Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[People’s Press, 5 September 1905]
A sad combination of marriage and death occurred last week in the family of Adam Myers, Clifton street. On Wednesday evening Miss Pearl Myers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Myers, was united in marriage by rev. J.W. Magwood to Mr. John Stewart. The happy pair left for the east for a wedding trip. On Thursday morning at eleven o’clock, Mrs. Myers, mother of the bride, was stricken with paralysis and at noon she passed away. The over-excitement of her daughter’s marriage had put too much a strain on her nervous system with sad results. The newly married couple were summoned home from Rochester by the sad news. Mrs. Myers was 62 years of age and is survived by a husband, one son and two daughters. The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon to Drummond Hill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 18 June 1897]
A sad death occurred at Air Line Junction, Humberstone, on Sunday last, when Justina Matthews, wife of Eli Horton, departed this life at the early age of 38 years. Death was caused by lockjaw, the result of blood-poisoning produced by a female ailment. Mrs. Horton was the daughter of the late Abner Matthews of Welland. She leaves a husband, a mother, and five children, the oldest whom is ten years of age. The funeral took place on Tuesday, interment at Fonthill’s cemetery; services by Rev. W.H. Swayze. Mrs. Horton had a wide circle of friends, and her untimely death will be deeply mourned, and the sympathy of the community goes out fully to the bereaved ones.
[Welland Tribune, 1 September 1905]
This community was shocked to hear of the very sudden death of Master Harry Teeter, son of Chas. Teeter, which occurred here on Saturday August 26th, after a brief illness of only a few hours, caused by a blood vessel bursting near the brain. Harry was a particularly bright little fellow, 8 years of age. For one so young he was well advanced in his studies at school, a regular attendant at Sunday school and a general favorite among the companions by whom he will be greatly missed.
The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from the residence of his grandfather, Mr. A.W. Teeter, where he resided, and was largely attended. Rev. D.N. Robertson officiated. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the community in their hour of affliction.
[Welland Tribune, 12 May 1905]
Niagara-on-the-Lake, May 19-Mrs. Mary Ball Servos, an old and highly esteemed resident of the Niagara District, passed away this morning at her residence, Palatine Hill, Niagara township, aged 77 years. Mrs. Servos was a daughter of the late Capt. John O. Ball, and granddaughter of the late Capt. Bernard Frey of Butler’s Rangers. She is survived b a grown-up family, two sons and two daughters.
[Welland Tribune, 13 August 1897]
Ernest w. Fell, oldest and only surviving son of J. Howard Fell of Pelham, departed this life on August 5th at his home, 49 Wilbur street, Cleveland, O. An attack of peritonitis, followed by heart failure, caused his death. The funeral cortege formed at the M.C. station, Welland, at 8 o’clock Sunday morning, when the remains arrived, accompanied by the widow and sister of the deceased. The obsequies took place at the old Friends church.
The subject of thee lines was born in Pelham, March, 1848, and died while yet in the zenith of a useful life, possessing a mind of great genius and refinement, and a clear, bright intellect.
Those knowing him best learned to love him most. He lived a noble, truthful life, and is mourned by innumerable friends. Twenty years ago he married Miss Ware of Batavia, N.Y. She with his parents and two sisters are left to mourn his sudden demise. It has been the painful duty for Miss S.J. Fell to accompany, within the past three months, the remains of her two brothers from their homes in Cleveland to the quiet churchyard in Pelham. The same friends acted as pallbearers on both of these sad occasions. They were A. Yokom, J.A. Kelsey, E.B. Davidson, A.J. Sutton, Elwood Chantler and Richard Moore.
Mr. Rodgers of the Friends Church spoke words of love and hope, and expressed the sympathy felt for those whose hearts have been doubly pierced by the barbed arrows of bereavement- a time when we repeat farewell and plant by the sacred dust the willow and cypress. Having no fear, but ever relying on the goodness of nature, the spirit of the departed dropped out of life’s battle. By the side of his brother, whom he so soon joined in death, amid the quiet scenes of his boyhood, beneath the waving branches of majestic trees and beautiful floral offerings, we laid all that was mortal of the departed; and in our memory these brothers, both noble and handsome types of manhood, shall ever remain. Love surrounded their memory and youth was ever theirs.-COM.
[Welland Telegraph, 30 January 1891]
Mr. Chas. Hart received word from Brooklyn on Monday of the death of his sister, Mrs. Holfe, and left on Tuesday to attend the funeral.
DEATH OF CHARLES A. HART
INDUSTRIAL HOME
[Welland Tribune, 17 December 1897]
Number in the home, Dec. 16th-51
Charles A. Hart, an inmate committed from Bridgeburg, died on Wednesday aged 73 years. The body was taken to Dunnville for interment.
July 11, 1905-August 21, 1965
(By Vilma Ens)
Robert Douglas MacArthur , educator of hundreds of students during his 41 years as teacher and principal was born just after the turn of the century in Burk’s Falls. He received his schooling there and after finishing high school attended Teacher’s College in North Bay.
His first teaching position was in G. Chrilber, where he taught from 1923 to 1926. An opening for principal came at Woodland school in St Catharines. He applied an d was accepted.
The agreement signed by the trustees of the school stated that R.D MacArthur would be paid a salary of $1200 for the term beginning Sept 1st 1026 to June 30th 1927. Another clause stated that the Board and the teacher may, sat their option respectively terminate this engagement by giving notice to the other of them at least one calendar month previously, and so as to terminate on the last day of a calendar month. The letter of reference from George A. Evans, principal at schreiber public school states that “as a teacher , Mr. MacArthur is painstaking, energetic and conscientious firm but kind in discipline and most excemplary in conduct, willing to assist in all matters that tended to raise the moral status of the community.It is with regret that I learn of Mr. MacArthur’s intention to sever his connection with the staff but nevertheless this testimonial of his worth is truthfully and cheerfully given. I have no hesitency in recommending Mr. MacArthur to and Board of Trustees desiring the services of a faithful and efficient teacher.” So MacArthur stayed at Woodland school for 18 years from 1926-1944. During this time he married his hometown sweetheart, Laura Parsons and two sons were born to them, John and Douglas.
He came to the police village of Fenwick in 1944, to head the school as principal. The old school on Baxter Avenue right in the centre of town must have been quite a challenge. Grade one had a classroom behind the building with the only heat in winter being a wood stove at the back of the room. The main school building was old and the play ground was small. A tremendous amount of encouragement was given by Mr. MacArthur to both staff and students to persevere under these trying conditions. Then in 1951, a new school was opened on Canboro Road in the middle of an apple orchard and grapery. The grounds around the school were huge and gave Mr. MacArthur an opportunity to have baseball diamonds, playground equipment and lots of room for his students to run and play. He encouraged baseball games and a game of scrub was always held at recess and lunch times There was a covered entrance so the children could skip and play ball against the wall even in the rain. Marbles were played at the “boys entrance” and hop scotch along the south s would ide of the school. Even “hide-go-seek was fun because of the great places to hide in the grapery.
He organized a “field day” every spring and everyone participated. He encouraged both girls and boys to try their best and an abundance of ribbons and silver cups were given out. There was also a gymnasium where once a month the whole school would congregate for assembly . A different class would be responsible for the entertainment. The class rooms were large and warm and washrooms were clean and functional. Mr. MacArthur was a teaching principal and sought to pass on his love of maths and sciences to everyone of his pupils. He expected excellence .
Mac’s salary of course did no increase by very much, as was the case in those days Therefore he worked as a purser and wheelsman for the Hunterville Lake of Bays and Lake Simcoe Navigation Co. Ltd. During the summer from 1929 to 1948. His steamers were the Mohawk Belle and the Algonquin. His usual working dates were from June 29 or 30th to the Labour Day weekend. Sometimes there would not be even one day’s rest from work on the boat to the first day of school. The letter from the Vice President and Secretary states “This is to certify that we have always found Mr. MacArthur to be of good character strictly temperate and a non-smoker. Honest , capable and faithful in the discharge of his duties as purser and wheelsman.
During his twenty two years in Fenwick R.D. MacArthur was a vital force in the life of the community. He was an elder in the Fenwick United church and a former member of the stewards’ board. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for 30 years and a past noble grand of Pelham Lodge 454 IOOF. He also belonged to the Ontario Federation of Teachers.
The write-uo in the newspapers after his passing said that his qualities as a teacher will live on through the lives of his pupils. Not only the qualities as a teacher and principal but as an exceptional human being whose love, fairness, humour and encouragement was an inspiration to many.
[Welland Tribune, 18 January 1947]
St. James Anglican church, Port Colborne, decorated with Boston ferns, cyclamen, and baskets of chrysanthemums, was the setting of a pretty wedding on Wednesday, January 15, at 4 p.m., when Opal Marie, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Seney, became the bride of Henry William Liang, of Port Colborne. Rev. H.G.L. Baugh performed the ceremony with Mrs. Mewburn presiding at the organ. During the signing of the register Mrs. E. Hammell sang “O Perfect Love” and “I Love You Truly.”
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a floor-length gown of Chinese turquoise crepe embroidered with pale pink bugle beads and pearls. Her matching shoulder-length was held by a band of pearls. She carried a white ivory prayer book with streamers of white satin ribbon tied with Pinocchio rose buds. Her only ornament was a string of pearls and matching ear-rings.
Mrs. Jack G. Arnott, only sister of the bride, attended as matron of honor. Mrs. Arnott’s gown and headdress was a duplicate of the bride’s. She carried an arm bouquet of white carnations,, yellow daffodils and orchard tulips tied with tulle. She wore pearl ear-rings, the gift of the bride.
Jack Arnott, brother-in-law of the bride, was the groomsman.
After the ceremony, a dinner was held at the Reeta Hotel in Welland. The bride’s mother wore a chartreuse wool suit with matching feather hat, and black accessories. She wore a corsage of yellow rose buds.
Later the bride and groom left for a brief honeymoon. For travelling the bride donned a blue rabbit’s hair wool dress, steel blue coat with Persian trim and Persian hat, and black accessories.
Upon their return they will reside on Sugar Loaf street.
[Welland Tribune, 27 November 1943]
Central United church was the setting for a lovely wedding this afternoon at two o’clock when Rev. George H. Knighton united in marriage, Norma Fetterly, daughter of Mrs. A. Draycott, 748 King street, Humberstone, and Carl F. Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Young, 72 West avenue, Humberstone. The wedding music was played by Reg. M. Steeves.
Given in marriage by Fred Moscrip, the bride chose an attractive floor-length gown of white crepe chiffon with long bishop sleeves. A scalloped headdress of net held her full-length veil and she carried a bouquet of roses and mums.
Miss Beatrice Fetterly, sister of the bride, was maid of honor, and the bridesmaid were Miss Dorothy Sheddan and Miss Evelyn Young.
Blue satin and lace in a floor-length model with sweetheart neckline and short sleeves was worn by the maid of honor. A sweet heart headdress held her shoulder-length veil and she carried roses and mums.
Miss Young chose blue chiffon and Miss Sheddan was lovely in blue taffeta, made with sweet heart necklines. They wore shoulder-length veils and their bouquets were roses and mums.
Donald Young, brother of the groom, was groomsman and Francis Neff and Ernest Brown ushered.
A reception for 30 guests was held at a local café, where the bride’s mother received wearing burgundy with black accessories. Mrs. Young, mother of the groom, chose a frock of black and gold with black accessories.
For travelling to Niagara Falls, the bride donned a blue dressmaker suit with blue accessories.
Mr. and Mrs. Young will make their home in Humberstone.
[Vilma (Moretti) Ens]
I can hardly remember a time that I didn’t hear the name “Mac”. My sister Dolores being five years ahead of me told me stories every day of her teacher and principal.
R.D. MacArthur, “Mac” of course to everyone she always seemed to be reciting some poem or another. “Mac”, she said had to have a million lines of memory work(maybe 100 lines written, and 250 lines said) that had to be just perfect- as both my sister and “Mac”were perfectionists. By the time I reached grade 8 and had “Mac” for my teacher, I didn’t have to learn any memory work because I know more than enough from Dolores continual recitation.
I had also heard of the discipline that was meted out. Mr. MacArthur and I had it pounded into my head that I had to be good or I would be sent to the office to “Mac” and then I would really be in trouble. Imagine my surprise when I had him as my teacher in grade 8 and found him to be wonderful. He helped me so much during the most tramatic year of my young life when my father was sick and after his death “Mac” gave me so much encouragement, guidance and help and those positive words that told me I would be O.K. and I would make it.
My father had instilled in me the love of sports and Mr. MacArthur gave it the credibility that it was the right thing to do- even for a girl. Through him baseball became #1 for me. I’ll always remember the world series of 1956-Brooklyn Dodgers vs New York Yankees. The Yankees probably won – we (Mac and I) pulled for the Dodgers. The best part was that he turned the radio on and allowed, us to listen to the game for the afternoon. Of course we had to be quiet and stay in our seats. Even at recess. The only time we could implode was when a team scored.
I never got to thank him for everything because as a kid of 12 i didn’t realize how important all of this was, but I think he must have known the influence he had and how much our lives were made richer by him.
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