Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[Welland Tribune December 14, 1943]
Thorold, Dec. 14- One of Thorold’s outstanding citizens, W.F. Hoover, who was presented with the Imperial Service Medal on June 8, 1938, and the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935, at the request of His Majesty King George V and Queen Mary, for services rendered to his country over a 40-year period, passed away Sunday morning following a stroke.
A member of one of Thorold’s oldest families, Mr Hoover was born at “Meadowbrook,” near Thorold, the fourth house built on that site by his father, John Hoover, United Empire Loyalist, Peter Hoover built the first house which has been the site of the Hoover family for over 140 years.
The deceased as a young man journeyed to Buffalo and obtained a position with the Northern Steamship Company.
On returning to Thorold because of an injured foot, Mr Hoover accepted a position as a machinist on the third Welland Ship Canal. In two years he was appointed foreman of section 3 on the construction work of the canal. In 1921 until 1930 he served as canal superintendent in charge of all operations and maintenance of the northern or lock section of the third canal from that time until 1934, of the northern division of the Welland ship canal. Until his retirement in 1937 Mr Hoover was superintendent in charge of maintenance and operation of the second and third Welland canals, between Port Dalhousie and Thorold.
He was a member of Mountain Masonic Lodge and of the Canadian Order f Forresters, Thorold branch. He was an ardent member of St John’s Anglican church.
He leaves besides his wife, two daughters, Mrs S. Wood (Dorothy) Mrs A. B. (Jean) of Buffalo; one son Wm. Hoover of Thorold; two sisters Mrs T.F. Pattison and Miss Annie Hoover, of Thorold; and five grandchildren.
Florence Ella Misener was born December 27, 1870 at Boyle, Ontario. Her parents were Jacob Misener born in Ontario and Rebecca Disher Misener born on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rebecca died in 1874 when Florence was a small child. In April 1874 Florence was sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Philadelphia. Her uncle was George T. Scheetz born 1841. He was a conductor on the railroad. His wife Marina Scheetz was born July 1840.
Florence went to school in Philadelphia.
On February 20, 1894 Florence married Norman Fleming Comegys who was born October 19, 1865 in Maryland.
They were married in Germantown, Pennsylvania at the Methodist church.
Norman was a printer at Comegys & Bro printers 13N 13th St Philadelphia.
Norman became ill and died.
Obituary from Denton Journal November 3, 1894
Mr Norman Comegys of Greensboro died at the residence of his father Col. William, H. Comegys after a lingering illness. Aged thirty years. Until a few months ago he was actively engaged in the printing business in Philadelphia, but his health failed and he was compelled to retire. His death occurred on Monday.
After the death of Norman, Florence became an elementary school teacher in Ward 36 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the age of 57 Florence retired from teaching. February 6, 1929 she moved back to Canada and lived with her niece Mrs. R.A. Moll in Grimsby. Ontario, until her death.
Obituary taken from Grimsby Independent May 1, 1935
A highly regarded citizen of Grimsby was called by death in the person of Mrs Florence S. Comegys at the Grimsby nursing home on Monday April 29th. The deceased lady had been in Hamilton hospital for a time but had returned home for a little over a week before her death. She was in her 65th year. She was born at Boyle, Ontario on Dec. 27, 1870 and later lived in Philadelphia where her husband predeceased her 40 years ago. The late Mrs Comegys was a member of St Andrew’s Anglican church and was actively associated with the Women’s Auxiliary and the Guild. She was also a member of the IODE being one of the most valued members of the Lincoln Loyalist Chapter.
Left to mourn her passing are two brothers Walter Misener of Fenwick and Silas Misener of Wellandport. The funeral was held from the home of her niece Mrs R.A. Moll stop 130 Main West on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. J.A. Ballard officiating.
Interment was made at Ridgeville, Ont.
The pallbearers were Messrs William Smith, R.O Smith, A.B. Bourne, G.G. Bourne, William Geddes, W.H. Parsons.
Her cause of death was Chronic Nephritis and chronic myocarditis.
She is buried in the Misener family plot in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville Ontario.
(Article compiled by “S”)
[Welland Tribune November 24, 1943]
Welland’s Grand old Man Passed Away at Midnight last Night
The city hall flag flew at half mast today as throughout Welland city and county citizens mourned the loss of Welland’s “Grand Old Man” and one of its best loved residents, John H Crow. Mr Crow, Wellander extraordinary, who had seen the city grow from a village to its present status, and had taken an active part in the administration of its affairs, passed away at his home on Niagara street late last night, barely a day after celebrating his 87th birthday on Sunday.
One of the civic fathers, mayor during the First World War and alderman for many years, John Crow had nurtured the growth of Welland for decades, interested in the welfare of the town and its inhabitants. His activities extended in many fields, especially in the realm of sports, in which his interest never waned, and in his church, on the official board of which he was a member when he died.
In seemingly good health even during his latter years, with unimpaired faculties and keeness of mentality, Mr Crow had suffered from a heart ailment for some years. Yesterday morning, when he arose, he fell stricken with a sudden attack to his bedroom floor. He was put to bed and under severe pain, was given sedatives throughout the day. He passed away quietly before midnight last night.
Fond of Baseball
Born on his father’s homestead in Pelham township in 1855 he was educated in the township’s public schools and Fonthill grammar school, becoming a teacher at the age of 17. At this time he was one of the township’s best baseball players and later was prominently identified with the city’s major baseball team in its early days. He never lost his intense interest in baseball, and was an avid fan of the Welland clubs up until the time of his death.
He came to Welland 69 years ago, and in 1886 started in the hardware business with A.E. Taylor. This business, which introduced Mr Crow to Welland and became one of the traditions of the town, flourished for half a century, until Mr Crow’s retirement.
His initiation into civic life came in 1897, when he was appointed a member of the old high school board. In the following year, he was elected as an alderman, holding this position for the next three years. In 1906, he came back again on the aldermanic board and was mayor during 1907 and 1908.
In 1910 he again secured a seat on the council holding the position of alderman up to 1915, when he again was elected mayor. He held this office for two years, later retiring from civic life, but never failing to take an active interest in it.
He was a council member in 1898, when the present city hall was built, and he often related this fact to prospective civic candidates for election on inauguration day, when, as an ex-mayor, he was always invited to take part in the ceremonies.
He was also a member of the Welland County General hospital board of governors for a few years.
A staunch Liberal throughout his life, he took an active part in Liberal politics in the county, and a great interest in the party activities throughout the province and Dominion.
Church Activity
For well over a quarter of a century he was the secretary-treasurer of the official board of Central United church, and of the old Methodist church. Although he had not held this position for the past several years, he was still a member of the church’s official board and trustee board, which positions he had occupied for many years. He was on the executive of the church when the present edifice was built and was a devoted member of the congregation.
His many activities included membership in the Masonic lodge, and participation in the administration of its affairs. In 1887 he was the worshipful master of Merritt lodge, A.F. & A.M., and is past district deputy grand master of the Masonic fraternity in the Niagara peninsula. In recognition of his years of service and membership, the members of Merritt lodge, No. 168, will attend the funeral in a body.
Especially during later years, Mr Crow took a great interest in the history of Welland and of Welland county. He himself was able to remember how, at the age of 10, threat of the success of the Fenian raid, which had penetrated to Ridgeway and Bertie township, had terrorized even the residents of Pelham. His parents were the descendants of pioneer residents in the Niagara peninsula.
Served in L. And W.
For several years he was a lieutenant with the old 44th Lincoln and Welland regiment and was at camp with his company for two summers. Later in his life, war brought, tragedy, when his only son, Lieutenant Gordon W. Crow, was killed in action at the battle of Courcelette in 1916.
He is survived by his sister, Mrs Robert Cooper, with whom he resided and who is now in her 94th year; one daughter, Muriel, the wife of Dr. W.J. McEwen of Hamilton; three granddaughters, Jean, the wife of Flt. Lt. W.L. Jennings, Mary and Babs, and one great grandchild Richard Jennings.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 24th from his late residence, 201 Niagara street, to Fonthill Mausoleum for entombment.
Tributes are Paid
“All who knew John Crow will be greatly saddened by his death,” said Mayor T. Harry Lewis. Although Mr Crow had been out of municipal office for many years, he retained a keen interest in civic affairs to the last, the mayor said, and he was generous in his praise and support of efforts taken for the well-being of the city.
“He was scholarly, courtly and wise and the city will be the poorer for his loss,” the mayor stated.
Louis Blake Duff said that the death of John H. Crow marked the end of an era.
“His life covered a long span in the history of Welland that reached back to the time before Confederation,”said Mr Duff.
“He was a citizen of the village, of the town, and of the city of Welland.
“Few men were so widely known, as was natural, but he had a large acquaintanceship because of his zest, his energy and his interest.
“He was a good mayor, a good business man, a good citizen, a good churchman and a great sport. Cricket was his first love, then baseball and hockey.
“A bright and genial man, sound as a dollar, honorable, he leaves a name that will long live after him.
“The passing of J.H. Crow removes a permanent and beloved citizen, who through a long life was continually identified with every forward move in this district,” E.J. Anderson, former Liberal M.P,P. For the Welland riding said today. Mr Crow had been Mr Anderson’s nominator during several terms in office.
“He served this community well and faithfully in every field of usefulness. I have fr many years enjoyed his invaluable friendship, and join all citozens in mourning his loss.”
T.J. Darby, secretary-treasurer of the Welland Provincial Riding Liberal Association, speaking on behalf of the association members, said today that Mr Crw’s death came as a profound shock to his many friends, especially among the men and women of the association.
“He was a valued member of the association,” Mr Darby continued, “And an ardent worer for over half a century. He was always referred to as a ‘young Liberal’and of course no meeting was ever complete without his presence, which he invariably gave to any Liberal meeting of importance.”
[Welland Tribune November 24, 1943]
CROW- At his late residence, 201 Niagara street, Welland on Tuesday, November 23, 1943, John H. Crow, in his 88th year. The funeral will be held on Friday, November 26th, at two p.m. from his late residence, 201 Niagara street, Welland. Entombment in Fonthill mausoleum.
John Crow is Laid to Rest
[Welland Tribune November 27, 1943]
Surrounded by hosts of friends from every walk of life, his casket banked by a wealth of floral tributes John H. Crow, Welland’s grand old man and Welland’s wartime mayor of the First World War, was interred on Friday afternoon in Fonthill mausoleum. Pallbearers were the highest officers of the Masonic fraternity in the Niagara peninsula, and among those who came to do honor to a beloved citizen were Mayor T. Harry Lewis and strong representations from Welland City Council, Welland Board of Education, and other civic bodies and the two local lodges of the Masonic fraternity, Merritt and Cope-Stone. Befitting one of the high Masonic rank deceased was borne to his final resting place by the following pallbearers—D.D.G.M. Right Wor. Bro. Brock Grant and the following P.D. D.G.M.’s, Right Wor. Bro C.S. Bravin, Right Wor. Bro. T. Wallace Houtby and Right Wor. Bro R.R. Camp; also very Wor Bro. L.R. Brennan, and Wor . Bro. Milton Stewart, former worshipful master of Merritt Masonic Lodge of which deceased had been a member for 60 years.
Rev. Dr. W.J. Mumford of Hagersville United church, former pastor of Central United church, and Rev. Roy M. Geiger of St Paul’s United church, Paris and Rev. L.R. Ballantyne, present pastor of Central United church, officiated at the service held in the late residence on Niagara street and again at the Fonthill mausoleum. The services were simple and impressive, and at the mausoleum some 40 members of the two Welland lodges, Merritt and Cope-Stone, conducted Masonic rites under direction of District Deputy Grand Master Brock Grant, and as each member passed by the bier he placed a sprig of evergreen, Masonic emblem, on the casket. Wor. Bro. J.S. O’Neal assisted at the rites. Prior to the service at the late residence the Masonic brethern had gathered at the Masonic rooms and had there met in preparation for the later ceremonies, and at the late residence the brethren formed a guard of honor as the casket was borne to the hearse. Past district deputy grand masters officiated as flower bearers, led by D.D.G.M. Brock Grant.
Theme “Going West”
At the service held in the late residence Rev. Dr Mumford referred to the passing of the late Mr. Crow as a process of going west”. He considered this process of passing on as a symbol of God’s unchanging law similar to that of the going down of the sun. The sun set in the west presaging the morning dawn of its rising in the east.
“You could not know John Crow or converse with him without realising not only his brilliant mind but also his faculty for giving himself out to the service of others,” Dr. Mumford reminded those present “I am sure,” he added, “that wherever John Crow went he added richness of mind and heart to those who were with him. His whole inspiration was service, and the foundation of his inspired being lay in the fact that in early life and all through his life he was a loyal churchman, and in all his dealing he was graciousness and integrity personified. May we not feel that he has gone west to a still greater tranquility of spirit and to a still greater scope for service!”
Motorcycle Officer Owen Stanley of Welland officiated as police patrol for the journey to Fonthill.
[Welland Tribune November 22, 1943]
Welland’s First World War mayor, John H. Crow, is today in his 88th year, having observed his 87th birthday yesterday. He is in splendid health for his age, his mental faculties are unimpaired, and his joy of life is still keen. He is as genial and as full of outstanding fellowship as he was 30 years ago. Today many of his friends are congratulating him at his home on Niagara street, and he and his sister Mrs B.J. Cooper have received many messages of felicitation.
Born on his father’s homestead in 1856, Welland’s grand old man has experienced a full life. Educated in Pelham township and Fonthill Grammar school he was a school teacher at 17 and later was one of Welland’s best known baseball and hockey players. He opened a successful hardware business in 1886 in partnership with the late J.B. Taylor, which he maintained as a sound business enterprise for over half a century. He was mayor of Welland in 1907 and in 1908 and again in 1915 and 1916. He was worshipful master of Merrit Masonic Lodge in1887, and is a P.D.D.G.M.of the Masonic fraternity in the Niagaras.
He was a member of Welland High school board for some years and for a while was a member of Welland County General hospital board of governors.
Of all these tokens of a long and honorable life few have given Mr Crow such joy as his reminiscences of the days of baseball and hockey, of earlier Masonic honors and of his years as Welland’s was mayor. They form the centrepiece of a pattern filled to the brim with life’s joys and sorrows, and war and matters military have not passed him by.
When he was 10 years of age his homestead in Pelham township was a stir with word of the coming of a great band of Fenians, who, happily never materialized. In his earliest years he was a lieutenant with the old 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment, and was at camp two summers. Later, while he was mayor of Welland, his son, Lieutenant Gordon W. Crow was killed in action of the Battle of Courcelette, late in the summer of 1916. He resides with his sister Mrs B.J. Cooper, Niagara street, who is now in her 94th year.
[Welland Tribune, 8 December 1910]
Mary, wife of George Smith. died early yesterday morning, aged sixty-eight years. She was operated upon six months ago in a Buffalo hospital for cancer, and the doctors then gave her only a few days to live, but in this they were mistaken. Dropsy was the immediate cause of death. Deceased was born in Buffalo, where he parents died of cholera during the epidemic in the 40’s. She was then adopted by Philip Fahrbach of Humberstone. She is survived by a sorrowing husband, three daughters-Annie at home, Mrs. Gus Kramer and Mrs. Near of Humberstone, and three sons-Michael of Humberstone and Louie and Otto of Buffalo. At this writing funeral arrangements have not been made.
Port Colborne News
[Welland Tribune, 4 September 1900]
George Bateman, an old and highly respected resident of the town, died on Friday morning last after a long illness. Deceased was 75 years of age. He was born in England, but came to Canada early in life. H has lived in Port Colborne over twenty years. The funeral took place on Saturday at 10 o’clock in the morning; Interment in Overholt cemetery. Rev. Mr. Bonny conducted the services. A widow mourns the loss of a kind and loving husband, and the sympathy of the community is extended to her in her sad bereavement.
Superintendent of County Home for Aged and Infirm Dies in 59th Year
VAST CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Commanded by Capable Official –Made Home Grounds Fine Farming Property
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 25 April 1931]
George B. McClellan for the past fifteen years superintendent of Welland County Home for the Aged and Infirm, passed away at his home here this morning at 4 o’clock the death proving a great shock in the family and to a wide circle of friends throughout the district. Death was wholly unexpected. While it is true Mr. McClellan had been in poor health for the past two months, he was able to be a host every day. In fact he was downtown yesterday attending a meeting of the commission on Old Age Pensions. When he retired last night he was feeling as well as usual. At 2 o’clock he complained of feeling unwell and two hours later he passed away, death being due to neuralgia of the heart.
HIS WORK AT THE HOME
Mr. McClelland made of the Home, one of the best farm properties in Welland county. The fields and grounds and gardens, the barns, the stables, building and stock were always kept in such condition that for anyone versed in agriculture, a visit to the Industrial Home was always a real pleasure. He was not only a _, but also a tactful manager and his relationship with the members of the county council, with his own staff, and with the inmates of the Home was always pleasant and agreeable. In fact Mr. McClellan was able to number among his friends all with whom he came in contact with in this official capacity.
Mr. McClellan took a wide interest in the care of the unfortunate. Some years ago he was instrumental in organizing the managers of Home for the aged and infirm into an association and he was its first president. He was for five years the president of the Welland County Agricultural society and in this period due to his energy and foresight the Society had a very marked success. At the time of his death he was first Vice-President of the Niagara District Fair Board. **Rest of obituary and funeral notice is very blurry and difficult to decipher. .
The funeral of Mr. McClellan is located on page 1 and 2 of the Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune-29 April 1931.
[Welland Tribune November 17, 1943]
Fonthill, Nov. 17- The death of Edward Page occurred at his home in Pelham township early Tuesday morning in his 79th year. The deceased was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Gilbert Page and was a lifelong resident of Pelham township. The late Mr Page was connected with the Wellington and Davidson Nurseries for 60 years. He was a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters.
Besides his widow, he leaves to mourn three daughters, Mrs F. Davidson, Fonthill;Mrs Clair Singer, Pelham Corners and Miss Marion Page at home; also two sons, Charles Page of the village, and Wilfred Page now overseas.
Page- At his home in Fonthill on Tuesday, November 16, 1943, Edward Page, beloved husband of Mary Page in his 79th year. The funeral from his late home on Thursday afternoon November 18 at 2.30 o’clock. Interment at Fonthill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune November 4, 1943]
Of interest to many friends in the community was a pretty autumn wedding which took place in Plymouth Methodist church, Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday, October 23rd, at 2.30 o’clock when the pastor of the church officiated at the marriage of Doris Eleeanor, daughter of Mrs Charles L. Starks, Buffalo, and the late Mr Starks and George Foster Reed of Syracuse, N.Y., son of Mr and Mrs Everett Reed of Buffalo.
The bride, given in marriage by her uncle Harold Barnhart of Sherkston, wore a white satin gown on princess lines which extended in a long train. The long sleeves tapered to points over the wrists, and a fingertip veil caught in a halo of orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet of sweetheart roses and ferns.
Miss Thelma Starks, her sister’s only attendant, was lovely in a floor length gown of turqoise silk chiffon with a sweetheart neckline. She carried a bouquet of pink roses and ferns. Neal Ball of Buffalo was the best man.
A reception was held at Cugn’s restaurant for 26 guests.
The bride and groom left on a short wedding trip and on their return they will reside in Syracuse, N.Y
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