Welland History .ca

The TALES you probably never heard about

Results for ‘Early Citizens’

RELEASE (In Memory of Ethelwyn Wetherald)

[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]

The homestead trees are black tonight
Against the winter sky,
And all the happy, eager earth
Has blossomed but to die.

My heart was ever one to sing
With shining field and wood;
The blind and cruel and bitter way
It never understood.

But still above the evergreens
I see the stars burn bright;
And there once  more my soul mounts up
Where it is always light.

-Fisher Davidson

SCHOOL HONORS TWO DECEASED

[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]

Tribute Paid Memory of Poet, Former Pupil

Fenwick, March 12- A special assembly of staff and pupils of Pelham Continuation school was held on Monday morning to pay tribute to the memory of Miss Ethelwyn Wetherald, renowned poetess and to Miss Evelyn Berry a former pupil of the school.

Miss Wetherald had presented the school with an autographed copy of her last book of lyrics and sonnets, on February 15, 1933, and from this volume two poems were read: “Parting” and “The Soul Knows.”

It is not given to many communities to have the honor of claiming such a famous and well loved person as their own, and while she has passed into that great beyond of which she wrote frequently, her works remain a living monument to the memory of a gracious and lovely lady.

LAST RITES FOR VICTIM OF POWER LINE MISHAP

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Fellow workers and members of the Welland Hydro Commission this morning attended in a body funeral services for Steve Lapka, whose death occurred at the Welland County General hospital last Friday from injuries incurred in the line of duty as a Hydro  lineman last January 10.

The funeral was held from the J.J. Patterson and Sons’ Funeral  Residence 19 Young street to St Mary’s church where requiem was chanted by Rev. Father Horvath, assistant pastor of the Church of our Lady of Hungary, of which deceased was a member. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery.

Pallbearers were all fellow workers, J. Taylor, A. Acaster, O. Brown, F. Hartmier, J. Sylie and N. Cobolak.

FUNERALS – MRS HORACE RATHFON

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Many friends, including some from Wainfleet, Long Beach and Buffalo attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Horace Rathfon on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Rathfon died at her residence in Bethel on Thursday in her 61st year. The funeral was held from the late residence to First Lutheran church, Rev. Theo A. Iseler conducted the service. Interment was in Overholt’s cemetery.

During the service Misses Helen and Marguerite Climenhage sang the duet. “The Old Rugged Cross,” accompanied at the organ by Miss Minnie Boneberg, The pallbearers were Emanuel White, George Schleffel, George MacIntyre, Allan Steele, Gordon Doan and William Christmas, neighbors and friends of the deceased.

Among many beautiful floral tributes were those of the Ladies Aid of First Lutheran church and the Bethel Sunshine Class.

FUNERALS – MRS. WALTER NEFF

[Welland Tribune February 28, 1940]

The funeral of Mrs. Walter Neff, who passed away at her residence, 183 Ash street, Port Colborne, on Saturday, was held yesterday afternoon. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. Wilmer Steele and at the graveside by Rev. A Cusler. Interment was in the Mennonite cemetery Sherkston.

The pallbearers were Earl Michael, Amos Mitchener, George Young, Roy Sherk, Roy Cudney and George Schleffle. Among the many floral tributes attesting to the high esteem in which the deceased was held, was a beautiful floral piece from the Maple Leaf Milling Co.

The funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. Sherkston, Ridgeway and the Port Colborne and Humberstone district.

MRS. N. JAMIESON OF WELLANDPORT PASSES AT 90

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Wellandport, Feb.26- Wellandport’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Nancy Jamieson, widow of the late Emerson Jamieson passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sutherland on Friday, February 23rd. Deceased who was in her 91st year was a daughter of the late Mathias and Mrs. Robins and had lived her entire life in the townships of Wainfleet and Gainsboro where although of a quiet  and home loving disposition she had endeared herself to a multitude of friends. Her husband predeceased her in 1920. To mourn she leaves two daughters, Zelia (Mrs. T, Sutherland) of Wellandport, and Minnie (Mrs. Wm. Nunn) of Fenwick also three grandchildren, John Henderson of Wainfleet, Charles Nunn and Mrs. Theodore Bowman of Fenwick, six great-grandchildren and two  great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was held this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, Wellandport; followed by interment in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville.

NEW CROWN ATTORNEY

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 8 January 1947]

T.F. Forestell, K.C., of Fort Erie recently appointed crown attorney for Welland County, will establish residence in Welland as soon as suitable arrangements can be made. Before her marriage, Mrs. Forestell (nee Irene O’Driscoll) taught school at Toronto. The Forestells have three children: Barbara is in training at St. Michael’s hospital, Toronto; Terry is studying for the priesthood in the Brazilian novitiate, Toronto; and Paul is attending Fort Erie High school.

T.F. FORESTELL TAKES OVER AS CROWN ATTORNEY

Succeeds H.W. Macoomb Who Will Resume His Own Practice

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 3 January 1947]

Tobias F. Forestell, K.C., Welland County’s newly-appointed crown attorney arrived from Fort Erie yesterday to take over his new duties. He succeeded H.W. Macoomb, K.C., who has retired after an 11-year term as crown attorney, to resume private practice with the firm of Macoomb, Macoomb and Street.

The new crown attorney is Welland county’s fourth. His predecessors were Mr. Macoomb, T.D. Cowper, K.C.; and L.D. Raymond. K.C. He has been practicing law in the county for 27 years, coming to Thorold shortly after being called to the bar in 1920 and moving to Fort Erie in 1922. In December 1935, he was created King’s Counsel.

A native of Campbellford, where he was born October 28, 1896, Mr. Forestell received his early education at its public and high schools following which he attended St. Michael’s College, Toronto University.

He is a veteran of the First Great War in which he enlisted in the 56th battery, R.C.A., in 1916. He went overseas that year and saw active service until he was wounded in November, 1918. He received his discharge in April 1919, was awarded the Military Medal and returned to Toronto where he completed his law studies and was called to the bar, October 20, 1920.

Mr. Forestall has been an active member of the County Law Library Association, the Canadian Legion, the Progressive Conservative Association and the Niagara Parks Commission. He is a past president of the library association, past president and past zone commander of the Legion and now chairman of the Service Bureau Committee of the Provincial Command of the Canadian Legion; past president of the Niagara Riding Progressive Conservative Association and the Welland County Progressive Conservative Association.

TO RESUME PRACTICE

Mr. Macoomb looks forward to resuming practice. During his years as crown attorney, his firm has been obliged to turn away criminal work; however, according to Gabriel J. Macoomb, would now return to that field.

The retiring crown attorney, who was born in January, 1872, has had some 50 years legal experience. He received his early education in Welland and Toronto where he graduated from Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in 1895. It was then that he became a member of the firm of Harcourt, Cowper and Macoomb.

In 1905, he went into law practice on his own. However, five years later, he again associated himself with the late crown attorney, Mr. Cowper, under the firm title of Cowper and Macoomb.

In 1920 Mr. Macoomb formed a partnership with D. Ben Coleman-now judge of Ontario County. His son, Gabriel entered the firm in 1933 and George Street became a partner in 1939.

The retiring crown attorney has led an active public life.

He was a member of the Board of Education, retiring in 1935 after 30 years’ work in the interests of Welland youth. He was a member of the Welland Public Library Board for many years and its president for one year. Mr. Macoomb was president of the Welland Swimming and Life Saving Club for two years. In 1935 he was president of the Welland County Bar.

His political affiliation has been Liberal and for many years he held the presidency of the Welland City Liberal Association.

He is a member of Central United church and takes an interest in its Men’s Club.

Summers, Mr. Macoomb usually spends on the shore of Lake Erie where he has a home. He has two sons-Hudson W. of St. David’s and Gabriel of Welland. His wife is a member of the Hibbard family of Smithville.

Mr. Macoomb is also a member of the Alabama bar for he practiced law in Birmingham for several years.

CARRIE GAISER CROW

[Welland Telegraph, 27 March 1903]

A sad death which brought grief to many Wellanders and to many distant friends and relatives, occurred early Thursday morning, when Carrie Gaiser Crow died after a lingering and painful illness. She had been suffering for many months past, but bore her illness with much fortitude. She was the wife of Mr. W.H. Crow, and was widely known not only too many friends in this town, but to numerous ones throughout the surrounding district. These extend their most heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband, whose keen loss in losing his life-mate just in the fullness of her life is shared in a measure by all who knew her. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. M. Gaiser of Pelham until she came to Welland as a bride. Besides her father, four sisters and four brothers are left. The sisters are: Mrs. R. Moote, of Pelham; Mrs. .Dr. Hutton, of Welland; Mrs. Rev. Grenzebach, of Milverton, and Miss Ada, at home. The brothers are John, Osten, Oscar and Dan. They all reside at home, excepting John, who has a farm just west of Welland. The funeral will take place on Saturday at 1.30 p.m. from the late residence, where services will be conducted. The interment will be at Dawdy’s cemetery.

PACKER-UPPER WEDDING

[Welland Tribune, 28 January 1947]

A basket of white mums and snapdragons on the alter table formed an effective background for the marriage on Saturday, in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church, of Catharine Elizabeth, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Upper, Maple Avenue, to Frank W. Packer, Thorold South, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Packer, of Thorold South. Rev. A.D. Sutherland officiated at the ceremony which was performed at the hour of 4.00 p.m. White satin ribbons marked the guest pews.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, was lovely in a gown of white satin, with a full skirt, yoke of sheer nylon, and fitted bodice. The long sleeves tapered to a point over the wrists. Her fingertip veil of embroidered net was caught with a wreath of orange blossoms, and she carried an arm bouquet of American Beauty roses and white mums and maiden hair fern, tied with white ribbon.

The bridesmaid was Muriel Maudsley, frocked in dusty pink taffeta, styled with a fitted bodice, full skirt and cap sleeves, and matching long taffeta gloves. Her flowers were pink carnations and pink and mauve sweet peas, tied with pink ribbons.

Donald W. Justice, organist of St. Andrew’s, played Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” during the signing of the register.

The best man was Robert Packer, brother of the groom, and the guests were ushered by Ward Packer, a brother of the groom and Douglas Upper, brother of the bride.

A reception for 40 guests was held at 5 p.m. at the Rose Villa Inn, Riverside Drive. White mums decorated the guests’ tables, and the bride’s table was centered with a three-tier wedding cake. Receiving the guests were the bride’s mother, who was gowned in grey wool sheer with touches of mauve and a corsage of American Beauty roses and freesia assisted by the groom’s mother, who chose black crepe with gold clips and corsage of pink roses and freesia.

For a wedding trip by motor to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, the bride donned a dressmaker suit in powder blue wool, with black accessories, feathered hat and grey tuxedo coat with squirrel trim. Upon their return, Mr. and Mrs. Packer will take up residence in Thorold South.

Out-of-town guests were present from Toronto, Hamilton, Smithville, Dunnville, Sarnia, St. Catharines Thorold, Merritton, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, N.Y., Kitchener and Port Colborne.