Warren, James

OBITUARY
JAMES WARREN, KINCARDINE
One of Acton's earliest sons passed quietly away at Walkerton on Saturday morning when James Warren, D.L.S., slept the sleep of the just. Though he was in his eightieth year Mr. Warren was quite smart and was able to be about as usual. He attended conventions of the Ontario Surveyors' Association and of the Dominion Alliance in Toronto in the spring and spent a couple of days in Acton with Mr. James L. Warren and family.
Mr. Warren was the son of the late James Warren, the pioneer settler of Cedar Creek Farm, on the fourth line, Esquesing, a mile and three-quarters east of Acton - the home of the Warren family for four generations. Here the father of deceased settled about 1835, and here he died in 1854, leaving six sons, of whom the subject of the obituary was the youngest. James Warren was born on November 8th, 1837. In his boyhood days he attended Bannockburn School, then located on the John Gordon farm, adjoining that of his father. Later he was a pupil at Acton School and subsequently spent a winter or so at Rockwood Academy. As a young man he was attracted by the profession of surveyor and took a course with Mr. Abrey, who was a popular and efficient surveyor in this section sixty years ago. By private study and careful practice he became one of the most competent surveyors in the dominion, and was entrusted by the Dominion Government with the work of making the original surveys of wide areas near Winnipeg in 1871, 72 and 73; further west in Manitoba in 1881, and in Alberta in 1908, 09 and 10.
On several of these expeditions his nephew, Mr. James L. Warren, accompanied him. For fifty years Mr. Warren conducted surveys in Acton and vicinity and his lines were always depended upon absolutely. His knowledge of the "meets and bounds" was wide and dependable. Mr. Warren was the civil engineer under whose supervision Georgetown waterworks were constructed.
In his Christian life and conduct he was just as exact and conscientious as in his professional life. He loved his bible and studiously endeavored to follow its prompts and commands. It was ever the guide of his busy life. His home life was beautiful. There the allegiance to the Master was marked and happy.
He removed from Acton to Kincardine in 1875. In 1881 he was joined in holy wedlock to Miss Charlotte E. Johnston, sister of Rev. Dr. Robert Johnston, of Montreal. Five daughters blessed the home. Of these two died in infancy. Agnes is a member of the teaching staff of Walkerton schools, Winnifrid is a missionary to India, home on furlough, and Ruth is on the staff of the Bank of Commerce, Walkerton. Mrs. Warren also survives.
Deceased was an ardent temperance advocate, and was a member of the Committee of One Hundred which did such effective work last year when prohibition was secured for Ontario. In the enactment of the Ontario Temperance Act in 1916 he greatly rejoiced. He was a member of the first temperance society in Acton, organized sixty years ago.
Mr. Warren always had a deep-seated love for the home of his birth and enjoyed meeting the friends of the old days here. He always made it a point to visit his old friend and schoolmate, Mrs. Thomas Sommerville, when in town. Two years ago he contributed a series of articles, "Reminiscences of Acton," to the FREE PRESS, which were read with great interest.
A funeral service was held at the family residence at Walkerton on Sunday evening; the remains were conveyed to Kincardine on Monday, and on Tuesday they were laid to rest beside his babes in the family plot in the town cemetery there.