DEXTER D’EVERARDO

[History of the Village of Fonthill, 1944]

One prominent name, and one which no doubt almost every one in our village has heard, probably more often than any other is that of Dexter D’Everardo, who has been called the Father of Fonthill. He it was who beautified our village many years ago by planting the maples which line our streets today, making it a beauty spot which is known far and wide. He came to Fonthill about 1843 and was appointed County Registrar in 1851; at the time of the separation of the counties he was made Clerk of the Surrogate Court.

At that time there were  two brick buildings, one the Registry Office where the Bank now stands, the other a portion which still remains as Minor’s Garage, both being county buildings.

Mr D’Everardo favoured Fonthill for the county seat, but when he found Port Robinson instead of Fonthill, might get the prize, he used his influence for Welland. The offices were moved to Welland in 1872, but he lived here for several years.

His home was situated at the top of the hill about where the Kelly, Lister and Louch homes now stand, but, much farther back from the road, and was one of the finest houses in the village, large, spacious, and commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.

Entering the well-kept grounds, a circular driveway led to the imposing front door, with panels of red glass on either side, which, as childish eyes looked out, gave to the world the appearance of fairyland. This front door opened into a large hall with a wide winding staircase and many doors, one leading on the right to a huge drawing-room with two fire-places, one on the left into the homey living room with a huge fire-place which was supplied from a woodbox so large children could easily use it for a hiding place in a game of hide-and-seek.

Mr D’Everardo was known as a very eccentric man, but generous to the poor in his earlier days. Kindhearted and very hospitable, his New Year’s parties with orchestra from across the border and tables loaded with all kinds of delicious foods of the holiday season, being known throughout the Niagara Peninsula.

When the Registry Office was located in Welland, Mr “Dee” drove back and forth daily and getting him off was quite a task. He wore an overcoat the year round and in winter had to be bundled into three of them; always carried a huge umbrella tucked under the seat of his open buggy called a buckboard; then he would fare forth on what was no fifteen or twenty minute drive in days when the mud would be almost hub-deep; no fine pavements in those days making driving easy and comfortable as it is today.

He had many peculiarities, for instance eating his two meals a day at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. entirely alone; walking miles for exercise with his head down and his right arm swinging back and forth; having a small wooden frame at the foot of his bed to hold the bed clothes off his feet, and many others. However, in spite of all these we read that “as a registrar he was the model of the province.”

Mr D’Everardo was the founder of the Fonthill Nurseries. The erection of the Baptist Church in 1846 was largely due to the efforts of Mrs D’Everardo, whose personality seems to have been rather overshadowed by her husband’s, but those who knew her speak of her sterling qualities and her fine work and influence in the Baptist Church. She succeeded in influencing a number of young men in building and the ground was levelled and the building erected chiefly by volunteer labor. Mr “Dee” became security for the building material.

We also read of Dexter D’Everardo’s liberality in the erection of the Anglican Church, and his name is found on the list of the first trustees of the Grammar School; it was also due to correspondence and advertising in newspapers that many of the early citizens moved here. From all that has been recorded we may form the opinion that Dexter D’Everardo may well be called “The Father of Fonthill” and a public benefactor.

Later in life he sold his house and moved to Welland, where he died in 1891, having been looked after for many years by his adopted children, James and Susie Forgie. The beautiful old home in Fonthill was destroyed by fire in 1893, but the trees he planted still remain as a monument to his memory.