ORMOND (1917)
Mrs. C. Murphy and little son, of Saskatoon, Sask., are guests of Mrs. A. Campbell, Mrs. Murphy was formerly Miss Bessie Campbell and was called home by the death of her father.
Miss Mary Christie, Mrs. T. Smith and Mrs. W. Mend of Port Pery are also guests of Mrs. A. Campbell.
Mr. J. W. Pushman of Ottawa and Mr. J. Sutherland, of Verret Stewart & Co. of Montreal attended the funeral of Mr. Alpin Campbell on Sunday.
The Late Alpin Campbell, Ormond
Some six weeks ago our community learned with feelings of the deepest regret that Mr. Alpin Campbell was suffering from a very severe attack of jaundice, but we all hoped and fully expected that the disease would, in time, respond to medical treatment. But all such hopes and expectations proved illusive for as time passed it became only too apparent that his condition, instead of improving was gradually becoming more critical. Acting on the advice of his medical advisers he, on the 14th inst entered the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal. The doctors there after examination and consultation decided that a successful operation might, while not proving a permanent cure, serve to at least ameliorate conditions for a time. On Thursday, 18th inst., an operation was performed and for a time it seemed as thou the hopes of his medical attendants might be realized but on Sunday 21st inst., a decided change for the worse came and early on the morning of Tuesday, 23rd inst., the end came, his son John who had been summoned to his bedside on Sunday, being with him at the closing scene.
We feel that the death of one, who for more than forty years had filled so large but so quiet and so unobtrusive a part in the business, social, religious, educational and political life of our community deserves more than a mere passing notice. A brief sketch of his career will, we venture to think, prove of interest to his many friends and acquaintances while a study of his career as a successful business man may serve as a stimulus to young men just entering upon a business life.
Alpin Campbell came of good Highland Scotch ancestry. His father John Campbell, with his wife having come to Canada from near Bannockburn, Scotland, in the early part of last century. They finally settled on a farm in Osgoode Township near the present village of Vernon. Here, in February, 1849 the subject of this sketch was born. After receiving such education as his home school afforded he spent some time at the Metcalfe Grammar School, after which he attended the London, Ont., business college. Having decided to learn merchantile [sic] life he sought to learn the practical details of the business by filling a position as clerk, first at Metcalfe then at Vernon, and then, after spending some time in the lumbering district of Michigan, he in 1875 (or 1876) returned to Canada and for some time filled a position as clerk in the general store of the late Wm. Bow, of Winchester. Soon after coming to Winchester an opening having occurred he seized the opportunity to establish a general store at Ormond. For some years after coming to Ormond owing to a period of world wide “hard times” business conditions were somewhat unsettled and no doubt our young merchant found it somewhat difficult to maintain an equilibrium between receipts and expenditures but by close application to business and a strict attention to details, success came. Some thirty years ago Mr. Campbell began to take an active interest in the dairy business—an interest which increased as the years passed until he became one of the leading cheese manufacturers in Eastern Ontario. In the year 1900 he took his eldest son John A. into partnership in the general store. Some eight years later owing to the pressure of other business he withdrew from the partnership, but continued to hold his position of postmaster until the end.
The late Mr. Campbell under a somewhat reserved manner held a kindly genial nature and in the course of his long business life at Ormond won in a most marked degree the respect and esteem of all classes. In the home he and his worthy wife dispersed a kind unobtrusive hospitality at all times, which lingers in the memory of the partakers. He never had any liking for what is known as public life, but when, as often happened public duties were thrust upon him he invariable performed them in a most efficient and conscientious manner. He took a kindly interest in educational matters and all worthy causes received his sympathetic support. He will be missed in the home, in the church and in the community.
He leaves to mourn his loss, a wife, four sons and two daughters viz: John A., James H., and Daniel of Ormond and Robert D. (who is serving his King and Country somewhere in France) and Mrs. J. C. Murphy (Bessie K.) of Saskatchewan and Mrs. Wallace Campbell (Jessie) of Vernon, Ont., one brother, John R. Campbell of Vernon, Ont., and one sister, Mrs. R. Stewart [Annie] of Kenmore.
The funeral service was held in the Baptist Church, Ormond, of which deceased was a member, on Sunday at 1:30 PM, and was very largely attended, many failing to get into the church. Upon the coffin reposed many beautiful wreaths—mutley impressive tokens of affection from friends and acquaintances from far and near. Rev. W. C. McKendry assisted by Rev. R. M. Carkner of Winchester conducted the services at the Church, the former preaching an impressive sermon taking as his text Rev. 14-13. Music was furnished by a composite choir and by a male quartette composed of Messrs. J.D. Stewart, J. W. Flett, S. F. Barkley and J. Bursleon of Winchester.
The members of the Henderson Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Winchester and representatives of Chesterville Lodge A.F., and A.M. of which deceased was a charter member, attended in a body and took part in the services at the cemetery.
The pall bearers were J.D. Stewart, Thomas A. Scott, Thomas Irving, J. G. Challies, W. J. Fraser and W.J. Laflamme.
Newspaper where this article was found is not known. It is possibly the Winchester Press.
b: February 1849
d: 23 October 1917
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