An Energetic Emigrant, excerpt from 'Edmonton Daily Bulletin.'1911

Date: December 1911

Mr. David McCulloch, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in forwarding us the appended excerpt from the "Edmonton Daily Bulletin" writes:-

Mr. Whitla was aged 43 years, of a strong, healthy constitution, and lived a strictly temperate and Christian life. He had been suffering for some time past with occasional pains which could not be diagnosed, but which recently became so unbearable that an operation was deemed advisable. The operation disclosed the fact that cancer, which must have been insidiously attacking him for several years, had gained such inroads that he was beyond human aid. He expired four days after the performance of the operation, surrounded by his sorrowing wife and family and sympathetic friends.

His funeral demonstrated the extent of the respect and esteem in which he was held, there being 24 vehicles, a large body of the Edmonton Irish Association, of which he was a valued member, and over a hundred sympathisers on foot. The pall-bearers were all neighbours and who all knew him at home. They were George McMaster, Ballystockart, John Watson, Ballyrussel, H. Kirkwood, Dundonald, Thomas McKee, Scrabo, William and David McCulloch, Knock.

Mrs. Whitla has the sincere sympathy of all, who knew the deceased, in her bereavement, and she is surrounded with the very best of friends who will see to it that she is not lacking in either advice or help in the handling of her farm, which is an excellent one and well stocked due to the energy and progressive nature of Mr. Whitla. She is bearing her loss bravely, and with the help of her two boys and six girls, will carry on the farm.

The "Edmonton Daily Bulletin" refers to the subject as follows:Death of John WhitlaJohn Whitla, a well-known farmer of Cooking Lake District, and late of Highland Park, Strathcona, died at the General Hospital on Thursday morning at four o'clock. Mr. Whitla was suffering from an internal disease, for which he underwent an operation, but which was too late to counteract the evil. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his loss; a loss which is exceptionally hard to bear as he was an ideal father and husband. He made a host of friends wherever he went, and since leaving his old home in Comer, County Down, Ireland, to take up residence here, five years ago, he has been most active for the development of the district in which he lived. The Highland Park Mission Hall stands as a monument to his energy, and today was to be the grand opening of a school at Colchester, which he had worked and solicited for, but the opening was postponed pending some improvement in Mr. Whitla's condition.

He was a valued employee of Cushing Bros., of Edmonton, for over two years, leaving them to take up farming.

The deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. Whitla and family in their bereavement.

My grandfather's obituary.