Storey, W. H., Chief Mag

OUR CHIEF MAGISTRATE HAS FALLEN.

Acton is Overwhelmed With Sorrow Because Her
First Citizen Has Passed Away.

LAMENTABLE DEATH OF W. H. STOREY ESQ., REEVE.

A municipality mourns the loss of its experienced and honored Chief Magistrate.
A devoted wife and family mourn the loss of the beloved head of the home.
A community mourns the loss of its most beneficient and useful citizen.
An immense business loses its founder and hundreds of employees their employer.
The commercial centres of the Dominion regret the removal by death of one of its most successful and important manufacturers.
"W. H. Storey is dead."
Sad, sad indeed, was this sorrowful intelligence as it was passed from one to another of our citizens on Sabbath morning, and in strange contrast was this event to the glorious majesty and brightness of the beautiful morning which otherwise would have brought gratitude and gladness and joy into every heart.
Every citizen feels that a friend is gone, but every heart looks beyond the general sorrow and breathes sympathy to the bereaved family.
Mr. Storey peacefully breathed his last shortly after seven o'clock on Sunday morning.
His fatal illness was caused by a cancerous growth in the bladder, which developed with great rapidity after the aggravated attack which gave evidence of its presence the last week of January. The specialists who conducted a critical examination at that time advised the family that the trouble was cancer and that Mr. Storey was not likely to survive the progress and development many months. The operation on Wednesday, 23rd February, while it gave temporary relief, proved conclusively the presence of the cancer and the rapidity of its growth. After the operation he was considerably relieved and made encouraging progress until last Wednesday when the energy of his constitution seemed to lapse and he peacefully sank and the sands of time gradually ebbed out on Sunday morning. It was a satisfaction to him and to the members of his family that during his last hours all the surviving members were at his bedside.
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William Hyslop Storey was the only child of George and Jane Storey and was born in the village of Ayton, Yorkshire, England, on the 8th March, 1837. His funeral was consequently held on his sixty-first birthday. His early advantages for education were good, so that he obtained a creditable English education which was supplemented with academic training. He came to Canada with his parents in 1845 and they settled on Dundas street in the County of York. Both parents died shortly after and at fifteen years of age he was left an orphan in a strange land. With the determination to succeed, which characterized him through all his future years, he apprenticed himself to the late John G. Roberts, of Lambton Mills, to learn the saddlery business. To the influence of this esteemed and good man, his wise counsel and direction, Mr. Storey always gratefully acknowledged much was due in the formation of his character. From him was inculcated the principle of intergrity and upright business methods which became the dominating principle of his career in after life.
Having completed his apprenticeship in 1856, he commenced business, in the fall of that year in Acton, in partnership with J. F. Taylor, under the firm name of Storey & Taylor, Saddlers. The following year he was united in wedlock with Hannah Jane, daughter of Anson Smith, Esq., of Glanford, who was for some ten years recently an esteemed resident of Acton. As a result of this union seven children blessed the home - three sons and four daughters. The eldest and youngest soon died within a few months of each other some seventeen years ago. The surviving members of the family in addition to Mrs. Storey are Mrs. Alex. Secord, Mrs. A. E. Nicklin and Mr. W. A. Storey, Acton; Mrs. Dr. Dryden, Guelph, and Mrs. D. J. D. Payne, Richland, Iowa.
In 1859 the saddlery business was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Taylor removing to Georgetown. The business was continued under Mr. Storey's personal supervision until 1868, and the work turned out was always of a superior class both as to quality and workmanship. In the latter years the nucleus of the present large business enterprise, known from the Atlantic to the Pacific as the "Canada Glove Works" was laid. A paragraph as to the influence which led Mr. Storey to turn his attention to the manufacture of gloves and mitts, may be of interest, especially as it has never before been given to the public. He was somewhat discouraged with the harness business, when one day the late Edward Moore, who was a very intimate friend, dropped in to have a chat for a few moments on the way to his own business. He was in the shingle and slate business, a member of the firm of Moore Bros. and used a pair of heavy harvest-mitts for handling the steamed elm bolts while cutting them into staves. Having purchased a couple of pairs for this purpose and having them with him, the conversation drifted in that direction, and Mr. Moore volunteered to Mr. Storey the question "Why couldn't you make mitts like these as well as anyone else?" The question proved to be an inspiration. Mr. Storey concluded that he could, secured from Mr. Moore one of the pairs, used them in cutting patterns and in a few days mitts and gloves of the coarser grades, of his manufacture, were upon the market. From the outset success attended the new enterprise and from this small beginning has grown the immense business which employs its two hundred skilled operatives and whose products are on sale in nearly every city, town and hamlet in the broad dominion.
For a number of years the business was conducted under the firm name of W. H. Storey & Co., Mr. James Moore being the silent partner. Mr. Moore subsequently retired from the business and purchased the tanning business then run in conjuinction with the glove works. Mr. Storey's eldest son, Fred, was then admited to partnership and the business name was changed to W. H. Storey & Son, which it has ever since remained.
A few months after this change his son Fred, died. This bereavement was the heaviest blow that Mr. Storey ever experienced and it was many months before he could become reconciled to his great loss. The past six years his son, William A., has been his partner in business and has shared with him the exacting cares of their large and growing business, and, with the additional assistance of his sons-in-law, Messrs. Alex. Secord and A. E. Nicklin, at the heads of departments, he has been relieved from personal attention to many of the details and enjoyed more the leisures of life which naturally come to a man after years of faithful application. The career of Mr. Storey gives manifest evidence of what enterprise, economy, and untiring business energy can accomplish. Within the past three months he informed the editor of the FREE PRESS, in a personal conversation, that when he came to Acton he was not in possession of capital exceeding $25.00. His business to-day is the largest of its class in the dominion. It is housed in the finest and best appointed buildings which could be devised for the purpose, and Sunderland Villa, the family residence here, is well-known as an ideal of comfort, convenience and home-like surroundings.
For forty-two years Acton has been Mr. Storey's home, and no citizen ever dwelt within her borders who was more loyal to her interests or more anxious for the material progress of the place of his adoption. He saw it rise from a mere post village with but few houses, to one of the most prosperous incorporated municipalites of its size on the continent. And to his personal efforts and the influence of his large business much of this prosperity is due. His love for Acton was evidenced time and again when approached by officials of other towns and cities with tempting inducements in the shape of money bonuses, buildings and lands in consideration of removal but to every advance he invariably answered "No". He was loyal to the last and his lamp of life went out when, as Reeve of the town, he had important improvements under consideration, as the correspondence on file in his office to-day will show.
In the year 1873, it was felt that Acton had arrived at that stage in her history when incorporation would advance her interests, and with this in view Mr. Storey, Dr. McGarvin and a few others called a meeting of the citizens, and in response to a strong petition incorporation was secured. The first Council was composed of W. H. Storey, as Reeve, and Dr. McGarvin, John Speight, Asa Hall and C. T. Hill as Councillors. Mr. Storey continued a member of the Council, either as Reeve or Councillor, for eighteen years. He was a valuable member of the County Council and was honored by his confreres during his last year as a member of that body in 1889, with election to the Wardenship.
To his efforts as a member of the Council Acton owes much of her attractive azppearance, public buildings, park and general improvements; while as a Justice of the Peace he has occupied the bench in the last quarter of a century in hearing more cases than all the other local magistrates put together.
At the municipal nomination on the 27th of December last, when it was almost unanimously conceded that Acton should take advanced steps in the matter of electric lighting and permanent walks, Mr. Storey was naturally looked to as the most desirable citizen to be at the head of affairs during the introduction of such improvements, and he was elected unanimously as Reeve for 1898. He has fallen with the reins of office in hand, serving the town he loved so well.
He was closely allied with our education interests and was for many years a member of the Public School Board and repeatedly its Chairman. He retired from the Board only last December. During the life of the late Robert Little he took an active interest in the library of the Public School and they succeeded by frequent additions in gathering a library of some 1300 volumes, which were read with much interest by the community. His last public act as Reeve of the municipality was to appoint the members of the Free Library Board, which is to take over the school library and modernize the methods of its operation in future.
His last public speech was delivered at the organization of the Council of 1898, when he addressed the members as follows:
"It has always been customary for the Reeve at the first meeting to say a few words respecting the duties of the members of the Council and the questions which will probably occupy that attention during the year. The position I occupy is one entirely unsought by me, but the people have voluntarily placed me here and I will do my best to advance the interests of the municipality.
I am pleased to be here this year because of the competent men who are associated with me. Considering the important matters to come before us the people did a wise thing in putting in a Council of men acquainted with business methods. I say this without intending any reflection upon the good men who have preceded us.
I believe it is generally conceded by our citizens that we have arrived at the time when a better system of street lighting must be introduced. In the estimation of visitors to our town our reputation is immediately lowered when the matter of street lighting is introduced. The people demand electric light, and this question must receive our careful consideration.
A good deal of attention has been given the park, but for some reason those in charge have not succeeded in securing the growth of shade trees. The beautifying of the park will require to be looked into.
Of late years a spirit of misconduct on the public streets has been noticeable, especially on certain street corners. We must do all in our power to suppress all lawlessness, and for any disturbance upon the streets which comes before us the offenders will be punished with severity. If the present constables are unable to cope with the disorder they must have additional help. All disorder must be suppressed.
As our population has increased we naturally have more children on the streets at night. I think the introduction of the curfew is desirable. If parents will not keep their children away from the evils of being out after night, civic authority must step in, and I am in favor of the enactment of regulations requiring all children under a certain age, unaccompanied by their parents, to be off the streets by nine o'clock.
I see no necessity for disturbing present officers in town. I think Acton is well officered and so long as our public officers are faithful in the discharge of their duties there will be no disposition on my part to change them. We should, however, endeavor to so perfect all matters that the municipal machinery will run with the utmost satisfaction.
I feel that we shall have a pleasant year together and that the best of feeling will exist. We may disagree upon some matters which will come before us, but we can do this good naturedly."
But Mr. Storey did not confine his efforts to business and municipal matters and the material improvement of the town. For forty years he has been a member of the Methodist Church here, and, though his interest in the church services has not been so marked in past years as in the earlier days, his love for the church of his choice was ever manifest. He was Chairman of the Building Committee which erected the church in 1875, and was again Chairman of the building Committee which expended $1500 in improvements last summer. For years he has been Treasurer of the Trustee Board and occupied that position when he died. His leadership in matters of church improvements has always been gratefully appreciated.
In politics he was not a strong partizan, except when he felt that the country's interests were at stake. In the days of his early residence in Halton he gave his support to the late John White, M.P., but since Mr. White's retirement his preferences have usually been with the Conservative party. This party fully appreciated his ability, and in their convention prior to the general elections for the House of Commons in 1882, He was the candidate of their choice. He refused to accept the nomination, however, feeling that the claims of his business would not permit him to give the duties of the office the attention they demanded.
He was a charter member of several of the benevolent societies in town; a member of the Board of the Woodmen of the World, and director of several Insurance companies in Toronto and elsewhere, and several years ago occupied the honored position of President of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association.
W. H. Storey was a man of much kindness of heart. No person in want ever called upon him in vain. None out of work were refused employment if within his power to give it. He was a generous nature, as hundreds in Acton to-day gratefully testify. He lived a busy and useful life and was a benefactor to the community, but death came. No man is spared, no age nor character is exempt. The majestic and courtly roads which monarchs pass over; the way that the men of letters tread; the short and simple annals of the poor; all lead to the same place, all tereminate, however varied their routes, at that one place appointed for all living. One short sentence closes the biography of every man: "and he died."
Acton's greatest citizen is gone. A community weeps with a family bereft. A thousand hearts pour forth sincerest sorrow and sympathy.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral on Tuesday afternoon was the most largely attended ever held in this part of the county. Not only did our citizens and the countryside turn out en masse, but hundreds came from a distance. Deceased's prominent connections in business and financial circles, the County Council and various benevolent institutions - in all of which he was regarded with the highest esteem - rendered him intimately and widely known, and representatives from all these were there in large numbers.
The service was in charge of Rev. J. A. McLachlan, M.A., the pastor of deceased, who had associated with him, Rev. J. E.Howell, M.A. of Waterloo, Rev. R. Bobbs, London, and Rev. William Bryers, all former pastors. After a brief service at the residence the remains were carried to the Methodist Church where the memorial service was held. Notwithstanding that auditorium, galleries and basement were crowded, it is estimated that a thousand people were unable to gain admittance. As the mourners entered the sacred edifice the organ pealed forth the "Dead March in Saul." The memorial address delivered by Rev. J. E. Howell, M.A., was a masterly and eloquent tribute. There was no tiresome flattery, but an impressive presentation of the well known traits of charcter possessed by the deceased. It breathed forth the tenderest sympathy for the bereaved family and an exhortation to all present to prepare for the final reckoning. Rev. Mr. Hobbs who was the pastor here twenty years ago added a few words expressive of the personal worth of the deceased as he had known him in the early years. At the conclusion of the service the cortege was formed in the following order:
Town and County Councillors.
Present and Former Members of the
Public School Board.
Independent Order of Foresters
Court Olive Branch No. 90.
Canadian Order of Home Circle No. 66.
Order of Woodmen of the World. No. -
Clergymen.
Hearse and Pall Bearers.
Mourners.
Employees of Canada Glove Works and Tannery.
Employees of Beardmore & Co.
General Public.
Carriages
Messrs. Walter, George and A. O. Beardmore, Mr. Hugh Scott, of the Millers' and Manufacturers' Insurance Co., Toronto; John I. Hobson and John Goldie, Guelph; N. M. Livingston, Alliston, and D. Henderson M.P., were the pall bearers.
At the grave the burial service of the church was read by Rev. J. A. McLachlan, M.A., R. Hobbs and J. E. Howell, M.A., after which the order of Woodmen of the World carried out their funeral ritual. Acting Consul-Commander D. Henderson, M.P., read the impressive service of the order and was assisted by Adviser-Lieut. John Kenny, jr., and the brethren paid their last tribute of respect by dropping into the open grave the customary sprig of evergreen. The following officers of the Woodmen were present, Dr. Harrison, Grand Physician, of Toronto; J. E. Hill, Chairman Board of Managers, St. Thomas; W. H. Graves, Head Organizer, Toronto. W. Mehan, Clerk Toronto Camp, Toronto. The deceased was a Grand Office of this order.
The following relatives and friends from a distance attended the funeral obsequies: Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Payne, and children, of Richland, Iowa; Dr. and Mrs. Dryden and children, Guelph; Anson Smith, sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Smith, Ancaster; Andrew Swayzie, and James Howard, Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Young, Oakville, Messrs. Joseph and James Firstbrook, Mrs. Rolland, Miss Firstbrook, Mrs. Wright, Mr. Austin Tubby, T. Milburn, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. McGarvin, J. A. Knott, J. F. Taylor, J. J. Kelly, Miss Ahern, Toronto; J. P. Secord, Orillia; J. A. Stauffer, Galt; John Triggerson, Brantford; Sheriff Broddy, Mrs. Brownridge, Brampton; A. B. Wright, John Grayden, Mrs. John Bennett, Streetsville; Ald. R. E. Nelson, Dr. Lowry, C. W. Kelly, W. A. McLean, Jos. Heffernan, D. D. Christie, John Davidson, Guelph; J. W. Knowles, W. H. Jago, P. Lee, Rockwood; John R. Barber, M.P.P., Wm. McLeod, Dr. Roe, Joseph Barber, Dr. Webster, C. C. Roe, J.P. Bell, Lachlan Grant, H. B. Henderson, W. P. Moore, Ninnian Lindsay, E. B. Nicklin, Major Goodwille, R. D. Warren, Rev. W. S. McAlpine, H. P. Lawson, Georgetown, Dr. Buck, Palermo; Henry Robinson, Trafalgar; Richard Graham, Ashgrove; David Hutcheon, Nassagaweya; Mr. and Mrs. John Moore, Limehouse; Capt. Panton, Wm. Clements, J. A. Lawrence, Thos. Henderson, and Henry Henderson, Milton.
The floral tributes were magnificent in their artistic beauty and fragrance and represented all circles wherein the departed had moved. Among them we noticed the following:- Pillow from the children; cross from the employees; broken column from the citizens of Acton; wreath from the Canadian Manufacturers' Association; heart from the Millers and Manufacturers' Insurance Co.; gates ajar, from the head office and wreath from Acton Lodge Woodmen of the World; wreath from the members of the Methodist church; spray of roses from Beardmore Bros., Toronto; wreath from the Independent Order of Foresters; wreath from G.T.R. employees, Acton; spray of lilies from Sheriff Broddy, Brampton; pillow from J. A. Knott, Toronto; wreath from J. P. Bell, Georgetown; cut flowers from Mrs. Brownridge, Brampton.
The County Council which was to meet in Milton on Tuesday adjourned out of respect to their former fellow councillor, and the members attended the funeral.
The Public Schools and all business places in town were closed during the afternoon.

NOTE - in the original newspaper article a photograph of Mr. Storey appears.