Results for ‘Early Citizens’
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.
[Welland Tribune April 22, 1897]
A Prominent Resident of St Catharines who has lived 89 years
St Catharines, Ont., April 22 – One of the oldest residents of St. Catharines passed away this morning in the person of Charles W. Hellems. He was about 89 years of age. Mr. Hellems was at one time one of the most successful business men in St. Catharines and his name was a household word for years. He was of German descent and came here in his early life from Pennsylvania, He was identified with the building of the old Welland canal, and it was he who sank the first mineral well in this city. He had an extensive industry and from the success of the enterprise he was enabled to acquire considerable property, An aged widow survives but deceased leaves no children. He was a brother to late Squire John Hellems, a prominent pioneer of Welland town and father of police Magistrate Hellems.
[Welland Tribune November 5, 1897]
Mrs David Magwood died at her home near Lowbanks on Monday, Oct. 25Th, 1897. She leaves a husband, one son and two daughters to mourn her departure. She was doubly afflicted; with consumption and cancer in her mouth. She was a loving companion and mother, and a patient sufferer, realizing that the dawn of the morning would drive away the pain and enable her to bask in the sunlight of a Saviour’s love. She died putting her full trust and confidence in the Lord. She said she was only waiting for God to call her home. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. Major at the Zion U. B. Church, and the remains were laid in their last resting place in Dawdy’s cemetery, Pelham Centre. The following Orange brethren acting as pallbearers, by the request of the deceased; J. Bradley, N. Bradley, C. Moor, Geo. Brown, W. Lambert, S. Moriarety.
[Welland Tribune December 19, 1897]
“John Guinter is dead.” This announcement on Monday last, though not unanticipated by his friends, carried sadness to many hearts throughout the Niagara district, Mr. Guinter having a circle of warm friends, equalled in extent by few, if any, in this section. In his death this district loses one of its most progressive and successful farmers, the Liberal party and active and powerful champion and many friends one whose many social qualities had endeared him to them.
John Guinter was born in the township of South Cayuga, county of Haldimand, on the 25th of June, 1837, the son of Peter Guinter and Louisa, his wife,natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Canada in 1837. One present subject, John Guinter, was brought up a farmer and began life on his own account on the farm on which he lived and died. Richly endowed with habits of industry and perseverance and possessing good business ability, he made a marked success at farming and allied enterprises, accumulating property and other assets valued at $40,000 a few years ago, from a beginning on a capital of $1,000 twenty-five years previous. Owing to falling land values and failing health limiting his opportunities this ample competence has probably not been much increased of late years, but so well were his lands and buildings maintained that his estate came nearer holding its own in value than most others. His lands comprised 300 acres fully stocked with horses, cattle and sheep, with buildings among the finest in the county, rich orchards, all the etceteras of the up-to-date farmer. In 1861 he married Bertha Laws of Pelham township of which union four children were born. Of these the eldest died in infancy, two daughters were taken away in the bloom of young womanhood, and one son-J.Fraser Guinter-survives.
The bereaved widow also survives, but in most precarious state. A few hours after the death of her loved life partner she was the subject of a stroke of paralysis and at this writing was hovering between the living and the dead.
In politics Mr. Guinter was a sterling Liberal. He was a justice of the peace, and has represented his township\ at both the local municipal and county councils, and for many years held positions of trust on public school and agricultural society boards. He was of a most hospitable and social disposition and his many guests ever met with a warm welcome in his large and bountiful supplied mansion home.
For nearly a year past Mr. Guinter was quite apparently a doomed man; a victim to that slow but remorseless destroyer, consumption, which followed an attack of pneumonia. But with that indomitable will and energy for which he was noted, he refused to give up, and it was not until one week before he died that he actually took to his bed.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, services at his late residence at 1p.m. and interment at Hansler’s burying ground. Friends and mourners gathered from near and far to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed friend and tender their truest sympathies to the bereaved survivors.
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