52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 8 - Prosperity

Week 8 - Prosperity - A Life well lived: George W. McLaren

For many generations, caring for the dead was a ritual performed in the home, usually by the women of the family. The deceased person was cleaned, dressed and laid out, often in the parlour or bedroom. One of the reasons for the delay between the time of death and burial may have been the rather gruesome requirement to see signs of decay. There was always a fear of being buried alive so the delay would ensure the person was indeed deceased rather than just in a coma or unconscious. Normally there would be someone sitting with the body for the days it was available for viewing... just in case. Can you imagine waking up alone in a dark room lying in a casket? The shock might really kill you! There were, of course, religious, traditions related to wakes or vigils as well.

If the family had the skills, they would build the deceased a coffin themselves but if not, they would commission a local carpenter or cabinet maker to do so. These men also often agree to "undertake" the job of transporting the deceased to the burial site. Other services they may have offered included providing mourning clothes and pallbearers. This is the origin of the word Undertaker.

Funeral carriage outside McLaren's on Faulkland Street

One such man was my maternal great grandfather, George William McLaren. He was born June 10, 1836, the 8th of 12 children born to William McLaren and Mary Wilson. William and Mary immigrated from Lanark, Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia between 1826 and 1830. Like his father, George made his living working with wood. The Teare's Directory Of Pictou And New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, 1879-80 shows him as a cabinet maker living on Faulkland Street in Pictou. By 1896, he is formally listed in McAlpine's Nova Scotia Directory as both a cabinet maker and undertaker.

George and Ann McLaren

 

On August 11, 1859, in Pictou, George married Margaret Ann "Ann" Marshall, daughter of James Marshall and Mary MacLean. Together they had 14 children and were married for 62 years. The following notice was published in the Pictou Advocate on August 8, 1919

On Monday, August 11th, Mr. and Mrs. George MacLaren celebrate the 60th anniversary of their marriage, the pearl wedding as it is sometimes called. Mr. and Mrs. MacLaren were married on August 11, 1859, by the Rev. Dr. Bayne, of Prince Street Church. Mrs. MacLaren before her marriage was Miss Margaret Marshall, a daughter of the late James Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. MacLaren had 14 children, ten of who are now living: Mrs. Benjamin Percival, Providence; William H., River John; Mrs. Capt. John MacKenzie, New York; Mrs. A. M. Tormey, Providence; Edward, Mrs. Lorrie Campbell, Mrs. Howard McDonald, Allan, Bert, and Harry, Pictou. Mr. MacLaren is the oldest furniture dealer and funeral director in Nova Scotia, having been in business 60 years, and is still active and a keen worker at the bench.

Over the years, George continued to run the funeral home attached to his residence on Falkland Street as well as a furniture store in downtown Pictou. It is not clear when he started offering embalming as part of his services. As evidenced by his obituary below, published in the Pictou Advocate, he was an active and well-regarded member of his community.

George McLaren & Sons Furniture Store,
Pictou Nova Scotia Circa

PICTOU, Oct. 17 (1923)-- Pictou's oldest resident died today when George McLaren succumbed to pneumonia after a week's illness at his home on Faulkland street. A life long resident, Mr. McLaren was born 88 years ago last June, and for over 60 years conducted an undertaking business. He was also the proprietor of a furniture store and was prominent in civic affairs of the town. Mr. McLaren was well and favorably known throughout the town and province, and his sterling qualities of manhood made him a personage who inspired great respect throughout the community. Despite his advanced age, he was active in business until a week ago. Death came only after the unusual vitality of the man had spent itself, and was the signal for general mourning.
 
Mr. McLaren is survived by five sons, William H., a commercial traveller of River John, Edward M. and George B. connected with their father in business, Allan and Harry at home, and five daughters, Mrs Benjamin Percival, of Providence, R.I., Mrs. J. W. McKenzie of Brooklyn, N. Y., Mrs. Laurie McCullion, and Mrs. Howard McDonald of Pictou; Mrs. Gus Tormey, of Detroit. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. J. D. McDonald, mother of Hon. E. M. McDonald, Minister of Militia and Defence. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

The Funeral home remained in the McLaren family until the late 60s or early 70s. While it has changed hands, the business still operates as the McLaren Funeral Home over a century since it was created by George McLaren.

The prompt for this week's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks was prosperity which one equates to monetary success and wealth. While George appeared to do well financially, I would like to think his success also came from a life well-lived.

Special thanks to my 2nd cousin Murray McLaren for the images.