Thomas Walter Edwin Sowter (1860-1932)
Sowter--At Cherry Cottage, 10 Broad St., Aylmer, Que., on Saturday, May 14, 1932.  T.W. Edwin Sowter, husband of the late Theresa Larue, formerly of the Topographical Survey Branch, Dept. of the Interior, in his 72nd year.  Funeral from above address on Tuesday, May 17, at 2 p.m. to Christ church for service at 2.30.  Interment at Conroy cemetery. 

publié dans The Citizen -14 mai, 1932 



Fine Tribute Paid Late T.W.E. Sowter


Funeral of Prominent Resident of Aylmer.


The funeral of the late Thomas W. Sowter, of Aylmer, took place yesterday afternoon at Christ Church with the rector, Rev. F.A. Allen, officiating.  Prior to the impressive service at the church, Rev. Mr. Allen held a short service at the house.  Interment was in Conroy's cemetery, Aylmer road. 

The community paid an impressive tribute to one who was widely known, the church being filled to capacity with citizens of Aylmer and former associates and friends from Ottawa.  The members of King Solomon Lodge, A.F. and A.M. No.69, attended in a body and conducted the ritual of their order at the house and at the grave.  Several members of the Orange order at Aylmer, Dundonald L.O.L. 1912 and the Black Preceptory No.227, of Ottawa also attended. 

Rev. Mr. Allen referred to the influence and the learning of the deceased in the particular study to which he had given his life, archaeology and palaeontology and how science and religion, happily in these days co-ordinated, had played a great part in his life and study. 

Among the many floral tributes were those from the Move-on Club of Christ Church, Aylmer; Masonic Lodge, Dundonald Lodge, L.O.B.A. No.101, Black Preceptory, 227, Ottawa, employees of R.H. Wright, Aylmer, Volunteer Fire Department, Aylmer.  Many tributes were also received from individual friends. 

The chief mourners were his two sons, Edwin, Aylmer; Thomas L.C. Sowter, Northern Ontario; two daughters, Mrs. John Forsythe and Mrs. Joseph Sullivan, Aylmer; five granddaughters, Miss Mona Sowter, Pembroke; the Misses Dorothy, Maud, Marian and Thelma Sullivan, Aylmer. 

publié dans The Citizen -14 mai, 1932, p.3 


T.W.Edwin Sowter Died on Saturday

Passing of Aylmer Resident Notes For Research Work in Ottawa Valley.

In the passing of T.W. Edwin Sowter on Saturday evening at his home, Cherry Cottage, 10 Broad Street, Aylmer, the Ottawa Valley has lost one of its most picturesque and highly esteemed citizens.  To an exceptionally wide circle of friends, Mr. Sowter's death, nearing his 72nd birthday and following a year's illness, is the occasion of sincere regret.  He was beloved and a noble Christian gentleman. 

For 45 years or more prior to his retirement about 7 years ago, the late Mr. Sowter was a valued member of the staff of the Topographical Survey branch of the Interior Department at Ottawa. 

By way of hobbies, Mr. Sowter was an archaeologist and a palaeontologist.  He was famed for his great knowledge of the Indian archaeology of the Ottawa Valley, particularly from Porter's Island to Chats Falls.  He was a prominent member of the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club, and many of his lectures were reprinted in the Ottawa Naturalist.  Amongst Mr. Sowter's better known lectures were "The Algonquin and Huron Occupation of the Ottawa Valley," "The Archaeology of Lake Deschenes," and "Prehistoric Camping Grounds Along the Ottawa River."  He discovered seven new species of fossils of the Aylmer district, and had the high honor of having one named after him, Sowteria Canadensis. 

He was a writer as well as a lecturer, and contributed a chapter to "Child's History of Canada" and another chapter, "The Highway of the Ottawa," to Parkman's History.  The Citizen had the pleasure of publishing much of Mr. Sowter's material about the early history of the Ottawa district in a series of articles in the Old Time Stuff about six years ago.  Mr. Sowter was Aylmer correspondent for the Ottawa newspapers for several years. 

Thomas Walter Edwin Sowter was born on October 9, 1860, in the South Hull district on the site of Conroy cemetery, where he is to be buried Tuesday afternoon.  He is the last survivor of a family of eight children born to his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lewis Sowter, who came to the South Hull district from London, England.  Prior to entering the Civil Service at a very early age, about 20, Mr. Sowter taught school at East Templeton for a brief period. 

Mr. Sowter married Miss Theresa Larue, daughter of Andrew Larue, notary public and coroner at Aylmer.  Mrs. Sowter predeceased her husband in June, 1922. 

Surviving Mr. Sowter are two sons and two daughters and five granddaughters, including the following: Edwin Sowter of the International Boundary survey staff, Aylmer; Thomas L.C. Sowter in Northern Ontario; Mrs. John Forsythe and Mrs. Joseph Sullivan, both of Aylmer; the grandchildren are Miss Mona Sowter of Pembroke and Dorothy, Maud, Marian and Thelma Sullivan, all of Aylmer. 

The late Mr. Sowter had the distinction of residing in Cherry Cottage for the past 45 years, which house is noted all over the Dominion as the birthplace of Dr. Francis Clark, founder of the Christian Endeavor Movement.  Hundreds of the followers of that movement have visited Cherry Cottage, which has become almost a shrine in recent years. 

Mr. Sowter wast the last charter member of King Solomon Lodge, A.F. and A.M., at Aylmer, of which lodge also he was a past master.  Mr. Sowter was also a 13th degree Orangeman, being a member of both Dundonald Orange Lodge at Aylmer and of the Orange Black Preceptory, No.227, at Ottawa. 

A private service for the family will be held at Cherry Cottage Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, to be followed by Masonic rites.  The public funeral service at 2.30 o'clock will be conducted at Christ Anglican church, Aylmer, by Rev. Fred A. Allen, of which parish Mr. Sowter was a faithful member for more than 50 years.  The Dundonald Orange Lodge will hold a service at Cherry cottage this evening.  Interment on Tuesday afternoon will be in Conroy cemetery. 

publié dans The Evening Citizen - 16 mai, 1932.