Results for ‘General News’
Once a thriving industry, now just old memories
By Jim Middleton, Tribune Reporter
[Welland Tribune Mon. March 1, 1976]
Fonthill Nurseries hasn’t sold a twig since 1968, or a shrub or a bush—yet the influence of that firm which flourished for well over 100 years in the Pelham area is still felt and seen.
At its peak, the nursery owned or rented more than 1,000 acres of land and provided employment for up to 250 residents of the area, and for dozens more all across this land working as sales agents on behalf of the Fonthill-based business.
A recently written letter commenting on the subject of the loss of the nursery to the area summed up succinctly the feeling of many about the nursery.
“The dissolving of Stone and Wellington will remove the last vestige of the renowned Fonthill Nurseries,” the letter stated.”This was a proud and economically valuable operation for nearly 100 years. Up until the end of the Second World War it was an operation where jobs could be found even in depressed times and, consequently, was always looked to with hope by those out of work.”
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—Celebrated by The Fonthill Nurseries.
[Wellington & Davidson, Fonthill, Ontario]
The Nurseries
Horticulture in Canada, in the year 1837, was rather primitive. Yet the pioneers who settled this country were both thrifty and cultured, with the result that fruit trees and plants to ensure a food supply, and trees and shrubs for beautification, early became a normal requirement.
One Hundred Years ago this year, therefore—a long span indeed for any business to survive the rigors of a comparatively new country—a Nursery enterprise was started in a small way by Samuel Taylor, at the lovely little Village of Fonthill, in the county of Welland.
Although utilizing an area of 100 acres, Mr Taylor’s venture did little but give the nursery idea form, and the business soon passed into other hands. The new form was a partnership, Messrs. D’Everardo and Page, both pioneer names in the district; and the former, recognized as a leader in practically all departments of the young community’s life, actually became the founder of “The Fonthill Nurseries”
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(Buffalo Express)
[Welland Telegraph, 11 December 1891]
The famous old American hotel, near the foot of ferry street, was the scene of a marriage out of the ordinary on Wednesday.
James Horn, the landord, was dozing in his arm-chair on Wednesday afternoon when Frederick Burger, a six-foot Canadian, made his appearance and asked: “Can I bring a gal in here?”
“Certainly. What do you want to do with her?”
“Git married, by Gosh,” and the room shook with laughter.
“All right,” said Horn; “bring in your gal.”
She came. She was hardly half the size of her future lord and master and showed signs of travel over muddy roads. They were shown to the sitting room and the Rev. L.B. VanDyke, the Episcopal minister, was sent for.
When the messenger had departed Horn asked his visitor if he had enough to pay the minister, as he thought it would cost at least $3 to tie the knot. The man had already spent about half a dollar in entertaining his intended with refreshments from the bar and said that he had but a dollar left.
“Why,” said he, “that’s the reason I came over here, as I can get married cheaper here than on the other side. We’ve walked for twenty miles up in the country. I want to get married cheap. “
The landlord appreciated the situation and agreed to see him through.
Ralph Courter and Mrs. Peck, the housekeeper, were pressed in to serve as witnesses and the knot securely tied, Mr. Horn giving the bride away. She gave him her name as Mary Jane Harkins and her age as eighteen years.
As it was the first wedding which had taken place in the house since the time the beaux and belles of the village of Black Rock used to make it headquarters fifty years ago, Landlord Horn decided to celebrate, and a wedding feast was prepared to which about a dozen sat down. The couple left in the early evening to trudge back their twenty miles.
[Welland Telegraph, 6 February 1891]
Mr. C. Greaves, of the Forks Road, more familiarly known as “The Dutch Doctor,” came to town last Friday to draw some money from the bank for his wife. He got the money, made a few purchases, leaving the latter with Segelhurst, of the Commercial, saying he would call for them, then went to the M.C.R. station and boarded a train for Buffalo. Nothing has been been heard of him since and some alarm is manifested by his friends, as on all former occasions when he came to town on a similar errand, he was particular to return promptly. Some think he has met with foul play, others that he may have got on a spree at Buffalo, and have been locked up. Another opinion is that he has gone to the old country, as on several occasions he has expressed his intention of doing so, as soon as he obtained sufficient funds.
[Welland Telegraph, 23 January 1891]
Miss Greely, who was formerly a teacher in Grafton, and although 85 years of age is in full possession of her facilities, and in delivering her address before the large audience gathered together at Grafton, on the 3rd inst., to witness the hoisting of the Empire’s flag, was listened to with the greatest of interest and attention.
Miss Greely, who was greeted with long continued cheers, commenced an address which was rendered with a vigor and cleanness that is truly remarkable for one of her age. She said: “Before commencing to make a few remarks on the British flag, I would say to those present, you will probably never again have an opportunity of seeing one who remembers the day that General Brock was killed, for I well recollect hearing the guns at the battle of Queenston Heights. What are the ideas which will fill the minds of the Canadian youth when they see the British flag raised on their school houses? What should they think of it? For what object has it been placed there? It is the symbol of power, of bravery, of daring enterprise, of heroic endurance, of faithfulness to duty, and whatever man has done or can do that is good or great, has it not been done under the shelter of that flag? And, with the progress of civilization and refinement, still wider views and brighter prospects reveal themselves and more interesting associations cluster around it.
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[Welland Telegraph, 9 January 1891]
Does it ever occur to our readers what romances, what curious secrets, come to the care of a doctor? Quite as improbable events happen in real life as ever found in the most sensational novels on the shelves of a circulating library, and the experience of any physician would furnish enough stories to make the fortune of a paragrapher. One of these came under my notice. Eighteen years ago I was a struggling young physician. I had just graduated with credit from McGill, but I was poor and unknown, and my chance of practice were vague indeed. An office in a stuffy house in a poor neighborhood, where an untidy, slatternly landlady was my sole resource for domestic comfort, represented my means, and at times my heart was as low as my finances, as I brooded over my prospects for the future.
It was late, on a bitter night in January, and the crisp snow crackled sharply under my feet of the chance pedestrian, that my office bell rang sharply, and I hurried down at once to the door. Standing in a little group were two or three men supporting the unconscious figure of an old man, the blooding froth on whose lips told me he was injured internally. “Bring him in at once,” and as the good fellows laid down the senseless figure on the sofa, one of them whispered to me, “Run over, doctor, by a sleigh, and he seems to be badly hurt.”
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[Welland Telegraph, 25 December 1891]
THREE RIVERS, QUE.
Mr. Wood, of the Bank of Commerce, Thorold, has lately obtained from a friend at Ottawa, a very curious book called “Album de l’Histoire des Trois Rivieres” with fac similes of old documents and plans, etc., with interesting descriptions and explanations. Among them is the first page of the parish register and the earliest election of deputies in 1648; also plans of the town in 1685, 1704 and 1721.
ST. CATHARINES, ONT.
In the early record of the settlement of St. Catharines, there is an interesting statement of the organization of St. George’s church, 17th February, 1796. There is a list of 44 subscribers to the building fund amounting to £121.12_. For many years the Rev. Robert Addison, of Niagara, was the only clergyman of the church of England in the Niagara peninsula. He died in 1829. He was succeeded at Niagara by the Rev. Thomas Creen, and at St. Catharines by the Rev. Isaac Williams, who was followed by the Rev. Richard Clarke. During the war of 1812-14 the little church of S. George was often used as a hospital. It was burn’t down a short time before 1837.
A new church was built and completed in 1840, the site having been donated by the late Hon. W.H. Merritt. This church was consecrated on the 17th of August 1841, on the same day the Rev. A.F. Atkinson was inducted as rector.
BRANTFORD, ONT.
The Mohawk church, situated about two miles from Brantford was erected in 1784 by the Mohawks very shortly after they had removal from the beautiful valley of the Mohawk river, U.S., and in the spirit of loyalty sought a new home where they could preserve their allegiance to the British Crown. The graveyard adjoining the church is now “a city of the dead” of that great Indian family. The great Brant and his son John are there buried in one grave. It is historic ground of deepest interest. We should like to obtain a statement from the parish record of its early dates and names.
ST. MARK’S CHURCH, NIAGARA
The federation of this church was laid in 1792 in which year the Rev. Robt. Addison was appointed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, missionary and rector of the parish of Niagara. The first entry in the register was the wedding of Henry Warren and Catharine Algor in 1792.
“May 31, 1793, died Mrs. Catharine Butler, wife of Col. Butler.”
“January 25, 1794 was buried M. Kerr, wife of Robert Kerr, Esq.,”
Mrs. Kerr was a daughter of Sir William Johnson and his wife Mollie Brant, sister of Thayendenegea. Mr. Kerr was a near relative to the Duke of Roxorough. One of his sons was Col. Wm. T. Kerr, of Wellington Squarenow Burlington, Ont. Another entry in St. Mark’s church register is the burial of C. John Butler of the Rangers, May 15, 1796.
The history of Upper Canada of 100 years ago is full of interest.
THE FIRST GRAVEYARD OF UPPER CANADA
Among the places of heartfelt interest to Canadians we deem especially the burial grounds of our first settlers. These were located on the farm lands of new settlements form 1783 to the times when churches began to be built and the God’s acre was duly set apart for burials. Around Niagara are the family grounds of Col Butler, Peter Servos and Alex. Hamilton of 1783.
Around Hamilton city we know of the private grounds, dating 100 years ago, of Geo. Hamilton, W.B. Vanevery, Binkley, Ryckman, Terryberry, Smith, Burkholder, Jonathan David and Lottridge. The farms once belonging to these old names possess a claim upon our attention, which we are anxious to evince in some suitable way. Would not present descendents furnish lists of their buried dead in those places, and so perpetuate the names of early settlers?
[4 January 2015]
Good Afternoon Webmaster
The Sisters and myself at the Convent of Less Said wish to extend our heartiest greetings in this the year of 2015. We have been perusing your fine contribution to those interested in the Welland County moments of the past. It is our most humble opinion that these offerings will gather kernels of knowledge as yet unpublished.
Exciting news has aroused the interest of our home with the newspaper clipping of our dear, Dame Edna Everidge, instructing us that she will be appearing in her Farewell Tour in Toronto this April. Our very own Sister Mary JudgeNot, Convent Theatre Critic and local renowned Centenarian +++++, will be travelling to that fair city to witness her final times on the stage. We are certain she will be wonderful and perhaps in her modest way mention us, not that we are suggesting she do so.
Well dear Webmaster, perhaps we will get to Welland this summer. Thank you for your kind correspondence in letting us know where Welland is. Is there perhaps a cloistered establishment where we can stay?
Kind Regards
Mother Superior
The Charms and Attractions of Winnipeg-A Few Notes on the Experimental Farm-
The Great Sanderson Farm-Warm Greetings From Old Friends-
A Great Country and an Enjoyable Visit
[Welland Telegraph, 2 October 1891]
Since Mr. John Phelps, Welland’s well known and popular miller returned from his visit to Canada’s great wheat garden, the prairie province of Manitoba, he has been enthusiastic over the glories of the country, and more than ever convinced that when Canada’s great resources in that section are once developed, the ethereal blue dome will cover no land more favored with choice advantages or blessed with greater prosperity. It is Mr. Phelps’ delight to recount the sights he saw and enjoyed, to speak of the friends he met, and to extoll upon the great prospects and probabilities of the near and bright future of the place he visited. John’s wide circle of friends in the counties of Welland, Lincoln and Monck, know him as a bright and valuable conservationist, but when he talks of Manitoba and gets thoroughly warmed up to his subject, words of enthusiasm flow with such rapid eloquence and interesting detail, lending such additional charm to his stories, that one can almost imagine that they are in the midst of the great province with its miles of golden grain, while the soft cadence of the narrator’s musical voice as it rises and falls in accordance with the proper emphasis on a particular subject, makes one think they can hear the echo of the laden wheat heads as they rustle under the influence of the undulating waves of the balmy prairie breezes. A.K. Scholfield, Esq., of Port Colborne, and Mr. J. Hindson, Mr. Phelps’ father-in-law were the companions, and no trio ever enjoyed the beauties of nature more than they.
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[Welland Tribune, Tuesday, October 28, 1941]
Requests for War Savings Certificates pledge cards and increase cards indicate that some employers are proceeding with what is expected of them in the current War Weapons Drive, T.J. Richardson, secretary of the Welland-Crowland War Savings Committee stated today.
This desire of employers and employes to co-operate was encouraging, but, Mr. Richardson declared it could not be stressed too strongly that to make the drive successful it was necessary to secure the cooperation of merchants and small businesses in the payroll deduction plan and through bank pledges the co-operation of those having bank accounts. Canvassers, he stated, could do only part of the job; success of the drive depended on the co-operation of the general public.
At the start of the second week of the War Weapons Drive in which Welland has pledged one fighter plane a month, which in terms of cash is $50,000 a month, the objective still to be attained is $20,000. To attain this objective it will be necessary not only to secure new pledges but also an increase averaging 20 per cent in the amounts pledged in the last drive.
Mr. Richardson announced today that D.W. Lathrop, vice-president and sales manager of Atlas Steels Ltd. has accepted the chairmanship of the industrial division of the drive succeeding H.K. Smith, of the Plymouth Cordage Company, who tendered his resignation due to pressure of business. Mr. Smith, whose activities during the last drive were to a large extent responsible for the success of the first War Savings Certificates drive offered, however to lend whatever assistance he could to the new chairman.
The objective of the industrial division is to secure 1,500 new pledges at least $6,000 a month and also to have pledgers purchasing certificates through the payroll deduction plan in the various industries increase their pledges by an average of 20 per cent. It is suggested that if each employe now purchasing certificates increased their pledges by 50 cents a week the objective would be attained.
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