The McLaren-Stewart Vault

John A. McLaren (1831-1901) was literally a dynasty in the area. First to manufacture ‘the Mickey’ – liquor in a 12 ounce bottle that could be refilled, Perth native John McLaren made his fortune distilling alcohol. The Perth Courier called him the “keenest businessman and largest individual taxpayer”. Wealthy, powerful, shrewd and benevolent: his health declined quickly over five days in December causing  business associates, employees, friends, family and the merely curious to converge on his Wilson Street home.

Large in life, even more so in death, the story and court case (1905) surrounding his will would become one of the largest trials held in Canada and take years to finally resolve. Arlene Stafford Wilson documents this case and other information about John A. McLaren in her article on Perth's millionaire bachelor.

For even more information on John A McLaren follow this link: "Unfortunate Child" by Ron Shaw.

In 1913 Robert Stewart constructed this vault to inter family members. The vault was built on a section of the graveyard that had not been set aside for burials. TThe stone over the doorway records the vault was put in place in 1913 however the registry shows it was not until January 15, 1915 that Stewart secured the rights to nine burial spaces it occupies. John A. McLaren's remains were moved from an undisclosed location in the cemetery to the vault on April 29, 1922. Other family members, who passed away in England, were also interred here.

Ownership of the vault was transferred to The Perth Cemetery Company. The door to the vault has remained locked and sealed since that time. This is recorded on the plaque on the door to the vault. Decades of weather have rendered the doors unable to be opened.

Some of the others interred in the vault include:

Dr. Cameron Robertson Stewart, L.D.S., R.C.S. Eng., D.D.S was born at Perth, Ontario, to which town his father had emigrated from Scotland when a young man. He was educated at Perth Public School and at the Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, graduating at the latter institution as doctor of dental surgery. He gained the English diploma in 1901, and practiced for some years in the West End. 

Soon after the outbreak of the European War Dr. Stewart placed his services at the disposal of the Canadian Army Medical Corps, in which lie was given the honorary rank of captain ; he remained an honorary consultant dental surgeon to the C.A.M.C. throughout the war period. In 1920 he acquired an interest in Wilcox, Joyeau & Co. (Foreign Chemists), Ltd., 15 Great St.Andrew Street, London, W.C.2, and, becoming managing director of the company, severed his connection with dental practice, and threw himself vigorously into the development of the business. Dr. Stewart was a member (and in 1925 president) of the Caledonian Society, to which he was introduced by the late Mr. Peter MacEwan and the late Mr. W. L. Howie.

(From The Chemist and Druggist, (weekly newspaper) December 3, 1927)