Beardmore, G. L. Sr.

Death of Mr. G. L. Beardmore, Sr.
The death of Mr. George L. Beardmore who has been known and highly esteemed in Acton for some twenty-eight years, occured last Friday. With his children and grandchildren about him, celebrating the 75th anniversaryt of his birth, the well-known leather merchant, died suddenly at his residence, "Chudleigh," on Beverley street. The old gentleman was in his usual health during the day, enjoying himself with his grandchildren, who had come over to celebrate grandpa's birthday. While seated in his chair at 5 o'clock he suddenly passed away from heart failure. Deceased was born in England and came to Canada in 1834, settling at Thornhill. A few years later he opened leather houses at Hamilton and Toronto, residing in the former city until 1855, when he closed the Hamilton establishment and removed to Toronto, where, in conjunction with his sons he has been in business ever since. In 1865 Mr. Beardmore purchased the tannery on Main street from Mr. Atcheson, the former proprietor, and for a number of years was a frequent visitor to Acton in connection with the business here. By our citizens he was very much esteemed for his sterling character, kind and intelligent disposition, and some of our businessmen, who were the boys of twenty-five years ago, remember with pleasure his interest in their boyish amusements and his generous contributions to their enjoyment. He was an employer whose men honored and respected him, and they had more than ordinary reason for this. His considerate treatment of them was marked and there are men in town to-day who recall with what manifest pleasure Mr. Bearmore always remembered each employee at Christmas time with a gift which every man appreciated. Except during an interval of a few years business has ever since been carried on here by Mr. Beardmore and his sons. It has gradually grown to its present extensive establishents, giving employment to large numbers of our citizens. A widow and seven children survive the deceased. The sons are Walter D., George W., Alfred - who has resided in Acton for a number of years - and Frederick and the daughters Mrs. (Dr.)Macdonald, Miss Beardmore and Miss Helen Beardmore. The funeral took place Monday afternoon from his late residence on Beverley street. Rev. Prof. Gregg conducted the funeral services, and the pallbearers were Messrs. W. T. Boyd, W. B. McMurrich, W. H. Cawthra, Benjamin Parsons, Edward Job and Col. Macdonald, of Guelph. Both the tanneries of Beardmore & Co., and Acton Tanning Co., were closed, and a number of our citizens would have attended the funeral had the railways service been less demoralized.