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HomeMy WebLinkAbout143Newspaper article, uncited, 11 x 11 cm. The above-pictured house has undergone many changes since this picture was taken. The James Davidson Apartment Building, Built by pioneer, the late Brereton Bunting as a private residence. Situated on King St., Pickering, just east of the four-corners . This cut was made over fifty years ago. And is from our collection. 1a' //x/937 'Ve m &;4- efeRw 43 co L /• Li O 1 1 m7 y z' z a- 0- 17 0 170 Or,/_ t5 t X34 " PickMnII. Ont.. 2.u:...:. ^' .'g .19310 9y lc FREED T. BUNTING. Sp GENERAL MERCHANT PHONE 4m 2STABUexsu 3917 dao —After a lingering illness from the infirmities of old age, one of the most highly respected residents of the village passed peacefully away on Sunday morning last in the person of Mrs. B. Bunting, in her 81st year. The deceased, whose maiden name was Mary Brown, was born in Lewiston, N. Y., but in early childhood came to Pickering to reside with her uncle on the farm opposite Mr. Heck's cottage on the lake shore. Several years later she moved with her uncle to Middlesex county. In 1855, she married the late Mr. Bunting, who was then teaching school in this village, but who, two years later, entered mercantile life. Mrs. Bunting was a woman of great intelligence, sound judgment and sympathetic disposition, and was beloved by all who knew her. She was a kind neighbor, and many a poor person found in her a great friend in time of need. She was a most affectionate mother, and will be greatly missed by the surviving members of her family. She had a family of five sons and four daughters, of whom two sons have died. The surviving members are Richard A., postmaster of Pickering; Fred, druggist, of Toronto; Wm. H., merchant of Le Pas, Man. ; Mrs. (Dr ) Bateman, of Toronto : Mrs. R. A. Douglas, of Matheson, and Misses Bertha and Ida at home. Her husband pre-deceased her about six years. Her funeral on Tuesday to the Methodist cemetery was very largely attended, which showed the high esteem in which she was held in the community. The Late B. Bunting, J. P. Not for many years has Pickering Village witnessed such a large number who turned out to pay their late respects to one as was seen here on Saturday afternoon last when the whole community assembled to wit-ness the last sad rites in the burial of the late Brereton Bunting, J. P., who for over half a century was a prominent figure in the church, business, political and social life of the township. The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Church by Rev. J. T. Caldwell, D. D., of Flesherton, a former pastor of the Pickering circuit. The Rev. J. E. Moore, of Little Britain, and a former pastor, and Rev. J. C. Bell, the present minister, also took part in the service. The church was filled with those who had learnt to love and respect the deceased, and those present came from far and near. The pall-bearers were all former pupils of Mr. Bunting. The deceased was a man of great physical endurance and had enjoyed perfect health until about a year or two ago when his physical powers began to decline. He suffered no pain, but a weakness, due to old age, gradually increased upon him, which, within the past few months, developed into heart trouble. He was born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, on Sept. 19th, 1819, and being a man of restless spirit, he emigrated to Canada in 1851, settling in Pickering township, where he ever afterwards resided. During the first five years of his residence in Canada he engaged in school teaching and in that capacity he did much in moulding the character of the younger generation of that day. At the expiration of five years he retired from the teaching profession to enter mercantile life. For thirty years he conducted most successfully the Bunting general store after which he retired to be succeeded by his son, Richard A., who has since been appointed postmaster. Shortly after he entered mercantile life, Mr. Bunting was appointed a Justice of the Peace, a position he filled with credit to himself and with great satisfaction to the community. He believed the chief function of that office was to maintain peace and harmony and not to dispense the law. Often would-be litigants would appear before him to demand their "pound of flesh," but after listening to his pacifying arguments, the disputants would depart with the conviction that they had been fools, and without having recourse to law. In politics Squire Bunting was an ardent Liberal and at all times upheld the principles of Liberalism. He could not be prevailed upon to accept office, but his opinions were always eagerly sought after by the leaders of the party. He was a close and intimate friend of the late Sir Oliver Mowat, whose first constituency was South Ontario. This friendship continued up to the time of Sir Oliver's death. He was also on intimate terms with the Hon. George Brown, some of whose fiercest battles were fought in this riding. It was in church and charitable work that he was best known. He was a local preacher nearly all his life and was a most fluent speaker. He preached in the Methodist connection at Glen Major, Claremont, Salem, Greenwood and Brougham, and for the Bible Christians at Bethel, Providence, Cherrywood and Rouge Hill. Often would he walk over thirty miles and preach three times in one day. He was a most liberal supporter of the church and of every charitable work, and those in distress or need would never appeal to him in vain for assistance. In his death many will feel that they have lost a noble and true friend. He is survived by his widow and a family of three sons and four daughters. These are: R. A, postmaster, of Pickering; Fred, druggist, of Toronto; W. H., general merchant, of Swan River, Man.; Mrs. R. M. Bateman, Toronto: Mrs. R. A. Douglas, of Matheson, and Misses Bertha and Ida at home.