Fondos F3697 - Alfred Edward Lavell Fonds

Alfred Edward Lavell (1870-1951) was a Methodist Minister and recognized public servant. Born in Kingston to mother Betsey Reeve and father Dr. Michael Lavell, who was the surgeon and warden of Kingston Penitentiary and a Methodist layman. He graduated from Queen’s University with a B.A. in 1893, and notably invented the Gaelic Yell. He received his D.D. at Victoria University. He was ordained 1897 and served in the following charges: Jarvis, Rockford, Walsh, Ayr, Norwich, Waterloo, Niagara Falls, and Brantford. He was interested in all aspects of Church life and was honored by his Niagara Conference with various official posts. He spent considerable time on educational reform within the Church. He also served as chaplain in WWI and went overseas with the 125th Battalion. He earned the rank of major, but was sent home after contracting a series illness during the Salonika Campaign. In 1918 he moved to Toronto and was appointed Executive Secretary of the Ontario Parole Board. From 1931-1935 he served as Provincial Historian and wrote histories on educational, medical and penal institutions. In 1897 he married Laura Gillespie and had two daughters Mona and Mrs., Frederick A. Wade.