Arthur Herbert Walsh (52 Ancestors #11)

30 July 2015, Chriss Coleman

Arthur Herbert Walsh, commonly referred to as Herb, lived his entire life in the city of Niagara-on-the-Lake, just as his father before him. He was one of 10 children born to James Walsh and Catharine Toal1 (sometimes also spelled Tole, Toll, or Tool in various records). Unfortunately, no birth record exists for Herb as he just was born just at the beginning of civil registration. Also, no baptism record exists for him at the parish of St Vincent de Paul, where his parents were baptized, married, and had all their other children baptized in a timely manner. Nonetheless, he was born.2

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Arthur Herbert Walsh, c. 1890s, a tin-type photograph from his sister Mary’s album.3

Herb spent the early part of his adult life occupied as a telegraph operator in Niagara, and was recorded as such on the 1891 Canadian census.4 At this time, he lived just a couple of doors down the street from his future wife, Nina Bishop.

Arthur Herbert Walsh and Nina Alberta Bishop were married on the 13th of November 18935 at St Vincent de Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Rev. Harold noted in the margins of the parish records books that this was a mixed marriage, as the bride was Protestant.6

Herb and Nina had six children:

  • 1. Herbert Lawrence Walsh (18957-19698)
  • 2. John Francis “Jerry” Walsh (19009-196810)
  • 3. Mary Agnes Walsh (190311-198212)
  • 4. Ida Alberta Walsh (190713-197714)
  • 5. Catharine Bishop Walsh (191015-199816)
  • 6. Hugh James Walsh (191417-after 198218)

Herb switched professions and became an accountant shortly before the birth of his daughter Catharine in 191019, a career he continued for the rest of his working years in various capacities, including for Customs Service, as a Town Auditor for serveral years, and as cashier and bookkeeper for the McClelland Store.20

The entire family can be seen together on the 1921 Canadian census, living in their house on Regent St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

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Clipping 1921 Census of Canada, showing the family of Arthur Herbert Walsh.21

Arthur H Walsh, head, male, married, 51, born in Ontario, Bookkeeper.
Nina A Walsh, wife, female, married, 46, born in Ontario.
Herbert L Walsh, son, male, single, 25, born in Ontario, Electrician.
John F Walsh, son, male, single, 20, born in Ontario, Serviceman.
Mary A Walsh, daughter, female, single, 18, born in Ontario.
Ida A Walsh, daughter, female, single, 15, born in Ontario, Student.
Catharine B Walsh, daughter, female, single, 11, born in Ontario, Student.
Hugh James Walsh, son, male, single 7, born in Ontario.

Herb was a quiet, gentlemanly, well-demeanored man, and a respected member of the community.22 He was also a trusted member of the family. Several of his relations, including cousins, named Herbert as the executor of their estates.

Herb lost his wife in 1931, but continued living in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He passed away on the 9th January 1947, and an obituary appeared both in the local newspaper as well as the Canadian News section of the Niagara Falls Gazette out of Niagara Falls, New York.

Some caption text
Obituary of Arthur Herbert Walsh, as it appear in the Niagara Falls Gazette.23

Arthur Herbert Walsh, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Dies – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Jan 9 – Arthur Herbert Walsh, well known resident of this town, died yesterday at the Niagara Cottage hospital following an illness of ten days. Born here, Mr. Walsh was in his seventy-eighth year and for many years had been following the occupation of accountant. In religion Mr Walsh was a member of St Vincent de Paul’s Catholic church and the Holy Name society. He is survived by three sons, Herbert L., of Niagara Falls, Ont., John F. and H. James Walsh, both of this town; three daughters, Miss Agnes Walsh and Mrs Russell Carr, both at home, and Mrs William Stuart, of Barrie, Ont., one brother Charles Walsh, of Ilion, N.Y., and one sister, Miss Mary Walsh of this town. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning from the family home in Regent street to St Vincent de Paul’s church where Requiem High Mass will be sung at 10 o’clock. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Arthur Herbert Walsh is my husband’s 2nd great-grandfather. Our ancestral line:

  • 5. Arthur Herbert Walsh (1869-1947)
  • 4. Herbert Lawrence Walsh (1895-1969)
  • 3. James Francis Walsh (1931-2001)
  • 2. My husband’s mother (living)
  • 1. My husband (living)

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a blogging prompt started by Amy Johnson Crow at No Story Too Small. My stories will include both sides of our family, including collateral lines.

  1. “Ontario, Roman Catholic Church Records, 1760-1923”, images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 23 Apr 2014), Lincoln > Niagara > St Vincent de Paul > Marriages, 1858-1903, image 9; Catholic Church parishes, Ontario; marriage entry for Herbert Arthur Walsh and Nina Bishop, 13 Nov 1893. ↩

  2. “1871 Census of Canada”, database and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 Mar 2014), entry for household of James Walsh, Niagara, Lincoln county; citing RG31, roll C-9921, Ontario, district 20-Niagara, subdistrict C-Centre Ward, page 11 and 12, dwelling 36, family 36. ↩

  3. Arthur Herbert Walsh photograph, c. 1890; digital image 9 Sep 2014, privately held by Chriss Coleman [address for private use], York, Ontario, Canada. Original photo is a tin-type photograph, photographer unknown. Original privately held by Joan, [address for private use], Simcoe county, Ontario, 2014. [The photo appears in a photo album designed for cabinet cards, on the sleeve of which is written “Herb” in ball-point pen, in the handwriting of Rosemary Cecelia (Chappell) Walsh, his daughter-in-law. The album belong to Herbert’s sister Mary Walsh, and was passed on to her nephew Herbert Laurence Walsh, then inherited by his son James.] ↩

  4. “1891 Census of Canada”, database and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 Mar 2014), entry for household of James Walsh, Niagara, Lincoln county; citing RG31-T-6351, Ontario, district 88, subdistrict 2-Niagara, page 3, family 14. ↩

  5. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1801-1928”, index and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Mar 2014), entry for Herbert Walsh and Nina Bishop, 13 Nov 1893, Niagara, Lincoln county, registration 007211;  citing Ontario Registration of Marriage, 1869-; microfilm MS 932, reel 82, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  6. “Ontario, Roman Catholic Church Records, 1760-1923” FamilySearch , marriage entry image, Herbert Arthur Walsh and Nina Bishop, 13 Nov 1893. ↩

  7. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, digital image, Ancestry (), entry for Herbert Laurence Walsh, 28 Oct 1895, Lincoln, Niagara, registration 017981; citing Ontario Registrations of Births and Stillbirths - 1869-; microfilm MS929, reel 127, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  8. “Arthur Herbert Walsh, Niagara-on-Lake, Dies”, obituary, The Niagara Falls [NY] Gazette, 10 Jan 1947, page 10, column 6; digital image, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Newspaper Archives, 1795-2007. ↩

  9. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, index and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 Mar 2014), entry for John Francis Walsh, 15 Jun 1900, Lincoln, no registration number; citing Ontario Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-; microfilm MS929, reel 150, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  10. “Canadian Headstones”, indexed database, Canadian Headstones (http://www.canadianheadstones.com/on/view.php?id=127152 : accessed 12 Mar 2014), John F Jerry Walsh (1900-1968) and Kittie A Walsh (1902-1997), created by Niagara OGS, citing St Vincent de Paul RC Cemetery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada. ↩

  11. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, index and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Mar 2014), entry for Mary Agnes Walsh, 7 Feb 1903, Lincoln, line 2, no registration number; citing Ontario Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-; microfilm MS929, reel 164, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  12. M. Agnes Walsh obituary, undated clipping from unidentified newspaper, in Walsh family bible, ca. 1953-1985; digital scan by Chriss Coleman, [address for private use] York, Ontario, Canada, 10 Sep 2014; original privately held by Joan [address for private use], Simcoe county, Ontario, Canada, 2014. ↩

  13. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, index and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Mar 2014), entry for Ida Alberta Walsh, 1 Mar 1906, Niagara, Lincoln, registration 029370; citing Ontario Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-; microfilm MS929, reel 180, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  14. “Canadian Headstones”, indexed database, Canadian Headstones (http://www.canadianheadstones.com/on/view.php?id=127255 : accesed 13 Mar 2014), Russell Carr (1905-1964) and Ida Walsh (1906-1977), created by Niagara OGS, citing St Paul RC Cemetery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada. ↩

  15. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, index and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Mar 2014), entry for Catherine Bishop Walsh, 22 May 1910, Niagara Town, Lincoln, registration 028825; citing Ontario Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-; microfilm MS929, reel 210, Archives of Ontario, Toronto. ↩

  16. “Canadian Gravemarker Gallery”, photographic database, Canadian Gravemarker Gallery (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cangmg/index.htm : accessed 24 Jul 2014), Catherine B Walsh Stuart (1910-1998), citing Barrie Union Cemetery, Block E, Barrie, Ontario, Simcoe, Canada. ↩

  17. Cath Coleman, Coleman Family File, GEDcom, c.1990s, Simcoe county, Ontario Canada, 2014. This GEDcom offers only a generic list names and dates, with no specific documentation for any piece of data. ↩

  18. M. Agnes Walsh obituary, Walsh family bible, ca. 1953-1985. ↩

  19. Canada, “Ontario, Canada, Births, 1869-1913”, Catherine Bishop Walsh, 22 May 1910. ↩

  20. Joseph Edward Masters, “Niagara Reminiscences: A Personal Recollection of Niagara-on-the-Lake”, personal narrative, transcribed by Maggie Panrall, ARS Historica (http://web.archive.org/web/20130511002901/http://historyniagara.niagara.com/Marshall/MHTMLFolder/Famframe.htm : accessed 8 Mar 2014). ↩

  21. “1921 Census of Canada”, database and digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 Mar 2014), entry for household of Arthur H Walsh, Niagara, Lincoln; citing RG31, folder 70, Ontario, district 100-Lincoln, subdistrict 57-Niagara page 12, dwelling 161, family 164. ↩

  22. Joseph Edward Masters, “Niagara Reminiscences: A Personal Recollection of Niagara-on-the-Lake”, personal narrative. ↩

  23. “Arthur Herbert Walsh, Niagara-on-Lake, Dies”, The Niagara Falls [NY] Gazette, 10 Jan 1947. ↩

Copyright ©2015, Chriss Coleman

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