1883 Marriage Ada Harte Frank Miles
The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario Canada, November 2, 1883. [30]
1823 John Harte was born on July 29, according to a family birthday list and the 1901 census of Canada. However, other census records imply that John was born in 1824 or 1825. [1]
1835 Eliza Howes Meakins was born on February 26 in Montreal, and she was baptized on July 6 at the Presbyterian Church, St. Gabriel Street, Montreal, Quebec. [2]
Charles William Meakins, Cabinet Maker, & Mary Anne Marshall his wife had a daughter born on the twenty sixth day of February last & baptized the sixth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty five named Eliza Howes
by H Essen Min'r.
CW Meakins
Mary Anne Marshall
Ant'y Hamilton
John Lepine.
1849 John Harte immigrated to Canada. [3] His daughter Sarah described his immigration and life in Canada, [4]
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.
The story relayed to great granddaughter Judith was, [5]
John's first wife died young. He was secretary to a lord in Ireland. He moved to Canada while grieving after his first wife died.
1851 John Hart was a teacher in Saltfleet, Wentworth County, West (Ontario), Canada. He was born in Ireland, and his age at his next birthday was 27. His religion was Episcopalian. [6] [7]
1857 John Harte and Eliza Howes Meakins were married on May 25 in Hamilton, Ontario. [8]
1858 Daugter Marion Elizabeth was born on May 4 in Hamilton. [9]
1860 Son John William was born on August 19 in Hamilton. [10]
1861 John Harte and his wife E. H. Harte lived in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario in a 1-story single-family frame house in St. Patrick's ward (District 1) with their children Marion (age 3 at next birthday), and John William (age 1 at next birthday, born in 1860). The religion of the family was Church of England. John's occupation was book keeper at Carpenter & Co. He was born in Ireland, age at next birthday 36. E. H. was born in L.C. (Lower Canada), age at next birthday 26. Both children were born in U.C. (Upper Canada). [11] [12]
1862 Daughter Ada Elinor was born on October 31 in Hamilton. [13]
1865 Daughter Jessie Margaret Harte was born on August 15 in Hamilton.
1867 Daughter Jessie Margaret Harte died on April 23 in Hamilton.
1867 Son Charles Edward Harte was born on December 5 in Hamilton.
1868 In the City of Hamilton Directory for 1868-69, John Hart was listed as a bookkeeper with a home on Gore between Catherine and John. [14]
1870 James Henry, son of John Harte, bookkeeper, and Eliza Howes Meakins, was born on Janurary 10 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario. [15] [16] [17]
1871 John Harte (age 47, born in Ireland, origin Irish, occupation foundryman) and Eliza Howes (age 46, born in Quebec, origin English) lived in St. Andrews Ward (Subdistrict B), Toronto West (District 46), Ontario, Canada with their children Marion Elizabeth (age 12), John William (age 10), Adah Elenor (age 8), Charles Edward (age 3) and James Henry (age 1), all born in Ontario and of Irish origin. The older three children were in school, and the religion of all members of the family was Church of England. A servant Sarah Ann Carr, age 18, born in the United States, religion Congregational, and of Irish origin, lived with them. [18] [19]
1871 John Harte was listed in Lovell's Canadian Dominion Directory for 1871 as a machinist, iron founder in Toronto, York, Ontario. [20]
1872 Daughter Sarah Evelyn Harte was born on August 13 in Toronto. [21]
1874 John Harte was restored in the Freemasons, Barton Lodge, Hamilton, Ontario. [22]
1876 Mary Annette Eliza, daughter of John Harte and Eliza Howes Meakins, was born on August 23 in Toronto, York County, Ontario. John was a iron founder and lived at 40 Duke Street in Toronto. The birth was registered on 27 February 1877. [23] [24]
1880 On March 30, The Globe newspaper in Toronto reported, [25]
The firm of Harte & McKillen, stove manufacturers,this city has been dissolved, and the business will hereafter be carried on by John Harte, under the style of John Harte & Co.
1880 On September 9, The Globe newspaper in Toronto reported, [26]
The Industrial Exhibition
The Third Day of the Industrial Exhibition has re-confirmed the general belief of all concerned that the affair will be a success … All the exhibits are in order and ready for inspection … Stoves, Furnaces, &c. The display of stoves and furnaces is very large, and the space in the building devoted to this purpose is entirely taken up. Messrs. John Harte & Co., of Toronto, are on hand with a large and attractive display of stoves of all kinds, prominent amongst which is their "Crown Jewel" hall stove, in ten different sizes; also the "Banner," a smaller stove, and the "Dufferin" cooking stove, besides a number of other patterns of excellent design and finish.
1881 John Harte (age 56, born in Ireland, occupation "stovefoundry") and Eliza Harte (age 46, born in Quebec) lived in St Thomas Ward, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada with John W. (age 20, bookeeper), Ada E. (age 18), Charles E. (age 13), James H. (age 11), Sarah E. (age 8), Mary A. (age 4), all born in Ontario, and Sarah Scales, (age 29, born in Ireland, servant). The religion of the family was Church of England. [27] [28]
1883 The sale by auction of the home of John Harte in Toronto was advertised in The Globe newspaper.[29]
The Mart.
By Oviver, Coate, & Co.
Sale of Dwelling-House on Duke-Street
The undersigned have received instructions from John Harte, esq., to sell by Auction at The Mart, on Saturday, July 28th,
That substantially built and comfortabley arranged semi-detached block-fronted dwelling-house, No. 75 Duke-street, containing on the ground floor two drawing-rooms, with folding doors, dining-room, kitchen, and summer kitchen, four bedrooms, bathroom and w.c. upstairs, and three bedrooms in the attic; pantry; closets to nearly all the bedrooms; city water, gas, and gas fixtures throughout the house; good celler; drainage perfect; stable, coach house, and outbuildings. The lot has a frontage of 35 feet by a depth of 197 feet to a lane.
Terms and futher particulars, also permits to view the property, can be obtained from the undersigned. Sale at 12 o'clock, noon.
Oliver, Coate, & Co. Auctioneers.
1883 The Harte family moved to Belville, Hastings County, Ontario, where John Harte founded a stove manufacturing business. Daughter Ada and former neighbor, Frank Miles, were married in Belleville on October 31.
Matrimonial.
At Belleville on Wednesday last, the nuptials of Ada E. Harte, of that place, and Frank M. Miles, of Chicago, were celebrated. The bride is a daughter of a former well-known resident of this city, at one time connected with the firm of Gurney, Ware and Co. Miss Miles, sister of the bridegroom, assisted the bride, while Mr. Chas. Meakins, jr., of Montreal, acted as groomsman for Mr. Miles. The esteem in which the bride is held was evidenced by an array of handsome tokens. The happy couple left for New York via Montreal, thence to Chicago, where they will make their future home.
1884 The Hamilton newspaper published a list of women newly permitted to vote in municipal elections. According to the recently enacted legislation, this privilege was extended to widowed and unmarried women. Eliza H. Harte and Elizabeth Meakins (perhaps Eliza's sister-in-law, Elizabeth McNider, wife of Eliza's brother inventor George Henry Meakins), both married women, were included in the list of newly eligible voters. Possibly the list included married women who owned property in their own names as well as newly enfranchised widows and unmarried women.
Widows and Spinsters
Who are Qualified to Vote at Municipal Elections
Ladies Who May be Canvassed for Their
Votes and Influence by Candidates for Municipal Honors in Hamilton.
At the last session of the Ontario legislature, her Majesty, "by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative assembly of the province of Ontario," enacted that widows and unmarried women should be allowed to vote at municipal elections under the same conditions as male voters. By the amendment to the municipal act, about a thousand names have been added to the voters' list of Hamilton--a thousand ladies have had put into their hands a weapon with which they can, if they wish exert an immense power in municipal affairs. Below is a full list of the women who will be entitled to vote at the approaching elections in the city:
Ward No. 1.
Division No. 1-- … Eliza H. Harte … Elizabeth Meakins …
1887 John Harte's stove manufacturing firm in Belleville failed, and he was accused of embezzling funds.
Defalter Disappears
Admitted to Bail He Bundles up and Suddenly Flits
He is Acussed of Taking Between $20,OOO and $30,000 of the Belleville People's Money While Acting as Manager of a Local Manufacturing Concern--His Bail Too Light.Belleville, Dec. 2.--Yesterday the trial of John Harte, late general manager of the stove foundry, was to have been resumed, but the prisoner, out on bail, did not appear. There was a sensation in consequence. Mr. Dickson stated that he had Seen Mr. Harte a week since, that his son and Mr. Patterson, his son-in-law, had called and stated that Mr. Harte was at Hamilton. As he had not put in an appearance they had wired to Hamilton to see where Mr. Harte was. He sought an adjournment. This was granted, but at 1 o'clock the prisoner failed to appear and his bonds were estreated. C.W. Meekin, of Hamilton, a son-in-law, was on one for $2,000.
John Patterson, nephew of Mr. Harte, was in the city yesterday. He is a leading builder in Hamilton, and worth probably $75,000. John W. Harte, son of the accused, was with him. They returned to Hamilton last night. They did not evince surprise when Harte did not turn up, and it is just possible they were better acquainted with his movements than they wished the public to understand.
It was ascertained that Harte and his wife and child had left for Hamilton on Wednesday. "They had a lot of baggage," said Mr. Lake, "and when we got to the station Harte reached me a $10 out of which I took my pay for the cab hire. They seemed to be happy as clams and I thought he was coming hack or I should have kept the $10 bill."
Mrs. Harte had an auction sale of her furniture on Friday last, and sold about $300 worth. The best furniture she kept and shipped to Hamilton. Mrs. Harte had considerable money of her own.
There is a feeling about town that Harte's bail was not sufficient to ensure his attendance at the trial, and strong language is used in denunciation of the magistrate's leniency. "I tell you this sort of thing is placing a premium on crime, and the press of the city should expose it", said one. "Harte had wealthy relatives, and if the bail had been five or ten thousand dollars he could have got it. Mr. Flint is too lenient. As police magistrate he is not expected to know anybody, but to try the case on its merits, and if the man is found guilty send him up for a term that will put a stop to crime of this sort. It is a crying shame that this man was allowed to go, when it is said he took between $20,000 and $30,000 in hard cash belonging to the citizens of Belleville. Its no wonder joint stock companies are considered frauds"
"Take Fentons case, Appleby's, and many others I could mention that have come before the present police magistrate. Not one of them ever went to trial. The accused got away on what might he called a weak bail, because I have yet to learn that in a single instance has their recognizances been estreated, and Harte has gone to join them. His bail may be forfeited; time will tell."
1888 On January 20, a story about the failure of John Harte's Stove Foundry in Belleville, Ontario, was printed in The Globe newspaper in Toronto. "Belleville Stone Works. Belleville, Jan. 19.—The stone foundry here, which is in the hands of creditors through John Harte's dishonest management, will be ready next week. Harte's brother-in-law, Charles W. Meakins, of Hamilton, was here yesterday, and, it is said will put in a claim for $4,000 against the concern. This will involve a lawsuit in which the company will endeavor to prove that Meakins, through Harte, drew more money out of the business than he ever put in. Harte was arrested and skipped out, leaving Meakins to pay his bail of $2,000. Some spicy developments are looked for before the company is finally wound up. [33] "Stove Works, Not Stone Works. Belleville, Jan. 20—The item in today's Globe intended to refer to the Belleville Stove Foundry was misprinted "Stone Works."[34]
1891 On April 25, John Harte (age 67) and his wife Eliza (age 60) lived in Hamilton City, Ward 1, Ontario, Canada, with their son John W. (age 30) and daughters Sarah (age 18) and Annette (age 14). The occupation of John and of John W. was hardware merchant. John was born in Ireland as were both of his parents. Eliza was born in Ontario, and both of her parents were born in England. The three children were born in Ontario. The religion of the family was Church of England. All of the family members could read and write. [35]
1893 An essay, written in the 1950s, by John Harte's grandson Bishop John Joseph Meakins Harte states, "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." [36]
1900 In a letter to his granddaughter Ella Frances Miles, John Harte wrote, [37]
Chicago 30 Jan 1900
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 Scott's 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
1901 On April 6, John Harte (age 77, born 29 July 1823 in Ireland) lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with his wife Eliza H. (age 66, born 26 February 1835 in Quebec, origin English) and their sons John W. (age 40, born 19 August 1860 in Ontario), occupation book keeper, and Chas E. (age 33, born 5 Dec 1867 in Ontario), occupation Asst. Supt. Copper Co, and daughter Annette (age 24, born 23 August 1876 in Ontario). John Harte immigrated to Canada from Ireland in 1849, and his occupation was stove mfg. R (retired). The family religion was Anglican. [38] [39]
1905 On 6 November, John Harte died in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario. His death records states that he was age 83, born in Ireland, his occupation was retired iron founder, and the cause of death was senile decay, reported by physician James Baugh. His residence was 535 Main St. East in Hamilton, Ontario. [40] [41] [42] [43] On November 7, the Toronto Globe reported, "Died. Harte—At his late residence, 535 Main street east, Hamilton, John Harte, sometime a resident of Toronto, in his 83rd year. Funeral Wednesday 8th inst., at 3:30, to Hamilton Cemetery." [44] An obituary states,
Another old resident passed to the great beyond last night He was John Harte and he died at his home, 535 main street east, being In his eighty-third year Mr. Harte was born in Ireland and came to this country many years ago, settling finally In Hamilton. He once owned an iron foundry. A Widow, three daughters and two sons survive. The daughters are Mrs A. E. Miles of LaGrange, Ill; Mrs. F. E Berry, at home, and Miss Mae Harte, and the sons are J. W. Harte, Toronto, and C. E. Harte, of Hamilton. The deceased possessed a wide circle of friends who will sympathise with the family in their bereavement.
1911 In the census of Canada, Mary Harte (age 34, born in August), Sarah Berry (age 38, born in August), their mother Eliza Harte (age 76, born Febry 1835), and Sarah's sons John (age 8, born in May) and Joseph (age 9, born in Sept) lived at 535 Main, Hamilton East Subdistrict 2 Ward 1, Ontario. Mary was a book keeper for a distillery. Joseph was born in the U.S. and immigrated to Canada in 1903. Eliza was born in Quebec and the others in Ontario. [46]
1921 On 13 July, Eliza Howes Meakins Harte died in Hamilton, Ontario, in her 87th year. Her death certificate lists her cause of death as weakness from old age and heart prostration. She was born in Montreal, and her residence at the time of her death was 535 Main St. East (16 years). Her parents are listed as Chas. M. Meakins and Marian Marshall, both born in England. [47] [48]
Harte--At her late residence, 585 Main street east, on Wednesday, July 13, 1921, Eliza Howes Meakins, widow of the late John Harte, in her 87th year. Service at above address on Friday morning, at 11 o'clock. Interment Hamilton cemetery.
Research Notes:
Granddaughter Evelyn Krase wrote, John Harte was "from Dungannon, Ireland, manufacturer of stoves, Hamilton and Belleville, was secretary to a lord in Ireland." His parents were John Harte and Margaret Leslie. [50]
Dungannon is in the townland Drumcoo in the parish of Drumglass in the county Tyrone.
A John Harte and a Charlotte Edgar were married in 1848 in the Armagh registration district. FHL film 101242 [51]
[1] Family Document, "John Harte July 29, 1823" in a birthday list written by Edwin G. Schafer.
[2] Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967, Presbyterian Church, St Gabriel Street, Montreal, Quebec, [AncestryImage].
[3] Canada Census, 1901, Hamilton, Ontario, Ward 1, [AncestryImage].
[4] Family Document, Notes of John Joseph Meakin Harte, from a letter written by Sarah Harte Berry.
[5] Personal Communication, Judith Schafer Chevalley Hiss, recalling information from her mother.
[6] Canada Census, 1851, [FamilySearchRecord].
[7] Canada Census, 1851, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[8] Gordon H. Allison, Hamilton Spectator, Deaths, Marriages, and Births 1857 (Manuscript, Hamilton, Ontario, Archives, 1992), 7.
[9] Family Document, "Marion E. Harte May 4, 1858" in a birthday list written by Edwin G. Schafer.
[10] Family Document, "J. W. Harte August 19, 1860" in a birthday list written by Edwin G. Schafer.
[11] Canada Census, 1861, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[12] Ontario Census, 1861, [FamilySearchRecord].
[13] Family Document, "Ada Harte Miles Oct. 31, 1862" in a birthday list written by Edwin G. Schafer.
[14] James Sutherland, Sutherland's City of Hamilton Directory for 1868-9 (Hamilton, Ontario: Lawson & Co., 1868), 191, [InternetArchive].
[15] Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[16] Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[17] Ontario Births, 1869-1912, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[18] Canada Census, 1871, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[19] Canada Census, 1871, [FamilySearchRecord].
[20] John Lovell, [Canadian] Dominion and Provincial Directories for 1871 (1871), 798, [InternetArchive].
[21] Family Document, "S.E. Harte August 13, 1872" in a birthday list written by Edwin G. Schafer.
[22] Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free, & Accepted Masons of Canada, 1874 (Hamilton, Ontario: Spectator Steam Printing House, 1874), 703, [HathiTrust].
[23] Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[24] Ontario Births, 1869-1912, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[25] The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail, document id 1527321254, 3 March 1880, p. 4, [ProQuest(UM)], [ProQuest].
[26] The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail, document id 1527413053, Thursday, September 9, 1880, p. 9, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail (1844-2011), [ProQuest(UM)], [ProQuest].
[27] Canada Census, 1881, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[28] Canada Census, 1881, [FamilySearchRecord].
[29] The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail, document id 1532178277, 28 July 1883, p. 10, [ProQuest(UM)], [ProQuest].
[30] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario Canada, November 2, 1883, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[31] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario Canada, December 3, 1884, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[32] The Kingston Whig-Standard, Kingston, Ontario Canada, December 2, 1887, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[33] Newspaper, The Globe, Toronto, January 20, 1888, p. 3, "Stove Works, Not Stone Works," ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail (1844-2011).
[34] Newspaper, The Globe, Toronto, January 21, 1888, p. 1, "Stove Works, Not Stone Works," ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail (1844-2011).
[35] Canada Census, 1891, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[36] Family Document, John Joseph Meakin Harte, "Reflections on my 1st 39 years." Judith Chevalley Hiss also recalled that her mother told her that John Harte had wealth.
[37] Family Document, Letter from John Harte to Ella Frances Miles, January 30, 1900. P.D. Armour's son, P.D. Armour, Jr. died on January, 26, 1900, a few days before the letter was written.
[38] Canada Census, 1901, [FamilySearchRecord].
[39] Canada Census, 1901, Hamilton, Ontario, Ward 1, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[40] Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 124, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[41] Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 124, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[42] Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[43] Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[44] Newspaper, The Globe (1844-1936) (Toronto, Ontario), November 7, 1905, p. 12.
[45] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario Canada, November 7, 1905, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[46] Canada Census, 1911, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[47] Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 284, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[48] Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[49] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, July 13, 1921, page 14, [NewspapersClip].
[50] Family Document, Evelyn Miles Krase Notes.
[51] Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958, [AncestryRecord].