James Bain (abt. 1860 - 1937)

Born about 24 May 1860 in Pictou Island, Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Louise Ross — married 17 Mar 1886 in New Glasgow, Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada

Descendants

Died 3 Feb 1937 at about age 76 in Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Biography

James Bain was born on Pictou Island, Pictou County, Nova Scotia on 24 May 1860. His parents were Thomas Middleton Bain and Margaret Ann Campbell who had emigrated from Scotland in or around 1854. James was the 5th of their 9 children. James grew up and went to school in New Glasgow, and Stellarton, Pictou County. He was living with his family in Hopewell, Pictou County, at the time of the 1871 and 1881 census. He married Louise Ross, daughter of baker Duncan Ross and Elizabeth Ann Fraser, at her parents home in New Glasgow, Pictou County, on the 17 March 1886 by the Rev. E. Scott. The marriage certificate notes he was then living at Stellarton, and working as a train dispatcher, though the marriage notice in the Eastern Chronicle indicates he was working in Moncton, New Brunswick at the time of marriage. According to a brief biography in Allison, James Bain's early working years were in the telegraph business with Western Union Telegraph Company, followed by positions at train stations in Stellarton and Truro, and Tor Bay. Following his marriage he accepted a position as train dispatcher for the Missouri Pacific railroad at St. Louis, Missouri, and after one year he and Lousie moved to Quebec, Canada where he had positions with the Quebec & Lake St. John Railroad for 21 years, culminating with being Superintendent of the line. He was presented with a gold watch and chain by his employers, and an illuminated address. In 1907 he and his family moved to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, where he took on the role superintendent of the Halifax &Southwestern Railway. In or about 1923 he moved to Moncton for his last posting, from which he retired in 1927. In retirement James and Louise Bain lived in Montreal and the Town of Mount Royal, Quebec.

James Bain passed away in Mount Royal, on the 3rd February,1937, and was buried at the Mount Herman Cemetery in Quebec City.

Sources

• Allison, David. History of Nova Scotia. Halifax, Nova Scotia: A.W.Bowen&Co,volume 3, pages 94-96, 1916. It references he was born on Pictou Island

Marriage record:

• "Canada, Nova Scotia Vital Records, 1763-1957," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMG4-TG6 : 8 December 2014), James Bain and Louise Ross, 1886, Marriage; citing p. 3, volume 1832, , Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada; Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax. This says his birth was on Pictou Island.

Death/burial record:

• Ancestry.com. Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection),1621-1968 [database on-line].Lehi, UT,USA:Ancestrt.com Operations, Inc., 2008. This says he was born on Pictou Island.

Census records:

• "Canada Census, 1871", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4DC-QJ9 : Wed Mar 06 04:33:09 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Bayne and Margaret Bayne, 1871.
• "Canada Census, 1881", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVXS-HB9 : Sun Mar 10 00:32:32 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Bain and Margret Bain, 1881.
• "Canada Census, 1901," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSS1-G3HP-R?cc=1584557&wc=Q5BX-S58%3A1590602358 : 27 April 2017), 101692829 > image 897 of 2500; Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
• "Recensement du Canada de 1911", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9R-XNDJ : Fri Mar 08 04:21:08 UTC 2024), Entry for James Bain and Louise Bain, 1911.
• "Canada Census, 1931", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6RW2-4249 : Tue Mar 19 01:29:45 UTC 2024), Entry for James Bain and Louise Bain, June 1, 1931.

Presentation of gifts from Quebec and St. John Railway December 1907: "Presentation to Mr. J. Bain", The Montreal Daily Star (Montreal, Quebec), 2 January,1908, page 5; "Presentation at Quebec to Superintendent James Bain", The Evening Mail (Halifax, Nova Scotia), 4 January 1908, page 5.

Retirement announcement: "Is Retiring From Service", The Evening Mail ( Halifax, Nova Scotia), 31 May 1927, page 5: notes James Bain then living in Moncton.