Family of John Herbert Uttley and Katherine Diane Ellis Near

The Children of John Herbert & Katherine Uttley Back Row: John Albert, Herbert Valores, William Gordon; Front Row: Mary Elizabeth, James Wallace, Samuel Gladstone Missing: Norman Edwin Uttley

John Herbert Uttley - 1867-1939
Katherine Diane Ellis Near - 1871-1949

John Herbert Uttley & Katherine Near Wedding Picture

John Herbert Uttley was born Jan 16, 1867 at Elmira, Waterloo Co, Upper Canada and he died Oct 21, 1939 at Stettler, Alberta. He married Katherine Diane Ellis Near on September 23, 1891 at Preston, Waterloo Co, Ontario. One of their witnesses was Mary Utley. Katherine was the daughter of John Ellis Near and Elizabeth Jane Monaghan. She was born November 14, 1871 at Fergus, Wellington Co, Ontario and died February 13, 1949.

The Ontario Marriage Archive of 1891, #012-178, recorded the details:

     Groom:     John Herbert Uttley
     Age:       24
     Residence: Doon
     Born:      Elmira
                bachelor
     Occ:       Laborer
     Parents:   Samuel and Mary Uttley
     Religion:  Christadelphian

     Bride:     C. Diana E. Near
     Age:       19
     Residence: Doon
     Born:      Garafraxa Tp
                spinster
     Parents:   John and Elizabeth Near
     Religion:  Methodist

     Witness:   Richard Holden and
                Mary Uttley, both of Doon
     Date:      Sept 23rd 1891 at Preston

John and Katherine had seven children: John Albert, William Gordon, Mary Elizabeth, Samuel Gladstone, Herbert Valores, James Wallace and Norman Edwin. They lived in Doon, Waterloo Co, Ontario at first and then moved to NW1/4 22-2-14E1, Roblin Municipality, Manitoba. In March, 1906, they moved to Alberta where John purchased Louden Ranch where Norman was born. They lived there for six years. They then moved east of Big Valley. The Jake’s Butte school district was formed on August 25, 1913. John Herbert Uttley was a member of the first school board. They lived on the farm until 1939. The Uttley home was used as a stopping place for people travelling to and from Stettler. People would spend the night there. Kate Uttley and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, returned to Elmira for a visit in the early part of 1914. They visited with her aunt, Jane (Taylor) Christman while they were there. John H. and Katherine Uttley returned to Ontario to visit relatives in the summer of 1919. Kate Uttley moved to Big Valley after her husband’s death and lived there until her death in 1949.

Obituary of John Herbert Uttley

Big Valley district lost one of its most respected pioneers when the death of John Herbert Uttley occurred at the Stettler Hospital on October 21st (1939) at the age of 72 years. Mr. Uttley was born at Elmira, Ontario, January 16, 1867. After coming west in March 1906, he and his family lived for a short time at Louden Lake, then moved to a farm near Big Valley, where they have resided ever since. Although Mr. Uttley had been ill all summer, his death came as a shock to everyone. He is mourned by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. John Walters of Big Valley, and five sons, Samuel of Calgary, Herbert of St. Mary, Idaho, James of Portland, Oregon and Norman and Bert of Big Valley. The funeral took place from the Stettler Funeral Home on October 24th with the Rev. Mr. Montgomery in charge of the service. The late Mr. Uttley was a true pioneer and in the early days his home at Louden Lake was opened to all new settlers and his information and advice was the disposal of all. For 33 years, he had been a highly esteemed farmer in the Big Valley district and his death is a loss to the whole community.

The Uttley Home by Big Valley, Alberta

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Most recent revision October 2007