James Davie Gilruth M.A., M.B., C.M. (Edin.)

• Birth*: James Davie Gilruth M.A., M.B., C.M. (Edin.) was born circa 1875.
• (Groom) Marriage*: He married Catherine Jane Shiell, daughter of John Shiell and Susan Lyall Guthrie, in 1903 at Brechin, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; Marriages.
  
  At St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Brechin, on 29th April, by the Rev. W. Presslie, St Drostan's, Lochlee, assisted by the Rev. E. B. Cooke, St Andrew's, Brechin, J. D. Gilruth, M.A., M.B., C.M. (Edin.), Arbroath, Catherine Jane, youngest daughter of John Shiell, S.S.C., factor to the Earl of Dalhousie. At Home, Hyde Park House, Arbroath, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th June.
  
  
  First name(s)     Catherine Jane
  Last name     Shiell
  Sex     Female
  Marriage year     1903
  Marriage date     29 Apr 1903
  Marriage place     Brechin
  Marriage county     Forfarshire (Angus)
  Marriage country     Scotland
  Residence place     Salhouse
  Residence county     Norfolk
  Residence country     England
  Spouse's first name(s)     -
  Spouse's sex     Male
  Spouse's residence place     Arbroath
  Spouse's residence county     Forfarshire (Angus)
  Spouse's residence country     Scotland
  Father's first name(s)     John
  Father's last name     Shiell
  Working title     The Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs
  Publication title     Arbroath Herald
  Publication year     1903
  Publication date     30 Apr 1903
  Page number     8
  Publication city     Arbroath
  Publication region     Tayside
  Publication county     Angus
  Publication country     Scotland
  Record set     British Newspaper Marriage Notices
  Category     Newspapers & publications
  Subcategory     Newspaper Marriage Notices
  Collections from     Great Britain, Scotland.^1,2

• (Witness) Newspaper Article: James Davie Gilruth M.A., M.B., C.M. (Edin.) and Susan Lyall Guthrie, David Guthrie Shiell, John Nicolson and Samuel Macauley was mentioned in a newspaper article about John Shiell on 28 June 1912. DEATH OF MR JOHN SHIELL, S.S.C.,
  BRECHIN.
  The death of Mr John Shiell, solicitor, took place at his residence, Latch Road, Brechin, on Friday night. Mr Shiell, who had just celebrated his 70th birthday, had been absent from home for some time and only returned on Saturday. Although somewhat frail, he was in his usual health, and was out during Friday. In the evening, feeling not very well, he retired to bed, and expired shortly after eleven o'clock.
  Mr Shiell was a native of Edinburgh, being a son of the late Mr William Shiell, for many years one of the chief Clerks of the Court of Session. After serving for some time in the office of Messrs Shiell & Small, solicitors, Dundee, the senior partner of that firm being his uncle, he came to Brechin about 40 years ago as partner to the late Mr D. D. Black, Town Clerk. The partnership did not last very long, and on leaving Mr Black Mr Shiell commenced business on his own account, and soon built up a sound connection in the district. Shortly after commencing business he was appointed agent of the National Bank, a position he held at the time of his death. In 1880, on the death of the grandfather of the present Earl of Dalhousie, he was appointed factor on the Brechin Castle and Edzell estates of the Dalhousie family, and later, on the death of his father-in-law, the late Colonel Guthrie, Carlogie House, Carnoustie, he was appointed sole factor on the estates. During the time of the late Earl many improvements were carried out on the estates, while a most liberal form of lease was drawn up for the tenants, a form that became a model for progressive landlords, and it was well-known at that time that Mr Shiell was in a large measure responsible for the form it ultimately took. In addition, the comfort of the cottars and farm servants on the estate were not overlooked, comfortable cottages being erected on the farms, and in this work Mr Shiell also gave valuable assistance.
  In 1903 Mr Shiell, finding the burden of the estate work getting too heavy for him, retired from the factorship, being succeeded by his son, Mr D. G. Shiell. He was, however, continued as confidential adviser, and performed the duties of that position to the last. On his retiral from the factorship he was entertained by the employees on the Brechin Castle and Edzell estates at a cake and wine banquet, and was made the recipient of a solid silver rose bowl, suitably inscribed.
  In addition to his factorship of the Dalhousie Estates, Mr Shiell also acted as factor for a number of other estates, and carried on a large general business as a solicitor. For many years the late Mr James Don was associated with him as partner, and on the death of that gentleman, he assumed his son. Mr D. G. Shiell, as partner. Of recent years. Mr Shiell, while regularly attending at the office, had not taken an active part in the business of the firm. He had been & Director of the Brechin and Edzell District Railway since the formation of the Company, and was also a Director of Guthrie, Martin, & Company, Ltd. He was for long a member of the County Council, and took an active part in the work of the Brechin District Committee. He was also an Hon. Sheriff Substitute for the County of Forfar. A Unionist in politics, he never took any very active part in political matters. He was a member of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, and took a warm interest in the welfare of the congregation. He was married to a daughter of the late Colonel Guthrie of Carlogie House, by whom he is survived, and by a family of sons and daughters.
  The funeral of deceased took place on Tuesday, the pall bearers being :-Mr D. G. Shiell and Mr Buchanan Shiell (sons), Dr Gilruth, Arbroath (son-in-law); Rev. Dr Samuel Macaulay. Mr D. Sharp (Fast Drums), Mr Sharp, W.S. (Edinburgh); Mr Guthrie (Broughty Ferry): and ex. Provost Scott (Brechin).³
• (Witness) Newspaper Article: James Davie Gilruth M.A., M.B., C.M. (Edin.) and Charles Maule Ramsey Shiell, Buchanan Shiell automobile engineer, Lyall Guthrie Shiell, Samuel Macauley and John Glassford Guthrie Shiell was mentioned in a newspaper article about David Guthrie Shiell on 27 March 1914. DEATH OF BRECHIN SOLICITOR.
  Mr David G. Shiell.
  Mr David G. Shiell, factor to the Earl of Dalhousie, died at his residence at Edzell at an early hour on Sunday morning. Mr Shiell was at business on Thursday. He went home on that day feeling ill, and Dr Campbell, Brechin, was called, and found him to be suffering from an affection of the throat, and on Friday it was found necessary to perform an operation. At first this appeared to have the desired effect, and on Saturday he seemed much better. But the recovery was only temporary, and he gradually sank during the night, and passed away as stated.
  The second son of the late Mr John Shiell, Brechin, he was born there about 1867 or 1868, so that his death has occurred in his prime. He was educated at Brechin High School and Glenalmond College. On leaving the latter he was apprenticed to the firm of Messrs Mackenzie & Kermack, W.S., Edinburgh, and while there attended the law classes at Edinburgh University. Having passed the qualifying examinations he was admitted a solicitor.
  About 1894 he returned to Brechin as junior partner in the firm of Messrs Shiell & Don, solicitors, which in 1908, on the death of Mr Don, became known as Messrs J. & D. G. Shiell, and of which he was senior partner at his death. The firm has an extensive factorial practice, as well as a general law business, and while the former was mainly under the charge of his father, the latter was under Mr D. G. Shiell's charge. When about ten years ago his father resigned his position in connection with the Estates of the Earl of Dalhousie, Mr Shiell was appointed as his successor on the Brechin Castle, Edzell, and Glenesk estates. The few changes that have taken place on the farms on the estates under his charge, and the kindly relations which had always subsisted between him and the tenants are the best proof of the success of his regime.
  Mr Shiell took an active part in the development of Edzell as a holiday centre, and was one of those who were mainly responsible for laying out the present golf course, which has proved so great an addition to the attractions of the village. As the representative of Edzell and Lochlee on the County Council, both at the meetings of the principal body and at the District Committee, he kept a watchful eye over their interests. As a Justice of the Pence he was easily approachable by those requiring his services in that capacity.
  A Unionist in politics, he acted as agent for the Hon. C. M. Ramsay when that gentleman won the county. In the affairs of the city of Brechin Mr Shiell also took a considerable interest.
  A keen Freemason, Mr Shiell was widely known for his loyalty and devotion to the craft, who recognised his services by elevating him to high office. A member and Past Master of St James' Lodge, No. 123, Brechin, he never forgot his "mother" Lodge, and he did his full share of the work that brought about the success of the Lodge in recent years. A regular attender at the meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire, he was at the time of his death Grand Master Depute, while in Grand Lodge he was Junior Grand Deacon. He was also actively interested in Royal Arch Masonry, in which he held high office. A keen curler and golfer, he was a cheery companion on the ice and on the links.
  Mr Shiell is survived by his widow and two sons and one daughter, the eldest son having gone to South America quite recently.
  Interment at Brechin.
  The remains of Mr Shiell were laid to rest in the New Cemetery, Brechin, on Wednesday. The funeral was one of the largest seen in the district many coming long distances to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased. Agriculturists from a wide area were largely represented, as well as the community of Brechin. There was a large gathering of Freemasons, including a deputation from Grand Lodge, while practically every Lodge in the Province was represented, as well as Royal Arch. There was also a large attendance of members of the legal profession, including a representation from the Society of Procurators.
  Prior to the cortege leaving deceased's house at Edzell, a service was conducted by Rev. W. J. F. Robberds, Bishop of Brechin and Primus, who was assisted by Rev. K. L. Reid, of St Andrew's Church, Brechin.
  Prior to the interment, the members of local Masonic Lodges, as well as the visitors, met in St James Lodge Room – Rev. H. C. Cargill, W.M., presiding – and the preliminary part of the service was performed. The brethren then proceeded to the Trinity Road, where a large concourse of the general public had already assembled, and on the arrival of the cortege preceded it to the New Cemetery. On arriving at the place of interment the Masonic ranks opened up, and the coffin was conveyed to the grave. Here the Bishop of Brechin recited the concluding portion of the order for the burial of the dead, after which Rev. W. W. Coats. D.D., Brechin Cathedral, Past Grand Chaplain of Scotland, conducted the Masonic service. At its conclusion the brethren filed past the grave, and dropped in a sprig of acacia.
  The pall-bearers and principal mourners were : -Mr Charles Maule Ramsay Shiell (son), Mr Buchanan Shiell (brother), Mr Lyall Shiell (brother), Mr James Duncan of Balfour (brother-in-law; Mr A. Black, Edinburgh (brother-in-law); Rev. S. Macaulay, LL.D., Tealing (brother-in-law); Earl of Dalhousie; Dr Andrew Thomson, Musselburgh; Mr J. S. Kinghorn, Brechin (partner); ex-Provost Stewart, Monifieth.³