Results for ‘Historical MUSINGS’
Among those men who are able to look back upon the successes that they have made in Welland County without the feeling that there is some position to which they might aspire, is the subject of this sketch who, because of the many and varied positions of high esteem he has held, has tasted of a life that is filled with glamour.
William Jones Best was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Welland County, on September 22nd, 1852. He is the son of the late Robert Best, a native of England.
Mr. W.J. Best attended the public school in Niagara-on-the-Lake and was then sent to a private institution for a short period.
Because his father had been engaged in the meat business, Mr. Best went to Chicago at the age of 20 years, where he worked for an oyster concern and where he remained until he was 26 years old.
He then went to Welland and started a business in the general mercantile line with his brother, Robert B. Best. The partnership was dissolved in 1886, when his brother left Welland County for Vancouver. The establishment was located on East Main Street, and won a large patronage through the excellence meats it carried.
Until 1906, Mr. Best maintained this business, but retired to live in his beautiful home which is located at 15 Hellems Street.
For two years Mr. Best served on the county council, before the town of Welland was incorporated as a city. He was made a deputy reeve for one year, and then was elected reeve.
Mr. Best also served in the city council for a number of years, and was made Mayor of Welland by acclamation in 1903. He fulfilled this post as chief executive in an admirable manner.
For a term of two years he served as a member of the school board, and during this period did much to further the educational progress of the district, being a hearty supporter of such policies as were of the greatest benefit to the tax-paying public.
Mr. Best is now chairman of the Hydro-Electric and is considered in Welland County to be a man whose sterling worth in the administration of the affairs of large corporate interests is inestimable. In association of W.M. German he was largely instrumental in converting a piece of property often referred to as an eye-sore along the canal bank into a beautiful park, now known as Merritt Park.
Mr. Best serves as a warden of the Anglican Church, a post which he has held for eight years. He is a member of the Horticulture Society, and many other fraternal and social organizations.
He is interested in the nursery, which is operated under the name of Brown Brothers. In this enterprise he is joined by David Ross and L.B. Duff. He is great lover of gardening, horses and sports. At one time he was active in horse racing, driving harness race trotters.
Mr. Best was married in Welland on July 8th1885, to Margaret Lock, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Lock. They had three children: Frank, who is now 36 years old, and was wounded in the Canadian army during the World War; Harry, who was killed in the World War, and Fanny, the twin of Frank, who also passed away recently/
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
While working most of his years on a farm, then in the diary business and stock-raising, he chanced to do a lot of work in another line, which finally showed so much promise and proved to be so profitable that he finally adopted it as his regular vocation, and therein has made a striking success.
Mr. Storm was born on September 18th, 1887, at Sherkston, Ont., and is the son of Peter Storm, (mother Marion Beam) who was a farmer at that place and who was County Councillor for a number of years. Orrie Storm, acquired his early education at the public school on Humberstone Road, and after leaving school went to work helping his father on the farm. Being ambitious to do something for himself, he went to Welland where he secured employment with the Plymouth Cordage Works, but, tiring of this he returned to farm work with his father, working on shares. He next embarked on the business of raising bees and for ten years was very successful in that line, until he succeeded in buying a one-hundred acre farm of his own and began the dairy business. He began raising fine stock and his Holstein cattle won a number of prizes at the Bertie County Fair. At that time he did a lot of excavating with his team, and it proved so profitable that he sold his farm and went into the excavating business on a large scale, with modern equipment, and to-day is dong a large business In that line. Among his first large contracts, was the Dufferin Street Garage, the Stratton Building, and the Government Liquor Store. He is much interested in horses, dogs, cattle and bees. He is not partial to any particular religion, but believes them all to be good. He was married in Bridgeburg on May 4th, 1912, to Miss Clara Elizabeth Yockim, daughter of David Yockim, a farmer, who was born in Brookfield; they have two children, Emma Elizabeth, and Menno Joseph, the latter being named after his great grandfather who is still living at the age of ninety-two in Black Creek, Welland County.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
So intimately associated with the history of Welland is the name of John Young, that, whenever pioneer merchants, ex-government officials and Bertie township is mentioned one immediately thinks of him whose early intense labors made success so sure for the present and even better for the future. A career dictated by a rampant desire of service, no early civic or business enterprise was undertaken without enlisting the aid and influence of this very capable man.
Born May 1st, 1855, in Buffalo N.Y., son of John and Mariah (Dahl) Young. His father, of German descent, was then a merchant tailor in Buffalo. After attending the public schools there, Mr. Young joined his father in the tailoring business, remaining with him until 1878.
From then to 1903 he conducted his own successful establishment in Ridgeway. Upon retiring he was prevailed upon to become Customs officer at Crystal Beach, holding this responsible position with a remarkable record for ten years. Again anxious to be active he founded his present builder’s supply and coal business in 1905, the success of which is now well-known history. Due to his advanced years and the state of his health, Mr. Young sold his business to his sons, Harrison and Charles Young, in 1925. They still conduct it under the old name of John Young & Sons, at Ridgeway, Ont.
Appointed treasurer of Bertie township in 1897, Mr. Young has the extraordinary record of still serving the community in so responsible a position for thirty-three continuous years. In addition to being a Bertie township trustee, also, he has served for nine years in the same capacity on the Ridgeway School Board. A member of the United Church, Oddfellows, Ridgeway Lodge and the Canadian Order of Foresters.
Married fifty years ago, on September, 1929, Mr. and Mrs. Young celebrated their golden and fiftieth anniversary at that time. Mrs. Young was formerly Miss Cora G. Disher, daughter of Ralph Disher, who was also treasurer of Bertie township prior to Mr. Young. Mr. Disher’s other well-known and early activities are prominently mentioned in the early history of Welland County, published in 1887.
Mr. Young has four children living, and three deceased. Harold Ralph Young, married and quite a successful accountant, is located in Chicago, ILL., Charles C. Young, also married, is in the business with his brother Harrison, as above mentioned; Grace Mildred, the daughter, resides with the parents.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
A barrister and solicitor with offices at 44-46 Temple Building, Welland, Ont., is recognized as very capable in many branches of his profession and has successfully built up a splendid practice.
Mr. Ross was born on June 3rd, 1897, at Wellandport, county of Lincoln, Ont.; the oldest son of James A. Ross and Sarah Agnes (Kay) Ross, the former being an ex-member of the provincial parliament for the old electoral riding of Monck and now in the brokerage business, living at Wellandport. Mr. Ross’ mother is a daughter of the late Thomas Henry Kay, who for two years conducted a carriage and wood-working business at Wellandport and a niece of the late James T. Brundage of Niagara Falls, N.Y., who was one of the first men to capitalize in an extensive way on the tourist possibilities of the Falls.
The subject of this review gained his early education in the public school at Wellandport, later, attending the Dunnville high school and then the Smithville high school, obtaining his articulation at the age of fifteen years.
After studying law at Dunnville and spending a couple of years in the life insurance business, he attended Osgoode Hall and graduated with honors in 1920. He was enrolled as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ontario on the second day of March, 1921, and immediately began a law practice at Wellandport and then came to Welland in 1922, taking offices at his present location in the Temple Building. In 1928, in partnership with Mr. John Goodwin, he formed a small loan business known as Welland Loan Co, which after operating for one year was absorbed by Welland Discount Corporation, Limited, incorporated for that purpose, of which concern Mr. Ross is managing director and company solicitor.
Mr. Ross was married in 1922 to Miss Lulu I. White of Humberstone. They have two children, Frances Jean and Helen Kay. His social contact is with the Welland Club and his fraternal affiliations are with Imperial Lodge No. 392, I.O.O.F. of Toronto. For recreation he prefers bridge and billiards but enjoys all sports. Mr. Ross is one of a family of four, having two sisters, Eula I., a school teacher, and Roma K., at home, and one brother Romaine K., who is attending law school at Osgoode Hall, Toronto.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
James Howills Atherton is a veteran business man and citizen of Welland who has been active in the wood working line for the last two decades, and has reared a family of children who give special credit to his name.
Mr. Atherton was born on November 22nd, 1887, in Liverpool, England, and is the son of Nathan Atherton, who was born in Kirby, England, and was engaged in the wood working business. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Liverpool until he was thirteen years old, when he went to work for his father and attended the Evening Technical School in Manchester, England.
In 1906 he decided to try his fortunes in the new world and came to Canada in that year, locating in Orillia, doing carpenter work for W.J. Hickey of that place. After a short stay in that place, he came to Welland, Ont., on construction work for the same employer, then bettered himself by engaging for work with Samuel Lambert, as superintendent of his planing mill.
Being now fairly well settled in his new field, he started a small shop of his own on Division Street in Welland and ran it successfully for two years, when a fire wiped out his shop and he lost everything he had and was completely broke. Nothing daunted, he started again in 1924, at which is now his present place of business, with but one man, and constructed one of the largest and most modernly equipped concerns in the county, as the Atherton Woodworking Company, now operating with ten men, and going all the time, engaged in the manufacture of store fronts, office and store fittings, and special mill work. He has made most of the store fixtures and fronts for all big contracts in Welland, and for some of the best homes and buildings in Welland County. Mr. Atherton has been identified as instructor in vocational training in the Welland High School for six years; a member of the Board of Education, Welland High School, for three years, and has always taken a great interest in and is now a member of the Board of Trade. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Oddfellows. He was married on May 3rd, 1910, to Miss Lillian Macaulay, at Welland; they have four children, Frank, now working in the shop learning the business; James and Angus, attending school and an infant son, Donald. He is a member of the Anglican Church. He resides in his own home, 119 Dorothy Street.
Mr. Atherton is a business man whose experience has put him in contact with the realities of life, since boyhood. He has had setbacks, has overcome obstacles, and has been almost entirely responsible for the building up of one of Welland’s leading industries, including an equipment for the manufacture of store fittings and special mill work.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
Although he has given to Welland one of its important industries, the subject of this sketch has found time to divert his attention from his active, growing establishment, the Welland Iron and Brass Company, and play an important role in the drama of Welland’s public affairs.
Edward James Anderson was born in Forfar, Scotland, on December 29th, 1877. His parents were Robert and Margaret (Miller) Anderson of Scotland. His father was engaged in dairy farming in Forfar, Scotland. He passed away in June, 1878, in Scotland, by accident.
After attending the public schools of Forfar, Mr. Anderson entered a technical school, where he made an inclusive and exhaustive study of mechanical engineering, graduating from his courses with high honors.
At the age of twenty-three, in 1900, Mr. Anderson embarked in Scotland for New York and came direct to Hamilton, Ont., where he continued his studies. In Hamilton he took a position as mechanical draughtsman. He studied zealously and finally, with W.S. McIntyre, established the Welland Iron and Brass Company.
This company is employed in the making of iron, brass and copper castings, and in doing general machine and pattern work. It is now in its 11th year of operation, each year of which it has increased its volume and extended its trade under the able administration of its officers. It employs 25 men, and enjoys an ever-increasing popularity in its own fields.
Mr. Anderson came to Welland in 1902, after spending two years in Hamilton. He soon became interested in the affairs of the local government and, as a citizen, acted for the advancement of many measures for civic improvement. The ardor and vigor that he displayed in these acts gave him a large number of friends who, in 1923, asked him to become a candidate for the city council in the election of that year.
In the 1923 election Mr. Anderson was victorious, and was seated in the city council for a term of two years.
During the term of 1923 and 1924 many problems arose before the government, where the sane counsel of Mr. Anderson proved invaluable in the administration of affairs. Everywhere he was recognized as one of the leaders of progressive activity, sponsoring and fighting for many movements of general public benefit-movements which to-day have shown the foresight of the alderman.
In the last few months, as an alderman, Mr. Anderson had won such confidence and support among his consistency that he was being mentioned for an even higher position of trust and public service. He was requested to become a candidate for mayor by a group of the most active and prominent Welland residents. He accepted the tender and became mayor in the 1925 election by a large plurality of votes. He continued his judicious management of the local government and remained in the office of chief executive of Welland during 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928.
Mr. Anderson is now President of the Welland County Hospital Board. He is a member of the Board of the Water Commission and a member of the Mother’s Allowance Board. He belongs to the Welland Club.
A Liberal in politics. Member St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
On December 26th, 1907, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Alberta McAllister, the daughter of Mr. (the late Peter) and Mrs. Mary McAllister of Welland. He has one child, a daughter, Margaret, nineteen years old, who is attending the University of Toronto.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
- Please note there is sometimes a discrepancy in dates between these articles and Ancestry.
County Judge of Welland County
Over the span of years there has always a few names in every community that are linked inseparably with its progress and prosperity, and which reflect real lustre upon its history by reason of their honorable lives and exceptionable achievements. Such a man is Lorne B, C. Livingstone, for years one of the foremost citizens of Welland County, a well-known jurist, and long identified with many of the leading civic interests of the community. It was also through Judge Livingstone’s interest and moral support that this history was so successful.
Judge Livingstone was born on October 18th, 1871, in the Town of Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ont., and is the son of William W. and Margaret (Jackson) Livingstone, the former being a solicitor and town clerk of Simcoe, who came originally at the very early age of seven years from Scotland. His grandfather was related to the celebrated David Livingstone, the noted African explorer. Judge Livingstone, the subject of this review, was educated at the Simcoe Public and High Schools, and became a student in the office of Ansley & Slaght, barristers, (Mr. Ansley was the County Crown Attorney of Norfolk County), and also in the office of Beatty, Hamilton & Snow, of Toronto-Mr. James Beatty of this firm then being Mayor of Toronto. Mr. Livingstone began his professional career as barrister in Simcoe for a short time,
When he went to Tillsonburg, Ont., where he practised law until he was appointed to the bench for Welland in 1913 as County Court Judge. Judge Livingstone took considerable local interest in war activities; he was chairman of the Patriotic Fund for Welland County, wherein he was instrumental in bringing about a very strong local organization, which under his leadership raised a lot of money; on two occasions in Welland City alone over sixty thousand dollars. He assisted in all other war activates, and was especially interested in recruiting for overseas. He was chairman of the Welland County Loan Campaigns, and this unit won a number of flags in contests. As a recognition and appreciation of his splendid work, the Great War Veterans at the conclusion of the war conferred upon him honorary membership. During his term of office as Judge he has been noted for his impartial administration of justice, and an enormous increase has been made in his judicial work by reason for the increased population in Welland County. Judge Livingstone is a member of the Welland Club and the Lookout Point Club, and is an enthusiastic lawn bowler. For a number of years he was President of the Welland County Bar Association and is now its honorary president; he also takes an active interest in the Welland Boy Scouts. Another of his activities was that he was one of the organizers, and the first President of the Welland Historical Society, and is still a member of its Council. His religious affiliations are with the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of England. He was married in 1900 at Tillsonburg, Ont., to Miss Frances Isabel. Van Sittart, daughter of James A. Van Sittart, a barrister of that place; they have three children: Margaret, the eldest, is married to Dr. Donald W. Cameron, who is engaged in the Connaught Laboratories at Toronto; one son, John Van Sittart Livingstone is a student in the office of Price, Waterhouse & Company of Toronto; and Betty Isabel, a daughter who resides with her parents. Mrs. Livingstone is a granddaughter of the celebrated Admiral Van Sittart, who settled at Eastwood, near Woodstock, Ont. The admiral kept an open house and was noted for his hospitality. The noted authoress, Mrs. Jamieson, after a visit there gave an account of the place in her book, “Summer Rambles in Ontario.” One of the principal streets in Woodstock is named after the Van Sittart family.
Judge Livingstone’s sterling business integrity, by his exemplary career in the community, his denial disposition, and his high ideals of life and conduct have won for him an enviable place in the community; and his kindly influence will long be remembered in Welland County, where he has labored so long and so indefatigably for the common good.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
Roland and Burwell Everett are twins. They were born on January 25th, 1902 in Ridgeway, Welland County. Their parents are Roland and Alice, nee Fite, Everett of Ridgeway. Their father is a well-known farmer of that place. Both parents are still living.
The object and purpose of Everett Bros., is to give the public a product of the very highest grade.
They established themselves in Fort Erie and Bridgeburg in their own business in 1919. One of the brothers concentrated his attention on the production of milk, cream and other dairy products which would meet the most rigid of health and cleanliness requirements, and would be deliciously palatable.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
In Fort Erie and surrounding territory there have lived a generation of hearty, industrious stock whose work has made an impression and whose names are interwoven in the scenes of earlier and more strenuous times. Among these were the Sherk family of which Jonas Sherk, the subject of this sketch, is the present representative. Mr. Sherk has been engaged in the farming business during part of his life and later in the lumber and mercantile business. He has also been active in public life and has been honored by important public office. He is recognized as one of the leaders in the business and social life of the community and is to-day, it may be mentioned, one of the largest taxpayers in Fort Erie.
Jonas Sherk was born in Fort Erie, June 22nd, 1853. His parents were Peter and Judith Troup Sherk, the former being one of the oldest settlers and pioneer farmers of Welland county. Early in life he went to Buffalo, N.Y., and later returned to his native place and located on a site which is still named after him-*Sherkston, Humberstone township, Welland county. The family was of Pennsylvania Dutch origin and of United Empire Loyalist extraction.
Jonas Sherk was born in June, 1853, and was educated in the public schools at Fort Erie and at Milford, Indiana, U.S.A. He taught school there and then entered the mercantile business as a clerk in a general store in the same place. His location there was due to the fact that his mother had died at an early age and Jonas was sent to live with his uncle in the Indiana town.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Sherk went to Fort Erie and engaged in the farming and lumber business. He also carried a feed business supplying the horses at the Fort Erie race track which he has done ever since that place was opened.
Mr. Sherk was elected councilman many times and also reeve of Fort Erie. He was also a member of the Fort Erie school board and also tax-collector for several terms. All these public offices he has filled capably and with credit to himself. He has ever the interests of the town at heart and is now, by the way, the second largest taxpayer in Fort Erie. Mr. Sherk has always been a Liberal, and is a member of the Church of England.
Mr. Sherk married Miss Fannie M. Treble, (24 November 1880), daughter of the late Charles and Fannie Treble, the former being customs collector and magistrate of Fort Erie, Ont.
Mr. Sherk has two children living, Frank, who is engaged in business with his father and married to Hazel Willit Sherk of Hamilton. The other child is Ethel May, who is also married (Arthur Nicholson Sexton) and resides in Fort Erie. Mr. Sherk is the owner of fifty-five acres of land in the village of Fort Erie and is one of the richest men in the community in which he lives. He is extremely active for his age and looks much younger than his years.
Died: 25 December 1939
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
Is the owner of the dairy company bearing his name, and he conducts in the city of Niagara Falls in an establishment that is thoroughly modern and metropolitan in equipment and service, and he is one of the well-known and substantial business men of this city.
Melvin Dell, Jr., was born on March 6th, 1890, in Willoughby township, Welland County, near Niagara Falls, Ont., and is the son of Richard and Marjorie Dell, the former was a farmer who moved to Chippawa, this county, two years before he passed away, now deceased; while his mother is still living on Maitland Street, Niagara Falls.
Mr. Dell Jr., obtained his education at the school in Willoughby township, and a considerable portion of his youthful days was spent on his father’s farm until he was twenty-one. He spent the next three years in the general store of his uncle, Adin Dell, at Niagara Falls, and then, to better fit himself for subsequent progress in the business world he spent the next eight years with the W.H. Martin store, in that city, and then being ambitious, he started up his own dairy business at the present location, 2493 Orchard Avenue, Niagara Falls, with only one horse, one wagon and one cow, until by his industry he now has five 
wagons with five men working for him. The second year after he started, he built and he equipped his present business with up-to-date equipment and pasteurizing machinery with two large glass lined sanitary milk tanks which have a capacity of 2,160 quarts daily. This milk plant is so arranged with modern appliances that the milk, after being pasteurized, is never touched by human hands until it reaches the table of the consumer. This business has grown in seven years to fifteen times its first year sales, which attests the high quality of this milk and cream. He handles a jersey milk that by government tests is running five percent, the quality of their milk averages very highly; the law only requires three to five, so that the product of the Dells Dairy averages five points and above. The health inspector has pronounced this to be the cleanest dairy in Niagara Falls, Ont., He is an active member of the United Church. He was married for the first time to Miss Maud Irene Baker, who passed away in 1918; they had one child, a boy, Ross Melvin, now attending school. His second marriage was to Miss Marguerite Green, who was born in Lundy’s Lane, daughter of Raymond and Alice Green, the former being a farmer; both her parents are living in Niagara Falls; there were three children by this second marriage; two girls, one boy Marion, Gordon, and Marjorie; the two latter children are attending public school at Falls View School. Mrs. Dell’s great grandfather fought in the Fenian Raids, and was one of the original U.E. Loyalists.
A sound business man and a good citizen, Mr. Dell measures up to the best standards of Canadian manhood and his contribution to his community is of solid value.
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
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