Born in Fenton Barns, Haddingtonshire, Scotland to Hugh Bertram and Isabella Mack. Hugh was the farm stewart. Emigrated to Canada in 1860. Married Hellen Sheils in Almonte, Ontario, 16 September 1863. Lived for a while in Peterborough, Ontario where he was a wholesale hardware dealer, and from 1872-1878 sat for West Peterborough in the House of Commons. (elected Oct 12 1872). In 1881, came to Toronto and became prominent as president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Company and as president of the Bertram Engine and Shipbuilding Company. This was orginally the Doty Engine Company which failed in 1892, owing a large amount to George and John Bertram. The brothers took over the company and made a success of it. John was well known in public life and was chairman of the Dominion Commission on Transportation, and in 1897 was member of the Ontario Forestry Commission. Liberal party member and member of the Unitarian church. Father of Agnes (died as a baby), Ella, Kate, Hugh, Robert, John, Nellie and Melville. According to his death registration he died of appendicitis.
Toronto Star Newspaper Obituary Nov 29th
This Province suffers a severe loss in the death of Mr. John Bertram which took place yesterday evening at his residence at 19 Walmer Road. He had been ill for nearly six months with a painful malady and was operated on some three weeks ago. He never recovered from the shock, but sank steadily, until the end came yesterday, in the presence of the members of his family. The funeral service will be held in the family residence on Wednesday evening, and the interment will take place in Peterborough on the arrival of the Grand Trunk train on Thursday morning. A special car will be attached to the train for those going to Peterborough.
Mr. Bertram was president of the Bertram Engine Works and of the Collins Bay (sic) Lumber Company and chairman of the Dominion Transporation Commission. It was as a lumberman that he was best known, for his knowledge of forestry was so extensive and accurate that he was appointed a member of the Ontario Forestry Commission by the Provincial Goverment. He was a thorough scientist and spent much of his time in natural research. His microscopic inspection of the trees with which he came in contact as a practical lumberman added much to his knowledge of the subject.
It was his suggestion which the Goverment followed when it prohibited the towing of Canadian saw logs to American mills. As a member of the Forestry Commission, he successfully advocated the reservation of Crown lands for timber limits. One of his aims was to reproduce pine trees as they grew in the virgin forest. He read many papers before the Canadian Institute.
Since 1900 the connection of the deceased with the Bertram Engine Works had been most close. His presence in the large establishment was made necessary by the death of his brother Mr. George H. Bertram. He built the concern out of the Doty Works. Mr. Bertram was born in Scotland but came to his country at the age of 23 years, and entered into the hardware business at Peterborough. He represented Peterborough in the Dominion House being the first Liberal member from that riding, but though a good speaker, the tedious debates of Parliament were distasteful to him. He preferred showing his public spirit in a private way.
On the platform, he was keen and alert and was well posted of the tariff issue. He accompanied Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his election tour of 1900 and rendered good service to the party. He was a Liberal of the George Brown type.
From Peterborough Mr. Bertram came to Toronto and established himself in the wholesale hardware trade. Whatever he touched prospered and later he entered the engine works.
Several sons and daughters remain to mourn his loss. Hugh B. resides at Peterborough. Robert is vice-president of the Bertram Engine Works; John is lumber inspector at Little Current; Melville is vice-president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co. These are all married as are his daughters Mrs. C. W. Pitt, wife of the manager of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co; Mrs. F Bradshaw, wife of the vice president and actuary of the Imperial Loan Co; and Mrs. C. M. Home of Toronto. In addition to his brother George, whose death when a member for a Toronto riding will be remembered, Mr. Bertram had three brothers who survive him; Peter of the Axe Works, Dundas, Hugh of Vinemount near Hamilton and Alexander of Peterborough. Three sisters survive, Miss Ann of Toronto, and Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Anderson of Peterborough.
Toronto Star Newspaper Obituary Nov 29th
This Province suffers a severe loss in the death of Mr. John Bertram which took place yesterday evening at his residence at 19 Walmer Road. He had been ill for nearly six months with a painful malady and was operated on some three weeks ago. He never recovered from the shock, but sank steadily, until the end came yesterday, in the presence of the members of his family. The funeral service will be held in the family residence on Wednesday evening, and the interment will take place in Peterborough on the arrival of the Grand Trunk train on Thursday morning. A special car will be attached to the train for those going to Peterborough.
Mr. Bertram was president of the Bertram Engine Works and of the Collins Bay (sic) Lumber Company and chairman of the Dominion Transporation Commission. It was as a lumberman that he was best known, for his knowledge of forestry was so extensive and accurate that he was appointed a member of the Ontario Forestry Commission by the Provincial Goverment. He was a thorough scientist and spent much of his time in natural research. His microscopic inspection of the trees with which he came in contact as a practical lumberman added much to his knowledge of the subject.
It was his suggestion which the Goverment followed when it prohibited the towing of Canadian saw logs to American mills. As a member of the Forestry Commission, he successfully advocated the reservation of Crown lands for timber limits. One of his aims was to reproduce pine trees as they grew in the virgin forest. He read many papers before the Canadian Institute.
Since 1900 the connection of the deceased with the Bertram Engine Works had been most close. His presence in the large establishment was made necessary by the death of his brother Mr. George H. Bertram. He built the concern out of the Doty Works. Mr. Bertram was born in Scotland but came to his country at the age of 23 years, and entered into the hardware business at Peterborough. He represented Peterborough in the Dominion House being the first Liberal member from that riding, but though a good speaker, the tedious debates of Parliament were distasteful to him. He preferred showing his public spirit in a private way.
On the platform, he was keen and alert and was well posted of the tariff issue. He accompanied Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his election tour of 1900 and rendered good service to the party. He was a Liberal of the George Brown type.
From Peterborough Mr. Bertram came to Toronto and established himself in the wholesale hardware trade. Whatever he touched prospered and later he entered the engine works.
Several sons and daughters remain to mourn his loss. Hugh B. resides at Peterborough. Robert is vice-president of the Bertram Engine Works; John is lumber inspector at Little Current; Melville is vice-president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co. These are all married as are his daughters Mrs. C. W. Pitt, wife of the manager of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co; Mrs. F Bradshaw, wife of the vice president and actuary of the Imperial Loan Co; and Mrs. C. M. Home of Toronto. In addition to his brother George, whose death when a member for a Toronto riding will be remembered, Mr. Bertram had three brothers who survive him; Peter of the Axe Works, Dundas, Hugh of Vinemount near Hamilton and Alexander of Peterborough. Three sisters survive, Miss Ann of Toronto, and Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Anderson of Peterborough.
Born in Fenton Barns, Haddingtonshire, Scotland to Hugh Bertram and Isabella Mack. Hugh was the farm stewart. Emigrated to Canada in 1860. Married Hellen Sheils in Almonte, Ontario, 16 September 1863. Lived for a while in Peterborough, Ontario where he was a wholesale hardware dealer, and from 1872-1878 sat for West Peterborough in the House of Commons. (elected Oct 12 1872). In 1881, came to Toronto and became prominent as president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Company and as president of the Bertram Engine and Shipbuilding Company. This was orginally the Doty Engine Company which failed in 1892, owing a large amount to George and John Bertram. The brothers took over the company and made a success of it. John was well known in public life and was chairman of the Dominion Commission on Transportation, and in 1897 was member of the Ontario Forestry Commission. Liberal party member and member of the Unitarian church. Father of Agnes (died as a baby), Ella, Kate, Hugh, Robert, John, Nellie and Melville. According to his death registration he died of appendicitis.
Toronto Star Newspaper Obituary Nov 29th
This Province suffers a severe loss in the death of Mr. John Bertram which took place yesterday evening at his residence at 19 Walmer Road. He had been ill for nearly six months with a painful malady and was operated on some three weeks ago. He never recovered from the shock, but sank steadily, until the end came yesterday, in the presence of the members of his family. The funeral service will be held in the family residence on Wednesday evening, and the interment will take place in Peterborough on the arrival of the Grand Trunk train on Thursday morning. A special car will be attached to the train for those going to Peterborough.
Mr. Bertram was president of the Bertram Engine Works and of the Collins Bay (sic) Lumber Company and chairman of the Dominion Transporation Commission. It was as a lumberman that he was best known, for his knowledge of forestry was so extensive and accurate that he was appointed a member of the Ontario Forestry Commission by the Provincial Goverment. He was a thorough scientist and spent much of his time in natural research. His microscopic inspection of the trees with which he came in contact as a practical lumberman added much to his knowledge of the subject.
It was his suggestion which the Goverment followed when it prohibited the towing of Canadian saw logs to American mills. As a member of the Forestry Commission, he successfully advocated the reservation of Crown lands for timber limits. One of his aims was to reproduce pine trees as they grew in the virgin forest. He read many papers before the Canadian Institute.
Since 1900 the connection of the deceased with the Bertram Engine Works had been most close. His presence in the large establishment was made necessary by the death of his brother Mr. George H. Bertram. He built the concern out of the Doty Works. Mr. Bertram was born in Scotland but came to his country at the age of 23 years, and entered into the hardware business at Peterborough. He represented Peterborough in the Dominion House being the first Liberal member from that riding, but though a good speaker, the tedious debates of Parliament were distasteful to him. He preferred showing his public spirit in a private way.
On the platform, he was keen and alert and was well posted of the tariff issue. He accompanied Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his election tour of 1900 and rendered good service to the party. He was a Liberal of the George Brown type.
From Peterborough Mr. Bertram came to Toronto and established himself in the wholesale hardware trade. Whatever he touched prospered and later he entered the engine works.
Several sons and daughters remain to mourn his loss. Hugh B. resides at Peterborough. Robert is vice-president of the Bertram Engine Works; John is lumber inspector at Little Current; Melville is vice-president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co. These are all married as are his daughters Mrs. C. W. Pitt, wife of the manager of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co; Mrs. F Bradshaw, wife of the vice president and actuary of the Imperial Loan Co; and Mrs. C. M. Home of Toronto. In addition to his brother George, whose death when a member for a Toronto riding will be remembered, Mr. Bertram had three brothers who survive him; Peter of the Axe Works, Dundas, Hugh of Vinemount near Hamilton and Alexander of Peterborough. Three sisters survive, Miss Ann of Toronto, and Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Anderson of Peterborough.
Toronto Star Newspaper Obituary Nov 29th
This Province suffers a severe loss in the death of Mr. John Bertram which took place yesterday evening at his residence at 19 Walmer Road. He had been ill for nearly six months with a painful malady and was operated on some three weeks ago. He never recovered from the shock, but sank steadily, until the end came yesterday, in the presence of the members of his family. The funeral service will be held in the family residence on Wednesday evening, and the interment will take place in Peterborough on the arrival of the Grand Trunk train on Thursday morning. A special car will be attached to the train for those going to Peterborough.
Mr. Bertram was president of the Bertram Engine Works and of the Collins Bay (sic) Lumber Company and chairman of the Dominion Transporation Commission. It was as a lumberman that he was best known, for his knowledge of forestry was so extensive and accurate that he was appointed a member of the Ontario Forestry Commission by the Provincial Goverment. He was a thorough scientist and spent much of his time in natural research. His microscopic inspection of the trees with which he came in contact as a practical lumberman added much to his knowledge of the subject.
It was his suggestion which the Goverment followed when it prohibited the towing of Canadian saw logs to American mills. As a member of the Forestry Commission, he successfully advocated the reservation of Crown lands for timber limits. One of his aims was to reproduce pine trees as they grew in the virgin forest. He read many papers before the Canadian Institute.
Since 1900 the connection of the deceased with the Bertram Engine Works had been most close. His presence in the large establishment was made necessary by the death of his brother Mr. George H. Bertram. He built the concern out of the Doty Works. Mr. Bertram was born in Scotland but came to his country at the age of 23 years, and entered into the hardware business at Peterborough. He represented Peterborough in the Dominion House being the first Liberal member from that riding, but though a good speaker, the tedious debates of Parliament were distasteful to him. He preferred showing his public spirit in a private way.
On the platform, he was keen and alert and was well posted of the tariff issue. He accompanied Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his election tour of 1900 and rendered good service to the party. He was a Liberal of the George Brown type.
From Peterborough Mr. Bertram came to Toronto and established himself in the wholesale hardware trade. Whatever he touched prospered and later he entered the engine works.
Several sons and daughters remain to mourn his loss. Hugh B. resides at Peterborough. Robert is vice-president of the Bertram Engine Works; John is lumber inspector at Little Current; Melville is vice-president of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co. These are all married as are his daughters Mrs. C. W. Pitt, wife of the manager of the Collins Inlet Lumber Co; Mrs. F Bradshaw, wife of the vice president and actuary of the Imperial Loan Co; and Mrs. C. M. Home of Toronto. In addition to his brother George, whose death when a member for a Toronto riding will be remembered, Mr. Bertram had three brothers who survive him; Peter of the Axe Works, Dundas, Hugh of Vinemount near Hamilton and Alexander of Peterborough. Three sisters survive, Miss Ann of Toronto, and Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Anderson of Peterborough.
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