John Ernest Stilwell

Brother

(died January 1957, aged 91)

Garfield Lodge, No. 95, Nebraska;Temple Lodge, No. 33

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Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother John Ernest Stilwell taken from Temple Lodge, No. 33 records and from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“....Aplication [sic] from J. Earnest Stillwell of Garfield Lodge, No. 95, O'Neill, Nebraska for affiliation was received. The W.M. appointed Bro. J. Maitland-Dougall, Jas. Evans & J. Campbell investigating committee..."

Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, Regular Meeting of 14 January 1905

"....Investigating committee for Bro. Stillwell reported favourable on motion the committee was discharged and he was ballotted for and on examination was found clear and Bro. J E Stillwell was duly elected member of the Lodge....."

Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, Regular Meeting of 11 February 1905

“Stilwell – Mr. John Ernest Stilwell, an old-time resident of this district, died in the Veteran’s Hospital, Victoria, on Saturday.
Born in Dover, Kent, England, 91 years ago, he came directly to Duncan from England in 1903 and resided here until three years ago.

[Note: Brother Stilwell apparently did not come directly to Duncan from England. He spent enough time in O'Neill, Nebraska to become a member of Garfield Lodge, No. 95 in Nebraska prior to affiliating with Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1905.]

Until his retirement 22 years ago he had been employed in the government office.

He served during the First World War in the Canadian Forestry Corps and was in France from 1917-18. He was a member of the Duncan Branch Canadian Legion since 1926 and a member of the Great War Veterans before that. He was past president of both groups.

He was predeceased by his wife, Sarah, in 1934, surviving are his daughter, Mrs. L.H. Garnett, Comox; three sons, Bernard and Egerton, Vancouver, and Gerald, Seattle. A sister in England and two grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Quamichan under the auspices of Temple Lodge 33, A.F. & A.M., with the Rev. John Low officiating. Interment took place in the family plot in the churchyard cemetery.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 24 January 1957

At present we do not know a lot about Brother John Earnest Stillwell.

Temple Lodge, No.33 records show that Brother J. Earnest Stillwell, (his age and occupation were not recorded in Temple Lodge records) of Garfield Lodge, No. 95, O'Neill, Nebraska, made a Petition for Affiiation which was received at the Regular Lodge meeting of 14 January 1905 and the following Investigating Committee appointed: Bros. James Maitland-Dougall, James McLeod Campbell and James Evans.

His application was put to a balloted at the Regular Meeting of Temple Lodge, No. 33 on 5 February 1905 and he was duly elected a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 by Affiliation.

He demitted from Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1924 and rejoined the Lodge in 1930.

He was also a Past President of the Canadian Legion, Duncan Branch.

Here is the information we have uncovered so far about Brother J. Earnest Stillwell. We will post more information on Brother Stillwell as we discover it.