Notes for John Harte

John Harte 1896

Notes of Evelyn Miles Krase: "from Dungannon, Ireland, manufacturer of stoves, Hamilton and Belleville, was secretary to a lord in Ireland." Dungannon is in the townland Drumcoo in the parish of Drumglass in the county Tyrone.  

1849 John Harte immigrated to Canada [reported in the 1901 Census, Hamilton, Ontario, Ward 1]

Notes of John Joseph Meakin Harte (based on notes written by Sarah Harte Berry): "John Harte, Belfast, Ireland. John brought a traveling desk in the sailing ship from Ireland to Canada. The sail to Halifax was supposed to take a month but because of storms took over two months. He stayed in Nova Scotia for a time, was married there. His bride died of "galloping consumption" within a year of their marriage. He contracted tuberculosis and spent about a year working with fishermen and cured himself. Then he wandered west. Taught school in Hamilton, at the little school house near the Reservoir. While he was teaching school he met Eliza Meakins and he married her. They moved to Toronto where John Harte founded a foundry. John Harte lived to be about 88 years."

Notes of Judith Schafer Chevalley Hiss: "John's first wife died young. He was secretary to a lord in Ireland. He moved to Canada while grieving after first wife died. Had wealth."

1851 Census of Canada West (Ontario): a John Hart, a age 27 at next birthday, born in Ireland, was a teacher in Saltfleet, Wentworth County. His religion was Episcopalian.

John Harte's rank or profession was listed as book keeper in the 1870 birth registration of son James Henry Harte.

Notes of Bishop John Joseph Meakin Harte ("Reflections on my 1st 39 years"): "John Harte ... owned an iron foundry in Toronto. He lost the factory in the severe depression of 1893, and moved his family to Hamilton to try to make a new start. He never recouped his fortune."

1900 In a letter to his granddaughter Ella Frances Miles, John Harte wrote: 
"Chicago 30 Jan1900
Dear Nelly,
Had reply from Dorothy & request from Marshall for a story. Dorothy says she knows the rhymes in the story are mine, but of the story she is not so certain. She doesn't know that spinning out such a yarn any length you like is only fun, but that getting up words to rhyme & keeping the sense and meaning clear is quite a task. I remember when I was about your age I commenced writing would be novels, after reading Ivanhoe & other of Scotts works; but my papers getting into my fathers hands he laughed me out of it, telling me that it would not pay, & that very few indeed ever succeeded to make authorship support life in any decency. Of course I believed him and beyond writing Acrostics, Valentines and love Sonnets for my lady friends in my early twenties never tried authorship again. ---Since coming to America never thought of such things, till now in my old age & idleness it employs my mind & makes me forget.
I enclose you a short poem written for yourself & using your name for the heroine and hope you will like it---indeed on reading it over I flatter myself that some of the stanzas come up to the standard of Marmion or Lady of the Lake. Hope it will please you---I will give Marshall a story next week, but am in doubt whether to place the story in America or the old Country---the impressions of my boyhood are not American but as it might please Marshall most, may talk of boys in the Wild West---Tell Marion if she wishes I will try & please her in same manner but she must first write me, stating which she would prefer---prose or poetry & I will do my best for her, as she is accustomed to good authorship & will expect something entertaining.
I trust you are all well & that your father keeps improving. Wasn't it awfully sudden the manner in which young Mr. Armour died---It will be a severe trial to his father in his bad state of health. Mamma is anxious to hear from your mother or Sarah as she had no news for nearly a fortnight but suppose they are so busy without kitchen help that their time is limited---
Will finish by saying that when Marion & Marshall hear from me, all my grandchildren who are old enough to understand writing will have something by which they can keep in mind their loving old Grandfather"

[P.D. Armour's son, P.D. Armour, Jr. died 29 January 1900, the day before the above letter was written.]

John Harte died 6 Oct 1905 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario, age 83, cause of death senile decay [Ontario Death Record].