Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin (Feb 11, 1904)
EX-MAYOR LOCKERBIE DEAD
An Active Life Brought to a Close.
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SKETCH OF A PROMINENT AND RESPECTED TOWNSMAN
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"How blest is he who crowns, in shades like these,
A youth of labor with an age of ease." -- Goldsmith.
Andrew Lockerbie is dead, was the sad news which rapidly flashed around town on Thursday morning and sincere was the sorrow that fell upon everyone, especially of the older citizens as the reality was borne in upon them. The deceased was one of the oldest and most highly respected of our townspeople. He was known to all, more particularly to those who have been in Collingwood prior to the early nineties, up to which time Mr. Lockerbie was prominently before the people, taking an active part in municipal affairs. During the past twelve or thirteen years he has not been so prominent a figure as his advancing years precluded the possibility of assuming the burdens of public municipal life and admonished him of the propriety of spending the sunset of his life remote from the turmoil and anxieties of public affairs. He, however, continued to take a lively interest in matters relating to the public welfare and was ever ready to proffer such counsel as his sound judgment and ripe experience dictated.
Andrew Lockerbie was a native of Auld Scotia and of this no man could be more proud. While he loved the land of his adoption he always had a deep inward tenderness for the land which gave him birth. Born in Stirling Castle, Scotland, on Feb. 24, 1822, where his father, who was a sergeant in the 42nd Highlanders, was stationed, he was therefore in his eighty-second year.
Mr. Lockerbie remained on his native heath until he reached manhood when, in 1842, he came to Canada. On reaching this country, he went direct to Galt, which even at that early day had a reputation as a manufacturing centre. He remained there for several years when he moved to the States, returning in three years to Toronto to engage on the construction of the first locomotive built in Canada for the old Northern Railway. In the fall of 1855, he came to Collingwood, which had become widely known owing to the fact that it was the northern terminus of the new and only line of railway in Canada West. Although the railway had not been opened a year, Collingwood had gained the reputation of being the most important port on the Upper Lakes, the proud position which she continues to enjoy until this day. After spending a few months here Mr. Lockerbie brought his family of two sons and one daughter from Toronto and until the day of his death made this town his home.
Three years later, in 1858, when the town was incorporated under the name of Collingwood, Mr. Lockerbie was one of those who took an active part in the affairs of the newly formed town. Although he did not occupy a seat in the first council, it was not long after, that he became a member and for many years he continued to work for the interests of the people of the newly constituted municipality. He believed the highest motive is the public good and during his municipal career it must be said that he did not study his own interests but always endeavored to advance the interest of his fellow-citizens.
In 1888, after having served as councilor and deputy reeve for a great many years, the subject of this sketch was elected to the Mayor's chair, the highest honor which a town can bestow on a citizen. In 1889, he was again chosen to perform the duties of the same high office in this growing town.
During his regime as Mayor the town made rapid strides forward. It was while he presided over our desticles that the town assumed the responsibilities of municipal ownership, a move which at that time was practically unknown to the municipalities of Ontario. It was on no small scale that the new idea was adopted. During Mr. Lockerbie's official term by-laws were submitted and carried providing for the installation of the waterworks and electric light systems and also, for the erection of the town hall and market building. The water and light systems were completed, but the town hall was not finished until June of 1900, in which year it was also destroyed by fire. Mr. Lockerbie was a strong advocate of the adoption of the by-laws and the results since have fully demonstrated that he was right in his time, although then somewhat in advance of the times.
Some years ago, Mr. Lockerbie was appointed keeper of the harbor lights and harbor master, the duties of which he performed carefully and faithfully. He was always interested in the shipping of the port and nothing pleasedhim better than to sit in his little office on the roadway leading to the railway wharf and discuss the affairs pertaining to our fleet.
While in Galt he was married to Miss Agnes MaCauly, who with one son and two daughters now survive him. The son is Mr. William Lockerbie, chief engineer of the C. P. R. steamer Athabasca, and the daughters are Mrs. (Capt) P. M. Campbell and Mrs. J. A. Caslake. He is also survived by thirteen grand-children and one great grandchild, little Jessie Proctor.
The deceased was a member of Pythagoras Lodge A. F. & A. M. Meaford, and also of Stuart Camp, Sons of Scotland, and for many years was connected with the Orange Order.
The funeral which took place on Saturday was conducted by the Masonic Order and despite the severe weather was largely attended. The town council was present in a body; the Sons of Scotland were represented by several of the officers of the lodge, while Worshipful Master R. E. Fair was present on behalf of the Orangemen.
At the house services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Cranston, M.A., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of which the deceased was a member, and at the grave the beautiful ceremony of the Masonic fraternity was conducted by the Worshipful Masters Nettleton of Manito Lodge and Clark of the Pythagoras Lodge.
The pall-bearers were Bros. Jas Cleland, S. Carson and J. Douglass member of the Pythagoras Lodge, and Bros. W. A. Clark, R. Hughes and W. R. Rowland, of Manito Lodge.
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The first Locomotive built in Canada was "The Toronto" #2
We have found that John Lockerbie "Jack" who cofounded the Lockerbie Hole Company in Edmonton, Alberta is the Grandson of Andrew Lockerbie. John's father is William Lockerbie who had spent time in Collingwood in the early days as an engineer on many of the steamers he moved to Edmonton in 1889 to become the Chief engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He retired in 1914 and died in Edmonton in 1921 - He is buried at his father and mothers plot in Collingwood, Ontario
