en route to Toronto to attend a Mutual Fire Underwriters' convention in his capacity as a director of the Ayr Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co.

      A. C. Becker

      Injured Another director of the Ayr company, A. C. Becker, Roseville, was injured in the accident but, according to hospital reports this (Wednesday) afternoon, his condition is not serious.


      R. G. Bailey, Member of Group

      R. G. Bailey, RR 6, Galt, also a director, was believed by his wife to have been aboard the train, but he was not listed in the casualty list compiled by the Toronto Star.


      Miss Laurie Maus, company secretary-treasurer, who is attending the convention, left Monday night, instead of today, in order that she could spend Tuesday on other business in Toronto.

      Two Directors Travel C.N.R.

      Directors William D. Foulds and Chester Lovett, of the Paris district, also left for the convention this morning, but travelled by C.N.R. out of Paris.

      Train Strikes Truck

      According to information supplied by Toronto newsmen, the Dayliner, which consists only of two steel constructed passenger coaches, struck a truck at the Dixie crossing about 10 a.m. while travelling at a high speed. The tremendous impact derailed the train, leaving a twisted mass of steel along the right-of-way. Preliminary investigation revealed only one man dead, and others injured.

      Highly Respected Resident

      Mr. Gillespie, a highly respected member of the community, was born in North Dumfries, on the farm now occupied by his brother, William H. Gillespie He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Gillespie. He moved to South Dumfries, two miles south of Ayr, more than years ago, where he became established as a very successful farmer. The late Mr. Gillespie was a valued member of Knox United Church, Ayr, where he was a member of the session and also the board of trustees. He had been on the board of directors of the Ayr Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years, serving in several offices, including the presidency. Surviving are three sons, Robert J. of Hamilton, George T. of North Dumfries and Hugh at home; a daughter, Jenette, also at home, and several grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers and three sisters, as follows: W. H. Gillespie and Mrs. R. G. Ford, North Dumfries; Andrew Gillespie, Fort William; Mrs. Robert Teller and Mrs. Lillian Culham, Galt.


      The Ayr News Mar 18 1954 pg 2

  • Sources 
    1. [S180] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1901, Dumfries (North) B-3 Page 6.

    2. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      Name: John Albert Gillespie Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1882 Gender: Male Birth Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Father's name: John Gillespie Mother's name: Jennie Taylor

    3. [S2042] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1891, Sect. 2 Page 13.

    4. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      Gillespie/ In Loving memory of/ J. Albert Gillespie/ Apr. 28, 1882 - Mar. 17, 1954/ Mary Carrick/ beloved wife of/ J. Albert Gillespie/ Feb. 16, 1886 - May 24, 1952/ Hugh C. Gillespie/ Aug. 22, 1924 - Aug. 26, 1973/ Jean Irene Keith/ Wife of Hugh/ Dec. 27, 1922 - July 22, 1991

    5. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 010726-79.
      John Gillespie, 34, occ. Farmer, b. North Dumfries, res. North Dumfries, s/o John Gillespie & Jane Adams married Jeanie Taylor, 21, b. North Dumfries, res. North Dumfries, d/o Andrew Taylor & Margaret Scott, witn Malcolm McPherson & Andrew Lake both of North Dumfries, 16 April 1879 in North Dumfries.

    6. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Name: Mary Carrick Age: 25 Birth Date: abt 1886 Marriage Date: 5 Apr 1911 Marriage County or District: Waterloo Father: Robert John Carrick Mother: Mary Stalker Spouse: John Albert Gillespie Spouse's Age: 28 Spouse Birth Date: abt 1883 Spouse Father: John Gillespie Spouse Mother: Jennie Taylor

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 28 Apr 1882 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1891 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer Son - 1901 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 5 Apr 1911 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMisfortune - killed in train accident - 17 Mar 1954 - near, Toronto, York Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Director of the Ayr Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. - - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 17 Mar 1954 - , York Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth