High tribute paid late ex-reeve on his death

One of the leading men of the town of Grimsby, Henry Herbert Marsh, died at the Hamilton General Hospital on Friday morning, Jan. 27, 1922, in his 54th year. Mr.Marsh had been suffering for some time previous to going to the hospital, but fought it out until after the election campaign. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, he underwent two major operations and again on Saturday, Jan 21, three more were performed. From these he seemed to rally for a time, but on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 25, it was found necessary to put him on the operating table for the third time. From this his condition improved sufficiently for hopes to be held out for a speedy recovery, but late on Thursday he began to sink, and died at 9:10 on Friday morning. Mr. Marsh was born at Winona on March 25, 1868, the eldest son of Daniel Marsh, a native of England and Margaret Boreland. After leaving school he worked for many years in his father's planing mill at Grimsby Park (now Grimsby East) and also assisted in the construction of many of the numerous buildings put up by his father. He spent a few years in Chicago and Hamilton to broaden his knowledge of the building and contracting business, with some of the big fellows and learned much that served to good purpose in building operations here in later years. Many of the buildings of the town and district bear his imprint; one of his latest successes being the arena artificial ice rink. Everyone knew Henry Marsh. A man of commanding appearance, genial disposition, a ready helper, a good story teller, he took with all. His enemies were few, but his political opponents, though many, were never so many as to overrule good judgement. Several times Mr. Marsh was defeated for a seat on the council, but each defeat only added to his prestige for those who had opposed him came to see his way and he was repeatedly elected. Out of the past 19 years he had sat 12 years at the council board, the last year as reeve, the highest gift of the village at that time. He was in a great measure responsible for the erection of Grimsby to the status of a town...Mr. Marsh was a member of the C.O.F., a charter member and past N.G. of Grimsby Lodge No. 369, I.O.O.F., for the last 7 years was treasurer of the lodge, was re-elected at the last meeting, and was a past D.D.G.M. of Hamilton district No. 23. He was also prominent in the Masonic Lodge, being a member of the Union Lodge, A.F. & A.M. No. 7, an officer of Grimsby Chapter R.A.M., member of Murton Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite, and a member of the Hindoo Koosh Grotto, and L.O.L. of Grimsby. Mr. Marsh was a member of the Grimsby Methodist Church and in politics was a Conservative. Left to mourn his death are his widow, one son, Dayton and three daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Shepherd, Mrs. Claude Tufford, both of Beamsville, and Mrs. J. Herbert Forman of Grimsby; his father, Daniel Marsh, of Grimsby, and four brothers, Albert and Frederick of Grimsby; William of Iowa Falls, Iowa; and D.W. of Fort Myers, Florida; four sisters, Mrs. L. Corman, Misses Flora and Cora of Grimsby, and Miss Minnie of Toronto. The funeral, which was an extremely large one, took place on Sunday, Jan. 29 to Queen's Lawn Cemetery. The Masons conducted the funeral and there were some 150 members attending. The Town Council, the I.O.O.F., over 200 strong, and the L.O.L. marched, and hundreds of friends were in the cortege. The Rev. Dr. Irwin, assisted by the Rev. L.H. Currie conducted the church services. The pallbearers were Mayor C.T. Farrell, representing the town officials; Reeve William Mitchell of North Grimsby for the County Council; Arthur Hewson, George E. Miller, W.L. Haist, W.E. Drury, each being associates of the deceased in lodge or business; Warden Welstead and County Councillors Richardson of Merritton, and Gregory of Louth, marched with the town council.