The Children of William Henry Uttley and Catherine Debus

Birth

Joseph P. Uttley was the first child of William Henry Uttley and Catherine Debus. The birth was not recorded at the time but the 1901 census gives the date as December 22, 1883 and the place would have been Zurich.

The date and place are confirmed by a delayed birth registration for Philip Joseph Uttley made on October 27, 1932 with his mother as the witness.

Marriage

Joseph married Maude Hulley, a daughter of Job Hulley and Jane Stompf, on January 27, 1916 in Stratford, Ontario. They were living in Sebringville at the time. The details are given in the Ontario Vital Statistics for 1916, #018-249.

The couple had two daughters, Geraldine and Eileen who were born in St Marys, Ontario. A son, Reginald who was born in 1926 and died a year later in Seaforth, is buried beside his parents.

Death

Joseph and Maude are buried in the Maitlandbank Methodist Cemetery (section B) in Seaforth, McKillop Township, Huron County.

JOSEPH P. UTTLEY 1883 -- 1961 HIS BELOVED WIFE MAUDE HULLEY 1893-1983 AT REST Maitlandbank Methodist Cemetery, Seaforth

Birth Frank Uttley was born July 26, 1885. There is no record of the birth in the Ontario Vital Statistics and the date comes from the 1901 census. The place of birth would have been in Zurich. Frank served overseas in the Canadian army during World War I. When he came home after the war he received a military pension. This, along with being a bachelor, made him somewhat independent. He worked as a painter and wallpaper hanger, but only when it pleased him. Frank built a small house on a lot on Mary Street in Zurich and called it 'Parliament Hill'. One of his favourite pieces of advice was "Remember to use your head for more than just a hat rack".

Frank Uttley -- 1885-1959

Frank Uttley at 'Parliament Hill' on Mary Street, Zurich

Death Frank died on Tuesday, June 30, 1959 at his home in Zurich. The Zurich Citizens News printed his obituary the next day on page 1:

Frank Uttley Dies Suddenly     Frank Uttley, well-known Zurich resident, died suddenly at his home in Zurich on Tuesday, June 20. He was in his 74th year.     Born in Zurich on July 26, 1885, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Uttley, he served overseas during World War I. Mr. Uttley was a painter and paper hanger for many years in the village.     Body resting at the Westlake funeral home until Thursday morning, July 2, when service will be held in St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, and interment in the adjoining cemetery. Father C. A. Doyle will officiate.     Surviving are two brothers, Joseph, Paris; Herbert, Zurich; four sisters, Alma, Mrs. William Witmer, Zurich; Erma, Mrs. Joseph Wild, Dashwood; Miss Lucy Uttley, Toronto; and Minnie, Mrs. Clarence Wild, Crediton.

Birth

Mary Elizabeth Uttley was born May 1, 1887 according to the 1901 census. The birth was not registered and the place would have been Zurich, Ontario.

Marriage

Mary and William J Hildebrand were married on July 3, 1907 in Zurich. The Zurich Herald mentioned the event on July 12, page 1. The details come from the Ontario Vital Statistics of 1907, #011-513:

   Groom:        Hildebrand, William J
   Age:          25 years
   Residence:    London, Ont
   Born:         Huron Co[unty]
                 bachelor
   Occupation:   Boiler Maker
   Religion:     Roman Catholic
   Father:       John Hildebrand
   Mother:       Cresentia Meidinger

   Bride:        Mary Uttley
   Age:          20 years
   Residence:    Zurich
   Born:         Huron Co[unty]
                 spinster
   Religion:     Lutheran
   Father:       Wm. Uttley
   Mother:       Catherine Debus

   Witness:      Joseph Uttley, Zurich
                 Mary Miller, Hay Tp
   Date:         July 3, 1907, Zurich
   By:           Rev. A. Stroeder

Nothing more is known about where they lived or about any children.

When her father died in 1932, Mary was listed as "Mrs. Birk of Mitchell" and when her mother died in 1939 she was named as "Mrs. Mary Burke of Toronto". Nothing is currently known about this second marriage to this Birk/Burke.

Deaths

There is no information on the death of Mary or her husbands, except that she may have died from cancer.

Family of Herbert James Uttley and Bertha May Pfile

Birth

Herbert James Uttley was born November 9, 1889, from information in the 1901 census. The birth was not registered and the place would have been Zurich, Ontario.

Bertha May Pfile and brothers: Clayton, Lorne and Herb

Bertha May Pfile was born in 1893, the daughter of Henry Pfile and Susanna Geiger. The census of 1901 gives the date of birth as October 9, 1892. The Ontario Vital Statistics index contains a birth on Oct 8, 1893 in Hay Township with a surname of "PHILE" and no given name. The birth form does not have the baby's name filled in, but it was a daughter and the parents are George H. Pfile and Susan Geiger (#014-188). This is without doubt Bertha May.

Marriage

In about 1909, Herb worked for George Henry Pfile as a hired hand on their farm on Concession. "He married the farmer's daughter," as the saying goes. Herbert and Bertha were married in Exeter, Ontario on December 7, 1910. The details come from the Ontario Vital Statistics of 1910, #012-532:

   Groom:        Uttley, Herbert James
   Profession:   Engineer
                 bachelor
   Age:          22 years
   Religion:     Methodist
   Residence:    Zurich, Ont
   Father:       William Uttley, Engineer
   Mother:       Catharine Dabus

   Bride:        Pfile, Bertha May
                 spinster
   Age:          18 years
   Religion:     Methodist
   Residence:    Township of Hay
   Father:       Henry Pfile, Farmer
   Mother:       Susanna Geiger

   Date:         7 December 1910
   Place:        Esceter, Huron Co
   Witness:      E D Hobbs, Esceter
                 A D Hobbs, Esceter
   Registered:   9th December 1910
   By:           Rev. Richard Hobbs, Esceter

The couple moved to Berlin where Herbert worked at the Dare Biscuit factory as a stationary engineer. In 1912 they moved back to Zurich and for the next several years, Herb was employed at Jeffrey's brickyard. Later, he worked for the Heideman Flax Mill and after World War I, at the Fred C. Kalbfleisch Planing Mill in Zurich.

Herbert J. Uttley with a team of horses, at Jeffrey's Brickyard in Zurich.

Herbert J. Uttley (Front and centre), at the Tile and Brick Yard in Zurich.

Herb Uttley was the stationary engineer who looked after the boiler and engine at the Kalbfleisch Planing Mill to process flax, saw logs and make cider. For many years, Zurich residents were awakened in the morning by the sound of the steam whistle at the mill.

Deaths Herbert died September 6, 1961 of cancer. Bertha died afterward in 1968. They are buried at the Emmanuel Evangelical United Brethren cemetery in Zurich.

L-R: Herbert J. Uttley, Jill Uttley, Judy Uttley, Cecil George Uttley. (Photo about 1952)

----- Obituary Herbert J. Uttley     Herbert James Uttley, a lifelong resident of Zurich, passed away in South Huron Hospital, Exeter, on Thursday, September 7, in his 73rd year.     Born in Zurich on November 9, 1889, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Uttley. Mr. Uttley was occupied for most of his life as the engineer at the F. C. Kalbfleisch and Son Planing mills.     Surviving besides his wife, the former Bertha Pfile, are three sons, Cecil and Ross, both of London; and Myles, of Ottawa; four daughters, Mrs. M. (Goldie) Gilmore, Dundas; Mrs. H. (Hazel) McEwan, Hensall; Mrs. E. (Edith) Stroder, Toronto; and Mrs. J. (Pauline) Mundy, Byron; also four sisters, Mrs. Lucy Wright, Toronto; Mrs. Erma Wild, Dashwood; Mrs. Minnie Wild, Crediton; and Mrs. William Witner, Zurich. There are also 11 grandchildren. One brother, Frank, pre-deceased him.     The body rested at the Westlake funeral home, Zurich, until Saturday, September 9, where the funeral service was conducted by Rev. A. M. Amacher. Interment was made in the Evangelical U.B. Cemetery.     Pallbearers were: Ivan Kalgfleisch[sic], Edward Datars, Menno Oesch, Robert Williams, Joseph Kenda and Don Hesse.

HERBERT J. UTTLEY 1889 -- 1961 HIS WIFE BERTHA MAY PFILE 1893 -- 1968 Emmanuel Evangelical United Brethren, Zurich

Birth

Lucy Matilda Uttley was born in Zurich on August 18, 1893. She was named for her paternal grandmother, Lucinda Randall. The date comes from the 1901 census and from a Delayed Birth Registration for 1893, #502-627.

Marriage

Lucy married more than once. Her first marriage was to Albert Ross of which we know nothing more. When she died, she was married to a man named Wright, but again nothing more is known.

Death

Lucy died of cancer in Toronto in 1961. There was a death notice in the Toronto Star at the time which would be a place to look for more information.

Birth

Erma Elizabeth Uttley was born in Zurich, Hay Twp on September 16, 1896. This was the child of William Henry Uttley and Catherine Debus to be registered at the time of birth, #015-325:

     Name:        Emmy Elizabeth [Utley]
     Sex:         Female
     Date:        Sept 16th, 1896
     Father:      William Utley
     Occupation:  Fireman
     Mother:      Catharine Dabus
     Informant:   Rev. H.J. Valentin,
                  Zurich, Ont
     Registered:  Oct 2nd 1896

Marriage

Erma married Joseph Wilds son of Marcus Wilds and Mary Ann Miller on May 9, 1917 in Zurich, Ont. The couple had seven children, six of their own and one adoption.

Seated L-R: Erma Wilds nee Uttley and Joseph Wilds Standing L-R: children Patrick, Robert, Henry, Norma, Dorothy and Katherine (daughter Nancy is missing) on the day Henry got married in 1946.

Death Joseph died in 1953 and Erma, thirty years afterward in 1983. They are buried at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery in Stephen Twp, Huron County.

WILDS JOSEPH WILDS 1886 -- 1953 HIS WIFE ERMA UTTLEY 1896-1983 Rest In Peace Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Stephen Twp

Births

Alma Veronica Uttley was born on November 9, 1901 in Zurich Ontario. The date is confirmed with a birth announcement in the Zurich Herald on November 15, 1901 and a week later in the Exeter Advocate on November 21. The birth was registered and can be found in the 1901 Vital Statistics, #018-379. The date here of November 19 must have been a transcription error.

William George Witmer, son of David and Louisa Witmer, was born on September 2, 1900 in Hay Township. His birth was recorded in the Vital Statistics of 1900, #018-109.

Marriage

The couple were married in the 1940s and resided in the same home as her parents on Mary Street in Zurich. They had one daughter, Mary Lou, who later married a man named Foley.

It was common for Alma to offer visitors a piece of apple pie, even if it was early in the day. If you refused she would say "You are not a real Uttley if you cannot eat pie for breakfast."

Deaths

From their headstone at St Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery in Zurich we know that William died in 1981 and Alma died nine years later. The obituary for Alma was printed in the Exeter Times Advocate on October 10, 1990:

Deaths

WITMER -- At The Bluewater Rest Home, Zurich, on Monday, October 1, 1990, Mrs. Alma Veronica (Uttley) Witmer, formerly of Mary St. and Spruce Villa Apartments, Zurich, in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late William George Witmer (1981); dear mother of Mary Lou and her husband Roger Foley of London; dear sister of Mrs. Mina Doake of Exeter. Mrs. Witmer is prececeased by 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Also surviving are 2 grandchildren. Visitation was held Wednesday 2-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in the Zurich Chapel of Michael P. O'Connor Funeral Homes, 49 Goshen Street North, until Thursday, October 4, thence to St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph where celebration of the Funeral Mass was conducted at 11 a.m. with Father Peter Hayes Celebrant. Interment in St. Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery, Zurich. As expressions of sympathy donations to the charity of one's choice would be appreciated by the family.

WITMER William G. 1900-1981 HIS WIFE ALMA V. UTTLEY 1901 -- 1990 St Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery, Zurich

Birth

Mina Margaret Uttley was born April 10, 1904 in Zurich. The date is found in the Ontario Vital Statistics of 1904, #020-123:

     Name:       Uttley, Mina Margaret
     Sex:        Female
     Born:       Apr 10, 1904
     Father:     Wm Uttley
     Occupation: Engineer, Zurich
     Mother:     Catharine Debus
     Physician:  Dr. Campbell
     Registered: Rev. Acc Tonnes
                 Apr 25, 1904

Marriage

Minnie first married Clarence Wilds. Clarence Wilds was a younger brother of Joseph Wilds who married Minnie's older sister Erma.

In Memory Of CLARENCE WILDS 1903 -- 1959 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Stephen Twp

Minnie was married again to Robert E. (Abe) Doak. No more details are known at this time.

Death

Mina died in December 1994. Nothing more is known.

The names "Mina (Wilds) Doak" and "Robert E. (Abe) Doak" appear on headstones at the Maitland Cemetery in Goderich (Section E):

DOAK In loving memory Robert E. (Abe) 1916-1987 his wife Mina Wilds 1904-1994 Maitland Cemetery, Goderich Twp Picture to be added...

Birth

Flora Catherine Uttley was born in Zurich on October 26, 1905. The Ontario Vital Statistics for 1905 record the event, #020-728,

Death

Flora had polio at some time in her life and never married. She died at age 32 on Sunday February 6, 1938 in Zurich.

Obituary Late Flora Uttley     Death came as a great relief to the suffering body of Miss Flaro[sic] Uttley, daughter of Mrs. Wm. Uttley and the late William Uttley, of Zurich on Sunday who passed on at the age of 30 years, 3 months and 11 days. Deceased has been in a rather crippled condition for the last twenty years, going about with the aid of crutches, being of an arthritis condition, and the past few months she has not been enjoying her usual good health. Always of a mild and cheerful disposition, Flora had made many friends who will indeed miss her. Her mother, three sisters and three brothers survive. The funeral was held on Tuesday morning to the St. Boniface church for service and the cemetery for interment. Rev. Father L. W. Power officiating.

• Edith (nee Uttley) Strader, Flora's niece, recalls that Flora was buried in the Zurich Catholic cemetery at St Boniface church, a fact born out in the obituary.
• Flora was exactly two years older than the 30 years, 3 months and 11 days given in this piece.

Birth

Nola May Uttley was born in Zurich on July 8, 1909. This information comes from her death record just over one year later.

Death

Nola died as an infant on July 23, 1910 in Zurich, Ontario. The Ontario Vital Statistics for 1910, #014-941, has the information:

     Name:       Uttley, Nola May
     Sex:        Female, white
     Died:       July 23, 1910
     Date born:  July 8, 1909
     Age:        1 yr 15 days
     Place born: Zurich
     Father:       William Uttley
     Father born:  Ontario
     Mother:       Catharine Debus
     Mother born:  Hay
     Doctor:     Dr. B. Campbell
     Cause:      Asthenia, 6 mo
     Immediate:  Gastro-Enteritis,
                 7 days

Edith (nee Uttley) Strader, Nola's niece, recalls that Nola was buried in the Zurich Catholic cemetery at St Boniface church.

Milford Uttley, born Oct 20, 1911, was the last child of William Henry Uttley and Catherine Debus. Milford, like all the children, was born in Zurich, Ontario.

He did marry to a woman named 'Mary', but she may have been "Maruscka", born in Russia. There were no children in the marriage.

Milford died in age 31 at Toronto Western Hospital on August 27, 1942. He was working as a millwright and died from Hepatitis. Burial was at the Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery in Toronto two days later.

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Most recent revision October 2018