» Show All «Prev «1 ... 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 ... 1117» Next» » Slide Show
Loading...
City's Oldest Resident, Frederick Holman, Dead
Newspaper Article 1942
City's Oldest Resident, Frederick Holman, Dead
Dies In 99th Year - Stratford lost its oldest resident on Sunday morning, when Frederick Joseph Holman, retired railroader, died at his home, 272 Brunswick street, in his 99th year. Mr. Holman came to Stratford in 1870 and had lived here ever since.
Death at an early hour Sunday morning claimed Frederick Joseph Holman, Stratford's oldest resident, at his home, 272 Brunswick street, in his 99th year. Active until about two years ago, when he became ill, he had been confined to his bed since Christmas.
Born in the town of Bideford, North Devonshire, England, on October 28, 1844, the late Mr. Holman came to Canada in 1870, and settled in Stratford, where he had resided ever since. About 71 years ago he was married to Catherine Craig, of Stratford, who died on September 4, 1921.
Upon arriving in Stratford from England in 1870, Mr. Holman entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway, now the Canadian National Railways and worked there until his retirement in 1914. He started in the Engineers' Department, now known as the Bridge and Building Department, and worked under A. J. Bailey, who was the district inspector at that time. His career on the railroad was one of steady advancement, and before many years had elapsed he was appointed first assistant to the district inspector.
He had worked on every bridge from Stratford to Detroit Junction, Union Station, Toronto, Buffalo, London and Goderich, all of which were included in the Stratford district at that time. For years he remembered every detail about bridges and could tell without searching through musty records, the length, breadth, height or any other detail of any bridge in the district.
Mr. Holman also worked on many buildings for the railway, and the freight shed which fell prey to flames in 1935 was one of the structures on which he worked.
Having almost complete charge of construction work, Mr. Holman kept in personal contact with the men who worked under him. Most of them were foreigners - French, Germans, Russians, Italians and others, but regardless of their nationality, he always took pains to see that every man was treated alike. He often acted as a teacher, and gave lessons in English to those who could not speak the language.
Got Royal Salute
When the late King George V, then Duke of York, visited Stratford in 1901, Mr. Holman was stationed at a bridge near Erie street, as a guard. As the train left Stratford the Duke of York and the Royal party aboard the train saluted the guard, which was one of the proudest days in Mr. Holman's life. Mr. Holman and his son, Fred W. Holman, 272 Brunswick street, had an almost unique record in view of the fact that they were both pensioners from the Canadian National Railways, the father retiring in 1914, while the son went on pension in 1938 after an enviable record as a train dispatcher.
The late Frederick Joseph Holman was a Past Chief Ranger of Court Good Intent, Ancient Order of Foresters, and a member of St. James' Anglican church.
Surviving are two sons, Frederick W. Holman, 272 Brunswick street, and H. G. Holman, Toronto, and four grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. F. C. Wilkinson, died in 1910, in England. [Note error: Mrs. Wilkinson was his daughter. Her death occurred in 1910 in Stratford, Ontario.]
A private funeral service will be held at Heinbuck Funeral Home, 156 Albert street, on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, followed by a public service in St. James' Anglican church at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be made in Avondale cemetery. Rev. F. Gwynne Lightbourn will officiate.
» Show All «Prev «1 ... 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 ... 1117» Next» » Slide Show
