1899 - John Dynes

His death was not unexpected and so the Times had his obituary ready.

During the morning of September 16, 1899, word was received that Mr. John Dynes, one of the most well-known and popular residents of the Beach Strip, had passed.

Shortly after the noon hour, the afternoon edition of the Times carried the following :

“Mr. John Dynes, the veteran hotelman of Hamilton Beach, and one of the best-hearted and most popular men who ever catered to the travelling public, died this morning.  The end had been expected for some time, and came at 9:30, deceased being surrounded by the members of his family. About two years ago, Mr. Dynes had an illness that everyone thought would prove fatal, but he got better and was quite well for a time. Last winter, he again had a bad turn, and has been sick ever since, though at times improving sufficiently to be about.

“The deceased was born in Dundas in 1817. His father, Mr. Samuel Dynes, soon afterwards moved  to the Beach, where he received a patent on four acres of land for establishing a grist mill. The son soon acquired a great taste for boating, and he and Mr. Van Wagner, who was about his own age, became fast friends. They at first used the old Indian dug-outs and canoes, but found them too cumbersome, and designed lighter and faster boats. When the deceased was about 27 years of age, he established a small hostelry and carried on a fishing business with drag nets. He had a sail boat called the Blacksnake built, and Mr. Van Wagner another, called the Jolly Bigger. The former was the fastest sailing craft on the lake, but the Bigger was the more seaworthy, and with these boats the two men did quite a shipping business, visiting American ports until about 1850. As the hotel business grew, Mr. Dynes gradually dropped fishing.

“Mr. Dynes was one of the best-known road house keepers in this part of the country, his Beach resort being famous before the Beach itself attracted any outside attention, or became a popular summer resort for Hamilton people. He was a most inoffensive man; he would do no one an injury, but was ever-ready to do a good turn. Years before the Yacht Club houses were thought of, his place was the resort of the pleasure sailors. His duck and fish dinners were as famous as himself – and as good.

“Deceased leaves four sons. Messrs. Samuel, Walter and Harry, of the Beach, and Percy of this city; also six daughters, Mrs. A. Macdonald, of the Beach; Mrs. James Crooks, of this city; Mrs. J.L. Simons, of Philadephia; Mrs. Andrew, Green of the Beach, and Misses Maggie and Lyda Dynes.”¹

¹  “Veteran John Dynes Dead : The Well-Known Beach Hotelman Died This Morning : Was in His 83^rd Year”

Hamilton Times.  September 18, 1899.