THE LATE ROBERT LEITCH
Renfrew Mercury July 5, 1912
One of the best known residents of Horton, and one of the tender-hearted of men, was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon with the honors of the Masonic Order, of which he had been for so long a member. For the past few years, Robert Leitch had been noticeably failing in health and a runaway accident some time ago contributed to his breakdown. Having no family, he was cared for at different times in Victoria Hospital, and when, about a month ago he found himself seriously affected, he again sought the kindly and skillful care of the nurses there; and there the end came on Thursday morning,
The body was removed to his home in Horton, where funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon; Rev. A D Cornett and Rev. D. H. Barr conducted the Masonic services both at the house and grave over the remains of one who, with one exception, was the oldest and longest connected with the Renfrew Masonic Lodge. Mr. Leitch having been forty-eight years a Mason; while Peter McLean of Sand Point is nearing the half century as a member of No. 122.
Robert Leitch was the youngest son of the late Archibald Leitch, and was born in Rutherglen, Scotland (a royal borough near Glasgow); and in 1849 when seven years of age came to Canada. The family settled on the farm in Horton, which was ever afterwards Robert’s home, and which by the death of his father four years later, he was left to manage with the mother when at the tender age of 11 years. There were hard times for the pioneers of the district but by industry and care prosperity came to them. Mr. Leitch was not only a Mason but was a loyal Son of Temperance. Possessed of a good voice and kindly way he was often pressed into service as a singer at fraternal gatherings; and his rendering of the old ballads was a pleasure to his friends on into the years when voice and memory would sometimes fail him. His sincerity as a temperance advocate and his likeability as a man led to his being chosen as an independent temperance candidate for the legislature in a contest some twenty-five years ago. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in the prime of life one of the most active members of the Curling Club. He was in his 80th year.