Description Angus Gunn

Old Pioneer Passes Away

26 January, 1908

Angus Gunn, one of the oldest if not the oldest settler in Sandstone, passed away January 26^th, about a week after passing through a painful operation for cancer.  He had not been feeling well for some months but up to a few days before the operation he was around and attending to his Justice business, although at times he was in great pain but was always cheerful and no great alarm was felt.  After the operation which seemed successful in every way, he was reported as doing nicely until a change came which speedily carried him away and the unexpected news of his death came as a great shock to his relatives and this whole community.

He was born in Earltown, Nova Scotia, in 1847 where he spent his boyhood days.  In 1873 he was married to Jessie Mckenzie.  Four daughters and one son were born to them and in 1885 he lost his loving helpmate leaving him with his family of then young children.  Leaving them with an adult, he journeyed west and came to Pine City where he stopped for a time then came to Sandstone early 1886.  The place being new and wild, he shouldered his axe and determined to make a home here for himself and family which he did in a most creditable manner.  He built in what we now term Oldtown and sent for his children to come and cheer his lonely life.  He remained single until 1899, living with the children being both father and mother to them and the love the children bear to him proves he was most successful in his endeavor to guide and care for them.

In 1899 he married Maggie McKenzie, a very estimable lady with the same name as his first wife but no relation.  To this union there is two bright little boys who will miss his smiles and cheery ways, as he was always a boy with them.

As a citizen, he was regarded as the best and the offices to which he was elected shows that his townspeople had every faith and confidence in him.  He served as mayor, as alderman, as recorder, as marshal, as school clerk, as county commissioner, as post master and at the time of his death was justice of the peace.  He helped organize this place into a village, helped build the first school, the first church and the first rail road in Sandstone.  He organized the first church organization and Sunday school and was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years and up to the last few Sundays was found teaching a class of boys there.

At the time of the terrible fire in 1894 he was instrumental in saving many lives and was the first to help build a new Sandstone.  He has been a prominent Oddfellow for the past 15 years, having helped organize the first Sandstone lodge.

He is survived by his six children, Mrs. George Meader, Mrs. Alec Kelly, Miss Emma Gunn, A. W., Angus Jr. and Peter Gunn and his wife Maggie, two brothers and his mother who is 100 years old.

The body was laid at rest Thursday in the Sandstone cemetery, services being held in the church where he had spent so much of his time.  Rev. Fisher officiating.  The Oddfellows turned out in full regalia and showed their love and respect.  Business was practically suspended, and the quarries shut down.  Even the school children turned out in great numbers for all loved “Dad” Gunn.

Flowers were profuse, plentiful and beautiful, coming from all classes of people.  No greater respect could be paid to any one than was paid to Angus Gunn in his burial, and we join with the mourners in sorrowing for so great a father, friend, citizen, patriot and Christian.  He will be missed – missed by many but his footprints on the sand of time will remain many, many days.