This Obituary of Aaron Kells (1829 - 1883) was copied from the
'Listowel Standard, Ontario, Canada, December 28, 1883.
PEEL.
OBITUARY -- Died at his residence, Ashgrove, Peel, Dec. 21st, 1883,
Aaron Kells, in the 55th year of his age. Deceased was in the sixth
generation of descent from a family of Waldenses who early in the
17th century were compelled to flee from the Alpine valleys on account
of religious persecution, and take refuge in Germany, where for a
generation they settled on the banks of the Rhine. From thence those
of them who escaped being massacred in a war with the French,
fled to England, where they settled in the county of Cumberland,
near the Scottish border. Here Alexander, one of the exiles,
married a native of the country, named Crawford, and here Robert,
the great-grand-father of Aaron, was born and resided until
middle age, when, having been appointed to the incumbency of
the parish of Templeport, in the county of Cavan, Ireland,
he removed to that country accompanied by a number of his
own, and his wife's relatives; and here, at his residence of
Baffallen, he died at the age of 106 years, leaving a large
circle of relatives and a numerous family, of whom Robert,
the grand-father of the subject of our sketch was one.
This individual was, with two of his brothers among the
volunteers who fought on the loyal side against the French
and rebel Irish in the campaign of '98, he being personally
present at the battles of Benlamuck and Grannard Mote.
He married a woman of Welsh extraction named Margaret
Wood, and among the fruits of this union was George Wood,
the father of Aaron, who at the age of 89 still survives.
George W. married his second cousin Mary Ann Lawrence,
low land Scotch extraction, and of this marriage Aaron was the
third offspring, but his two elder brothers had died in infancy.
Aaron was born on the 19th of March 1829, in the town of
Ballyconnell, where he early attended the General School;
and made remarkable progress in his studies, being especially
proficient in mathematics, grammar and penmanship. After
he had reached his 17th year he accompanied his parents
and family to America, where after a dangerous voyage of
seven weeks they landed at the city of Quebec in the early
part of June 1847. From this city they proceeded to
Toronto, where they remained till the following spring.
In Toronto Aaron remained about a year, being chiefly
engaged as copyist in a law office. He then followed his
family, who had already settled in the wild backwoods,
then known as the 'Queen's Bush,' but which now forms
part of the county of Wellington, where 300 acres of
land had been secured, and in assisting to make a home
in the forest he spent several years. At the age of 22
he went to the city of Buffalo, where he remained for
several years. Returning to Canada in the fall of 1853
he engaged in teaching school in a section of North
York, where he remained for a year and six months.
Here, on the 29th January, 1854, he was married by
the Rev. L. F. Ramsey, Rector of Mitchel's corners,
to Mary Anne, eldest daughter of Thomas Moore, who
some years before had been a missionary in connection
with the Church of England in Peel and Maryborough;
and here on the sixteenth of Feb., 1855, his first
daughter, Elizebeth Adeline, was born. Returning to
Peel in July of the same year, he engaged in farming,
and also taught school in his own section and in the
village of Hollin for several seasons. As his health
was not robust, he finally settled down to the
cultivation of his farm and the improvement
of his stock, occasionally writing articles on
agricultural subjects for some of the leading papers.
About four years ago he took a severe cold, which
affecting his lungs and bronchial tubes caused much
suffering, and so weakened his constitution that nearly
all out-door work had to be abandoned and no
permanent relief could be obtained, although he
sought the assistance of some of the leading
physicians of the province. About three weeks
before his death he visited the village of Drayton
and took fresh cold, and for the remainder of his
life was confined to his bed, where he got little rest
except when supported by pillows or the arms of
some attendants. Knowing that his end was
approaching, he settled his worldly affairs, gave
his last advice to his family, bid his relatives
farewell, and expressed his willingness to depart
when the final summons came. He died as if
sinking into calm repose, and the last sad duty of
interment was largely attended. Rev. H. Norris,
of Glenallan, performed the funeral ceremonies.
Deceased leaves a large circle of relations as well
as a wife and family, to mourn his demise; the
latter, however, are well provided for. In politics
Mr. Kells was strongly Conservative, and
though nominally an adherent of the Church of
England, yet he did not accept all its dogmas. ___ COM.
