Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[Welland Tribune February 15, 1947]
Ridgeville, Feb. 15-Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for the late Georgianna Beaudry Johnson who passed away on Sunday morning at her late home in Pelham Township.
Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. Frank Beaudry, and was born 73 years ago at East Brookfield, Massachusetts. She married Charles N. Johnson in 1904 and has been a resident of Pelham township for the past 34 years.
Deceased is survived by her husband, one daughter (Ruth Claire) Mrs. Lester Drenkhanhn of Buffalo, N.Y., and one son Windle F. Johnson of Washington, D.C. Two brothers and one sister predeceased her several years ago.
Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Church of Christ but as a resident of this community has attended the North Pelham Presbyterian church for many years.
Dr. Albert V. Brown conducted the funeral services at the Drake and Barron Funeral Home in Fonthill. His text was “We Sorrow Not as Those That Have No Home.” Dr. Brown also spoke of the high esteem in which Mrs.Johnson was held by her many relatives and neighbors. Chester Metler sang “Trusting in God”, a favorite hymn of the deceased.
Many beautiful floral tokens including pieces from the William Hengerer Company of Buffalo, N.Y., and the Willing Workers and Sunday School of the North Pelham Presbyterian church denoted the affection of the community for the late Mrs. Johnson.
The following men were pall bearers: D.H. Horton, Arthur Metler,William Johnson, Chester Metler, William Hicks and Claire Johnson.
Interment took place at the North Pelham Cemetery and Dr. Brown read the committal at the graveside.
[Welland Tribune February 14, 1947]
The death occurred early this morning at the home of his son, Joseph Balsowitz, 30 Harriet street, Crowland, of Frank Balsowitz in his 70th year. Deceased was born in Lithuania and came to Canada 36 years ago, and spent 17 years in the employ of the Electro-Metallurgical Company of Canada Limited, until he retired in 1938. His wife, Mary Balsowitz predeceased him some years ago.
He is survived by a son, Joseph residing on Harriet street; two daughters, Miss Stella Balsowitz of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Miss Mary Balsowitz of Rathbury, Mich.
The remains are resting at the J.J. Patterson and Sons funeral residence, 19 Young street, but formal arrangements has not yet been completed.
Frank Balsowitz
The funeral of the late Frank Balsowitz, who died on Friday February 14, at the home of his son, Joseph Balsowitz, 30 Harriet street, in his 70th year , was held this morning from the J.J.Patterson and Sons funeral residence, 19 Young street, to the church of St Peter and St. Paul, where requiem mass was solemnized. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery. Rev. S. Cassin chanted mass. The pallbearers were Steve Runka, George Repaski, Anton Hungit, Jack Bubam, John Horagich and George Njari.
[Welland Tribune February 13, 1947]
Port Robinson, Feb. 13-Many from the district gathered Friday afternoon at the home of the late Mrs. Edna Best, wife of Reginald Best, whose death occurred on Tuesday, Feb 4, as a last mark of respect for member of the community, who, when she enjoyed good health, was active in Institute work and Red Cross work.
Rev. W.E. Long, pastor of the United church, officiated and brought a comforting message to the bereaved family.
Many floral pieces betokened the esteem in which deceased was held. Included were tributes from the Standard Steel, Owen Sound Order of the Eastern Star, Joseph Stokes Rubber So., Employes of the Stokes Rubber Co., United church L.A. and teachers, pupils and Mr. Shaffer of S.S.4.
The United church choir sang a favorite hymn, “Peace, Perfect Peace.”
Pall bearers were all relatives of deceased: George Youngblutt, Eric Youngblutt, Louis John Irwin, Wilson Jalbert, Percy Best and Howard Best of Fonthill.
Relatives attending from a distance were her father Wilson Griffith of Owen Sound; her sisters (Naida) Mrs Eric George and (Mary) Mrs. Albert Baker of Owen Sound; a brother Leonard Griffith and wife of Owen Sound and their son David of Osgood Hall Toronto; Miss Gladys Best, Fonthill; Mrs. Nettle of Welland; Mr. And Mrs. Gordon Brown of Chippewa and Mrs. Oscar Eade of Niagara Falls, Ont.
Antombment was at Fonthill Mousaleum.
[Welland Tribune February 11, 1947]
One of Port Robinson’s most highly respected citizens passed away suddenly last evening in the person of Thomas Edward Wilson, who died at his home on West Bridge street while at work removing snow from the driveway at his residence. He was born on December 3, 1878 at Bright, Ont. But moved while a young man to the United States joining a brother in the steel business in Pittsburgh.
Returning to Canada in 1912 he came to Port Robinson, and had been employed with the Standard Steel Company Limited, Port Robinson for over 33 years. He was purchasing agent and store keeper for this firm at the time of his death, and he was also a prominent member of Port Robinson United church, being a member of the board, and he had been Sunday school superintendent for 25 years.
He married Miss Elizabeth Jane Atkinson of Pittsburgh in that city in 1901. He was one of nine children, and only one brother now survives, Roy Wilson of Homestead, Pa.
Deceased was a Free Mason, and was a past master of Myrtle Masonic Lodge, Port Robinson. He was also a trustee of S.S. No. 4, Port Robinson and had been its secretary-treasurer for many years. He was a Liberal in politics, and was also a member of the Welland Civic Lawn Bowling Club. Deceased officiated for many years as secretary-treasurer of the Port Robinson Fire Area. He had for some time been supervising the work of building the new Sunday school and hall at Port Robinson United church.
Deceased who was a son of the late Joseph and Rebecca Wilson of Bright, Ont., is survived by his widow Mrs. Wilson, a son, Herbert Wilson of Vancouver, B.C. and five daughters, Belva, Mrs. Lorne Holditch, Port Robinson; Fanny, Mrs. David Kemp Jr., St Catharines; Edith, Mrs. John Shannon, St. Catharines; Helen, Mrs. J.N. Marquis, St Catharines, and Muriel, Mrs. Edward Bell of Blythe.
A Masonic service will be held at the late residence, West Bridge street on Wednesday evening, and the funeral will be held from the late residence to Fonthill cemetery on Thursday, February 13 at 2.30 p.m.
Last Rites for Edward Wilson
Port Robinson, Feb. 15-Friends from all walks of life gathered at the home of the late Thomas Edward Wilson on Thursday afternoon to attend his funeral.
Rev. W.E. Long pastor of United church of which Mr. Wilson was a faithful member, read psalms and lessons and recited prayers. He was assisted in the service by Rev. S.B. Stokes, pastor of Lundy’s Lane United church a close friend of the Wilson family, as Port Robinson was his first appointment. He stated Mr. Wilson was a great help to him in his work and was not only a friend but a counsellor. Rev. Long stated Mr. Wilson’s qualities could be summed up in three words. “The Good Samaritan.”
‘He was the type of man everyone enjoyed talking to’
[Welland Tribune, 7 July 1995]
By Richard Roik
One of Welland’s eldest civic boosters was buried yesterday.
Lemuel “Lem” Hogue died this week at the age of 91, but the mark he’s left behind as model citizen is one that will not soon be forgotten.
“He has been one of the treasures of our city,” says Eleanor Clark, who first met Hogue through the local art club more than 20 years ago.
In a life full of accomplishment, Hogue may best be remembered for the model he made of the Welland Canal. He would take it with him as he toured local schools helping youngsters to understand their hometown roots.
The model now belongs to the Welland Historical Museum, as do many of the tools and equipment from his almost 40 years as a blacksmith in the city.
“It’s an invaluable collection,” says museum curator Dorette Carter.
“He was in business during much of the building of the canal.”
A snapshot of Hogue in front of his downtown shop adorns the front of the museum’s brochure, and although Carter came here too late to really get to know him, she’s amazed by the presence he had in the city.
“I’ve met quite a variety of people who speak so glowingly of him,” Carter says.
Self-taught, Hogue enjoyed sharing what he learned-although he consistently steered clear of the spotlight in doing so.
For some ten years he was among the volunteers who, without fail, taught weekly art classes to the residents at Sunset Haven Home for the Aged.
“He was the type of man everyone enjoyed talking to,” says Carol Rapelje, a long- time volunteer at the home for the aged.
“He was interested in the residents as a friend.”
H also took his love of art to the physically and mentally challenged, and started a program at Niagara College for such special-needs students.
His tireless energy marvelled many. He was a talented painter, and astronomy buff and a wildlife enthusiast-among other things.
“He had a philosophy that whenever he met someone he would try to leave them laughing,” says Ken Sykes, who knew Hogue through their 50 years of faithful service at the First Baptist Church.”
“He said life’s too short for hard feelings,” Sykes adds.
Children were among those who especially took to him-perhaps because they recognized a man forever young at heart.
He and his wife, Betty, who died in 1984, were still camping in their final years together.
Even at age 80, he was taking courses, despite probably knowing more than his instructors. He explained his joie de vivre by noting that if you’re too old to learn you’re probably too old to live.”
“I just found him to be the most fascinating and fantastic person in the world,” says Clark.
He leaves behind five children, and a legacy we can all build on.
The world could use more Lem Hogues.
- Lemuel Victor Hogue was born in Wainfleet, the son of Michael and Margaret Hogue and had six brothers.
- He worked with his father at the Hogue Blacksmith Shop on Fraser Street for a number of years before moving to the maintenance department of Whiting Industries for some 15 years retiring in 1970.
- Died 2 July 1995 in his 92nd year.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
[Welland Tribune: Date Unknown]
Welland blacksmith, Mike Hogue, learned his trade in Effingham, Ontario, and was apprenticed in 1896, to Mr. Lymburner, whose shop was situated at 15 Niagara Street in Welland, just north of the current Welland House Hotel location.
In 1907, he purchased the business from Mr.Lymburner and hired Andy Harkness. In late 1929, Mike Hogue purchased property fronting on Fraser Street, just west of his shop, and opened a new business. Lem Hogue, a son, recalls that some of the material for the new shop was salvaged from the old aqueduct on the canal. He also notes that blacksmiths were not always paid in currency. Often payment was in kind-a bag of potatoes, a ham, or a pair of piglets. The last horse shoed by the Hogues was in 1954. The original anvil is on exhibit at the Welland Historical Museum.
In 1956, the shop and property were sold to the Oddfellows organization, the members of which apparently had great difficulty in removing large amounts of soot from the facility.
By T.N. Morrison
Mr. Morrison retired in 1972 as editor of The Tribune, after 43 years’ service with the newspaper.
[Welland Tribune, 17 February 1987]
Welland’s often derided “Toonerville Trolley,” and learning to swim in the Lock Pit were among a host of memories stirred for Harry Diffin when he was invited to recall “what it was like growing up in Welland”.
His recollections, as recorded in this article, could induce waves of nostalgia for senior citizens, and for others, show that at least the earlier times could be lively and entertaining even without stereo, TV and cellular telephones.
The “Toonerville,” as Harry remembers, provided the great bargain five-cents ride on the local street car service that piled between the Michigan Central Railway depot (King Street), and the Grand Trunk Station (East Main Street). It was also routed across the canal to the top of West Main Street, and, often with uncertain passage, part way along Niagara Street. It was a single track operation with a spur located in front of the Methodist Church on King Street to enable the opposite-bound cars to pass.
The Niagara, Welland and Lake Erie Railway, as it was labelled, endured various embarrassments. In winter time icy rails at times caused trolleys headed for the Grand Trunk Station to begin sliding backwards about Burgar Street. And on the Niagara Street stretch, the passengers on occasion had to get out and push as the car faltered in the effort to negotiate the hilly terrain. Then there were the sudden stops when pranksters reached out the rear window and yanked the power pole from the overhead wires.
But the old and long gone street car did meet all trains and there were plenty of them serving Welland. So much so, that as many did, one could board a Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo railway car at a desired time in the morning; lunch and shop or attend a theatre in Buffalo, and be back home by rail in time for supper. Outings to Hamilton on the T.H. and B. were also popular.
Another important transportation service for Welland was the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto radial line. This hourly service, conveyed Harry Diffin to and from St. Catharines and Ridley College each week, and, on picnic outings to Port Dalhousie, gave Diffin and countless other youths the great thrill of riding in “open air” cars.
Recreation activity in river and canal was much more prolific, in those days. Motorized pleasure craft hummed along both waterways, and canoeing was popular in the river. Skating and hockey flourished on the frozen river in winter and each season news was awaited that Wilson Chambers had successfully stroked his way on his ancient blades from River Road to the city.
Gala regatta days brought crowds to the canal in the Merritt park area to watch exciting sea cadet cutter races and swimming exhibitions. In summer, it seemed as though the entire community congregated in Merritt Park for the weekly band concerts, featuring the Citizen’s Band, and, alternately, the Lincoln and Welland Regimental Band. Ice cream cart vendors enjoyed a roaring trade on these festive occasions, made all the more picturesque with pleasure craft buzzing along the canal at park-side. Traditionally, the concert intermission periods lasted long enough for the thirstier musicians to consume a beaker or two at a nearby watering hole.
The canal is also remembered from this period for the emergency crossing service made necessary when a freighter struck and damaged the Alexandra Bridge. When repairs necessitated holding the bridge in a turned position for several weeks, a tug was employed to ferry pedestrians across the waterway. Until they were spotted and unceremoniously ejected, it was great sport for young blades who used the system for marathon joy-rides.
In earlier days the bridge was turned to open passage for ships and before it was mechanized the turning operation was done manually by two men who walked in circles after connecting long levers to the structure’s pinion wheel. Even after the apparatus was motorized, occasional breakdowns caused resort to the manual system.
The Lock Pit, where river and canal met, not far from the present Niagara Street river bridge, was a favorite hangout for youth. It was constructed to permit river-borne craft entry in the canal and held credit as the location where Harry Diffin and others learned to swim.
Before the Reeta Hotel and theatre was built, the movie and stage hose were the Grand and the Griffith, both located on the south side of East Main Street. The Grand, just west of Hellems Avenue, handled films only and for years, had the respected Maud Dawdy in the ticket booth. Equally well-known were Rhea Harper and Raymond Strawn, pianists who supplied the musical accompaniment for the films. Unforgettable ws the storm they always managed to mount on the keyboard when cowboys and Indians engaged in fierce combat on the screen.
The Griffin Theatre, a second-storey emporium across the alley from Walter Dixon’s photography studio, offered vaudeville and pictures, and has often been recalled by long-established Wellanders for one particular program where a performer believed to be named Alburtus demonstrated magic and hypnotism. The flamboyant show had the town on its ear for two publicity stunts. In one, he had a young man pedal furiously for days on a stationary bicycle on a theatre balcony. In the other, he put a fetching damsel to sleep on a bed in the window of Sutherland’s furniture store, and there the sleeping beauty reposed for several days, not even fluttering an eyelid as the sceptics stayed up after the midnight hour to maintain a round-the-clock check in the window. In the theatre, the performer additionally mystified the patrons by merely peering into a crystal ballot to repeat and answer questions sent to him from the audience in written form.
Heady days indeed!
Then came the community’s pride-the hotel and theatre known as the Reeta, built by Welland entrepreneur Sam Lambert. The theatre, which later became the Capitol, was the largest and finest in the peninsula and catered to a variety of stage shows, including a repertory company from England, the Dumbells, Bringing Up Father, famed magicians Blackstone and Thurston, locally cast minstrel shows, revues spotlighting some prominent local citizens in ludicrous roles, biblical musical dramas, and some of the earliest productions of Welland Little Theatre.
Harry Diffin remembers the awesome night he experienced when, with his parents, he was a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lambert in one of the theatre’s luxurious boxes. These ultra-class enclosures disappeared when remodelling took place when films replaced the stage presentations.
The theatre was also remembered for “Sacred Music Concerts” on Sunday evening when visiting bands, such as the Hamilton Hindoo Koosh entertained with popular selections. Of course, Abide With Me, and other hymns were played, but the program leaned to the secular and drew capacity attendances. Silver collections gained generous response.
Everybody went to the Welland County Fair on the Denistoun Street grounds in the era we are dealing with. It was always a big week in Welland with a grand parade through town heralding the opening. The midway was an exciting cacophony with side shows, games, rides, shooting galleries and weight guessing gents competing. School plays and professional acts were presented in front of the grandstand and the race track alternately housed daredevil auto stunt men, gladiators in thundering chariots and trotting horses.
Hardly a farmer for miles around missed this outing, since the agricultural theme was strongly evident. That tantalizing aroma of sizzling onions and hamburg usually enveloped the visitor on entering the grounds, and was only a prelude to cotton candy, kewpie dolls, and other carnival acquisitions.
For a number of years the fair included excellent horse shows.
Dances were looked forward to with great anticipations. In fall, winter and spring, “Buckingham Palace” which had been created out of the space occupied by the Griffin Theatre, was the hall catering to the largest of the hops. Various organizations were sponsored and two of the most popular annual events were the Eastern Star dance, the Fireman’s Ball. Booked often for these affairs was Clarence Colton and his orchestra, from St. Catharines. A Welland family band, the Secord Orchestra, had its followers, often holding forth at the Oddfellow’s hall. Horton’s Orchestra thumped and fiddled away merrily for round and square dances at the Crowland Township hall at Cook’s Mills and in Fonthill. Dancing was also enjoyed to the music of a combo led by violinist Clark Harper and including his wife Rhea at the piano.
Came summer and the trippers of the light fantastics journeyed in droves to popular dance halls at Long Beach and Morgan’s Point. Also a lure on Lake Erie was the Crystal Beach Ballroom at Crystal Beach where at times big name bands were featured.
A driver since he was 14, some of Harry Diffin’s experience at the wheel was gained as a teenager in Florida where a licence wasn’t required. During his family’s stay there in the Twenties a ride in a friend’s Stutz Bearcat was a memorable thrill. The young Diffin also drove motorcycles, and trucks in construction work. In 1931, he purchased his first brand new car, a model A Ford for $710.
While a student at Welland High School, Diffin played for the first football team to represent the school. That was in 1928 and among his team mates were such well-known local figures as Pete Goodwillie, Ted Dandy, Frank Burwell and George Scott. Under the coaching of recent Queen’s graduate, fledgling Welland lawyer Stewart S. MacInnes, the club made an illustrious debut by winning the district championship.
Surprisingly enough for one so long involved in municipal office, there was no thought of this career choice in Harry’s mind as he looked on while the Citizen’s Band played outside his home, serenading his father, a victor in aldermanic and mayoralty contests. This was a tradition of the times with the band leading an impromptu parade to the homes of election winners, usually the night after voting day.
But later on, when Harry’s hat was in the ring, back when aldermen were elected at large, there was another tradition. That was the custom of final campaign meetings in Sacred Heart parish hall before a bumper turnout of French-speaking citizens and another session, drawing a full house of Magyar lineage at the Hungarian Hall.
The candidates placed the utmost importance in these sessions, feeling with good reason that favorable receptions augured well for their fortunes on election day.
As he built towards an exceptional service record of 378 months on city council, Harry Diffin had to enjoy a generous share of favourable receptions.
By T.N. Morrison
Mr. Morrison retired in 1972 as editor of The Tribune, after 43 years’ service with the newspaper.
[Welland Tribune, 17 February 1987]
Welland’s often derided “Toonerville Trolley,” and learning to swim in the Lock Pit were among a host of memories stirred for Harry Diffin when he was invited to recall “what it was like growing up in Welland”.
His recollections, as recorded in this article, could induce waves of nostalgia for senior citizens, and for others, show that at least the earlier times could be lively and entertaining even without stereo, TV and cellular telephones.
The “Toonerville,” as Harry remembers, provided the great bargain five-cents ride on the local street car service that piled between the Michigan Central Railway depot (King Street), and the Grand Trunk Station (East Main Street). It was also routed across the canal to the top of West Main Street, and, often with uncertain passage, part way along Niagara Street. It was a single track operation with a spur located in front of the Methodist Church on King Street to enable the opposite-bound cars to pass.
The Niagara, Welland and Lake Erie Railway, as it was labelled, endured various embarrassments. In winter time icy rails at times caused trolleys headed for the Grand Trunk Station to begin sliding backwards about Burgar Street. And on the Niagara Street stretch, the passengers on occasion had to get out and push as the car faltered in the effort to negotiate the hilly terrain. Then there were the sudden stops when pranksters reached out the rear window and yanked the power pole from the overhead wires.
But the old and long gone street car did meet all trains and there were plenty of them serving Welland. So much so, that as many did, one could board a Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo railway car at a desired time in the morning; lunch and shop or attend a theatre in Buffalo, and be back home by rail in time for supper. Outings to Hamilton on the T.H. and B. were also popular.
Another important transportation service for Welland was the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto radial line. This hourly service, conveyed Harry Diffin to and from St. Catharines and Ridley College each week, and, on picnic outings to Port Dalhousie, gave Diffin and countless other youths the great thrill of riding in “open air” cars.
Recreation activity in river and canal was much more prolific, in those days. Motorized pleasure craft hummed along both waterways, and canoeing was popular in the river. Skating and hockey flourished on the frozen river in winter and each season news was awaited that Wilson Chambers had successfully stroked his way on his ancient blades from River Road to the city.
Gala regatta days brought crowds to the canal in the Merritt park area to watch exciting sea cadet cutter races and swimming exhibitions. In summer, it seemed as though the entire community congregated in Merritt Park for the weekly band concerts, featuring the Citizen’s Band, and, alternately, the Lincoln and Welland Regimental Band. Ice cream cart vendors enjoyed a roaring trade on these festive occasions, made all the more picturesque with pleasure craft buzzing along the canal at park-side. Traditionally, the concert intermission periods lasted long enough for the thirstier musicians to consume a beaker or two at a nearby watering hole.
The canal is also remembered from this period for the emergency crossing service made necessary when a freighter struck and damaged the Alexandra Bridge. When repairs necessitated holding the bridge in a turned position for several weeks, a tug was employed to ferry pedestrians across the waterway. Until they were spotted and unceremoniously ejected, it was great sport for young blades who used the system for marathon joy-rides.
In earlier days the bridge was turned to open passage for ships and before it was mechanized the turning operation was done manually by two men who walked in circles after connecting long levers to the structure’s pinion wheel. Even after the apparatus was motorized, occasional breakdowns caused resort to the manual system.
The Lock Pit, where river and canal met, not far from the present Niagara Street river bridge, was a favorite hangout for youth. It was constructed to permit river-borne craft entry in the canal and held credit as the location where Harry Diffin and others learned to swim.
Before the Reeta Hotel and theatre was built, the movie and stage hose were the Grand and the Griffith, both located on the south side of East Main Street. The Grand, just west of Hellems Avenue, handled films only and for years, had the respected Maud Dawdy in the ticket booth. Equally well-known were Rhea Harper and Raymond Strawn, pianists who supplied the musical accompaniment for the films. Unforgettable ws the storm they always managed to mount on the keyboard when cowboys and Indians engaged in fierce combat on the screen.
The Griffin Theatre, a second-storey emporium across the alley from Walter Dixon’s photography studio, offered vaudeville and pictures, and has often been recalled by long-established Wellanders for one particular program where a performer believed to be named Alburtus demonstrated magic and hypnotism. The flamboyant show had the town on its ear for two publicity stunts. In one, he had a young man pedal furiously for days on a stationary bicycle on a theatre balcony. In the other, he put a fetching damsel to sleep on a bed in the window of Sutherland’s furniture store, and there the sleeping beauty reposed for several days, not even fluttering an eyelid as the sceptics stayed up after the midnight hour to maintain a round-the-clock check in the window. In the theatre, the performer additionally mystified the patrons by merely peering into a crystal ballot to repeat and answer questions sent to him from the audience in written form.
Heady days indeed!
Then came the community’s pride-the hotel and theatre known as the Reeta, built by Welland entrepreneur Sam Lambert. The theatre, which later became the Capitol, was the largest and finest in the peninsula and catered to a variety of stage shows, including a repertory company from England, the Dumbells, Bringing Up Father, famed magicians Blackstone and Thurston, locally cast minstrel shows, revues spotlighting some prominent local citizens in ludicrous roles, biblical musical dramas, and some of the earliest productions of Welland Little Theatre.
Harry Diffin remembers the awesome night he experienced when, with his parents, he was a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lambert in one of the theatre’s luxurious boxes. These ultra-class enclosures disappeared when remodelling took place when films replaced the stage presentations.
The theatre was also remembered for “Sacred Music Concerts” on Sunday evening when visiting bands, such as the Hamilton Hindoo Koosh entertained with popular selections. Of course, Abide With Me, and other hymns were played, but the program leaned to the secular and drew capacity attendances. Silver collections gained generous response.
Everybody went to the Welland County Fair on the Denistoun Street grounds in the era we are dealing with. It was always a big week in Welland with a grand parade through town heralding the opening. The midway was an exciting cacophony with side shows, games, rides, shooting galleries and weight guessing gents competing. School plays and professional acts were presented in front of the grandstand and the race track alternately housed daredevil auto stunt men, gladiators in thundering chariots and trotting horses.
Hardly a farmer for miles around missed this outing, since the agricultural theme was strongly evident. That tantalizing aroma of sizzling onions and hamburg usually enveloped the visitor on entering the grounds, and was only a prelude to cotton candy, kewpie dolls, and other carnival acquisitions.
For a number of years the fair included excellent horse shows.
Dances were looked forward to with great anticipations. In fall, winter and spring, “Buckingham Palace” which had been created out of the space occupied by the Griffin Theatre, was the hall catering to the largest of the hops. Various organizations were sponsored and two of the most popular annual events were the Eastern Star dance, the Fireman’s Ball. Booked often for these affairs was Clarence Colton and his orchestra, from St. Catharines. A Welland family band, the Secord Orchestra, had its followers, often holding forth at the Oddfellow’s hall. Horton’s Orchestra thumped and fiddled away merrily for round and square dances at the Crowland Township hall at Cook’s Mills and in Fonthill. Dancing was also enjoyed to the music of a combo led by violinist Clark Harper and including his wife Rhea at the piano.
Came summer and the trippers of the light fantastics journeyed in droves to popular dance halls at Long Beach and Morgan’s Point. Also a lure on Lake Erie was the Crystal Beach Ballroom at Crystal Beach where at times big name bands were featured.
A driver since he was 14, some of Harry Diffin’s experience at the wheel was gained as a teenager in Florida where a licence wasn’t required. During his family’s stay there in the Twenties a ride in a friend’s Stutz Bearcat was a memorable thrill. The young Diffin also drove motorcycles, and trucks in construction work. In 1931, he purchased his first brand new car, a model A Ford for $710.
While a student at Welland High School, Diffin played for the first football team to represent the school. That was in 1928 and among his team mates were such well-known local figures as Pete Goodwillie, Ted Dandy, Frank Burwell and George Scott. Under the coaching of recent Queen’s graduate, fledgling Welland lawyer Stewart S. MacInnes, the club made an illustrious debut by winning the district championship.
Surprisingly enough for one so long involved in municipal office, there was no thought of this career choice in Harry’s mind as he looked on while the Citizen’s Band played outside his home, serenading his father, a victor in aldermanic and mayoralty contests. This was a tradition of the times with the band leading an impromptu parade to the homes of election winners, usually the night after voting day.
But later on, when Harry’s hat was in the ring, back when aldermen were elected at large, there was another tradition. That was the custom of final campaign meetings in Sacred Heart parish hall before a bumper turnout of French-speaking citizens and another session, drawing a full house of Magyar lineage at the Hungarian Hall.
The candidates placed the utmost importance in these sessions, feeling with good reason that favorable receptions augured well for their fortunes on election day.
As he built towards an exceptional service record of 378 months on city council, Harry Diffin had to enjoy a generous share of favourable receptions.
[Welland Tribune February 5, 1947]
Labor Minister Among Representative Throng at E.J. Anderson Rites
Residents of all walks of life and representing all corners of the county attended funeral services yesterday afternoon for E.J. Anderson, filling to capacity St Andrew’s Presbyterian church to pay a last tribute of respect. Ex-mayor of Welland, former Liberal member of the Ontario legislature for Welland riding, a prominent member of St Andrew’s church and co-owner and manager of the Welland Iron and Brass Co., Mr Anderson passed away suddenly last Friday night from a heart attack.
Among many prominent citizens attending the services were the Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, minister of labor, and his secretary, George Greene; T.H. Lewis, M.L.A. for the Welland riding and Carl Hanniwell, M.L.A. for Niagara Falls; Mark Vaughan, former member for Welland riding and G.H. Pettit, former M.P. for Welland; Mayor H.W. Walker and members of the city council, who attended in a body, Mayor W.L. Houck and aldermen of the city of Niagara Falls; County Warden George F. Broadley and members of the county council; Judge H.E. Fuller, Judge L.B. C. Livingstone, and Magistrate J.B. Hopkins; Crown Attorney T.F. Forestell, K.C. and other members of the county Bar; Major Ross Damude, whose father, A.B, Damude was for many years Liberal M.P. for Welland county; and representatives of the board of the Welland County General hospital and the Children’s Aid Society of which deceased had been a member; representatives of various Welland civic bodies and many government officials.
Representatives of St Andrew’s church of which the late Mr. Anderson had been a prominent member included the following members of session: W. S. McIntyre, James McNiece, H. H. Hilder, G.C. Leng, James McIlvride and L.D. McCaw.
Also present were members of the board of managers who attended in a body, and the members of the Ladies’ Guild of which Mrs. Anderson was a prominent member who were also present in a body, St Andrew’s choir, with Mrs Harold Robinson at the organ, participated in the services.
Chief mourners included, besides Mrs. Anderson, deceased’s daughter, Margaret, and her husband, Dr. W.W. Baldwin of Brooklin, Ont.
The services were conducted jointly by Rev. A.D. Sutherland, minister of the church, and Rev. R.A. Cranston of Toronto, who had been a minister for 15 years while deceased was associated with the church.
Glad of Counsel
Speaking of the association, Mr. Cranston stated he had always been glad to accept advice and counsel from Mr. Anderson, and that it had always been in the highest interest of the church to which he belonged.
Of his many other activities Mr. Cranston said: “You beheld his interest in the affairs of this community. He was faithful, generous, and unselfish in his public activities, giving the best he had to build a community of fine and true citizens that would be a credit to this country. He gave himself unstintingly to every task, being faithful and energetic to the degree. He gave himself in such a manner that this community is the better for the fact that he lived in it and served it.”
In connection with the work of the church, Mr. Cranston said he knew that when he entrusted some detail to Mr. Anderson that it would be executed with alacrity, sincerity and efficiency.
Of his business career, Mr. Cranston said:”You know his integrity his honesty of purpose, his sincerity of heart, his devotion to the task at hand.”
“For those reasons,” he continued, “the whole community comes now to mourn the loss of one who has contributed so much to the well-being and best interests of this community.”
The services were held from the Sutherland-Thorpe Funeral Home, 152 Hellems avenue, where there was a brief prayer service to St Andrew’s church and thence to Woodlawn cemetery for interment.
Pall bearers were C. McKay, W. Walker, G. Cole, W. Male, B. Sweetman and H. Gidney.
Honorary bearers were Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, M.P. Hugh Henderson, County Clerk, A.J. Babion, George C. Scott, Douglas McCaw, Harry Price of Grimsby, G.W. McIntyre, George Collins, J.H. Gardner and R. Boak Burns.
Members of the Welland city police under Chief Thomas Gee aided in directing traffic for the long funeral cortege.
Many Floral Tributes
The esteem and affection held by deceased was shown by a mass of floral tributes. Included were flowers from the following organizations:
Sarnia Steamship Co., Canada Cement Co., Humphrey Mitchell, minister of labor; Woods Mfg. Co., Frank J. Murphy Ltd., Welland Board of Education, Atlas Steels Ltd/. Executive of the Welland and Crowland Branch; Canadian Red Cross; Valance Brown &Co., Ltd. Hamilton; John Deere Plow Co., Electro-Metallurgical Co., Welland Water Commission. Welland Club, Presbyterian Guild, Humberstone Twp. Liberal Association, City of Welland, West Riding of Provincial Liberal Association, Welland. Valencourt Boiler Works.
Board of managers, St Andrew’s Presbyterian church; Welland City Liberal Association, Niagara Falls Riding Liberal Association, The Valley Camp Coal Co., of Canada, Welland Senior Baseball Club, United Steel Corporation, Women’s Liberal Association. The Session of St Andrew’s Presbyterian church.
Warden and Welland County Council empoyes of Welland Iron and Brass Co., Wainfleet Liberal Association, International Iron & Metal Co., Welland Machine & Tool Co., Electric Transport, Hamilton; Canada Metal Co., Toronto; A.A. Schmon, president Ontario Paper Co., International Nickel Co., Canadian Foundry Supplies and Equipment Dept; Thorold Township Liberal Association, Welland County Liberal Association.
[Welland Tribune February 1, 1947]
Widely known citizen had long record of public service
Edward J. Anderson, manufacturer, churchman, former mayor and former member of the Ontario legislature, died suddenly at his home, 96 Bald street, last night. He had appeared to be in the best of health, and his death at about 8 p.m. last evening from a heart attack came as a shock not only to many friends and acquaintances throughout the the county, but to his family and intimate friends. He was in his 71st year.
Prominent in municipal and political life, E.J. Anderson was known as a man of fair judgment, straight forward in his dealings, with an indefatiguable capacity for work. He had the typical reserve of a Scots man, but an innate friendliness won for him from people with whom he came in contact a mingled feeling of affection and respect. As a member of the Legislature, and during the last few years when he represented Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, minister of labor, in this constituency, he carried out cheerfully the many duties entailed in these offices, and retained his popularity through the years.
Born in Forfar, Scotland, Mr. Anderson received his education in the public, high and technical schools in Knockbain, Rosshire, Scotland.
He emigrated to Canada in 1900, and after two years in Hamilton, made Welland his home town.
Coming here with the qualifications of a mechanical engineer, he started his life as an employe in Welland plants. By 1914 he went into business for himself as the owner and manager of the Thorold Iron Works at Thorold. During this time he continued to reside in Welland and in 1918 he established the Welland Iron and Brass Company, of which he was the manager and co-owner with G.W. McIntyre.
Mr Anderson entered on his political career via the municipal field. He was on the city council as an alderman in 1923 and 1924 and served as mayor for a four-year term from 1925 to 1928. During his term of office Welland embarked on the construction of its present modern waterworks plant, and Mr. Anderson served for two years as a member of the board of water commissioners after leaving the council.
Tenure in Legislature
He was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1934, and was M.L.A. for the Welland riding from then until 1943 when the Liberals were swept out of office.
His interest in politics continued and he was president of the Welland County Liberal Association. In that capacity, he represented Hon. Mr. Mitchell, who as a member of the federal cabinet, was unable to spend as much time here as the ordinary member might. He was very active on that account and made many trips to Ottawa to discuss local problems with Mr. Mitchell.
As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Anderson was particularly interested in labor matters, and was a member of the labor committee.
Church Activity
A prominent member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian church, Mr. Anderson had been a church elder and member of the Session since 1918. He also served on the board of managers, was treasurer for 20 years, and for many years was representative elder to the Presbytery, A generous supporter of the church. Mr Anderson’s latest contributions were chimes for the organ, and an amplifying system for the tower.
Even before entering actively into municipal life, Mr. Anderson had been interested in community affairs. He was for many years a member of the board of the Welland County General hospital, and had also been a member of the Welland City Old Age Pensions and Mothers’ Allowances Board for 11 years, two as chairman, the Children’s Aid Society, and the Welland Board of Trade. He was also a member of the Welland Club, and of the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association being on the legislative committee of that body.
In 1907 Mr. Anderson married Alberta McAllister of Welland. Mrs Anderson and a daughter Mrs. W. Baldwin of Brooklin, Ont.,survive; also two grandchildren.
The remains are resting at the Sutherland-Tthorpe Funeral Home, 152 Hellems avenue, whence funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday to St Andrew’s Presbyterian church. Rev. A.D. Sutherland, minister, and Rev. R.A. Cranston, former minister of the church, will officiate. Interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Mr. Mitchell’s Tribute
By telephone, from Ottawa today, Hon. Humphrey Mitchell, Minister of labor, sent the following tribute to the late E.J. Anderson.
“News of the sudden passing of my friend E.J. Anderson has come as a great shock to me personally, as I know it has to his hundreds of friends in the county of Welland and his former associates in the Ontario Legislative Assembly.
“It is difficult to put into words how I feel about his death. To me, he had been a staunch and true friend ever since I met him. He was the type of citizen, who has contributed to the greatness of this country. Coming from his native Scotland to Canada as a young man seeking his fortune, and possessing those native talents and attributes through which those of Scottish birth have given so much to the life of Canada, he worked hard and conscientiously first as an employe and then as an employer. He made a success of his life and won the admiration and respect of all who knew him.
“He was a wise and kind employer, and in my opinion, an outstanding man in his well-loved community of Welland. As one who knew him intimately, I can say his thoughts were always on the welfare of his city and the county of which he was so proud.
“The late Mr. Anderson was, of course well known outside his county. As a member for Welland at Toronto for nine years, he played his part in the solution of the different problems which faced the Province of Ontario during that period. I know he was highly esteemed as the member for Welland, and he was equally esteemed in official circles at Ottawa.”
“From the first time I visited the county to become the Federal Liberal candidate and subsequently the member in the House of Commons, the late Mr. Anderson was my friend and advisor. He stood by me at all times and to him I owe more than I can say. I shall always cherish his memory.
“As a member of the Dominion Cabinet, it was not my privilege to visit the county as often as I wished. Therefore I came to lean on the late Mr. Anderson. He was ever ready to help in regard to matters which were of concern to the county. He gave of his time and energies in the solution of many problems and often visited me in Ottawa to discuss them.
“I shall miss him very much as I know he will be missed in the county of Welland and particularly in his home city.
“To Mrs Anderson, her daughter, and those close to the family circle, I extend my heartfelt sympathy.”
T.H. Lewis, M.L.A, declared that Welland had lost a good citizen in the passing of E.J. Anderson. Over a long period of years, Mr Anderson carried out public service duties with integrity and exercised sound business sense.”In his quiet way,” the member for Welland added, “Ed Anderson was active on behalf of the people and always sought to give decent representation.”
Mayor H.W. Walker said that Mr. Anderson’s passing would be deeply regretted by all members of city council. “He was gentlemanly and courteous, an outstanding mayor and never ceased to be interested in civic affairs and the welfare of the community,” the mayor declared.
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