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| Notes for Clement H. WHITMAN | ||||||||
| [18]Clement was one of the brothers featured in the 1902 edition of the "Canso News" and was one of three bothers to carry on the lucrative family shipping business at Canso. He and his wife took over the building of the new pastor's quarters of the Baptist church. It was a grand building and the congregation ran out of money, so Clement donated his own home to the pastor and finished the new building on Union Street for his own use. Local cut stone was used for the basement, and by the time the foundation was finished, the project had already cost $2500, a princely sum in those days. Clement finished the house with double-plastered walls, and only the finest wood and masonry was used. The windows, both clear and amber, remain unbroken to this day. German artisans were brought in to complete the intricate carvings of the woodwork. The Whitmans entertained many guests in their fine home, especially during World War 1. Concerts, poetry readings, and recitals took place in the large double parlor and many dollars were raised to help local charitable organizations. The Whitmans employed a number of servants and the house was equipped with a bell call system. One button was on the floor of the dining room so Clement could ring for the servants to bring his meals through the butler's pantry. Not only did the family own the fishing wharf at Canso, but also several fishing boats. It was because of his combined personal and financial interests that Clement had a widow's walk built atop his home. The house passed through many hands after his death and at one time, during the Depression, sold for as little as $300! The last owners, the International Christian Mission, sold it to the Town of Canso. The structure is slowly being repaired to its former glory and is now used as a museum for the Canso Historical Society. Being a member of the most prominent family in Canso, Clement wrote a paper about the settlement of Canso in 1926, which discussed the development of trade in the fishing industry. Clement and Olivia lived childlessly alone in their house until their deaths in 1932. She preceded him by a few months. He was a devout Baptist and would often have friends in for afternoon-long Bible readings. [18]His obituary of 1932 reads: "Canso, Feb 10- The death of Clement H. Whitman, a native of Canso and for many years one of this town's most prominent citizens, occurred at his residence on Main Street at an early hour this morning. Mr Whitman, who was in his 86th year had been in failing health for some time, but had been confined to bed only during the past week. His wife predeceased him only a few months and he leaves no children. In his earlier days he was greatly interested in the development of the fresh fish business at Canso and other points. He always took an active interest in community and church affairs. He held the office of stipendiary magistrate for Canso since the incorporation of the town in 1901 and had been a deacon of the Canso Baptist Church for an even longer time. He was also one of the oldest surviving students of the old Horton Academy connected with Acadia, Wolfville. One brother, Arthur N. Whitman, of Halifax, survives; also two sisters, Mrs. C. Tory and Mrs. W. P. King, Truro. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon." | ||||||||
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