THE STANSTEAD JOURNAL, 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1944

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TIMOTHY BYRON RIDER

                Before giving the biography of Timothy Byron Rider, we will take a brief glimpse at the ancestors whose records were found in the Congressional Library at Washington, D.C.  From the New England Historical and Genealogical Registers, we quote the following:

“Lieutenant Samuel Rider was the progenitor of the Rider family.  Born 1601, and died 1679, at Yarmouth, Massachusetts.  Samuel, the common ancestor was one of the Puritans, a zealous church member, a man who lived up to his professions, and was a very reputable citizen.”

                “In 1652, Lieutenant Rider and Captain John Gorham were the deputies of Yarmouth to the Old Colony Court.  In 1675, Lieutenant Samuel Rider was one of the assessors of Yarmouth.  In 1677 and 1679, he was one of the rate makers, facts that show he was considered a man of sound judgment.”

                “He served on a jury in Yarmouth, 1641.  In 1643, October 10, he was one of a committee appointed to choose a place for a fort at Yarmouth, and fortify it against sudden assault.  Under date of June 6, 1649, he is mentioned as surveyor of highways at Yarmouth.”

                “June 5, 1671, he was appointed member of a committee to collect and pay the salary of the minister at Yarmouth.”

                “In examining the characteristics of the Riders, a uniformity in their condition and character, rarely found in the history of families, will be noticed.”

                “In the list of those who proposed to take up their freedom at Yarmouth, Massachusetts, occurs the name of Samuel Rider, and there is no doubt he came with the first company in the winter of 1638-39.  The date of his marriage and wife’s name is not known, but his fourth child, Samuel, was born at Yarmouth.  He married December 23, 1656, Sarah Mary, a daughter of Robert Bartlett, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, November 18, 1657, a son was born to them, named Samuel.”

                In looking through the records of the New England Historical and Genealogical Registers, the most popular given names in the Rider family were Samuel, Seth, John and Ezra.  The first John Rider was born in 1715, at Chatham, Massachusetts.

                To the third Samuel Rider was born in 1768, at Haverhill, New Hampshire, a son named Seth Bartlett Rider.  He married but his wife’s name is not known.  After her death, he married Mary Hibbard who was born at Haverhill, New Hampshire.  She died January, 16, 1860, at Lisbon, Kendall County, Illinois.  Her father was a Colonel in the Revolutionary Army; her husband, Seth Bartlett Rider, died in  1834, at Stanstead.  Among their children were these names: Sarah, Samuel, Hibbard, Lucy P, Susan and Ezra Bartlett, born June 10, 1798, at Haverhill, New Hampshire, died at Fitch Bay, Quebec, November 1, 1862.  This Ezra Bartlett Rider was a graduate of a New Hampshire University.  He was a skilled worker of wood, and owner of a sawmill, two miles north of the village of Fitch Bay.  He was an interested member of the Masonic Order, of the Golden Rule Lodge, was the worthy master of this Lodge in 1852.  He was one of the charter members of the Golden Rule Lodge on the Summit of Owls Head Mountain.

                It is assumed by records found that Ezra Bartlett Rider came to Canada in 1825, nearly 120 years ago; settle at first  in Hatley, but later moved to Fitch Bay, where he spent the remainder of his life, so he was truly one of the pioneers of Stanstead County.

                Ezra Bartlett Rider’s first wife was Fanny Chandler, born at Piermont, New Hampshire, March 3, 1801, died Fitch Bay, March 19, 1843; after her death, he married Dorothy Ann Lee, October 18, 1843, at Fitch Bay, she was born January 4, 1824, at Fitch Bay.  Eight children were born by first marriage, and about 1844 they all moved to Illinois and Kansas.  By second marriage, there were four children: Timothy Byron, born January 8, 1848; Hamilton Milford, born December 14, 1851, died September 23, 1887; Helen Desdemonie, born August 25, 1857; Clara Annette, Born May 4, 1863.

                Timothy Byron Rider was born at Fitch Bay, Quebec, January 8 1848, the oldest son of Ezra Bartlett Rider, and his second wife, Dorothy Ann Lee, who was a direct descendant of Robert e Lee, of Virginia fame, also of Jason Lee, the missionary.

                Timothy Byron Rider obtained his education at the rural public school, also the old Stanstead Academy, finishing his French course at St. Ocaire, Quebec, and always keeping his interest in this language of which he was a fluent speaker.

Helen Desdemonia Rider

                His father (Ezra Bartlett Rider) died when he was a lad of fourteen years, and, aside from time spent in school, he assisted in the sawmill, two miles north of the village, which, after his father’s death, was operated by his mother who was a woman of unusually great business ability and industry.

                Timothy Byron and younger brother Hamilton Milford were much interested in the work of the mill, and proved valuable help to their mother.  They remained at home to assist in the business until, at the age of twenty-one, each started out in life for himself.

                Shortly before these events, Timothy Byron Rider had met and fallen in love with Mary Shaw, who was a school teacher in a nearby district, and daughter of Jacob Shaw of Beebe Plain, who, when approached by your Timothy Byron Rider for the hand of his daughter: Said, if his daughter would choose to marry a man who could earn and save $1,000.00 before his marriage, he would present his daughter, with and equal sum.

                Timothy Byron, with his characteristic foresight, decided to try his fortune in the then far distant land of California, and obtained a position in a large mill establishment, sawing the big timbers for which that country was then famous.  In about one year, he was ready to return and made the trip, in the autumn of 1871, by boat, to the Isthmus of Panama which he crossed on mule back, the popular mode of travel across that section of country, continuing the remainder of the journey by boat to Boston and home by railway, or as near as that system of travel would bring him.

                The following events prove that, when he next presented himself to the lady of his choice, after fulfilling the required objection, he was accepted, as they were married November 30, 1871.  They lived in Magog where, for four years he was employed in the saw-mill.

                Four sons and one daughter were born of this marriage, namely: Burton Hamilton, Oral Kingsley, Lena Marillia, Ezra Byron, and Claude Percy.

Claude Percy Rider

                In 1873, he and his brother, Hamilton Rider, purchased  the general store at Fitch Bay, and began their mercantile life together, under the name of “T.B. & H. M. Rider.”  Their lives were so closely interwoven that it is difficult to write of one, without including the other.

                After improving the store property and making it one of the best of its kind, they bought  in 1878 the feed and sawmill in the village.  After purchasing and installing better equipment for grinding grains, they discovered that the wheat grown by the farmers at that time was of such inferior quality that they decided to introduce a superior grade of seed wheat, and sell it to the farmers.  This was accomplished, much to the satisfaction of both growers and millers.

The Home Of Timothy Byron Rider

                The sawmill was also thoroughly repaired, with good machinery installed, and made to supply, not only rough lumber, but shingles, clapboards, windows, and finished lumber, suitable for building.  This was also a great public service these young men made possible for their fellow citizens.

                About 1875, these two energetic brothers became interested, as were many people of that time, in the fad of developing perpetual motion by machinery, and with much careful study they invented a clever model designed to fulfill this startling mission.  The model which they built is in being at this time, showing much thought and skilled workmanship.  Needless to add, their scheme did not produce the expected results of the young would-be inventors, but no doubt they had real joy and visions in working out their ideas in this manner.

                Another clever bit of Timothy Byron Rider’s work – showing a creative genius – was a model made of wood and copied from the boat on Lake Memphremagog, name “The Lady of the Lake.”  This, it is said, received great admiration.

                After conducting business together for several years, these brothers thought best to separate it, Timothy Byron taking the store property, and Hamilton, the feed and sawmills.  Thus this store has been in the same family since 1873.

                From 1873, the swiftest and only communicating system available from Fitch Bay to Georgeville, Magog, Beebe, Sherbrooke, Montreal, Boston and New York, was telegraphy.  This public benefit was installed and operated at T.B. & H.M. Rider’s store.  This was indeed a great public service for the inhabitants of a rural community.

                Another sign of Timothy Byron Rider’s progressive spirit was when in 1892, being unable to secure telephone service in the country villages with the Bell Telephone Company, he organized his own telephone system, serving the people of the adjoining communities of Fitch Bay, Georgeville, Tomifobia, Apple Grove and Griffin, while at several points, connections were made with the Bell Telephone Company, thence obtaining for the citizens a wider scope of communication.

                Another activity of Timothy Byron Rider’s was that of inventing and building the Sunlight Gas Lighting system in the era between the common use of kerosene and electricity.  Many homes, stores and hotels, installed this system and it was in use until electricity became available in the rural districts.

                Much attention was also shown in the political situation of the country and at the general election in 1891, Timothy Byron Rider was requested to accept the nomination as a Liberal candidate for Stanstead County.  He consented and was elected to the Federal House of Parliament, being the first successful Liberal candidate of Stanstead County in 24 years.  In this capacity, he proved to be a man of sterling qualities, conducting himself in a manner which was an honor to his county. All appreciated the ability and devotion shown in this undertaking, by a splendid business gentleman and an honorable representative of Stanstead County.

                After his withdrawal from political life, in 1896, when he was an unsuccessful candidate, beside devoting time to mercantile work, he was still interested in the development of the country and continued to hold several public offices.  Was Justice of the Peace and in many matters of legal business assisted in the community, whenever there was a need.  Was Councilor for the Township of Stanstead for 24 years, Mayor for 20 consecutive years, taking his turn as Warden for the county, one year.  Was member A.F. and A.M Masonic Order, and was a regular attendant and supporter of the Congregational Church.

                He was one of the promoters of the Eastern Townships Telephone Company, and was for a time a director.

                He will always be remembered as a very courteous gentleman, with no bad habits, and out in the business world, he was held in high esteem by those with whom he came in contact.

                Truly, he was in every way one of the successful sons of Stanstead County.

               

                Among those who attended the meeting were:

                Miss Jessie M. Colby,  Mrs. Lola M. Poaps,  Mrs. Effie M. Poapst,  Mrs. Mary L Abbott, Miss Mary Flint, Miss Gertrude Belle Terrill, Mrs. Mabel L. Curtis, Miss Lillian V. Ross,  Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Tilton,  Mrs. Mabel Williamson, Mrs. H.P. Stockwell, Mrs. Ruth S. Lamb, E.B. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Ferguson, Mrs. Sybil H. Parsons,  Joseph W. Maheux, A.E. Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Hill, Miss Catherine I. MacKenzie, Jaunita H. Hill, Rev. Errol C. Amaron, Eileen M. Downing, Mrs. Frank Abbott, Nancy Jean Abbott, Stanstead; G. S. Molony, Mrs. Bertha Belknap, Miss Mirabel Robinson, Miss Etta V. Taylor, Rock Island; Miss Alice Robinson, Melrose, Mass; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Cowles, Berby Line, Vt.; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hackett, Mr. and Mrs. F. Winfield Hackett, F. Win. HackettII, Mrs. Grace E. Caswell, Mr. Orson Wheeler, Mrs. Marjory B. Curtis, and Miss Beatrice Donnelly, Montreal; Miss Elsie c. Wright, Outremont; Miss Dorothy Flint, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. F.S Rugg, Miss Marguerite L. Sutherland, Miss Edna A. Beerworth, Sherbrooke; Mrs. Julia Gertrude Sowden, Tujunga, Cal.; Mrs. Elizabeth Cass, Beebe; William Partington, Magog; Miss Helen Norton, Ayer’s Cliff; Mr. T. Lee Quimby, Boynton; B.H. Rider, Fitch Bay; Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Baldwin, Baldwin’s Mills; W.F. Beattie, Huntingdon; Herberty H. Brown, Hatley;  Mrs. Vera Brown, New York, N.Y.; Mrs. Harry Hunter, Lennoxville,: Mrs. Marie MacDonald, North Hatley; Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, William Mitchell, Massawippi; Mr. and Mrs. Carlos T. Pierce, Newton, Mass; Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cramer, Way;s Mills.