Frederick Ogilvie Loft

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

Forestry Company

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario

Commemorated at:

St. John's Anglican Church (Ohsweken), Mohawk Institute Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Six Nations, Grand River, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

35 Murray Street, Toronto, Ontario

Next of kin address:

35 Murray Street, Toronto, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Accountant

Religious denominations:

Anglican

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BC October 19, 1916

V.C. for Noble Indian Officer – Captain F. Montour Highly Praised by Writer from Front – Is a Splendid Officer – Is Brother-in-Law of the Late Lieutenant Cameron D. Brant

Concerning Captain Frank Montour, the Indian officer recently recommended for the Victoria Cross, Mr. F.O. Loft writes from the front:

Anyone who knows Captain Frank Montour would not any sooner be made aware of anything he may have done upon the battlefield to merit him the Victoria Cross, because he is a splendid type of the most unassuming and unpretentious.

He is a Delaware, in the prime of life, a strikingly handsome man of fully six feet in height. On his square, broad shoulders rests a head that is well-balance, and behind the gently and kindly countenance is a mind and temper that will brook no terror. Frank is a brother-in-law of the late Lieut. Cameron D. Brant, who gave up his life at the battle of Ypres about 23rd April 1915.

Father Counsel

At the outbreak of the war, in August 1914, Frank told his father it was his intention to enlist. His father in giving his final concurrence tendered a gentle and kindly admonition in the following words: “My son, when you go to the war, first of all fight for your God, then for the King and lastly for your country.”

These words were in keeping with the everyday professions of the father, who is a devout Christian, though, not an ordained preacher of the Gospel. He is an influence for good in the community he lives, highly respected by all who know him, fully deserving the success he has attained as an industrious tiller of the soil.

Enlisted in Ranks

Frank enlisted as a private with the 4th Battalion at Hamilton under the command of Lieut.-Col. Birchall. It was with this overseas battalion that his brother-in-law, Lieut. Cameron D. Brant, also enlisted.

After being at the firing line and the trenches more than a year, he returned home on furlough and subsequently transferred to the 114th Battalion, Brock Rangers, C.E.F., and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. During the time the battalion has been training at Camp Borden he has moved up another step to the rank of Captain.

An Indian Company

He is now identified with the Indian Company of the 114th Battalion, to go overseas in the near future. The Indian Company in the 114th is composed of warriors from various tribes within the counties of Brant and Haldimand. These are the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senacas, Cayugas, Oneidas and Tuscarora’s, known as the Six Nations proper, together with a splendid sprinkling of the Delaware, Mississauga’s (Chippewa’s) and Mohawk (Caughnawaga) from near Lachine in the province of Quebec. In the company are also to be found some Chippewa from the northern heights of Ontario.

Captain Frank Montour will doubtless be in command of this company, enjoying every confidence reposed in him by brother officers and warriors in his capabilities to sustain the dignity and responsibility attached to his important commission.

Company likes Him

As an evidence of his popularity and pride of the warriors to have him as their leader, it was recently rumored at Camp Borden that he was selected as one of the officers to go almost immediately overseas when the warriors got very busy and requested the commandant to have him retained.

We at the Six Nations take great pride in extending sincere and most hearty congratulations to Capt. Frank Montour and the Delawares our cousins (traditional relationship) in the bright accomplishments of a worthy son and warrior of the tribe who by his conduct in war has brought distinction and honor not only to his family and tribe, but alike to all Britain’s Indian allies.

BX August 21, 1917

Lieut. Frederick Ogilvie Loft an Indian Chief – Given Honor with title of Onondeyoh at Council House Today

In accordance with the customs of the Confederacy of the Chiefs of the Six Nations Reserve, the distinguished honor of chief with the Indian title of Onondeyoh was conferred upon Lieut. Frederick Ogilvie Loft of the Indian Forestry Battalion from the reserve now in England at a special meeting in the council house this morning.

Lieut. Frederick Loft, a man of about 40 years, is one of the most popular of his race on the Six Nations Reserve. He has been a keen patriotic worker ever since war was declared, and he was instrumental in raising the Forestry draft with which he is connected in official capacity. His friends on the reserve are highly delighted with the appointment made this morning at Ohsweken. After the appointment, the chiefs present adjourned for the usual feast and further ceremonies.

BX November 13, 1929

Canada’s Foremost Indian Has Had an Eventful Life – Chief F.O. Loft Was Received Privately by the King and Had One of the Empire’s Most Coveted Honors Conferred on Him by Prince of Wales – Canadian Artist Paints Portrait

Traditionally, the North American Indian is unable to cope with the enervating influences of the white man’s environment, but chief Frederick Ogilvie Loft, full-blooded Mohawk, and proud descendant of a long line of warriors of that famed tribe of the Six Nations, has disproven the theory in his own case at least, by hewing out for himself a notable career in the land of the whites though ever keeping the interests of his race close to his heart.

Two-fold his loyalty has always been. As Lieutenant Loft of the Canadian Forestry Corps during the First World War, he has privately received and commended by the King. In return he was able to assure His Majesty of the continued loyalty of his Indian subjects, a material proof of which was a company of Indians he had recruited.

During his absence in France he was made honorary chieftain of the Six Nations. In 1921 he was similarly honored by the chiefs of the Indians of Saskatchewan and Alberta in recognition of his services to his people, particularly in the League of Indians in Canada of which he is founder and head chief.

Indian scholars are a frequent sight in the Brantford Collegiate today. Not so 50 years ago. When young Fred Loft wished to extend his education beyond the meager standards then prevailing on the Tuscarora reservation, where he was born in 1861, and his parents were against it, their strongest objection being the long walk he would have to make to Caledonia. But the young “warrior” insisted on going and every day for a year or more, he tramped the eight mile round trip to school, until someone offered him lodgings in town in return for doing odd jobs.

Following three years in high school, he spent two years in the bush of Northern Michigan, where he rose from lumberjack to inspector. Ill health forced him to leave this arduous life, and after a course at a business college, he joined the staff of the Brantford Expositor. His keen interest in the affairs of his people, coupled with a ready pen, made him a foremost authority on the history and traditions of the Six Nations.

In the general elections of 1886, he conducted a successful campaign in the interests of the Liberal candidate. It was the first Dominion election in which his Indian brothers were able to exercise their newly won franchise.

In 1887 he received an appointment in the bursars office of the Ontario Hospital, Toronto, which he held for almost 40 years, with the exception of the years spent overseas, until his retirement in 1926.

In 1898, he married Miss Affa Northcott Geare of Chicago, cousin of Sir Stafford Northcott, later Lord Iddesleigh. Of their three children, two daughters are living, Miss Affa and Mrs. Fletcher Waldron.

Due to his early lumbering experience, Mr. Loft was taken from the 256th Battalion, with which he went overseas, and commissioned to recruit a forestry company from his fellow Indians.

The colorful company drew much attention when it arrived in England in 1917 and word of its efficiency on the field of battle soon came drifting back.

Many in England entertained its famed chief, and at the proclamation of the Prince of Wales as the future ruler of Britain was given a place of honor within the Bar of the Black Rod, as high a position as any citizen of the Empire could occupy.

In his portrait painting A.R. Hughes, the young Canadian artist, has deftly reproduced in the features those qualities of foresight and determination which have been so exemplified in the life of this interesting Indian.

BX July 6, 1934

Mohawk Indian Passes at Toronto – Frederick Ogilvie Loft Was Indian Authority

TORONTO, July 6, - (CP) – Frederick Ogilvie Loft, full-blooded Mohawk Indian and authority on Indian history, died here today at the age of 72. He had been ill six months.

Mr. Loft, born on the Tuscarora Indian reserve, attended high school in Caledonia, Ont., and subsequently joined the staff of The Brantford Expositor. In later years he was a contributor to Toronto newspapers.

In 1887 he was appointed to the bursar’s office of the Ontario Hospital at Toronto.

He went to France during the Great War with the Canadian Forestry Corps as a lieutenant. He was once received privately by King George.

His widow, a cousin of Lord Iddesleigh and two daughters survive.

BX July 6, 1934

Chief Frederick Ogilvie Loft

The funeral of Chief F.O. Loft of the Six Nations took place at Toronto Saturday afternoon. Born on the Six Nations reserve 72 years ago, he was a descendant of a long line of Iroquois chieftains. He was a former employee of the Ontario Government and served with distinction overseas in the Great War. He leaves besides his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Fletcher Waldron, Hamilton and Mrs. R. Matteson, New York, N.Y., also two brothers, Chief W.D. Loft and harry of the Six Nations Reserve.