Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
David Cook, who died a prisoner in Welland jail last Wednesday, was a well-known resident of this town. (Niagara Falls Town). He was a stone cutter by trade, and at one time was prosperous and respected. Of late years he had fallen entirely into the power of strong drink, and had been unable to follow his trade. He had been employed as hostler by different persons, and a few weeks ago the police magistrate sent him to the county jail to save him from an attack of delirium tremens. He was about sixty-five years old, and had no relations here.
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
John Frederick Crites, aged 62 years, died at his home in Lockport on Wednesday morning from the effects of injuries received some two weeks ago by falling from a scaffold. Deceased had been a resident of Niagara Falls, N.Y., for 30 years, and went to Lockport about three years ago. He leaves a widow (Alvira) and four daughters to mourn his loss. Mrs. Crites is a daughter of the late Richard Huff of this village. The funeral was held on Friday afternoon. The funeral party arrived via N.Y.C. & H.R.Ry and G.T.Ry., and proceeded to All Saints cemetery where the burial service was conducted by Rev. Canon Bull and the remains were interred.
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
One of the prettiest home weddings of the season was celebrated at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Dobbie, Victoria avenue, Wednesday afternoon at 5 o’clock, when their eldest daughter, Sara Elizabeth, was united to Mr. Fred Campbell McBurney, a well-known barrister of this town and president of the Niagara Falls, Wesley Park & Clifton Tramway Company.
The house was beautifully decorated with palms and flowers of all sorts and presented a very pleasing appearance. The wedding party entered the parlors a little after 5 o’clock to the strains of a wedding march played by Miss Carlotta Spence, cousin of the bride and took up their position beneath a magnificent arch of similax ferns and roses. The bride was charmingly attired in white organdie and was supported by her sister, Miss Mary Dobbie who wore green organdie. The groom was assisted by Capt. Charles H. Mitchell. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John Crawford, pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church in the presence of the immediate relatives of the bride and groom.
After the hearty congratulations of the assembled guests the party sat down to a sumptuous supper to which all did ample justice.
The happy couple left at 8 o’clock for a trip to the sea, followed by showers of rice and good wishes.
Upon their return Mr. and Mrs. McBurney will take up their residence at the corner of Walnut street and Victoria avenue at the centre.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
THOROLD TOWNSHIP
First White Male Child Born at St. Davids
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
The death of Mr. John Allison of Thorold township a few days ago, severs a link connecting the present with the rich historical past of this section. In this connection the People’s Press has been favored with the following biological and historical sketch of Thomas Allison, the father of John Allison now deceased. Thomas Allison died some twelve years ago, the following sketch being his own relation as taken down in the winter of 1886-7.
THOMAS ALLISON was born at St. David’s, county of Lincoln, on Sept. 4, 1799 the first white male child born in that place. His parents were John Allison and Rebecca Bertrand. His father was a native of Yorkshire, England, came to the Niagara in 1790, and died in December, 1812. He (John Allison, the father of Thomas), it was who, on October 13, 1812, guided the British forces to the top of the mountain, near where the quarries now are. At a later hour in the day, he assisted in driving the Americans from the Queenston Heights and in taking many of them prisoners.
We return now to our present subject-Thomas Allison, son of John Allison the elder and father of John Allison who died last week. Thomas, at the time a lad of about thirteen years of age, had seen the flash and heard the sound of the guns at the famous battle of Queenston Heights, and with young, Rich Secord, went to view the battle field. They saw the dead and wounded and the piles of arms surrendered by the Americans. Of this, Mr. Allison had a most vivid recollection at the time of this relations to the writer, he being then 87 years of age.
He also recollects that in the year 1813, some forty American soldiers lay upon his father’s floor one night, being en route for Burlington.
Later on he was sent with a message to the British at the Beaverdams, and arrived there in time to see the eight men buried who fell there. He remembered the laughable devices that about 40 British regulars and some Indians had to prevent the 500 Americans captured at the Beaverdams from recovering their arms and wiping out their captors. The battle took place near the tollgate and the American camp was on a knoll near what was afterward known as Shriner’s Pond.
He remembers quite distinctly hearing at the time of the clever way in which Col. Chapin of the U.S. army captured at the Beaverdams, passed himself off as a doctor and when with other prisoners in a small boat on Lake Ontario, turned the tables on his captors and took them to the American side.
As might be expected, Mr. Allison was often at Niagara and was familiar with the stirring events at that place.
Lundy’s Lane
He was at Lundy’s Lane at the opening of the battle on July 25, 1814. He was there taken from the ranks and employed to drive a team which carried eleven of the wounded to Niagara. In those heroic days young and old alike, with such arms as they could secure, rushed forward to meet the foe. Our subject was also at the battle ground after the battle, and saw the dead buried and burned.
When Lewiston was burned by the British he saw the flames. All the frontier was on the qui vive, and there was not much going on in the vicinity that as enterprising frontier lad of 14 or 15 did not.see.
Mr. Allison remembered Gen Isaac Brock. He was a stout man, and held his head to one side in consequence of a wound in the neck.
The year after the war closed Mr. Allison visited the site of what is now the city of Hamilton, which then consisted of one tavern. A block house and earth works at Burlington Heights were then conspicuous. The Ackman farm to the east of Hamilton was also occupied at the time.
In the year 1822 Mr. Allison bought a farm in Thorold township on the Stamford line, where he lived until he died. He married Elizabeth Smoke who predeceased him. Stamford and Thorold townships were partially settled, but there was not much money nor style in those days, with wheat at 37!/2 c per bushel, roads between the stumps, no carriages, railways or canal-style was secondary.
The Rebellion
The rebellion made lively times on the frontier again. Mr. Allison was at Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Chippawa and other points as needed. He teamed the mortar from Queenston to Chippawa which was used to dislodge William Lyon Mackenzie’s forces from Navy Island. He was a Conservative then, and always remained one. Speaking in his 87th year, Mr. Allison said he recognized the kindness of the Master who had permitted him to live so long, and enjoy so abundantly the fruits of his industry. He was a member of the Church of England and until an advanced age attended church at Port Robinson and his children followed in this footsteps.
Thomas Allison died 10 June 1887 and is buried at Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls.
Port Colborne News
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
The entire community was saddened on Sunday by the announcement that J.H. Smith had received a telegram from Omaha, Neb., that his only brother, Fred R. Smith, had died in the hospital at Chicago on Saturday night. No further particulars had been heard yesterday afternoon.
Port Colborne News
[People’s Press, 21 August 1900]
A telegram was received on Saturday from Alaska bringing the sad news that Dr. J.W.H. Chestnut, brother of Mrs. C. Sperry Carter had died on the island of Onalaska. Deceased leaves a wife and five children in Philadelphia. He was one of the cleverest medical men in that city and at college carried off highest honors. He was also a cousin of Mrs. D.W. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Carter left on Saturday evening for Philadelphia.
[Welland Tribune, 22 May 1950]
DUNHAM-At Port Colborne, Ontario on Saturday, May 20, 1950, Arthur, beloved husband of the late Katie Gordon Dunham in his 73rd year. Resting at the Dell and Merton Funeral Home, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne. Services in the chapel on Tuesday, May 23, 2 p.m. Interment at Oakwood cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 13 March 1941]
DUNHAM-At Port Colborne, Ontario, on Thursday, March 13th, 1941, Kate Gordon, beloved wife of Arthur Dunham in her 61st year. Resting at the Dell and Merton Funeral Home, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne. Service in the Chapel on Saturday, March 15th at 2.30 p.m. Interment at Oakwood cemertery.
[People’s Press, 3 April 1900]
The sad news was received in town last week of the death of John Karr, which occurred in Kansas City, Mo., where Mr. Karr has resided for several years. Mr. Karr was an old and well-known former citizen of this place. When this village was incorporated, in 1870, Mr. Karr was elected reeve, and the following named gentlemen were the council: E. Furry, Thos. Greenwood, Chas. H. Carter and Jacob North. All of the above gentlemen have since passed away but Mr. Furry. Mr. Karr preceded R. Smith in the New York store, having run a general store there for some years. Mr. Karr visited friends here a few years ago. He was twice married, his first wife being a sister of Mrs. Robert Smith of town. Two daughters and one son survive him.
FURLONG-JORGENSEN
[Welland Tribune, 30 December 1943]
A wedding of interest took place in the chapel of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto, on Christmas Day when in a quiet ceremony Vivian Astrid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K.S.G. Jorgensen of Toronto was united in marriage to Lieut. Michael J. Furlong, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Furlong of Port Colborne.
The bride was attended by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Eric Jorgensen.
The groomsman was Lieut. George Chalklin, stationed in Eastern Canada.
After a dinner and reception at the home of the bride’s parents, the couple left for a honeymoon in the United States and on their return will reside in Brandon, Man., where the bridegroom is stationed.
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