Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

William M Holliston was born on 10 May 1876 in Smith Falls, Ontario to Adam Holliston (1834-1920) and Margaret Rothwell (1839-1885). William had one sister, Adamenia Harriet (Ada) (1861-1948).

William’s father, Adam, was described as a ‘locks labourer’ in the census records and on his death certificate. He was too young to have worked on the construction of the Rideau Canal but it is likely that he was employed on maintenance as the canal has four locks where it passes through the town of Smith Falls.

William was a school teacher in Fitzroy, Lanark, Ontario in 1901.

William came to Saskatoon by 1904 as that is when he appears on the 3rd Ave Methodist Church Roll. By 1908 he is recorded in the Henderson Directory as Principal of Alexandra School which had only recently opened. Also on the teaching staff is Miss Jessie M Young. William and Jessie were both lodging at 22nd St, Saskatoon.

William and Jessie likely married in the second half of 1911 as they both appear in the 1 June 1911 census as single and Jessie is not recorded as a teacher subsequently. Jessie was added to the Church Roll in 1912.

Jessie Young was born on 7 May 1871 in Huron, Ontario to Rev Thomas "Stephen" Young (1837-1917) and Elizabeth Linton Buckham (1839-1916). Jessie had four siblings, Catharine (Kate) (1868-1956), Annie Mason (1869-1894), John Buckham (1875-1958) and William Howard (1878-1920).

Jessie grew up in Clinton, Wellington Co, Ontario where her father was a Presbyterian Clergyman. She began her teaching career in Clinton before moving west to Saskatoon and meeting her future husband.

William become Principal of the combined Alexandra-Princess School when a second school was added to the site in 1912. In 1918, William became Principal of Buena Vista School where remained until his retirement in 1940. From 1921, the couple lived at 420 8th St E until Jessie death after a short illness on Christmas Day 1931.

William died on 12 June 1961 in Saskatoon. They are both buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Holliston Tree.

WILLIAM M HOLLISTON and JESSIE Y HOLLISTON née YOUNG

William Holliston with pupils c1911
Courtesy of Local History Room