December 1953 Lanark Village

John Morrison Strang, 63, of Lanark village, passed away suddenly at his home. Mr. Strang had lived most of his life in Lanark and was widely known as Lanark’s druggist. Highly respected, he enjoyed a very active community life taking part in many village enterprises and projects.

Born in 1890. he was the son of the late William Strang and his wife, the former Ellen Guthrie. His early life was spent in Lanark and he graduated from the public and high schools of this village. He chose pharmacy as a profession and after apprenticeship and university training he returned to Lanark and purchased the drug-store of the late George Hunt, in 1921.

Photo- by Ileen Sheard and submitted by Candas Price–“Taken from Marion Stewart’s to Strang’s Drug Store”–June 16/59; day after the fire

Following his retirement in 1947, his son John succeeded him as druggist. Mr. Strang was married in 1916 to the former Adelaide Louisa Dier. To this marriage there was born three sons and one daughter.

For years he was on the Lanark Library Board and the Lanark School Board. He also served on the local Board of Health and for many years was a member of the Lanark Village Ccaietery Committee. One of the first members of the Boy Scouts Association in Lanark, he helped to sponsor this vital program for Lanark’s youth A keen sportsman, he headed up the games and fisheries committee He was also president of Lanark’s 100 Club for several terms. The Lanark Baseball Club owes much of its success as a club to his untiring efforts in the early days of its history.

Mr. Strang was a mason and joined Evergreen Lodge in Lanark in 1914 He was master of the lodge in 1926 As well he was a member of the Prince of Wales Chapter in Perth and of the Scottish Rite in Ottawa. He was a member of St. Pauls Church of England.

He is survived by his wife, his three sons James William of Ottawa, Ronald Guthrie of London, and John Archibald of Lanark, his daughter. Mrs. Ross McDaniel (Helen) of Carleton Place and five grandchildren. One brother. Dr Archie G Strang of Chippewa. Ont also survives.

Hunt’s & Strang’s Drug Store

Funeral services were held from the Young Funeral Home to St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Lanark, with Rev Robert Shannon officiating. A former rector and close friend. Rev H C Vaughan. of Ottawa, also took part in the service. The funeral services were largely attended by friends from near and far who held him la high respect and esteem Honorary pallbearers were brother Masons. Dawson Kerr, James Girdwood and Arthur Thornbury of Perth and W C Cross of Carleton Place. Pallbearers were also Masons. W M. Lee. Lindsay Barr, Rutherford Mcllquham, Ralph Walroth, Charles Virgin and O. E. Rothwell. A Masonic service was held at the grave, with Worshipful Master Wilbert Kerr in charge.

I could not make this picture bigger.. apologies… This is from Strang’s Dugstore in Lanark thanks to Teena C. North-

Perth Courier, October 7, 1898.

On Friday evening, the news was received of the death of Janet Morrison, relict of the late John Strang of this place, which occurred at the residence of her daughter Mrs. A. McBride of Arnprior. Deceased was born in Bucklavis(?), Scotland in 1821 and spent her early years in that vicinity. 45 years ago she came to this country, settling in Lanark Village where she resided almost continually until the time of her death. She was the mother of a family of seven: Mrs. Edward Close of Pilot Mound, Manitoba; Mrs. A. McBride of Arnprior; Mrs. P. McManus who died two years ago at Carleton Place; Miss Mary Strang, also dead; Messrs. David and William Strang of this place; and James Strang of Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Her remains were brought down from Arnprior on Saturday afternoon and the funeral took place Sunday at 1:00 from the residence of her son David to the village cemetery. The pall bearers were Messrs. W.G. Bates, Peter Scott, Jas. Cooper, William Dorway, Robert McFarlane, Robert Watt. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. M. Buchanan of St. Andrew’s Church of which body she had been an adherent. Era, 9-28