HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-06-30, Page 82Goderich Honors the Memory of its Founder — A floral tribute Mai
Goderich is here shown at the tomb, in Scotland, of John Galt, novelist,
Canada Company officer and friend of'Huron Tract settlers. Galt was born
at Irvine, Ayrshire, May 3, 1779, and died at Greenock, April 11, 1839, in his
. 60th year. He was buried at Greenock, and there are memorial tablets at
Greenock and Irvine. A card with the lilies on the grave in this picture
declares', them a remembrance from Goderich "which he founded in the
Year 162;'." The date. Of this tribatahas not been determined; the fl
may have been ordered by his sons in Canada, though the use of
dicates that the arrangements in Scotland were carried out by so,
unfamiliar with Canadian municipalities. Galt's memory is honored s.o.'
the town he founded, with Dunlop, celebrates 150 years. (Photo copyrl,
Stratford Beacon Herald.)
The Galt House .
*from page 39
parliamentary career, yet he
died at Ottawa, whither he
had gone upon sortie public
business.
Commissioner Galt's boys
were well educated in
England, Scotland and Lower
Canada. After he returned to
Scotland, the sons lost little
time in getting back to
Canada, in 1833 and 1834.
Previously acquainted with
Dr. William Dunlop, they
were often guests at Gair-
braid, the "Tiger's" big log
house across the river. John
married Helen Lizars, of the
Meadowlands family in
Colborne. He acquired the
Ridgewood house, with 30
acres, and at Ridgewood
were born his son John and
six daughters: Agnes,
Robena; Elizabeth, Jane,
Helene and Magdeline.
SEVEN JOHN GALTS
John was fifth of seven
eldest sons, beginning with
three generations in Scotland.
The Canada Company
Commissioner was John Galt
IV, the registrar V, the
Goderich postmaster VI and
the banker as VII, John Galt
of Victoria, B.C., married
Dorothy Marsden, of Van-
couver; they have two
daughters, no son.
It is on record that John
Galt V "came out to be a
farmer.' In the 1840s he
owned the 100 -acre lot at the
northeast corner of the
Dunlop intersection, and sold
it to John Upthegrove as a
tavern location.
The Goderich settlement
was short on educated per -
Sons to fill public offices
associated with a district
centre, and John Galt at
about 20 years of age was
appointed collector of
customs, at a salary of 100
pounds. In 1843 'he was a
justice of the peace, and from
1851 registrar of deeds for the
United Counties of Huron,
Bruce and Perth. He was
returning office in .1858 and
probably in other elections.
The authors of In the Days of
the Canada Company
recorded the following in-
timate sketch:
"With his handsome face
and kindly courtesy of mind
Happy Birthday
Goderich
ON YOUR
150th
From Betty end BIB Reid
THE
VILLAGE STORE
524-6912
itwy.21 turn at Bridge
RR 4 Goderich(Saltford)
•
and manner, John Galt was
not a man to be lightly
forgotten by those who had
the privilege of his friendship.
His too early death was truly
mourned and had he lived, his
character showed that he
Pr
•
could not have been kept from
reaching as prominent a
place in the records of
'Canada as that held by each
of his brothers."
The registrar's son John,
who was to be associated with
the "Galt house" of
narrative, went wi
widowed mother to Str
to live with her b
Judge D.H. Lizars, and
Grand Trunk shops to
engineering. In Guelph
We would like to extend our
a
toth
• 1..50th .Birtlida
•
of'
Goderich
•
JIMAND MARGUERITE CUXTON
DUNLOP MOTEL
OPEN ALL YEAR
On 21 Highway, 2 Milos North of Oodorich
R.R.5 Goderich
Phan*: (519)524-6761