FAMILY  FOLIAGE.

William Mortimer  (1872 ~ 1885)

 

2.3.2. Second child of Isabella Ranson and John Mortimer, William Mortimer, was born January 21, 1872, in Anson Twp., Victoria Co., Ontario.  

 

  William Mortimer died September 19, 1885, aged 13 years in Anson Twp., Haliburton Co., Ontario and is interred at Minden Village Cemetery. 

 

 

----- OBITUARY -----

 

William Mortimer

Terrible ravages of diphtheria. This fell disease is still remorselessly carrying off the beloved little ones from several families in the townships of Anson and Lutterworth. Since our last issue Mr. John Mortimer has lost another member of his family from the after effects of the disease. This time it was his eldest surviving son, a promising boy of about thirteen years of age, William, making the fifth death in this sorely afflicted family in a period of about as many weeks; and still another, his eldest and only surviving daughter, lies in a most critical condition, her life being quite despaired of. Words fail to express the deep sympathy we feel for the bereaved ones. We feel while writing on this sad subject that there has been a degree of carelessness almost incomprehensible in a community of intelligent people, who must now at least know the dreadful nature of this disease, which has shown itself to be most infectious. We have seen even this village persons from infected localities carelessly loitering around among our citizens regardless of the possibility or rather probability of infecting others and spreading the disease. Had even ordinary care been taken when it first showed itself here we are inclined to think it never would never have spread as it has done for most if not the whole of the cases are to be traced to infection. Where it is now raging so fatally a while school became contaminated with it. Even the teacher did not escape, and it was not until a fatal case developed the facts that it was known to be what it was. We think, therefore, parents should in all cases where a child complains of sore throat at least keep the child at home until it is clear that diphtheria does not exist. Of course the public school near the present location of the disease has been closed, but alas, this was not done soon enough, although we can hardly lay direct blame at the door of any particular individual in this matter. We hope, however, to more care exercised in the future, sine the above was in type, Mr. John Mortimer has lost his oldest daughter, Annie. The funeral took place yesterday. Lindsay Post, Oct. 2, 1885.