Walter Graves (1887 - 1973)

Born 17 May 1887 in North Gwillimbury Township, York, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Rose Emma (Brown) Graves — married 26 May 1913 in Toronto, York, ON

Descendants

Died 7 Mar 1973 at age 85 in Newmarket, York, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: CJ Leitch [send private message]

Biography

Walter was born in 1887. He was the son of Robert Graves and Emma Prosser.

Walter appears in the 1891 Canadian Census. The information is as follows: Name: Walter Graves, Gender: Male, Age: 4, Birth Year (Estimated): 1887, Birthplace: Ontario, Marital Status: Single, Religion: Free Methodist, Province: Ontario, District: York North, District Number: 131, Sub-District: Gwillimbury East and Snake Island, Affiliate Film Number: 30953_148182.

Walter appears in the Newmarket Era on March 12, 1897 - School Reports. The article is as follows:

School Reports - Standing of Pupils for the Month of February

S. S. No. 1 Whitchurch

V. - P. Skinner, E. Miller

Sr. IV. - T. Miller, M. Skinner, M. A. Skinner, T. Harper

Jr. IV. - E. Skinner, F. Harper

Sr. III. - H. Skinner, B. Boake, G. Goodwin

Jr. III. - M. Graves, P. Meade, A. Harrington

Sr. II - A. Skinner, Geo. Bishop, F. Harper, W. Graves, W. Harper.

Jr. II. - M. Fee, O. Moulds, E. Swain

Sr. I - A. Swain

Jr. I. - R. Boden, S. Gamble, F. Fee

Present every day - P. Skinner, T. Miller, F. Harper, W. Harper, A. Skinner

G. E. Gibson, Teacher.

Walter appears in the Newmarket Era on June 11, 1897 - School Reports. The article is as follows:

School Reports - Standing of Pupils for the Month of May

U.S.S. No. 1 Whitchurch

5th Class - Ethel Miller

Sr. 4th - Fred Harper

Sr. 3rd - Ruby Skinner, Gertie Goodwin

Jr. 3rd - Pearlie Meade, Minnie Graves

Sr. 2nd - Geo. Bishop, Flora Harper, Willie Harper, Walter Graves, Abram Skinner

Jr. 2nd - May Fee, Orville Moulds

Sr. 1st - Mila Boden, Wesley Wilkinson

Present every day - May Fee, Frank Fee

J. E. Gibson, Teacher

Walter appears in the Newmarket Era on Dec. 10 1897 - School Reports. The article is as follows:

Standing of Pupils for the Month of Nov. Names in Order of Merit

O.S.S. No. 1 Whitchurch & E. Gwillimbury

Class V - Polly Skinner, Ethel Miller.

Sr. IV - Mabel Skinner

Jr. IV - Ruby Skinner, Gertie Goodwin, Eva Skinner, Fred Harper.

Sr. III - Minnie Graves, Byron Boake, Pearlie Meade.

Sr. II - May Fee, Orville Moulds, Flora Harper, Willie Harper, Walter Graves.

Jr. II - Clara Hale, Robbie Stillwell

Pt. II - Maudie Skinner, Fanny Hale, Rss Boden, Sidney Gamble, Alfred Hill

Sr. I - Frank Feee, Gertie Moulds, Mila Boden

Jr. I - Wesley Willkinson, Lily Graves, Arthur Goodwin.

j.E. Gibson, Teacher

Appeared in the 1901 Canada Census in East Gwillimbury, York, Ontario. The household included: Robert age 49, occupation farmer; Emma age 43; Magger (sic Maggie) age 22, occupation domestic; W. Thos age 20, occupation farmer's son; Minnie age 17; Wilber age 13; A. Lillian age 9; M. Bella age 6; S. George age 2.

Walter appears in an article in the Newmarket Era on May 31, 1907. The article is as follows: "Mr. Walter Graves and sister, of Shrubmount were the guests of their cousin, Miss Joy Prosser, on Sunday."

Walter Graves is mentioned in a Newmarket Era article from September 30, 1910: "Two Men Nearly Killed. An accident occurred on the farm of Mr. Robert Graves, Town line, East on Tuesday afternoon which nearly cost the lives of two men. They were Mr. Walter Graves, son of the proprietor of the farm and Mr. F. W. Widdifield, son-in-law of the proprietor. They were plastering the top of a new silo when the scaffold they were standing on gave way and they fell about 30 feet upon the cement floor. Both men were picked up unconscious and remained so for some time. When the doctor arrive it was found that Walter had sustained the greatest injury, having fallen upon his head, which was cut in several places, his collar-bone broken, knee-cap fractured and internally injured. Frank lit on his feet but was badly shook up.

On account of the injury to the knee-cap an operation was necessary to prevent a stiff joint and he was taken to the Hospital in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon."

The following article appeared in the Newmarket Era on October 7, 1910:

Cedar Valley

"Correction of last week's "Accident to Mr. Graves' Silo": Mr. F. W. Widdifield was the one that fell rather sideways, lighting on his knee and shoulder, and a plank falling crossways, striking him on the head, leaving him unconscious, with shoulder fractured and knee-cap broken and out of place. He was removed to the hospital on Wednesday.

The two patients are improving fine, Mr. Widdifield is waiting the operation which will take place soon. After setting his shoulder bone they had to give him treatment for a week, and then they will operate on his knee. Walter Graves happened lucky. He has been confined to his bed for a week, but is having the pleasure of seeing all of his friends, and does not suffer much pain, as it was just his sudden stop, lighting on his feet, caused him to tear his insides out of place, but by being quiet he seems to be doing fine. He wishes to thank the many friends who have offered their aid in doing anything they could and fore being so interested about him. Over 60 came to see him on the Sabbath."

Walter appeared in the Union Publishing Company's Farmers and Business Directory For The Counties Of Halliburton, Ontario, Peterborough, Victoria and York 1911, Vol. XVI. The information is as follows:

Graves Walter, Vivian s (farmer's son) Concession 6 Lot 1.

Appeared in the 1911 Canada Census in East Gwillimbury, York, Ontario. The household included: Robert age 60, occupation farmer; Emma age 54; Walter age 24, occupation farmer's son; Lillian age 20; Maud age 15; Simmeon age 13.

Walter Graves married Rosa Emma Brown, 20 May 1913, in Newmarket, York County, Ontario, Canada. The announcement appeared in the Newmarket Era on June 6, 1913. The article is as follows:

Cedar Valley

"A very pleasant event took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Gravesat Cedar Valley on Wednesday evening, May 28th, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves, who were recently married. The bride looked very charming in a blue silk dress. About fifty guests sat down to a very sumptuous repast, after which they had a very pleasant entertainment, consisting of music, solos and recitations. Among the guests was Miss Marjorie Stone, pianist, of King, also Mr. George Blanchard, violinist of Newmarket, and several other guests too numerous to mention.

The bride received many costly presents. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves a success in their new home in Newmarket.

Mrs. Geo. Stone and Mrs. Wm. Larson and daughter of King City are visiting Robert Graves at Cedar Valley."

Appeared in the 1921 Canada Census in East Gwillimbury, York, Ontario. The household included: Walter age 35, occupation farmer; Rosie age 25; Merland age 7; Delbert age 5; Glaister age 2; Hellen age 5 months.

He was listed as a mechanic on his wedding registration.

Appeared in the 1931 Canada Census in East Gwillimbury, York, Ontario. The household included: Walter age 45, occupation farmer, general farming; Rosa age 36, occupation homemaker; Merlin age 17, occupation farm labourer, father's farm; Glaister age 13; Harry age 7; Robert age 4; Helen age 10.

Walter is mentioned in the 1935 - 36 County of York Directory. The information is as follows: Cedar Valley - Graves, Walter, Lot 1, Concession 6, East Gwillimbury, occupation farmer, tenant.

Appeared in the Newmarket Era on February 14, 1935, p. 6. The article is as follows:

Shrubmount - Mr. Rowan was guest at Mr. Walter Graves' on Sunday, and had the pleasure of going to the Nazarene mission and partaking of the Sacrament service on Sunday morning.

An auction sale of items owned by Mr. Walter Graves is advertised in the Newmarket Era on February 21, 1968, however the item was not scanned well and the listing is incomplete. (See images for sample.)

He passed away in 1973. His obituary appeared in the Newmarket Era on March 14, 1973. It states:

Graves - Walter, at York County Hospital, Walter Graves, Wed. March 7, 1973, in his 86th year; husband of the late Rosa Brown; father of Merlin (Bancroft); Glaister and Helen (Mrs. Bert Leadbetter), Newmarket; Hary, Richvale; Robert, Willowdale; and the late Delbert Graves; also survived by 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Funeral service was held at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, Friday, 3:30 p.m. Interment Pine Orchard Cemetery.

Burial Pine Orchard Friend's Cemetery, Whitchurch, York, ON

Sources

"Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM83-Y8Q : 8 August 2017), Walter Graves, 17 May 1887; citing Birth, North Gwillimbury Township, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,888.

"Canada Census, 1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWGR-FW7 : 3 August 2016), Walter Graves, Gwillimbury East and Snake Island, York North, Ontario, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148182.

"Canada Census, 1901," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHP9-1V1 : 9 December 2020), Walter Graves in household of Robert Graves, York (north/nord), Ontario, Canada; citing p. 4, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

"Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27X6-K1B : 16 March 2018), Walter Graves in entry for Robert Graves, 1911; citing Census, York North Sub-Districts 1-13, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,535.

"Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27ZY-5HH : 12 March 2018), Walter Graves and Rosa Emma Brown, 20 May 1913; citing registration , Newmarket, York, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,976,462.

“Two Men Nearly Killed: Robert Graves.” Newmarket Era, Newmarket Public Library, 30 Sept. 1910, http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/NewPL/NewPL002425552p0007f.pdf.

County of York (Ontario) directory, bi-yearly edition 1935-36, towns, villages, rural districts alphabetical, corrected to October, 1935. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2018, from https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-31385043913464D&R=DC-31385043913464D

Union Publishing Company's Farmers and Business Directory For The Counties Of Halliburton, Ontario, Peterborough, Victoria and York 1911, Vol. XVI. Union Publishing Company, 1911.

"Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27X6-K1B : 16 March 2018), Walter Graves in entry for Robert Graves, 1911; citing Census, York North Sub-Districts 1-13, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,535.

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLG-D6K9 : 13 December 2015), Walter Graves, 1973; Burial, Whitchurch-Stouffville, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Pine Orchard Friend's Cemetery; citing record ID 103657807, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861 ), 10 Dec 1897, p. 5: School Reports.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2407258/page/5. Whitchurch-East Gwillimbury, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861 ), 11 Jun 1897, p. 5: School Reports.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2407231/page/5.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861 ), 6 Jun 1913, p. 3: Cedar Valley - Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Graves Honor Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425705/page/3. Cedar Valley, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 12 Mar 1897, p. 5: School Reports.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2407218/page/5.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 31 May 1907, p. 6: Mount Albert Branch - Keswick - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425375/page/6. Keswick, Georgina Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 7 Oct 1910, p. 3: Cedar Valley - Mr. Graves Silo.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425553/page/3?n=524. Cedar Valley, York County, Ontario, Canada.

Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), February 14, 1935, p. 6. (n.d.). https://news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/115367/page/7?n=

“The Era (Newmarket, Ontario), 21 Feb 1968, p. 18: Auction Sale - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2436097/page/18?q=Graves&docid=OOI.2436097. Newmarket, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 17 Aug 1928, p. 7: East Gwillimbury Council - Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426611/page/7?q=Graves&docid=OOI.2426611. East Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 7 Jan 1921, p. 2: Births - Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426236/page/1249437?q=(Graves). York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 21 Aug 1925, p. 6: East Gwillimbury Council - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426455/page/1251505?q=(Graves).

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 19 Jun 1925, p. 6: East Gwillimbury Council - Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426446/page/1251424?q=(Graves). East Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 3 Jan 1919, p. 2: Our Society Column - Mrs. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426184/page/1248945?q=(Graves). York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 20 May 1927, p. 6: East Gwillimbury Council - Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426546/page/1252328?q=(Graves). East Gwillimbury Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 4 Mar 1898, p. 8: School Reports - Minnie, Walter and Lily Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2407271/page/1223365?q=(Graves). Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

Library and Archives Canada. (2023f, June 1). 1931 Census. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/index1931?DataSource=Genealogy%7CCensus1931&ProvinceCode=ON&DistrictCode=2036&SubDistrictCode=48617&

“Newmarket Era and Express (Newmarket, ON), 8 Jan 1953, p. 3: John E. Maloney Obituary - Walter Graves Pallbearer.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2428935/page/1258602?q=(Graves). Pine Orchard, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“The Era (Newmarket, Ontario), 14 Mar 1973, p. 21:Obituary Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2436381/page/1285052?q=(Graves). Newmarket, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era and Express (Newmarket, ON), 29 Sep 1955, p. 6: Newmarket Social News - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2429077/page/1260763?q=(Graves). Newmarket, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 13 Feb 1914, p. 3: Gorham Street News - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425927/page/1246644?q=(Graves).

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 2 Oct 1903, p. 6: Franklin - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425143/page/1241439?q=(Graves).

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 10 Aug 1917, p. 3: Whitchurch Council - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426109/page/3?n=1698. Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 25 Jan 1918, p. 3: Hartman - Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2426135/page/1248503?q=(Graves).

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 4 Jun 1915, p. 3: Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425995/page/3?n=1781.

“Newmarket Era (Newmarket, ON1861), 30 May 1913, p. 2: At the Altar - Mr. Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, Newmarket Public Library, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2425704/page/1246035?q=(Graves). Toronto, York County, Ontario, Canada.

“Newmarket Era and Express (Newmarket, ON), 11 Feb 1954, p. 12: District Residents Assist Burned Out Family - Walter Graves.” Search: Ontario Community News, news.ourontario.ca/newmarket/2428992/page/1259456?q=(Graves). Holland Landing, York County, Ontario, Canada.