Sir Allen Bristol Aylesworth K C M G

  General Notes:

Extract from the Encyclopedia Canadiana of 1977: Sir Allen Bristol
Aylesworth, lawyer: b. Nov. 27, 1854 in Camden Township, Upper
Canada; d. in Toronto Feb 13, 1952. Son of John Bell Aylesworth and
Catherine Bristol; of UEL descent. Educated at University College,
Toronto (B.A., 1874; M.A. 1875); called to the Ontario Bar 1878 (
Q.C. 1889). Practised law in Toronto, 1877-1925. Appointed in 1903
to the Alaska Boundary Tribunal, he presented a minority report
with Sir. L. A. Jette. A Liberal in politics, Aylesworth
unsuccessfully contested Durham in the Dominion election of 1904.
He represented North York in the House of Commons 1905-1911,
serving in Laurier's cabinet first as postmaster-general and
minister of labour, 1905-06, then as minister of justice, 1906-11.
He acted as British agent in the North Atlantic Coast Fisheries
Arbitration at The Hague in 1910 and in 1911 was created K.C.M.G.
for his services. In 1923 he was called to the Canadian Senate. His
portrait by E. Wyly Grier hangs in Osgoode Hall, Toronto. In 1878
he married Adelaide Augusta Miller, they had one son.

Another reference is a 1907 book by Alexander Fraser entitled "A
History of Ontario". In it is noted that Aylesworth attended
Newburgh Grammar School, one of the oldest in the province; won
scholarships to further his education; graduated from University of
Toronto at 19 years of age with first class honours in mathematics,
history and metaphysics and ethics; a Prince of Wales prizeman and
won two silver medals; a classmate was Judge Killam of the Supreme
Court bench; entered law office of Harrison, Osler & Moss; then
established Moss, Aylesworth & Armour; a late worker, habitually
working late every night until 2 a.m.; declined two offers for a
seat on the Supreme Court bench so that he could stay in private
law practice.

An editorial in the Toronto Star of Wednesday February 13, 1952
stated that "on his death he was the oldest living graduate of the
University of Toronto and the oldest member of the Canadian Senate.
He was also the only survivor of the Laurier ministries and the
oldest member of the Canadian Privy Council. He was chosen in 1919
to pronounce the eulogy of Sir Wilfred Laurier. To him was also
allotted the honour of successfully nominating Mackenzie King as
the new leader."

Toronto Star obituary noted that Mr. Justice John Aylesworth of the
Ontario Court of Appeal was a nephew.

Toronto Telegram obituary noted that Aylesworth was Canada's last
titled senator.

Toronto Globe & Mail obituary noted that Aylesworth left a sister,
Mrs. S.G. Chant, Toronto; a daughter-in-law Mrs. Featherston
Aylesworth and another nephew, McGillivay Aylesworth of Ottawa.

Mount Aylesworth, aka Boundary Peak 177, a summit on the Alaska-British Columbia boundary, was named for him in 1927.

From a plaque just north of the Napanee River Bridge in Newburgh:
Born in Newburgh of United Empire Loyalist ancestry, Aylesworth was educated at the University of Toronto, and called to the Ontario Bar in 1878. As the Canadian member of the Alaska Boundary Tribunal in 1903, he presented his country’s views in a minority report. Elected to the Dominion parliament in 1905, he served in the cabinet of Sir Wilfred Laurier as postmaster-general and minister of labour, 1905-06, and minister of justice, 1906-11. He acted as British representative at the North Atlantic Fisheries Arbitration in The Hague, 1910-11, and was knighted for his services. In 1923 he was appointed to the Canadian Senate.

Allen married Adelaide Augusta Miller, daughter of Cephas Hurlburt Miller and Elizabeth Jane Shibley, on 24 Dec 1878 in Lennox & Addington.^{1 2} (Adelaide Augusta Miller was born about 10 Apr 1856 in Ernestown, Lennox & Addington Twp, Upper Canada ³ and died on 3 Jun 1940 in Toronto, Ontario ³.)