William Dennis (1856 - 1920)

Born 4 Mar 1856 in St Gennys, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 11 Jul 1920 at age 64 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

William Dennis is Notable.

Senator, Newspaper Owner and Editor, Aldermand Justice of the Peace for the City of Halifax, Philanthropist

William Dennis's son Alexander described him as "a character full of initiative, energy and enthusiasm that had so many facets. He hated dishonesty and his eyes that generally carried a twinkle seemed to penetrate in steely contrast to the untruth. Some likened him unto a typical English squire. This severeness was more than balanced by his generous spirit. . . . His pen courageously attacked what he believed to be wrong. . . ."^[1]

From Cornwall to Devon

William was born on 4 Mar 1856 in Flanders, St. Gennys, Cornwall and was the eldest of 15 siblings.^[2] In 1861, he was 5 years old and lived with his parents and three younger brothers; Thomas, Henry and John. There were also two servants living with them.^[3] William's father ran a large farm that employed agricultural labourers.^[4] William's brother John died.^[5] Four years later, two more sisters and one more brother had been added to the family; Mary, John (Albert), and Louisa.

William Dennis migrated from the United Kingdom to Truro, Nova Scotia.

Then the family began the journey that would bring them to Canada. George was born in Week St. Mary in 1866. Then George died also. The next baby, born in 1868, was also called George to honour the George that they had lost.

Entreprenneurialship was encouraged by William's family. As a small boy, William attended a lecture on Canada given by Rev. Dr. Clay^[6] Afterwards, he asked the speaker if there were jobs for young boys in Canada. When Rev. Dr. Clay returned to Canada he wrote to William to tell him there were positions for boys.^[7] William probably made the journey to Truro, Nova Scotia alone in about 1868.^[8] Similarly, William's brother Thomas sailed to Germany with the "great armament manufacturer" Frederick Krupp who educated him.^[9]

A sister, Bessie, was born in Edginswell in 1871. Maude was born in Torquay in 1873.^[10] The Dinnis family made the voyage to Nova Scotia around 1874.^[11] Another sibling was born and lost soon after the family arrived in Canada.^[12]

Life in Canada

William's first job was as Delivering Boy for a butcher. It was in this capacity that he met Agnes Miller. William also became involved with the Order of the Good Templars. He enthusiastically helped to found new lodges in order to spread the temperance movement. They employed him and he rose to be the Grand Secretary, earning a princely sum of $500 per year. It was working for the Order that William met J. J. Stewart, and others who were interested in establishing an "unfettered"^[13] public press.^[14] William began working as a reporter in 1875. He founded the Evening Mail, a four-page newspaper three years later. ^[15]

William's family was devoutly Presbyterian. His father John Dinnis wrote and published a book entitled, "A Revelation from God".^[16]William's mother, Mary Ann Parnall required all work, including cooking and shoe-shining to be done on Saturdays so that Sundays were strictly for worship.^[17]

Two more siblings were born in 1876 (Jessie) and 1878 (Fritz). One week after Fritz was born, William married Agnes Miller, who was three years younger, in Truro, Nova Scotia. Two years later, William's youngest sister, Lily was born in Truro (1880).^[18]

Although William and his siblings may have lacked institutionalized schooling,^[19] they were well-educated as evidenced by the success of publishing companies they established in Nova Scotia, as well as William's career as a reporter and newspaper editor.^[20]William's daughter said he could recite from the Bible and Shakespeare.^[21] William and Agnes encouraged the education of their daughters and Alexander, most of whom attended university. The children were also said to be proficient in playing instruments such as the violin, cello and piano.^[22]

William, Agnes and a Family of their Own

In 1881, William and Agnes were living in Halifax. Their family included two daughters, Helen (Nellie) (2) and Jean (1), and William's brother Albert. William (25) and Albert (16) were working as journalists. They also had a live-in servant^[23][24]. Later that year, William's daughter Jean died, Clara was born and William became the Editor of the Winnipeg Sun^[25]. Eleanor was born the following year. William returned to Halifax in 1883 to become the Editor of the Morning Herald.^[26] That year, young Agnes was born, followed by Margaret in 1886.

William Dennis lived in Nova Scotia.

In 1887, William and Agnes purchased a home at 45 Coburg Rd in Halifax (now Dalhousie University) for $5,300.^{[27] [28]} The family had three more children between 1888 and 1891. Sarah survived but William and John did not see their second birthdays. Then Eric was born in 1896.^[29]

William made many connections in the communities where he lived. A dozen papers were said to have commented with regret that William chose to spend a second year in Winnipeg. When leaving Winnipeg, the Mayor gave him a 14-carat gold watch, and to Agnes a 10-piece tea service. The farewell address was signed by many of Winnipeg's most prominent citizens including the Archbishop, Members of Parliament and Aldermen.^[30] William's sociability was also extended to strangers. He was said to have carried extra newspapers in his carriage. When he came to a man on the road, would stop, exchange a few pleasantries, and give the man a copy of the paper.^[31]

Juggling the Herald and the City of Halifax

In 1890, J. J. Stewart offered William a half interest in the Herald as well as sole responsibility for its management. William purchased the Kenny Building on the corner of Granville and George Streets which he converted into offices, keeping two floors for the use of the paper. In addition to being President and Editor-in-Chief at the "Morning Herald",^[32][33]William became an Alderman for the City of Halifax and served on three of its Committees.^[34]

In 1898, William employed his daughter Nellie as a Stenographer^[35] and his sister Lily as a Clerk, at the Herald & Mail.^[36] Nellie continued there for two more years^[37]In 1901, the family hosted a lodger named Mary Lockhart. William's youngest child, William Alexander was born in 1903.

Tragedy and Triumphs

Tragedy struck again with the death of William's sister Bessie in 1904, his business partner J. J. Stewart in 1907,^[38] and his sister Louisa in 1908.^[39] J. J. Stewart left William the remaining shares of the Halifax Herald. By this time, the family was growing again. The first grandchild, Marion, was born in 1906. Within eight years there were five including Jean, Stuart, Barbara and Agnes.

A fire gutted the building of the "Halifax Herald" and the "Evening Mail" on 12 Jan 1912. William borrowed money and leased the Morning Chronicle equipment after that paper had gone to press, until new equipment could be shipped and assembled in the old Clayton Building. In April, they moved again into a building on Argyle Street.

William was appointed to the Senate on 20 Nov 1912, following a nomination by Prime Minister Robert Borden. ^[40]. When at home in Ottawa, he could often be found preparing directives and articles for his newspapers. In addition, for many years, he was the Nova Scotia correspondent for one of the dailies in London, England.^[41] His daughter Nellie died from Tuberculosis in 2014, followed by his sister Mary in 2016.^[42]

Meet the Queen and then on to the Trenches

An Empire Parliamentary Party was formed to view conditions overseas during WWI. William traveled with several other Canadian delegates, his wife, and his son Alexander to England. The Dominion of Canada representatives were presented to the Queen on 7 July 1916 by Hon. James P. Lowther, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons and Joint President of the Empire Parliamentary Association, United Kingdom Branch. Next, they went to France, where they were taken to the trenches. There, William met his son Eric and realized he would probably not survive to return to Canada. William's wife and son had not been permitted on the excursion so they spent three months in England until Eric joined them when he was on furlough. While there, they witnessed the first Zeplin brought down in flames over London. Eric, died seven months later, in the Battle of Vimy Ridge on Easter Sunday, 1917, bringing the number of children William and Agnes had lost to five.^[43]

On 6 Dec 1917, William's building was severely damaged by the Halifax Explosion. In addition to the shattering of every window, there was internal damage to the equipment and rooms. A few staff remained to board up the windows and produce a paper by hand. On 9 Feb 1920, a fire raged again through the building, destroying the third floor and severely damaging the fourth floor. The first floor was flooded with water, destroying the rolls of newsprint.^[44] William was undaunted and rebuilt the business again.

Farewell to the Chief

William accepted help from others in his times of need, and also donated "large amounts to philanthropic and public relief". His son Alexander recalled men calling in need of lodging and Willliam making arrangements with a relief society for their care.^[45] Through the newspapers, William coordinated collections such as The Patriotic Fund,^[46] The Indian Famine Fund, the Soldier South African Monument Fund, and The Japanese Famine Fund. He received thanks from the Government of Japan, the Bishop of Calcutta, and the Viceroy of India, among others.^[47]

For several years, William's hip required him to use a cane, which was replaced by crutches for the last few years.^[48] William died on 11 July 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts,^[49] while in surgery.^[50] He was 64 and still serving in the Senate when he died.^[51][52]

Summary of William's Career

• 1874-75 Delivery boy for a butcher.^[53]
• 1875-76 Reporter for the Morning Herald.^[54]
• 1876-77 Employed by the Order of Good Templars.^[55]
• 1877-78 Secretary General for the Order of Good Templars.^[56]
• 1878-1920 Journalis and Publisher of the Evening Mail, inially a four-page weekly.^[57]
• 1879-81 Reporter for the Morning Herald'. ^[58]
• 1881-83 Editor, Winnipeg Sun^[59]
• 1883-85 City Editor, Morning Herald^[60]
• 1886-87 Reporter, Morning Herald^[61]
• 1887-90 News Editor, Morning Herald^[62] and Member of the School Board.^[63]
• 1890 Gained half-ownership of the Herald and sole responsibility for its management.^[64]
• 1890-95 News Editor Morning Herald, (which was changed to Halifax Herald in 1892). Alderman and Justice of the Peace^[65] as well as aMember of the School Board.^[66]
• 1895-96 Journalist, Alderman and Justice of the Peace^[67]
• 1896-98 Journalist, Halifax Herald^[68]
• 1898-01Managing Director, Herald Printing and Publishing Co.^[69]
• 1901-1920 President and Editor-in-Chief of the Halifax Herald and the Evening Mail^[70]
• 1912-1920 Senator^[71]

Sources

1. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 57.
2. ↑ Genealogies and Sagas, Pages 6-9.
3. ↑ John Goodman, a Carter, and Ann Panter, a housemaid.
4. ↑ "1861 Census Returns"
5. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 7.
6. ↑ This lecture was in Devonshire, which may have been Edginswell or Torquay. "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52.
7. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Page 52
8. ↑ He was not at home for the 1871 census and a Truro newspaper made reference to him as a 12-year-old delivery boy. (Dennis, W. A.)
9. ↑ It is not clear when this "young boy", left but he was not at home for the 1871 Census. Thomas became the proprietor and Manager of resort hotels and later recruited his sister Lily to assist with their management.
10. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Pages 7-9.
11. ↑ “Genealogies and Sagas," Pages 7-9
12. ↑ “Genealogies and Sagas," Page 6.
13. ↑ Publishing ideas that were not directly dictated by the Dominion and provincial governments.
14. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Pages 53-54.
15. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" p.60.
16. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page.4.
17. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 6.
18. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Pages 6-9.
19. ↑ William claimed to be self-taught. This may refer to home instruction or may have been because he lacked a university degree. Working from the age of 12, he may not have attended high school either.
20. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52
21. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas".
22. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 58.
23. ↑ Census of Canada, 1881.
24. ↑ The servant was Naomi Crowe, but had been replaced by Maud Cullen in 1891 and Valastis Lardy in 1901.
25. ↑ William Dennis, Wikipedia
26. ↑ Dennis, W.A., "Genealogies and Sagas" p.54
27. ↑ The sum was paid to the estate of John Watt. It was a farm property with several barns. It extended 600 feet along Vernon Street.
28. ↑ “Genealogies and Sagas,” Page 56.
29. ↑ “Genealogies and Sagas” Page 11.
30. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Pages 54-55.
31. ↑ “Genealogies and Sagas,” p.58.
32. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 59.
33. ↑ In 1892, the "Morning Herald" became the "Halifax Herald."
34. ↑ MCHD for 1890-91 Pages 107, 498-499.
35. ↑ Census of Canada 1901
36. ↑ MHCD for 1898-99 Page 206.
37. ↑ MHCD for 1899-00 Page 202, and MHCD for1900-01 Page 203.
38. ↑ “Stewart, John James,”
39. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 8.
40. ↑ Parliament of Canada, Parlinfo
41. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 60.
42. ↑ Agnes may have stayed in Halifax for much of the beginning of William's senate career, caring for her daughter Nellie
43. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Page 66.
44. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Pages 62-63.
45. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Page 62.
46. ↑ For the widows, wives, and children of men who fought in the South African War.
47. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas," Page 69.
48. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 58
49. ↑ His sister Jesse lived in Boston with her husband Edward Hull.
50. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 72.
51. ↑ Parliament of Canada, Parlinfo
52. ↑ Death record: https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/death/?ID=173574
53. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52.
54. ↑ McAlpine's Halifax City Directory (MCHD) for 1875-76, Page 133.
55. ↑ MCHD for 1876-77 and "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52.
56. ↑ MCHD for 1877-78 Page 139.
57. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 60.
58. ↑ MCHD for 1879-80 Page 134 and MCHD for 1880-81 Page 96.
59. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52-54
60. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 52-54 and MCHD for 1884-85 Page 86.
61. ↑ MCHD for 1886-87 Page 82
62. ↑ MCHD for 1887-88 Page 106, MHCD for 1888-89 Page 102 and MHCD for 1889-90 Page 102.
63. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 61.
64. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 61.
65. ↑ MCHD for 1890-91 Pages 107, 498-499, MHCD for 1891-92 Pages 120, 584-585, MHCD for 1892-93 Pages 116, 592-594, MHCD for 1893-94 Page 142, 613 and MHCD for 1894-95 Pages 148,640.
66. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 61.
67. ↑ MHCD for 1895-1896 Pages 204, 676-677
68. ↑ MHCD for 1896-97 Page 289 and MHCD for 1897-98 Page 196
69. ↑ MHCD for 1898-99 Page 206, MHCD for 1899-00 Page 202, and MHCD for 1900-01 Page 203
70. ↑ "Genealogies and Sagas" Page 59-70.
71. ↑ Parliament of Canada, Parlinfo

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