Hugh Little Carson ⁶¹

  General Notes:

Hugh Carson, one of Ottawa's leading business figures for more than 50 years and in his earlier days an outstanding sportsman, died at the age of 78 years in the Civic Hospital following an attack of pneumonia.

During his long life in the Capital he had been an active figure in all community ventures.

His death recalled to many Ottawa residents the great events in Canadian sports prior to the turn of the last century, when Ottawa teams blazed trails to Dominion championships in many field and track events. It was to play with the famed old "Capital" lacrosse teams, which during the period between 1890 and 1898, won world championships, that Mr. Carson came to Ottawa in 1893.

In the years that followed he continued to follow sports closely and sponsored many teams in various branches of sporting activity

He was an ardent curler and in 1941 received the highest honour accorded in that sport. He was awarded the gold medal and scroll signifying life membership in the Canadian Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, and was past president and lifetime director of the club. In former years he played golf at the Rivermead Club and he was one of the original members of the old Ottawa Hunt Club. In addition he held life membership in the Shawville Curling Club.

Mr. Carson was a lover of outdoor life and was past president and lifetime director of the Jovial Fish and Game Club, which for years has had a hunting and fishing camp in the Quebec woods north of Buckingham. His love of wild life made the Ottawa Fish and Game Association an organization in which he took keen interest. He formerly belonged to the Seigniory Club and was a member of the Laurentian Club.

Like many of the outstanding figures in the Capital's early day sports world, he did not let his interests in that direction hinder his business activities.

Mr. Carson was born at Orangeville, Ont. and was a son of the late Gilbert Carson and his wife, Ellen Little, He learned the trade of saddle and harness maker with his uncle Hugh Carson, at Shelburne, Ont., and on coming to Ottawa he set up a saddlery business on Rideau street.

By 1903 business had progressed to the point where he expanded into the luggage trade and established a small factory on Sussex street.

Fire destroyed his Rideau street shop in 1910 and he moved his establishment to 45 Elgin street in the old Russell House block. He found his luggage business growing and moved to larger premisses on Sparks street, between Lyon and Kent streets.

Then, in 1920, the firm had become so well established and its business connections so far-flung Mr. Carson purchased the present premises at 72 Albert Street. Since then the building has been expanded several times and the firm has direct business connections from coast to coast in Canada.

Mr. Carson was much interested in community affairs and for many years was one of the Ottawa Civic Hospital trustees. He was a director of the Ottawa Dairy and W. J. Carson, Ltd. and was interested in several other Ottawa business projects. He was a past president and life director of the central Canada Exhibition and past president of the Ottawa Winter Fair. He was an active member of Rotary International.

At a banquet held Saturday night following completion of play for the Governor General's Trophy, all in attendance stood with head bowed in a minute of silent tribute to Mr. Carson.

Mr. Carson at one time served with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and became captain and quarter-master He was a member of the United Church and worshipped at Chamlers Church.

He was married to the former Edith Wood in 1916 and was predeceased by his wife in 1934. A brother, W.J. Carson, predeceased him by several years.

Mr. Carson was a cousin of Mrs. J.M. Stinson, Mono and of the late George Wilkins, well-known insurance man. Although he left the town of his birth at an early age, he always had a real affection for Orangeville and Orangeville folk and was keenly interested in the fortunes of the Dufferin lacrosse team in the days when lacrosse was at the height of its popularity here. He visited his home town occasionally and a few years ago, while walking about the streets with W.E. Irvine, a friend of early lacrosse days, he remarked that this was one of the loveliest towns in Ontario. A few years ago he sent Dr. G.H. Campbell, head of the Forest Lawn cemetery board, a cheque for $500 to be used in improving the roadway and entrance to the cemetery.

Hugh Carson
Hugh Carson, one of Ottawa's leading business figures for more than 50 years and in his earlier days an outstanding sportsman, died at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at Civic Hospital following an attack of pneumonia.  He was 78 years of age.

The body rested at his residence, 286 MacLaren Street. Service was conducted by Very Rev. Dr. J. W. Woodside at Chalmers United Church at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Interment was in Beechwood cemetery.

Word of his death came as a severe shock to his vast circle of friends and business associates, for during his long life in the Capital he had been an active figure in all community ventures. He took ill two weeks ago and was admitted to hospital Janaury 25, but failed to respond to medical care.

His death recalled to many Ottawa residents the great events in Canadian sports prior to the turn of the last century, when Ottawa teams blazed trails to Dominion championships in many field and track events. It was to play with the famed old "Capital" lacrosse teams, which during the period between 1890 and 1898, won world champtionships, that Mr. Carson came to Ottawa in 1893.

In the years that followed he continued to follow sports closely and sponsored many teams in various branches of sporting activity.

He was an ardent curler and in 1941 received the highest honour accorded in that sport. He was awarded the gold medal and scroll signifying life membership in the Canadian Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. For a great many years he was active with the Ottawa Curling Club, and was past president and lifetime director of the club. In former years he played golf at the Rivermead Club and he was one of the original members of the old Ottawa Hunt Club. In addition he held life membership in the Shawville Curling Club.

Mr. Carson was a lover of outdoor life and was past president and lifetime director of the Jovial Fish and Game Club, which for years has had a hunting and fishing camp in the Quebec woods north of Buckingham. His love of wild life made the Ottawa Fish and Game Association an organizatioin in which he took keen interest. He formerly belonged to the Seigniory Club and was a member of the Laurentian Club.

Like many of the outstanding figures in the Capital's early day sports world, he did not let his interests in that direction hinder his business activities.

Mr. Carson was born at Orangeville, Ont. and was a son of the late Gilbert Carson and his wife, Ellen Little.  He learned the trade of saddle and harness maker with his uncle, Hugh Carson, at Shelburne, Ont., and on coming to Ottawa he set up a saddlery business on Rideau Street.

By 1903 business had progressed to the point where he expanded into the luggage trade and established a small factory on Sussex Street.

Fire destroyed his Rideau Street shop in 1910 and he moved his establishment to 45 Elgin Street in the old Russell House block. He found his luggage business growing and moved to larger premises on Sparks Street, between Lyon and Kent Streets.

Then, in 1920, the firm had become so well established and its business connections so far-flung Mr. Carson purchased the present premises at 72 Albert Street. Since then the building has been expanded several times and the firm has direct business connections from coast to coast in Canada.

Mr. Carson was much intersted in community affairs and for many years was one of Ottawa Civic Hospital trustees. He was a director of the Ottawa Dairy and W. J. Carson, Ltd., and was interested in several other Ottawa business projects. He was a past president and life director of the Central Canada Exhibition and past president of the Ottawa Winter Fair. He was an active member of Rotary International.

At a banquet held Saturday night following completion of play for the Governor General's Trophy, all in attendance stood with heads bowed in a minute of silent tribute to Mr. Carson.

Mr. Carson at one time served with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and became captain and quarter-master. He was a member of the United Church and worshipped at Chalmers Church.

He was married to the former Edith Wood in 1916 and was predeceased by his wife in 1934. A brother, W. J. Carson, predeceased him by several years.

Surviving are two daughters, Miss Margaret Carson and Mrs. Malcolm Grant, of Ottawa; a brother, George Carson of Ottawa; his sister-in-law, Mrs. W. J. Carson; four nephews, Dr. George Carson and Major Thomas Carson, all of Ottawa; three nieces the Misses Alberta, Edith and Mabel Carson, and one grandson, Christopher Hugh Carson Grant.

Mr Carson was a cousin of Mrs. J. M. Stinson, Mono and of the late George Wilkins, well known insurance man. Although he left the town of his birth at an early age, he always had a real affection for Orangeville and Orangeville folk and was keenly interested in the fortunes of the Dufferin lacrosse team in the days when lacrosses was at the height of its popularity here. He vistied his home town occasionally and a few years ago, while walking about the streets with W. E. Irvine, a friend of early lacrosse days, he remarked that this was one of the loveliest towns in Ontario. A few years ago he sent Dr. G. H. Campbell, head of the Forest Lawn cemetery board, a cheque for $500 to be used in improving the roadway and entrance to the cemetery.

The Ottawa Journal


Ottawa Citizen - Feb 3 1947 - Page 17
CARSON - On Saturday, February 1, 1947 in hospital, Hugh Carson, in his 79th year beloved husband of the late Edith Wood and father of Miss Mary Margaret Carson and Mrs. Malcolm E Grant of Ottawa. Funeral from his home, 286 MacLaren street on Tuesday, February 4 to Chalmers United church for service at 2:30 p.m. Interment at Beechwood cemetery.
CHAN: _WT_USER phild

Hugh married Edith Mary Beecham Wood on 1 Jun 1916 in Carleton, Ontario, Canada. (Edith Mary Beecham Wood was born about 1883 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, died in 1934 and was buried on 22 Jun 1934 in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.)

  Marriage Notes:

MARR: _UID 5E2E5111-D915-498C-8923-0DD0C9D3CC94
MARR: RIN MH:FF829