Information regarding the death overseas of Andrew Sproat, a prominent citizen of Stisted, USA (Ontario, Canada). An obituary notice states that he was born at Gatehouse, in the parish of Girthon, in the year 1844. His parents died when he was a boy, and at the age of 12 he crossed the Atlantic to join his uncle, Andrew McCaw of Seaforth.
When Muskoka was opened up for farm settlement in 1871 he located on lot 15, Con. 4, Township of Stisted, where he has lived ever since. After having a little clearance made he returned to Seaforth and on March 8th, 1872, he married Miss Jane Stobje of Seaforth. The young couple returned to Muskoka where they laboured hard against many hardships, during the early pioneer days.
On March 31st 1889, his wife died, leaving a young family of 8 children, 2 sons and 6 daughters.
His funeral was held at Aspdin Church on April 24th and was well attended by the many friends who travelled many miles over the bad roads to pay their last respects.
Two sons and four daughters live to mourn the loss of their father. Two sisters also survive, Mrs Agnes Avans, London, England, and Mrs Catherine McCrory, Portpatrick.
The remainder of the Sproat family migrated from the Stewartry to the 'Shire and each and all were much respected in the Rhins. James died at Portpatrick aged 74, Jane in Kirkcolm aged 86, Tom in Portpatrick last year at 89, Andrew at 83, while Mrs Avans, in London, is hale and hearty at 82 and the youngest of the family, Mrs McCrorie, at 76, is well known in Portpatrick.