William Jackson Rutherford in "The Courage of the Early Morning"

William Jackson Rutherford, our family's WWI flying ace, has two mentions in William Arthur Bishop's biography of his father, war hero Billy Bishop.  Here's the first reference:

"That evening he [Bishop] talked to the three pilots who had been assigned to his flight that day. Young had already taken them on a practice formation flight and his report of their flying abilities was highly favourable.  'They stick together well', he told Bishop, 'and they're likely-looking fighters too.

There was the small intense Spencer Horn, with sleek hair parted in the middle, a former infantryman who had fought on the same ground he would now fly over. William Mays Fry, a short man with a quick wit and a willingness to learn all his more experienced comrades could teach him about aerial fighting tactics...A fellow-Canadian completed the trio.  He was Jack Rutherford, wiry but strong. He had served with the 23rd Canadian Battalion before transferring to the RFC.  Young told Bishop that Rutherford showed an uncanny sense of timing. He had landed the Nieuport so smoothly that it was difficult to realize it was his maiden trip in the machine. 

Bishop grunted.  His own landing technique had not improved noticeably.  He took Young and his new flight members over to the mess for a drink.  Jack Scott came in and hobbled across to the bar and slapped Bishop on the back.  'Drinks are on you tonight, Bish,' the squadron commander grinned. 'Word just came in from Brigade--they've awarded you the military cross."

A short time later, Jackson took part in a risky experiment devised by Bishop:

"The unusually mild-mannered Jack Scott snorted when he read the opening sentence of Bishop's operational report on April 22, 1917.  'While leading a patrol I dived to the assistance of Major Scott who was being attacked by five enemy single-seaters two thousand feet below.'...

Bishop grinned.  It was true that Scott needed 'assistance' because he had volunteered, against his better judgment, to become the bait in a trap of Bishop's devising.  The trap required a special combination of good weather and cloud cover, which seldom arrived together in the April sky of northern France.  On this day Bishop's flight--Young, Horn, Fry, and Rutherford, with Scott tagging along--found the combination ten thousand feet above the city of Lens;  two great pillars of white cloud hovered in a clear blue sky.  Between the pillars was a snowy cavern a mile wide.  Bishop and his boys circled to the southwest over Vimy Ridge.  Jack Scott circled at eight thousand feet, waiting to be attacked. 

Soon Scott was attacked by five enemy planes whose pilots obviously hadn't been able to see Bishop and his companions lurking above.  Scott pretended not to see the Germans until they were almost upon him:

"Not until the five planes closed in on him with guns blazing did Scott turn to meet them.  Bishop had seen the German planes even before Scott.  He and his flight mates dived at full throttle into the formation.  Bishop opened fire on the nearest machine from ten yards.  Smoke spewed from it instantly and it plummeted down in a crazy spin.  Bishop turned on the plane at his right, closed to within five yards and pressed the button.  Bullets spluttered all about the pilot.  His head fell forward and the plane turned on its side and dived out of control.  Bishop had shot down two planes before his companions, who had started a few seconds behind him, could reach the scene.  The remaining Germans fled.  Young, Horn, Fry and Rutherford pursued them until they were out of sight.  Bishop pulled up beside Scott to make sure he was all right.  Scott grinned and waved his hand."

I can just imagine the adrenaline rush that must have come during an outing like this!  Bishop was obviously quite a daredevil.  It must have taken a very steady nerve to be on his flight team.

William Jackson Rutherford, Ace Pilot in the Great War

Advertising for young Canadian men to train as fighter pilots.  1918. 

Family lore has it that William Jackson Rutherford, son of William Rutherford Jr. and Ida Bulmer, was a pilot in WWI and flew with Canadian hero Billy Bishop.  My in-laws say that Jackson is the pilot who flew the longest with Bishop without actually dying.  I've decided to look into this story and see what I can discover about Jackson's military career.

Billy Bishop, who is believed to be the all-time Canadian Flying Ace, with 72 claimed victories. 

From Library and Archives Canada, here is Jackson's attestation paper.  He joined up on February 23, 1915.  He is 19 years old, and a student at McGill in applied science (engineering).

It will probably take me a few weeks to order his military record from the Canadian archives.  But interestingly, he has a British military record, which I was able to download directly from the British Archives.  It covers the period from July 2, 1918, to April 1, 1919, so not even a year.  It does provide some fascinating information.  Jackson begins this period as a Lieutenant, and is promoted to Temporary Captain and then Captain/Flight Commander fairly promptly. He is part of the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force Unit 65 very briefly, and later Unit 60, where Bishop was also posted. Jackson seems to have had a few injuries, which are not described, but can be inferred from some periods when he is temporarily unfit for service or fit for only limited (ground) service.  My favourite part is the description of his experience, particularly the planes he has flown:  Nieuport Scout, M.F.S.H. (Maurice Farman S11 Shorehorn), M.F.L.H.  Avro, Bristol Scout, Nieuport 2 seater, Sopwith 2 seater (also known as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter), and the  Curtiss JN4.  Here's an example of what these kinds of planes looked like:

Sopwith 2 Seater Aircraft

As you can see, the pilot was quite exposed.  The fatality rate for pilots on active duty in these kinds of aircraft was extremely high.

Insight into an earlier period of Jackson's military service is seen on the Aerodrome website. The site has a picture of Jackson in his uniform, and a list of his eight "victories" in 1917 (a "victory" means an enemy plane shot down and destroyed during combat).  To be considered a "flying ace", you must have five or more victories, so William Jackson Rutherford is included in the number of Canadian flying aces of WWI.

William Jackson Rutherford in unifom. 

There is also a copy of Jackson's Aviator Certificate, which he earned on February 26, 1917, at the Catterick Bridge Military School.

The victories listed on this site are located at Dury (France) on June 25, 1917, Ypres-Roules (France) on September 22, 1917, Houthoulst (Belgium) on October 21, 1917, Westroosebeke (Belgium) on October 28, 1917, Moreslede (Belgium) twice (about a half hour apart ) on November 1, 1917, Zonnebeke (Belgium) on November 6, and again at Westroosebeke, on November 8, 1917.

Jackson Rutherford is mentioned several times in the book 60 Squadron R.A.F.:  A History of the Squadron from its Formation, by Group-Captain A.J.L Scott.  On page 66 Jackson is listed as one of ten men, including Billy Bishop, "distinguishing themselves and adding to the squadron's laurels" in July and August 1917.  The first descriptive mention of Jackson comes on p. 69, which says that "During the 3rd Corps attack on August 19, 1917, Lieuts. Jenkins, Steele, Rutherford, and Sergt. Bancroft did good work shooting up infantry in trenches and by harassing the troops assembling for counter-attacks.". 

Next (on p. 69-70) we hear that:

"On September 7, 1917, the squadron was moved up to the XI wing to help in the battles for the Passchendale Ridge, which were already in full swing.  Leaving the comfortable Filescamp station, and the hard tennis-court with great regret, they were moved into tents on Marie Capelle aerodrome, near Cassel, where 20 Squadron was already stationed.  The 2nd and 5th armies were then attacking almost every day, and 60, in addition to their ordinary work of offensive patrols, wireless interception etc., co-operated by low flying and firing at troops and transport on the ground.  Twenty-five pound Cooper bombs were carried at this time and dropped on suitable targets. 

Capt. Chidlaw-Roberts, Lieuts. Rutherford, Whiting, and I. Macgregor were now prominent..."

The final mention of Jackson appears on p. 73:

"During this autumn series of battles a somewhat novel system of message-dropping was tried. All scout pilots were ordered to carry cards conveniently fixed in the nacelle, on which they wrote such information as they had secured during low-flying patrols;  special attention was to be given to the massing of enemy supporting troops and to the development of counter-attacks, the symptoms of which were the approach to the "debussing" points of motor transport vehicles or trains from which troops can be seen disembarking and forming up.  These cards were slipped into a message bag and dropped in a field marked with a white cross, near Locre Chateau...The information thus given occasionally enabled our heavy artillery to direct their fire on to the targets indicated...Lieuts. F. Soden, W. Rutherford, and W. Duncan all distinguished themselves by giving accurate information during these battles..."

This book is a very readable account of the living and fighting conditions of the Squadron, full of anecdotes and interesting details which bring the world Jackson inhabited for several intense months to life.  We learn about the food which was served in the Mess Hall in France:  "Soup (mock turtle), toast;  fish (grilled sole, mustard sauce);  entree (beefsteak, pastry, boiled potatoes, green peas);  sweets (stewed prunes, cornstarch pudding);  biscuits, cheese, coffee."  Other comforts including "moving picture shows ...given every night or so in a church army hut in the camp."  There was at least one black pilot in the squadron ("The unlucky lad who drew me [as a tennis partner] is a "coloured troop" that is he hails from South Africa" writes one soldier in a letter home), but racism is very evident:

"All the heavy labour in this part of France is now being done by Chinese coolies, brought specially from China for this purpose.  They are enlisted as soldiers and wear a peculiar blue padded uniform. They are employed around the aerodrome levelling ground, putting sand- bags around the huts as a protection against bombs, making roads and paths, etc.  They are terribly interested in our phonograph [i.e. they would like to listen to the music the other soldiers enjoy], and if we leave the door open they almost come in.  To keep them out, the interpreter has painted a large sign in chinese characters, and it sticks up in front of the mess, and gives it quite an oriental appearance." 

Scott's book talks about the high mortality rate of the pilots but also about the dangers of capture.  The battles overwhelmingly tended to be over enemy airspace, and if a plane was downed any pilot or crew member that survived would probably end up in a P.O.W. camp.  It also describes pilots in damaged aircraft having gasoline leaking onto their laps or their shoes.  The overall tone of the book is actually quite cheerful and adventurous.  I'm looking forward to finding out more about Jackson and his military service.

Family Photographs

Here are more photos and other images from the personal collection of my mother-in-law.  

 Minnie Scott, wife of John Galloway Scott.
Daughter of William Elliot and Mary Oliphant.
Mother of Arthur Scott.

John Bulmer Rutherford, known as "Bulmer".
 Husband of Edythe "Norton" Scott.

John Bulmer Rutherford.

Harriet Rose Elliot.  Daughter of William Elliot and Mary Oliphant.
Married Thomas Sutherland Stayner in 1880, age 33.
Notation on back of photo,"Harriet Rose Elliot. Wife of Sutherland Stayner. Died 1929."

Notation on back:  "Harriet Stayner.  Dudley's Mother"
Photo taken by Notman Studios.

Back of photo above.  

Charles Fyfe.  Father of Molly McIlwraith, and Hugh, Alec, Stewart and John Fyfe. 

John Fyfe.  Probably taken early in his naval career. 

My husband's mother, Jocelyn, as a young girl. 

Jocelyn Scott Rutherford as a young woman. 

Jocelyn Scott Rutherford.  

Jocelyn as a lovely bride. June 20, 1953. 

Cutting the cake.  Stewart and Jocelyn Fyfe.
Garden reception at Lachute home of  Jocelyn's mother Norton.  

The wedding party.
Row 1:  Jocelyn and Stewart Fyfe.
Row 2:  Mary Rutherford (bride's sister), best man John Chance.
Row 3:  Jean Rutherford (bride's sister), Dr. Bill Young.
Row 4:  Susan Wang, bride's niece (age 8), John Fyfe, groom's brother (age 16).
Margaret Rodger Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lachute, Quebec. 

After the wedding.  Stewart and Jocelyn honeymooned in the New England States. 

Jocelyn and Stewart in Lachute garden.  Undated. 

Jocelyn picnicking at Lachute.  

Edythe "Norton" Scott Fry Rutherford Pentland at Lachute. 

Stewart Fyfe.  Graduation from Queen's University. 

Molly Hunter Fyfe with her grandson Douglas, 1962.  

My exceptionally cute husband Doug. 

Obituaries and Gravestones for the Davis Family, Elgin, Ontario.

Our Davis family roots come to us through Deacon William Davis, who was born in New York and moved to Elgin, Ontario with several siblings in 1809 or 1810.  He had fourteen children, of whom twelve survived, including Adoniram J. Davis, who in turn was the father of Minnie Davis (see previous post).  With the help of a kind person in Elgin who looked up some newspaper articles for me, I now have some new information via. several obituaries of Deacon Davis's children, including my husband's great-great-great grandfather Adoniram.

William Davis' Grave, Orwell Cemetery, Ontario. "In memory of Dea W. Davis, died Apr. 25, 1865 AE 79 Yrs. 4 MS."

It might be  helpful to list Deacon Davis' children before we begin. With his first wife, Temperance Leek, he had Richard (b. 1805), William Hempstead (b. 1806), Warren F. (b. 1807), Septimus (b. 1809) and Mahetible (date unknown).  With his second wife, Mary Sibley, he had Elizabeth (Betsy) Jane (b. 1818), Temperance (b. about 1819-1821), David F. (b. 1822), Joel Wallace (b. 1827), Adoniram (b. 1830), Ursula (b. abt. 1831), Euseba (b. abt. 1835), John (b. 1837) and Edwin R. (b. 1843). Two of these must have died in infancy or childhood since there are several references to the Davis family consisting of 12 children.  I'm guessing perhaps Temperance and Mahetible, since they don't appear on any further records.   I can't find death records or tombstones for them, though.

From the "Aylmer Express", 17 Sept. 1903 p1.c1.

"We are sorry to chronicle the death of Mr. A.J. Davis, which took place at his residence on Pine Street on Friday last, Sept. 11th.  Mr. Davis was in his 74th year, and for many of years (sic) was a resident of Aylmer and vicinity and one of our leading citizens.  He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and many friends and relatives mourn his decease.  The funeral took place on Sunday from his late residence to the Baptist church, where a very impressive service was held. Interment took place in the Orwell cemetery." 

From the "Aylmer Express", 24 Sept. 1903 p. 12 c. 3.

"The following additional facts concerning the late A.J. Davis which we were unable to give in our last week's issue will be of interest to many of our readers.  He was born on the old Davis homestead in Orwell in 1829, his father, Deacon William Davis, being one of the first settlers in Malahide, coming here in 1810, from New York.  When 23 years of age he married Louisa A. Norton and the union proved a most happy as well as long one, she having been a model of kindness and faithfulness during both health and sickness up to the time of his death.  Mr. Davis was at one time Canadian representative of the Whitney Music Co., of Detroit, and also valuator for the Hamilton Trust & Loan Co., in both of which he was very successful.  He afterwards engaged largely in the real estate business and is said to have handled over a million dollars worth of property.  His beautiful home on the 8th concession was known all over the country, and his genial happy disposition made it one of the most pleasant in the country.  He was a faithful member and a liberal supporter of the Baptist church, and a liberal in politics.  Besides a wife he leaves one son, Dr. W.N. Davis, of Spokane, Wash., and one daughter, Mrs. A.H. Scott, of Montreal.  Two brothers and one sister of a family of 12 remain, viz., David F. of Orwell, Edwin R., of Delaware, and Mrs. U. Barber, of Chicago."

I had assumed that Adoniram was a farmer for some reason (some of his brothers are), but it appears he was a businessman. It's interesting to see how many of his siblings ended up back in the United States, and his son as well.

From the "Aylmer Express", 7 March 1907, p.1 c.5.

"The remains of the late Mrs. A.J. Davis were brought here on Friday last for interment, from Mount Holly, Vt., where she died very suddenly from heart failure the Wednesday previous.  She had had a severe attack about a week before but had about recovered when she was taken again and died before the physician could arrive.  The deceased had gone to visit her sister about a month ago, while her daughter Mrs. Scott was taking a trip through Europe with her husband and is now in Spain.  After her illness the week before Mrs. Davis made the request that in case of her death she should  be brought to Aylmer to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis G. Bingham.  This request was complied with, her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Horton accompanying the remains.  A short service was held at the house and public public services afterwards in the Baptist church, where deceased [sic] worshipped for many years as an honored member.  She was in her 82nd year and until recently has resided in this section for many years being one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens." 

Mrs. A.J. Davis was of course Louisa Norton, and I wonder if the niece and nephew who accompanied her body home were really Mr. and Mrs. Norton.  Of course, her sister could have married a man named Horton.  It sounds like Louisa may have moved into the home of Arthur and Minnie Davis in Montreal  in her later years.  The Binghams were probably relatives;  William Davis and Mary Sibley's oldest daughter Elizabeth Jane Davis married a William Bingham.

Adoniram and Louisa Davis, Orwell Cemetery. 

Also in Orwell cemetery are graves for two of Adoniram and Louisa's children who died young.  I'm not sure of their exact ages, but Adoniram and Louisa married in 1852, so Judson would have to be under 8 years old, and Wallace under 13.

Joel Davis, who was the next brother up from Adoniram (three years older) died in 1893.  Here's his obituary, from the "Aylmer Express", 16 March 1893, p.4A.

"AT REST:  After a long and tedious illness, borne with true Christian patience, one of the most esteemed, and useful citizens of this section, passed away to his reward at his home on the 9th con. on Monday last, in the person of Mr. Joel W. Davis.  Mr. Davis was a son of the late Deacon William Davis, one of the very earliest settlers in this section, who came here in 1809, and settled on what is known as the old Davis homestead at Orwell.  Here he raised a family of nine sons and three daughters.  He was one of the organizers of the first Baptist church in the county, viz. the old Malahide Baptist Church formed in 1816.  The late Joel W. Davis was born on the old homestead and lived there until the time of his marriage to Miss Catherine Adams, daughter of the late Wm. Adams, about 37 years ago, when he moved out on the 9th con., where he resided the balance of his life.  He was a consistent member of the Baptist church for a great many years, and was elected to the office of deacon, to succeed his father, on Jan. 9th, 1864, since which time he has been one of the leading as well as most consistant [sic] living members of that church.  

Besides his widow, he leaves two sons, Mahlon, civil engineer of Woodstock, and Edward E., who holds a responsible position on the railroad at Colorado Springs, Col., and an adopted daughter, Miss Dora McDonald, who is, and has been for years, a true daughter in everything but name.  The brothers and sisters who remain are David F., Adoniram J., and Edwin R, Mrs Bingham and Mrs. Barber, all of whom reside in town except David, who resides a few miles out. 

Mr. Davis was not an old man, not as old as many supposed, being only 65 last August.  His health has been poor for a number of years past, and a year ago last winter he spent in Colorado with his son, in the hopes that the change would do him good.  He was somewhat improved on his return, but soon after began to fail, and finally passed peacefully away on Monday last as stated above.

In politics he was a Reformer, but being of a rather reserved nature, took very little part in public life, farther than to represent his township on the council board for a year or so.  In his death the township of Malahide loses a good citizen;  the Aylmer Baptist church, one of its oldest and most faithful adherents and supporters;  and the family, a kind and loving father, husband, and brother.  We can all learn a lesson from his life and death, and profit by his noble example of christian living. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from the house, to the Aylmer cemetery, and was one of the largest ever seen in this section."

Here is an obituary for Adoniram J.'s brother, David (Flint or Franklin) Davis, who died a few years after his brother Joel.  From the "Aylmer Express", 7 March 1912, p. 6A c.2.

"MALAHIDE'S GRAND OLD MAN:  Every country, and almost every section of country, has some one man, who, for age, sound judgment, high moral character and honorable dealings, stands out pre-eminently above his fellow man and is looked upon as a kind of father in Israel, its first gentleman and most honored citizen.  We do not know of any person in this section of country who filled that position and came up to that standard so well as Mr. David F. Davis, who passed to the great beyond at his home north of Orwell, on Sunday last, in his 90th year.  A man, full of years and honor, respected and loved by everyone, his death leaves a vacancy in this community which will not be filled for many years, if ever.  Mr. Davis was a son of Deacon Wm. Davis, who settled in this country in the year 1809 and raised a family of 12 children, all of whom have passed away except one daughter, Mrs. U.M. Barber, of Potter Valley, Cal.  Many of the best and leading families in this section at the present day, trace back to this good man with pardonable pride, and perhaps, the descendants of no other one man have done so much for the advancement of this section, both morally and physically as has those of Deacon Wm. Davis.  The subject of this sketch was a noble son of a worthy father, and for years the name of David Davis has stood for all that was honorable and just between man and man.  It is no idle word to say that his word was as good as his bond.  Time and again, questions in dispute have been left to him as sole arbitrator, instead of going to law, because his judgment was considered clear and good, and his integrity beyond question. In his younger days he took a deep interest in municipal matters, and several times was reeve, and member of the county council.  While at the county council, he became interested in the question of a county house, and perhaps to him is due, more than to any other person that it was built when it was.  Uncle David Davis loved clean sport, especially angling, at which he was an expert.  He was never happier than when he was helping someone, and his flowing well, which he turned out on to the road for the use of man and beast, was a great source of pleasure to him.  He was born on the farm where he lived all his life, and where he died.  In politics he was a Reformer and one of the oldest subscribers to the Globe in Canada.  He has also been a regular subscriber to the Express ever since it was started, and seldom came to town without calling, for what to us was always a most enjoyable visit.  He was a member of the Baptist church, and his religion was to do the most good to his fellow man.  He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Albert White and Mrs. (Dr.} McLay and one sister, Mrs. Barber.  Funeral services were conducted at the house on Tuesday afternoon by the Rev. G.R. Welch.  Interment in Orwell cemetery."  

Orwell Cemetery, David F. Davis and his wife Mary.

From Aylmer Cemetery, here is the grave of William Hempstead Davis, 2nd son of Deacon William Davis and his first wife Temperance Leek.  He was born in New York in January of 1806 and moved to Ontario when he was three or four.

Aylmer Cemetery.  Wm. H. Davis DIED Nov 23, 1880, Aged 74 Yrs & 10 M's.

And here is his younger brother Warren F. Davis, born in New York in 1807 and buried in Orwell Cemetery. He died in 1885, but his gravestone  looks quite modern.

In Memory Of Warren F. Davis, Died March 25, 1885 Aged 78 years And His Wife Anna E. Wilcox...

Septimus Davis, the fourth son of Deacon William and Temperance Leek, is buried in the St. Thomas cemetery.  He was also born in New York, in 1809, and would have been an infant upon his arrival in Ontario.  Note the spelling of his name on the gravestone.

In Memory of Septymius Davis, Died May 1, 1883, Aged 74 years & ? Mos. Our Father. 

The grave stone for John Davis is in exactly the same pattern as his father Deacon William Davis.  It's quite intricately detailed.  It's located in Orwell cemetery.  John died at quite a young age but he was married, to Cornelia Jackson.  They had been married for two years when he died.

In Memory of John S. Davis, Died Feb. 5, 1860, AE 23 Yrs. (&5 Ms.?)

Finally, the youngest child, Edwin R. Davis.  He is buried in Orwell cemetery.  

I haven't had lots of luck finding gravesites for the daughters of the family.  I'll keep looking. 

The Wedding of Minnie Davis and Arthur Herbert Scott

Here is another  beautifully described family wedding, from the "Aylmer Express" newspaper, April 21, 1892, p. 4a.

"Wedding  Bells:  It is a long time since society in Aylmer has been so stirred over the marriage of one of its daughters, as has been the case with the ceremony performed on Thursday last in the Baptist church.  The bride was Miss Minnie Davis, only daughter of A.J. Davis, Esq., and the groom Mr. Arthur Scott, of Montreal.  The church was beautifully decorated with flowers massive and beautiful arches being placed about half way down each of the centre aisles, and the altar being a mass of flowers.  Promptly at 12:30 the groom, accompanied by Mr. Elliot of Toronto, entered the church, and a few minutes later the  bride arrived leaning on the arm of her father, and passed up the aisle while the sweet strains of the wedding march pealed forth from the organ under the masterly hand of Prof. Vogt, of Toronto. She was accompanied by Miss L. Wood of Delhi, her bridesmaid, and Miss Blossom Scott, sister of the groom, who acted as an attendant.  The bride was dressed in a very handsome cream duchess silk gown, with a court train of great length.  The gown was trimmed with chiffon, and very elaborate cream real "Old Spanish" lace.  The veil was of silk Brussels, caught up with orange blossoms, and she carried a bouquet of natural roses, looking very charming and beautiful.  The bridesmaid was dressed in a pale heliotrope china silk gown trimmed in chiffon of the same shade, a bonnet of flowers and chiffon, making altogether a charming effect;  Little Blossom Scott her attendant, wore a cream dress, sailor hat, and looked very pretty.  She carried a handsome bouquet which was much admired.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. T. Sowerby pastor of the church and Messrs. Beecher Bingham, J.J. Nairn of Aylmer, and J. Charlton and Geo. Mabee, of Toronto filled the position of ushers.

After the ceremony the guests drove over to the beautiful home of Mr. A.J. Davis just north of town, where a reception and dinner was given, the dinner being brought from London and served by waiters from that city.  It was the most elegant affair of the kind ever given in this section.  The bride received a much more than usual large number of presents, and they were very costly and elegant, and testified to the very high position which she holds in the hearts of her friends.  The happy couple will spend a few weeks visiting the principle American cities and then settle down in Montreal.  It is safe to say that no young lady in Aylmer stands higher in the estimation of all classes of society than did Miss Minnie, and deservedly so, as she was kind and considerate to all, and to know her was to more than respect her.  May she and Mr. Scott pass through life as joyously as their wedding day passed off, is the sincere wish of THE EXPRESS."  

Their wedding record identifies Howard Elliot as the "Mr. Elliot of Toronto" who was best man.  Yet another example of how close the Scott and Elliot families are through multiple generations.  Miss L. Wood was Lazell Wood.  Heliotrope, for those like me who didn't know, is a shade of purple.

Arthur was 24 and Minnie was 21 when they married.  The wedding sounds like a very celebratory affair, and I'm glad they had that.  This couple were to experience tragedy in their lives, as their son Howard Elliot Scott was to die in September 1916 at the Battle of Fleurs-Courcelette.  The death of his son apparently affected Arthur so deeply that he lost his business.  Their daughter Edythe (or Norton, as she was called) was my husband's grandmother.

Minnie died before Arthur, and he remarried in June of 1927.   His new bride was Kathleen Evangeline Fortier.  She was catholic (they married at L'Ascension Catholic church in Westmount) and they required a special dispensation to wed because of their different faiths.   Arthur died on June 12, 1939, at the age of 74, leaving Kathleen a widow.