Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[Welland Telegraph July 3, 1903]
Another old resident of Port Colborne in the person of Mrs Wilcox passed away on Wednesday morning last, after a distressing illness of about three weeks. Deceased was the relict of the late David Wilcox, who died eight years ago in August. She was a native of Ireland, coming to this country with her parents, Mr and Mrs Elkins, when six years of age. Ever since then she has lived in Port Colborne, and she has seen many come and go and many changes in the neighborhood. She was married in 1846 and leaves three children. They are-Mrs Wm Armstrong, Geo Wilcox and Mrs A.H. Neal of Idaho. She had a pretty home on the lake front, but for some years past she has lived with Mrs Wm Armstrong. About three weeks ago she was taken seriously ill, complication of diseases having set in from the grip and the disease having settled in her throat she was unable to take nourishment. Deceased was a member of St James church and as an estimable woman had many friends around her neighborhood,
The funeral will take place to-day from the residence of Mr Armstrong to St James church at two o’clock, where service will be held. The interment will be at Overholt’s cemetery.
[Welland Telegraph November 12, 1903]
This week is our sad duty to chronicle the death of a highly esteemed young woman of the village, in the person of Grace, the beloved wife of Mr Hugh Leaney, at the home of her parents, Mr and Mrs George Ross, on Saturday afternoon last, after a lingering illness borne with most patient fortitude, The funeral, which was attended by a large circle of sorrowing friends and relatives throughout the county, took place on Tuesday at 11.30 a.m. from her late residence to St Paul’s church, where the deeply impressive burial services of the Church of England were conducted by the rector, the Rev. F.C. Piper, assisted by G.V. Gwilym, of Trinity University, Toronto, who is in charge of the congregation here. The sermon of the rector was one of the most comforting hope to the mourners and friends.
The last mortal remains of the deceased were reverently conveyed to their resting place in the Coleman burying plot in the adjoining cemetery, by her two brothers, Charles and George, cousin Hugh Ross, of this village and three cousins William, Frank and Russell Ross of Niagara Falls Centre. The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful, among which were those from St Paul’s church Sunday school, in which school the deceased always took a most active interest; Mr and Mrs W.E Phin, of Welland; Mr and Mrs Arthur Abbey, of Buffalo, and from relatives in St Catharines and Niagara Falls Centre. To the young husband and infant son, father, mother, brothers and sisters is extended the most sincere sympathy of the whole village and community.
[Welland Telegraph June 5, 1903]
On May 27, at Galt, Ont., at the home of her daughter, Mrs Stewart Black, Mrs Adam Garner died. Mrs Garner had been confined to her bed for several weeks suffering from a complication of bronchitis. Mrs Garner whose maiden name was Martha E. Hellems, was born a little over seventy-six years ago at Welland. She prepared herself for a teacher and taught in Merritton and also at the Stone school, Stamford. On November 29th 1853, she married Adam Garner. Hence if she had lived until Nov 29 next, she would have been fifty years married. Her married life was spent in Stamford and Niagara Falls South. The family moved to that village about twelve years ago. She joined the Methodist church when quite young and was a consistent member up to the time of her death.
Six children, four daughters and two sons, as well as two brothers and a sister, survive her. The sons are J.H. Garner, merchant, of Niagara Falls South, and Charles of Welland. The daughters are Mrs E, Muisner and Mrs J.B. Stewart, Niagara Falls South, Miss Jennie, Mrs Stewart Black, of Galt. The brothers are Police Magistrate Hellems of Welland, and C.W. Hellems, of St Catharines, and the sister; Mrs Rice, Welland. Mrs Garner has a large number of friends who will mourn her death. The funeral took place on Monday last to Drummond Hill Cemetery. The bearers were; W.P. Dixon, Wm Dart, Geo. W. McClive, Robt. McClive, Geo. C. Biggar and D.E. Dell.
[Welland Telegraph June 19, 1903]
On Sunday, after a few hours illness, Mr Adam Garner, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of this vicinity passed away. On Saturday he had a stroke of paralysis from which he never rallied. Mr Garner was a son of Mr John Garner, and was born in Stamford about 74 years ago, and lived all his life in Stamford township and the Village. On November 29th, 1853, he married Martha E. Hellems, who died on the 27th of May., this year. He was a member of the Methodist congregation for many years. Six children, four daughters and two sons, as well as a sister, Mrs Robinson, of this town, survive him. The sons are: J.H. Garner, merchant of this village, and Chas, of Welland. The daughters are: Mrs E. Muisner and Mrs J.B. Stewart, Niagara Falls South, Miss Jennie and Mrs Stewart Black, of Galt. The funeral took place on Wednesday, leaving the house at 1.30. Service in the Methodist church at 2 p.m. Interment was in Drummond Hill cemetery.
[Welland Telegraph July 17, 1903]
The lifeless body of Miss Beatrice Stuart was found on a vacant lot on Welland street Friday afternoon, with every indication of having been dead two or three days. Miss Stuart resided on Chappel street alone, and was last seen by her relatives on Monday. She was of a retiring disposition, and went about little. She was subject to severe attacks of heart trouble, and it is altogether probable that she was attacked with one of these while out alone, and being unable to secure assistance, she died unnoticed. The body was found by a little girl named Turner, on the vacant lot, just back of the deceased’s home. Miss Stuart was a sister of Mr John Stuart, the well known Thorold foundryman, and of Mrs Evan McPherson, also a resident of the Mountain Town.
The last seen her alive was on Tuesday afternoon, when she visited her sister, Mrs McPherson, at her home on Carleton street. Shortly after two o’clock she left her sister’s house and went home, saying she must pick some fruit. On account of the warm weather of the day her sister persuaded her to defer the work until another time. She had evidently then gone home, and being of regular habits, was wont to feed her chickens about four o’clock in the afternoon. She had evidently gone out with a tin dish and a plate in her hand, when she was overtaken with the attack, which from all appearances, ended her life without a struggle. The dish and plate were found near her when the body was discovered.
Miss Stuart was an active and energetic worker in the Presbyterian church of Thorold, and a teacher in that Sunday school, and her untimely demise will not only be regretted by those with whom she was associated in church work, but by a wide circle of friends who will extend to the bereaved brother and sister their heartfelt sympathy.
When found, the body, which had been exposed to the rays of the hot sun for the past few days, was so badly decomposed that immediate interment was necessary. Accordingly, the funeral was held at 8 o’clock in the evening, and was attended by a large number of sympathizing friends. An impressive service was conduced at the late home of the deceased by Rev Mr McLeod, who also officiated at the grave. The pall-bearers were; L.G. Lorriman, J.F. Gamble, W McGill, A. McClenchy and Geo Turner Interment took place at Lakeview cemetery.
[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Welland had the unique distinction of having the first woman in Ontario to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Miss May B. Bald born in Welland, attended public school here and received her graduation diploma form Welland High School in 1878.She later attended the University of Toronto where she obtained her BA degree.
Returning to Welland she taught at the high school, and eventually went to New York where she lectured at Columbia University. She travelled extensively for a woman in those days and later taught at a girls’ private college in New York.
From time to time she visited in Welland with a cousin, James C. Bald and family who lived on the original Bald farm. May Bald died in New York City and was buried there around 1937.
[Welland Historical Society, 1984]
At a meeting of the Welland Historical Society, the “Street of the Month” was Bald Street and its history was researched by Dr. Purdon.
It was named after William A. Bald, son of Thomas Bald Jr., who was born in 1827 on the family farm in Thorold Township. William was the grandson of Thomas Bald Sr., a Scotsman who had resided in Welland County for many years before settling on the Thorold Township farm early in the nineteenth century. William died Dec. 1, 1886 at the age of 59.
The following excerpts are from the Welland Tribune obituary: “He was one of the first merchants of Merrickville, now Welland, and with the late John Hellems, formed the firm which built the Welland County Buildings, many respects the finest of their class. Deceased leaves a widow, four sons, Archibald, James, Edward and William and one daughter May who possesses the distinguished honor of being the first lady BA graduate of University College, Toronto…At different times Mr. Bald held important municipal and other positions of trust and at the time of his death was a councillor for the ward in which he resided…Mr. Bald possessed the respect of all for his sterling independence of character and many estimable qualities, and his demise is deeply regretted by the whole community.”
[Welland Tribune, 30 December 1991]
PELHAM (Staff)-Former Welland alderman and show store owner, Brit Phillips, Former Welland alderman and shoe store owner.Brit Phillips died at the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton on Saturday, December 28th. He was in his 77th year.
Phillips was born in Welland lived in the area all his life. He became one of the youngest people ever to serve on city council when he was elected in 1943 at age 28. He retired from council in 1973.
He also served as a member of both the Welland Water Board and the Welland Hydro-Electric Commission.
During the Second World War Phillips served in the infantry of the Canadian Army and was also the Police Auxillary warden for the Civil Defence.
After the Second World War, Phillips entered business in the city when he managed Jamieson’s Shoe Store downtown. In 1953 he started his own shoe store, Brit Phillips Shoes, on West Main Street and later expanded to the Welland Plaza on Fitch Street. He managed both stores until he officially retired in 1985.
Besides being a member of city council, Phillips had a wide range of other community interests. He was a founding member of the Welland Junior Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 4, the Rose City Seniors Club and the Welland Lawn Bowling Association. He also was a member of the Welland Optimist Club for more than 30 years.
At the time of his death, Phillips lived at the Lookout Village apartments in Fonthill.
EXCERPT FROM OBITUARY: Brit was a member of St. David’s Anglican Church, Welland. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Edith Eatwell.
[The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 13 October 1931]
Fenwick, October 13- Rev. T. H. Ibbott officiated at the funeral of the late John Hagar, which took place Sunday afternoon from the funeral parlors of Drake and Barron, Fonthill, and was largely attended. Interment took place in Dawdy’s cemetery, with four brothers acting as pall bearers. The floral tributes were many and beautiful.
The late John Hagar passed away at the Welland County General hospital after an illness of several months, the past two months being spent in the hospital where he underwent two serious operations. He was well-known throughout Pelham township, and during his life took a keen interest in the welfare of the township at large. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Hagar, and three daughters and ond son, Velma, Eliza, Effie and Richard, all residing in Welland.
[Welland Tribune, 9 July 1897]
Another home in Crowland was the scene of mirth when Miss Josephine Clarkson, at her father’s residence, on Jubilee day, was married to Mr. Gideon Hodgkins of Wellandport. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. Fred Kay, B.A. of Port Robinson. The bridesmaid was Miss Maggie Hixon and Mr. Beamer of Wellandport acted as groomsman. There about forty persons present to witness the ceremony and offer their best wishes and “much joy”. The bridal couple started immediately for their new home in Wellandport, where they expect to reside. Mrs. Hodgkins will be greatly missed in the church of which she was a member at Port Robinson, where she held the position of organist for a number of years. In home and church associations we bespeak for the newly married couple all happiness and success.
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