Barnett “Barney” Aaronson

Biography:
British born husband, father, Junk Dealer and Amateur Singer

Barnett, or Barney as he was known, was the fifth of nine children of a Holland-born father and British-born mother.

It’s unclear when Barney immigrated to Canada as there is a discrepancy between the between the 1881 England Census and the 1901 Canadian Census. According to the British records, Barney was 23 and living in Chelsea, England with his 65 year-old father, (a hosier assistant), the 69 year-old Elizabeth Marks, and the 22 year-old Emily Brooks in 1881. However, according to the Canadian Census, Barney immigrated to Canada in 1880.

The 1891 Vancouver Island Census recorded that Barney was married and living in Nanaimo. His occupation was listed as dry goods clerk, and the family lived in a one-floor wooden home with five rooms.

On October 11, 1889, the Nanaimo Daily News reported that “The store of B. Aaronson & Co Clothiers of Commercial street was closed yesterday and on inquiry we learned that the firm had made an assignment for the benefit of the creditors, who are mostly eastern firms. The liabilities are placed at $3,000. No further particulars are obtainable.” (The article is posted above.)

On October 14, 1890, the paper reported that “Mr. Barney Aaronson has just added a novel contrivance to his cigar store in the shape of an electric alarm which rings immediately when a customer steps on the mat…The alarm..will be the means of customers being served without waiting for the arrival of the storekeeper.” (The article is posted above.)

Barney’s slightly older brother, Alfred Andrew “A.A.” was listed as a pawnbroker in the Victoria City Directory in 1881. Barney’s name first appeared in the Victoria City Directory in 1898. His occupation was listed as junk dealer at 30 Store Street. The 1901 Canada Census noted that Barney could speak English, but not French. It listed Barney as earning $1,000 as an employee of the Victoria Junk Store. By that time he had divorced.

Barney worked at the junk store at 30 Store Street, either as the manager, clerk or proprietor from 1898-1920. In 1908, the location changed from 30 Store to 1620 Store Street. In 1920, Barney was working at the City Bargain Store located at 565 Johnson Street. Barney opened and became the proprietor of Aaronson’s Hardware Store located at 565 Johnson Street in 1922. According to the Victoria City Directory, Barney was still working there in 1925, the year before he died. His obituary noted that by the end of his life, Barney was in the bicycle business.

According to the Victoria City Directory, Barney moved frequently. From 1902-1908, he lived at 117 View Street. He lived in James Bay at 351 St. James Street for four years, and another four years at 700 Belton Avenue in Vic-West before he moved to various locations downtown.

Barney was involved in a number of different and diverse community activities. The Nanaimo Daily News reported on January 15, 1889 that he was on the list of people who requested that John Hilbert Esq. stand for nomination for Mayor. John Hilbert’s daughter would later marry Arthur Levy (who is buried in this cemetery).

According to The Victoria Daily Times on August 19, 1887, the Spureme President of the United Order of Honor, Alex Rothenstein came from California to establish The Jubilee Lodge No. 118 and to install Barney as it’s first President. The fraternity was created in order to provide “mutual benefit during sickness and at death, the members receiving a liberal allowance when incapacitated by sickness.” to members.

Barnett also contributed funds towards the establishment of a sanatorium for incipient cases of tuberculosis according to the Victoria Daily Times on May 8, 1905. The paper reported on September 9, 1911 that Congregation Emanu-El held it’s third AGM at which time Barney was elected to serve a two year term as trustee.

Singing was a part of Barney’s life as well. The Victoria Daily Times reported on November 17, 1906 that he sang in a production of “Strongheart” staged at the Victoria Theatre. On March 16, 1907, The Victoria Daily Times described a party that Miss Helen Brown held for a large number of friends at her home. Barney sang as part of the entertainment.

A large number of people attended his funeral on July 22, 1925