Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[Welland Tribune January 25, 1940]
There was a large attendance at the funeral services for Courtland Dilts yesterday afternoon. Last rites were held from the H.L. Cudney Funeral Chapel, 241 West Main street, and interment was in Woodlawn cemetery. Rev. R.A. Cranston, minister of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church officiated.
Pallbearers were Donald Cecil and Harold Walker, Sam Izett, Jess Millard and Seth Fisher.
Deceased died Sunday morning at the home of his son, A.C. Dilts, in his 83rd year.
Welland’s Voice at Queen’s Park Mourned by Many
[Welland Tribune, 28 February 1982]
Joe Barkovich
Tribune Reporter
Ellis Price Morningstar, who represented Welland Riding in the provincial legislature through six elections in a 24-year career, died Sunday in Welland County General Hospital. He was in his 80th year.
The popular politician who became well-known for the enduring slogan, “My door is always open,” began his political career in 1934 when elected to Crowland Township council, seeking elected office only after much persuasion from friends.
He was elected to the legislature in 1951 and announced his retirement prior to the September 1975 campaign.
On the local scene, he enjoyed immense personal popularity. He went on to become a reeve of Crowland Township and a warden of Welland County. He had a 44-year career at Page Hersey.
One of the hallmarks of his active political career which continued into his retirement from elected office were the Saturday morning meetings with constituents in the basement of his 97 Alberta Street home. There, often with shirt sleeves rolled above his elbows, Mr. Morningstar sat and listened to the constituents’ concerns, frequently taking notes in efforts to help them with their problems. As many persons will attest, he did.
What Mr. Morningstar came to regard as a highlight of his lengthy career occurred a few years ago when the Welland Chamber of Commerce organized an Ellis Morningstar Appreciation Night.
Much to the delight of hundreds in attendance, Premier William Davis, one of several prominent guests, said a special portfolio had been created for Mr. Morningstar, a back bencher throughout his career: “He was the Minister of Community Singing,” said Mr. Davis. Hearing that, Mr. Morningstar needed no further prompting to break out with his traditional favourite, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
If anything, Mr. Morningstar was among the last of a vanishing breed of politician. He made the occasional speech in the legislature, extolling the assets and highpoints of his home riding, but it was here that the bulk of his work was done, with, and for the people he represented. Mr. Morningstar nurtured and maintained valuable connections in the corridors of political power, but his strengths were to be found at the grass roots, local level.
During his career at Page Hersey he came to know many of Welland’s workingmen and their families, the contacts becoming part of the bedrock of his political support. He was supervisor of the firm’s galvanizing department when he was elected to the legislature. When the house was in session, Mr. Morningstar would be at his job at the Page at 6 a.m. for a few hours. Before boarding a train daily for Queen’s Park.
He served under three premiers: Leslie frost, John Robarts and William Davis. And for many years supporters honored him at the ruling level with the always successful Morningstar jamboree.
Many major undertakings occupied his time while an MPP. Notably, was his dogged and successful representation, backed by Welland city council and the Chamber of Commerce, to have Niagara College located in Welland.
Throughout his years in Toronto, he campaigned for highway and access improvements for his riding. An early achievement was the West Side Road, federally assisted, between Welland and Port Colborne.
Highway 58 improvements between Thorold Road and Highway 406 was yet another undertaking he had advocated. Long before the canal bypass project was announced, he pleaded for additional crossings of the old canal to serve Welland and Port Colborne. With the bypass revealed, he interested himself in pressing for tunnels under the relocated channel.
His services and support were given to officials responsible for construction of many local projects, including Welland County General Hospital and its Centennial Wing, the Extendicare Unit, and growth and expansion at Sunset Haven.
But one of his greatest satisfactions was the province’s decision to create a provincial park in the Short Hills district of Effingham, another of his advocacy projects.
He was not one to stay retired from active life for a lengthy period of time. Shortly after he stepped down from provincial politics, he was appointed chairman of the Central Housing Authority, a post he held at the time of his death.
He was well liked, and likable.
Said Premier Davis, shortly after his minister of community singing had retired: “I haven’t met, I can’t think of anyone who has taken the cause and concern of his constituents more seriously and more genuinely.”
Don McMillan, Mayor
CITY OF THOROLD
[Welland Tribune, 1982]
A big man with a heart even bigger, Ellis Morningstar made an outstanding contribution to the life and welfare of our community and this whole area. Never happier than he was mixing with “his people”, Ellis accomplished a lot for his constituents.
Ellis Morningstar gave outstanding service to his people. His door was always open. He fought bureaucracy particularly at the Workmen’s Compensation Board and never took “no” for an answer. Many an award would not have been made without Ellis’ dogged determination and hard work.
Nothing was too much trouble for Ellis and he people loved him for it. He was a friend to all and his electoral support was widespread. Many, with political allegiance elsewhere, helped elect Ellis time after time with large majorities for almost a quarter of a century. When age caught up with him and he stepped down from elected office, Ellis never stopped helping his people any way he could.
Ellis was buried from Knox Presbyterian Church in Welland. The Church as well as the Sunday School hall with the service on closed circuit television were jammed to overflowing. The Hon. Tom Wells read the scripture; eulogies were given by the Hon. Bob Welch representing the province, Tom Morrison representing the municipality and Gene Reece-industry. After the service, as the casket was being wheeled out, the organ played, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. There wasn’t a dry eye in the building.
Ellis Morningstar was a humble man, a man with little formal education; but what an impact he had. He worked hard and effectively and enjoyed every minute of it. Ellis Morningstar was indeed the “The Happy Warrior.”
By Joe Barkovich
Tribune Reporter
[Welland Tribune, 1982]
He was the “champion of the little people” and in the end, they showed they did not forget what he had done for them.
Thousands passed by his casket to pay respects in the three days after his death, Sunday. About 150 cars made the last journey with him, from Knox Presbyterian Church on Fitch Street to Fonthill cemetery on a sunny late-winter afternoon.
Ellis Price Morningstar, the 24-year Welland Riding MPP, was eulogized yesterday as “a great teacher and constant advisor” by Ontario Deputy Premier Robert Welch and compared to Old Testament prophet Isiah by Rev. Norman Hutchinson because both, he said, were “ordinary men,” given special messages from God.
The little Fitch Street church was filled to overflowing as people occupied narrow aisle ways and the vestibule. Others watched the service over closed circuit television in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
There was no room in the church long before the 2 p.m. service got under way.
Legion members formed a color party and firefighters were in attendance as an honor guard.
Premier William Davis had been scheduled to attend the service but, said government house leader Thomas Wells, Mr. Davis could not attend because of illness, Mr. Wells offered the scripture readings in his place.
Mr. Welch, the deputy premier described Mr. Morningstar as “gregarious and a dedicated political figure.”
“No one was ever turned away from his door,” Mr. Welch said, because Mr. Morningstar was a man who “cared deeply for others.”
His friends were at the church yesterday for two reasons, Mr. Welch said –the general sense of loss of a man “loved by family and a wide circle of friends” and a feeling of “deep appreciation for having shared in the celebration of life” with Mr. Morningstar, a man known throughout the province.
Mr. Morningstar, said Mr. Welch, “loved life, he loved people and we loved him. He brought joy, purpose, meaning into the lives of people.”
Mr. Welch said, “Even though the flame has gone out, the glow of our memories of Ellis will keep us warm, for he was a big man in many ways.”
Former Tribune managing editor T.N. Morrison reminisced about some of Mr. Morningstar’s early political days.
Mr. Morrison said his long-time friend was talked into running for Crowland township 48 years ago by a politician who told him: “You have the qualities ideal for representing people. They like you and by being yourself, you’ll be successful.”
When a proposed arena project in post-war Welland seemed headed for defeat by the municipal council, Mr. Morningstar steered a $15,000 grant for the arena through Crowland council and “shamed” the Welland council to do its share, Mr. Morrison said.
Mr. Morrison was often called to Mr. Morningstar’s 97 Alberta St. home where the MPP worked on speeches and policy. “He’d enquire,” Mr. Morrison said, “is it right, is it fair, is it decent?”
Mr. Morrison recalled of his friend: “He could never be heard to speak ill of anyone.”
“Many of our lives were brightened for knowing him.”
“Page-Hersey co-worker Gene Reece said Mr. Morningstar, a 44-year employee of the pipe-making plant, was a “great leader” who was highly respected by employees.
“His cheery hellos created a friendly, but respected, atmosphere,” Mr. Reese recalled.
“He liked young people and he was always ready to help them, whenever possible,” he recalled.
Mr. Morningstar was an original member of the plant’s Quarter Century Club and regularly attended the once-a-year dinners, said Mr. Reece.
“I can still hear him telling us-“We should appreciate this wonderful opportunity of breaking bread together,” Mr. Reece said.
Mr. Morningstar, he said, “was missed at the pipe mill when he retired and he’ll be missed now.”
“There are some things in life that are inevitable and that is why we are here today,” said Rev. Hutchinson, the pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Morningstar was a member.
If there is one word which sums up this man’s life, it’s the cry that emanated from his life and work and hands-comfort,” Rev. Hutchinson said. …..
[Welland Tribune August 6, 1897]
It is our painful duty this week to record the demise of Jesse Ramey, one of the oldest and most respected residents of the township. Mr. Ramey, who had been failing rapidly for some time, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 75 years. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from his late residence at 2 p.m., interment at Overholt’s cemetery. One son and two daughters survive. Horace S. Ramey, Mrs. Wm. McGinnis and Mrs. Carley, all of Humberstone. Deceased was the son of David and Jane (Liedy) Ramey. His parental grandfather, Casper Ramey, was one of the pioneers of the county, having come here from Pennsylvania at a very early date in its settlement.
[Welland Tribune June 18, 1897]
A sad death occurred at Air Line Junction, Humberstone, on Sunday last, when Justina Matthews, wife of Mr 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 a daughter of the late Abner Matthews of Welland. She leaves a husband, a mother, and five children, the eldest of whom is ten years of age. The funeral took place on Tuesday, interment at Fonthill 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 June 18, 1897]
Hamilton, June 10- Nicholas Awrey, registrar of the county of Wentworth, died at his residence, East Hamilton, this evening. He had been ill for months with a complication of diseases, and for several days was unconscious. He was 46 years of age, and leaves four children to mourn his death. The deceased was M.L.A. for South Wentworth for many terms, having been first elected when but 27 years of age.
He retired from public life in 1896 to the position he held at his death. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, in charge of the Masonic order. Mrs. Awrey died about a year ago.
[Welland Tribune November 26, 1897]
Peter Herman Ball, ex-police magistrate of Merriton, died on Saturday night, at the advanced age of 80 years. He was a pioneer resident of the county, and was the son of a U.E. Loyalist, who came to this part of the country during the revolutionary war. The deceased was a farmer before being appointed magistrate, an office he filled for many years until his retirement about one year ago. He was born in the house where he spent his lifetime, and from where he passed away to his home of rest. At one time he owned a large farm around that part of the country where he resided. As the town became populated many acres were sold, but up to the time of his demise twenty-three acres were still in his possession. He leaves a sorrowing wife and daughter to mourn their loss, two sons (John and Bernard) having died some time ago.
[Welland Tribune November 26, 1897]
Charlotte, widow of late Edward Carter of the township, died at the residence of her son-in-law, George Newman, St Catharines, on Saturday last, at the advanced age of 79 years. She leaves two sons and two daughters to mourn her death, viz., Nelson Carter of British Columbia, Lachlan Carter of Thorold township, and Mrs. George Newman and Mrs. Joseph Newman, St Catharines.
[Welland Tribune April 23, 1897]
Died at his late residence in the township of Gainsboro, April 18, 1897, Cyrus Robins, of heart failure, which for many years had rendered his life more or less unpleasant, and death a long expected calamity that became a sad reality in the early hours of Easter Sunday a day well befitting the occasion of the death of one whose exemplary life and christian integrity had served to stamp upon the minds of his acquaintances an image which the hand of time cannot efface. To the church of his adoption (Canada Methodist) he was a living epistle, read and known of all men. He had no fear of death, at the very door of which he could exclaim; “Oh death where is thy sting; oh, grave where is thy victory!” “May my last end be like his!” “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them,” The subject of this obituary was born in the township of Wainfleet in 1834. His birthplace was approximate to the scene of his demise. His wife previous to their marriage, was Miss Huldah Putman (daughter of the late Albert Putman of Wainfleet), who with seven sons and daughters survive him, as follows; Orlando, Amos P., and Mrs Wm Goss of Gainsboro; Alvin A. And Mrs. Cyrus E. H. Brown of Pelham and Mrs. N.F. Johnson of Wainfleet. In politics Mr. Robins was a staunch Liberal, but always willing to accord due regard for the opinions of those whose views of the situation placed them in the ranks of his opponents. He served his municipality more than a score of years as councillor and deputy-reeve, with few intermissions, having been elected almost continuously during that time.
His funeral at Salem church on the 20th inst. was largely attended. His friends in the locality where his whole life had been spent were legion, his enemies few. Thus terminates the life of a kind father, a faithful and affectionate husband, until the last trump of God shall sound to call forth the dead from their graves to judgment. We will all be there.
Subscribe..
