Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[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.
[Welland Tribune, 9 July 1897]
At the residence of the bride’s father, John W. Hagar, of the township of Crowland, Miss May B. Smith was united in matrimony to the Rev. G.F. Morris, late of Bridgeburg. The bride was attended by Miss Clara Morris and little Muriel Morris was the maid of honor. Rev. J. Fred Kay, BA, acted as best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C.J. Dobson, B.D., assisted by Rev. Dr. Orme. The bridal party, with the bride in green and the bridesmaid in blue, presented a charming appearance beneath the overhanging arch of evergreens. After partaking of the wedding breakfast and the offering of many hearty congratulations and good wishes the happy couple started on a short trip before going to their new home in Onondaga. Their many friends join in wishing them every prosperity on the matrimonial sea.
[Welland Tribune, 9 July 1897]
A pretty wedding took place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30th ult., at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Dell, Netherby, when their oldest daughter, Ella A., was united in marriage to Henry A. Campaigne of Niagara Falls, Ont. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Kay in the presence of relatives and friends of the contacting parties. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Cora B. Dell, and Charles Campaigne, brother of the groom acted as best man. The bride was attired in cream albatross, trimmed with chiffon and lace, and carried a bouquet of bride’s roses. The bridesmaid was gowned in pale blue henrietta, trimmed with cream lace and silk gauze. Little Florence Callum acted as maid of honor, and carried the wedding ring; she wore white organdie, trimmed with white carnations. The bridal party entered the parlor the bride leaning on the arm of her father. After the ceremony all retired to the dining room, where a bountiful wedding feast was enjoyed. The tables were beautifully decorated with roses. The presents were beautiful and valuable. Among the guests were friends from Rochester and Sidney, N.Y.
[Welland Tribune, 19 January 1909]
The Brantford Expositor has an extended reference to the father of George Scace, West Main St., who died suddenly in Brantford, and was buried on Thursday. It reads in part:
The late Mr. Scace was born in Ipswich, England, and came to Canada in early manhood, settling at Dundas, where he married Miss Emma Bickell, who predeceased him some five years ago. He settled in Brantford, where he had continuously resided since. He was prominent in St. Jude’s church, where he held the wardenship for a number of years. He was also a member of Wolfe Lodge, S.O.E. A large family is left to mourn his loss, as follows: George, Welland; W.R., Brockville; Fred, of Toronto; Charles, at home; W.B. and James, of the Cockshutt Plow Company, city; Mrs. Hall, Calgary; Mrs. Jos. Broadbent, city; and Miss Emma at home. A sad feature of the death is the critical illness of Chas. Scace at home. To the members of the family the sympathy of a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances will be extended in their hour of bereavement. The funeral takes place on Thursday afternoon.
A kind father, an upright and sterling citizen, and a faithful adherent of St. Jude’s church has been called home.
Niagara Falls South
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
Stricken with paralysis, it is thought, at the time he was found lying on Park St. by Officer Macnamara and others, on the evening of Jan. 7th., George Crandall, a resident of Niagara Falls South, was taken to the hospital, where he had a second attack, from which he died on Saturday. Deceased was about 50 years of age, married, and leaves a small family, besides his parents and a brother. It is thought that the effects of the exposure may have been a contributory cause to his death.
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Walter E. Campbell, the only person who ever swam the rapids of Niagara River, died last week at the county hospital at Lockport. He was 39 years old. He went through the rapids in 1889. Campbell was born in Youngstown, N.Y., and had served in the regular army in the Philippines. He went to the county hospital two weeks ago suffering from alcoholism.
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