FORMER MAYOR, TWICE COUNTY WARDEN, C.E. STEELE, DEAD

[Welland Tribune March 15, 1947]

Succumbs at 81, after suffering stroke; was prominent in municipal business circles.

Charles Eugene Steele, prominent Port Colborne business man and a former mayor of Port Colborne and warden of Welland county, died at his home at 296 Fielden avenue this morning at the age of 81. In failing health for several months, his death followed a stroke a few days ago.

Born of one of the oldest pioneer families in the district in Humberstone township, Mr. Steele was prominently connected with  a wide variety of activities in a business way, in municipal life and in the field of public service.

A man of recognized integrity, he had the reputation of fighting to the last for a principle. He recognized a responsibility for public service, and showed an active interest in the welfare of his church. He had many friends among the business community, and in a wider sphere in other parts of Ontario.

Was Warden Twice
He had a long record of municipal service, culminating in his election to the wardenship of the county of Welland in 1938 with the distinction of being the only man in recent years to hold the office twice.

He entered municipal life as a councillor for the township of Humberstone in 1896, following this up by being elected a commissioner for Welland County District No. 3 in the county council in 1897 and 1898. This was when the County Councils Act was passed, dividing the county into districts. District 3 composed Port Colborne, Humberstone and Crowland township; He was again elected in 1903 and 1904 and also 1905 and 1906, being honored by his colleagues in 1906 by election to the wardenship.

There followed a period of inactivity as far as municipal life was concerned until 1914, when he again entered the county council, this time as reeve of Port Colborne. He served until the end of 1917, came back for one year in 1922, and then remained out until 1933 when he re-entered the county council after an absence of 16 years. He was returned every year until 1938, when he became county warden for the second time. Mr. Steele was mayor of Port Colborne in 1927-28.

Active in Politics
Warden Steele had also been active in Provincial and Federal politics. He was a member of the commission appointed by the Hon. Howard G. Ferguson as the Ontario Minister of Mines, to survey and report on the natural gas situation in Ontario, and also served two years on the board of reference appointed by the provincial government to fix rates at which natural gas should be sold.

His business career started in 1907 when he organized the Sterling Gas Company, of which he was president and general manager, until he sold his interest in the firm to Dominion Natural Gas  in 1928. While he was connected with the gas industry he was honored with the presidency of the Natural Gas and Petroleum Association of Canada, and even after severing his connection with the gas industry, he remained the honorary president of that organization and was active as a member of its executive board.

Born in Humberstone, Mr. Steele was first engaged in farming. He moved to his beautiful residence on Fielden avenue in 1902.

On Sanitorium Board
For many years, Mr. Steele was on the board of the Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium, and was named chairman in 1939-1940. He was a member of the Empire club, Toronto, and a former member of the Port Colborne Lawn Bowling club and the Port Colborne Lion Club, and also a life member of the Port Colborne Golf and County Club. The late Mr. Steele also held membership in Beacon lodge, I.O.O.F. and Macnab lodge, A.F. and A.M. He was a lifelong member of the Port Colborne Baptist church, which he served as a deacon for many years.

Mr. Steele was married on December 14,1887, to Alice Emeretta Zavitz, who survives him. Also surviving are two sons, M.D. Steele and Lewis C Steele of Port Colborne; three daughters, Mrs. Herman Ott of Humberstone Village, Mrs. H.J. Shore of Port Colborne and Miss Dora Steele at home; and one sister, Mrs. Clara Minor of Port Colborne.

A private funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from the family residence at 2p.m. Interment will be in Overholt’s cemetery.