676

twenty-five years of his active life he fol- lowed the vocation of ship caulking. He then took up farming which he followed until his death in 1892; his wife died in 1900. In politics he was a Liberal and in religion a Methodist. He married Catherine Van Iderstine, a daughter of Peter Van Iderstine, of Vernon River, and they became the parents of nine children: John, of Cali- fomia; Wellington, of Maine; Adam, of Oregon: Elizabeth, the wife of James Mc— Call, of Providence, Rhode Island: Mar- garet, deceased, who was the wife of Wil— liam Huntley; Mary, who died in infancy; Thomas, of this sketch; ‘Amelia, the wife of Wellington Humes; Sarah, deceased; Martha, the wife of Anthony Johnston; and Lucetta, the wife of Duncan Mathieson.

Thomas J. Fumess received his educa- tion in the public schools of Orwell and has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active life with gratifying success. His farm comprises one hundred acres. about seventy- five of which are under cultivation and well improved. The place has been given the most careful attention and is productive to the highest degree, being considered one of the choice farms in Lot 50. Mr. Fumess is also customs officer at Vernon River Bridge and gives satisfaction in the performance of his duties. The Methodist church repre- sents his religious belief, while in politics he is in harmony with the Liberal party. On September 18, 1887, Mr. Fumess married Miss Maria Van Iderstine, a daughter of Andrew Van Iderstine, of Vemon River. and they have eight children: Russell, Lloyd. Edison. Flora, Elsie, Wilfred. George and Mary. Mr. Fumess is a man of unswerving integrity of word and action and has at all times commanded the absolute confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

JOHN FINLAY, who conducts the well known and popular hotel at Vernon River Bridge, was born at this place on April 8, 1834, and is the son of Patrick Finlay, a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, who came to Prince Edward Island in about 1832, having first emigrated to Newfound- land. In his native land he married Miss Ella Dermoty, and to them were born nine children, Bridget. Ellen, Mary. Catherine and JOhn (the three last named being trip- lets). James, Thomas, Patrick and Martin. On his arrival on this Island he located in Lot 50, where he followed farming through— out his life, and where he stood high in the esteem of his community. He was a mem-

ber of the Catholic church and in politics a

Liberal. His death occurred on April 24. 1875, his wife dying about two years later.

John Finlay was educated in the district schools of his neighborhood, and upon the completion of his studies was employed as a clerk in New York and Boston for about five years. Returning then to Prince Ed- ward Island. he started a hotel at Vernon River Bridge, which he has ever since con-

ducted, and in which he has met with a

gratifying degree of success. The house is known throughout this section of the Island as one of the best hostelries here and is a popular stopping place for the transient pub- lic. In addition to his hotel business, Mr. Finlay is also engaged in the fishing and shipping of oysters and smelts. which he has found a profitable line of enterprise. In 1861 Mr. Finlay married Miss Mary O’Sulli- van, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Mellish) O'Sullivan, of County Tipperary. Ireland, and to them have been born thir— teen children: Amanda. the wife of Patrick Murphy; Emma, the wife of Joseph Murphy: Caroline, the wife of Jeremiah Murphy; El-