Results for ‘Historical MUSINGS’
HISTORY IS HER HOBBY
Shirley Beam, Tribune Correspondent
[The Evening Tribune, 23 December 1980]
May Miller, of Niagara River Parkway, celebrated her 95th birthday at an open house in her home, that was attended by over 100 friends and relatives. During the celebration Scott Thwaites, Joyce and Sharon Morellato, attended the guest book and welcomed the guests.
Miss Miller, one of the oldest residents in the area, is in excellent health and has many hobbies that occupy her time each day. She was born, Dec. 10, 1885, on the same land where she has always lived and was originally owned by her great grandfather, Jacob Miller, who bought the property in 1804. The property then consisted of 200 acres and Mr. Miller lived in a log cabin.
In 1810 the Millers bought a new log house on part of the land, where Miss Miller (Zettie May) was born to William and Priscilla Miller, and they lived there until the family built a new house in 1912, where she has resided ever since. Miss Miller had one brother Fermin that died in 1963.
THE EARLY YEARS
Miss Miller’s excellent memory takes one back over the years, as she tells of just a towpath along the river, how her great grandfather travelled to Kitchener and Clarence, N.Y. by horseback to preach. He was one of the first ministers to preach in the Methodist church, built along the parkway in 1824. It was the first church in the area.
Miss Miller received her education at Willoughby number 4 school, then to the collegiate in Niagara Falls where she boarded five days a week at $2 per week. To get to school in Niagara Falls, her father would take her to Chippawa and she would get the trolley to Bender Hill in Niagara Falls and walk up Victoria Avenue that was pasture land to get to her home where she boarded. Miss Miller later took music lessons and oil painting lessens in Niagara Falls, and many of her paintings still decorate her home.
CHARTER MEMBER
She is still a faithful worker with the Willoughby Historical Society, a charter member and one of the founders of the Willoughby Historical museum. She is an honorary president and held office on the Museum Board until she reached her 90th birthday. She is also a charter member of the Willoughby Women’s Institute and a member of the Chippawa Presbyterian Church and the Women’s Missionary Society of the church that she attends regularly.
Time never seems to be a burden to this active lady. She gets up at 8 a.m. daily, does light housework, enjoys looking after her plants and spends considerable time working on things that have historical interest. For many years Miss Miller has been keeping a diary and can recall things that happened years ago.
WELL WISHES
During the celebration Miss Miller received many cards, floral arrangements, some coming as far as England and Germany. Plaques were received from Prime Minister Trudeau, William Davis, Wayne Thompson, mayor of Niagara Falls, Ed Schreyer, governor-general and letters of congratulations from Al McBain and Stan Price.
Pouring from a table covered with a hand crocheted cloth made by Mrs. Albert Thwaites that was centered with a floral arrangement and flanked with white tapers in silver holders, were Dianne Dunkin, Violet Glasgow and Ina Dobbie. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Frank Thwaites and Mrs. Andie Morellato.
When Miss Miller was asked if she would like to live to 100, she smiled and answered, yes, if she would not be a burden to anyone.
*Miss Miller passed 2 May 1984.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY EDYTHE PHILLIPS
MARCH 2013
The Welland Historical Society was first formed on October 29 th , 1924 with Judge L.C.B. Livingston as President and Louis Blake Duff as Secretary. The group enjoyed many fine speakers and published several hard cover history books (local). The club languished in the 40 and 50s’ but came back to life again thanks to a local lawyer-Gerald Nash QC (Queens Council). Meetings were held in the Solomon Moore House on South Pelham St. which also became the first museum.
The Society flourished under many fine executives eg: Dr. Arnold Purdon, Wesley Laing, Dr. Arnold Paulson, George Foss, Wally Carruthers, Stuart Cumming, Gordon Brown, Mrs. Gordon Brown, Harold Fox. The Historical Society was instrumental in having a museum committee formed. The meeting were then held in old Queen St. School-the first floor became the second Museum Later the Museum was moved to the former library on King St. (old Carnegie Building).
My first meeting was a tour of historic buildings in Port Robinson plus the lock between the Welland canal between South Street South and South Street North to get to the Niagara River. In 1981 I became their Secretary. Over the years we enjoyed many fine speakers-Douglas Brown and Alison Brown of AP Brown jewelers on early jewelry; a talk on Early Funeral practices by JJ Patterson Funeral Home; the Neff Steam Buggy by Don Anger-Port Colborne Museum; Joseph Mocsan and Terry Hughes on Early Times in Welland; Brian Gerard-post cards.
We participated in many interesting tours-small cemeteries along the Welland River; visited local museums.
We joined in the Community affairs “Doors Open” in the Court House; Presbyterian Church, United Greek, Anglican etc. and the 150 th Anniversary of Welland.
In 1992 under the guidance of Dr. Arnold Purdon a plaque was placed on the Aqueduct of the second Welland Canal (later used as a swimming pool) in English and French.
Our 75 th Anniversary year was very special. Through several small fund raisers we were able to present $100 Bursaries to High School students planning on studying History in University. The Parks Board honored us with a flower bed on Niagara street, we entertained at a special luncheon in the Welland Club-corner of Griffith St. and King St.-Gerald Nash-QC was the keynote speaker and talked about Welland’s early industries.
We received a grant from the Trillium Foundation and commemorated the Junction Lock of the Feeder Canal at Broadway Ave. and West Side Road with a plaque on a large rock.
Under Edward Scott and many ‘resources’ a book was written on “The Origins of Welland Street Names” and sold 500 copies. With part of the profits we compiled another book-“Memories of Sunset Haven” and dedicated it to the memory of Dorothy (Forster) Male, a faithful member who worked as a Registered Nurse at Sunset Haven for many years, We sold about 300 copies.
We have enjoyed many other tours-“Nigh Agora”- Greek for “Nigh Family Home”-to view their extensive Museum; Peter Ferguson on the history of Tom Thomson and Algonquin Park; Hazel and Merritt Sauer-collection and history of bells.
George Foss was a capable President and after 15 years as Secretary I became the President in 1996, retiring in 2006-followed as President Shirley Jones and Arthur Groom, Kathleen Jones an able Secretary for many years; Margaret Whelan a fine Treasurer, Irene Lasovich as Membership, Nora Reid always ready to guide and advise; Life members-Dr. Purdon, Nora Reid and George Chipman.
2010-recently we received a Trillium Foundation Grant for the Celebration of the 200 th Anniversary of the War of 1812-1814.
1. A Peace Garden-$5000
2. Marking 200 year old trees in the Battle of Cooks Mills area-$2000
3. Planning a debate on who won the War of 1812-1814-$3000
The Historical Society joined the Committee set up by the city (Heritage Welland 1812 Bicentennial Committee-Chair Andre Ceci.
[Welland Telegraph February 13, 1903]
A festival celebrated on Feb. 14Th, and established in England, Scotland and France, about the 15th century, was very popular among the upper classes and at many European courts. On St Valentine’s eve many spinsters and bachelors were accustomed to meet in a social way, write upon bits of paper the names of a number of spinsters and bachelors of their acquaintance, throw them into a basket, and then draw them out, one at a time, care being exercised that each should draw one of the opposite sex, the person thus drawn being the “drawer’s” valentine, The festival was introduced into America at an early day, but its observance has since undergone material change, and is annually becoming less and less general, at present being limited to friends exchanging anonymous communications with each other, the same being made in verse or verses, referring to a variety of topics, the subject being also illustrated by cuts of an amusing or sentimental character.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 14 June 1921]
We announce the hanging of the portrait of Henry Oges of Crystal Beach in our gallery of heroes. Mr. Oges last week launched a new paper-The Crystal Beach Herald. So far as we know but one other new publication has been started in the past three years-and it died. Mr. Oges seeks to serve the new town of Crystal Beach, and if he continues as he began he will do well.
In his salutary he tells of the beginnings of the resort, and so interesting that we quote it:-
“Thirty-one years ago, in the year 1890 to be precise, J.E. Rebstock chose a spot on the north shore of Lake Erie, twelve miles from Buffalo, and took up stock farming. Mr. Rebstock came to the conclusion that the proposition would not be a profitable one, so he looked around for other possible prospects.
Being impressed by the remarkable quality and abundance of the numerous sand banks along the shore, he then undertook to organize a company to remove and sell the product for commercial purposes. Buildings were erected and machinery installed and soon a ready market for the sand was found in Buffalo and surrounding cities.
One day Mr. Rebstock invited a party of business and newspaper men and politicians from Buffalo to inspect his sand plant and show them what he was doing. Immediately recognizing the natural advantages and beautiful scenic attractions of the spot, several guests were prompted to ask the question, “Why spoil the natural beauties of the place for purposes of commerce. Why not turn it into a summer resort?”
Mr. Rebstock’s answer was as emphatic as it was prophetic; “This shall be a summer resort, it will be called Crystal Beach, and it will become the largest and finest watering place on the Great Lakes.”
The following day he went to Detroit and chartered the steamer ‘Dove’, an old-time excursion side-wheeler, as a trial proposition, dismantling the sand plant on his return. The venture proved such a success that the following year two excursion steamers, the ‘Pearl” and ‘Gazelle,’ were purchased and place on route between Crystal Beach and Buffalo.
Uphill struggles characterized the first few years. Many times failure was predicted, but in 1898 the turn came, and ever since the growth of the resort has been steady and sure.”
[Taken from Welland Telegraph October 18, 1912]
{Compiled by “S”}
An old copy of The Telegraph, published thirty-five years ago, was found in a tin box in the walls of the old Episcopal Church a few days ago by workmen who were making alterations.
The Telegraph thirty-five years ago, it is interesting to note, published four pages a week. Last week, the week of the anniversary, the issue was twenty pages. The size of the paper was increased five times, labor costs have probably doubled, yet the price remains the same, one dollar per year.
The paper, composed of four pages, is a typical representation of the newspaper style of that period.
The biggest heading on the first page is what is known in newspaper offices as nonpareil, one of the smallest types.
Interesting stories of the Welland era of 1877 are found in the pages, however, many of these are now dead. Some of those who are still connected with the business life of today were then men in their prime and their names are to be found within the pages of the paper.
The Welland of 1877 was a far different place than the Welland of today and one needs but a glance to be assured of this.
The most exciting thing which the editors of this early paper, then just a weekly, found for their readers was a county fair, half-buried in mud, and a council meeting.
The publishers were Colcock & Durnan, and the office of publication was in the Griffith block, East Main Street. Politics in the year 1877 demanded a great deal of space and editorial matter occupied three columns, one column being placed on the first page. Free trade was under discussion at the time, Canada , having a one-sided agreement with the United States.
A three-line item on the first page tells the readers of the paper that a survey for the projected new Niagara, St Catharines Railway was to be started at once.
The legal advertisements on the first page contain the names of LD. Raymond, A, Williams and Miller, Miller & Cox. The latter had offices in St Catharines.
The doctors at that time did not possess such an antipathy to advertising as they now have. Four medical men used very good advts They were: Dr. A.B. Cook (now of Toronto), Dr J.W. Schooley, Dr D.T. Scholfield and Dr J.B. Kennedy.
The Queen’s hotel contains an announcement that it would be continued as before, baring liquors. The Frazer House, what is now known as the Arlington, was the only other hotel that used the columns of publicity.
James McGlashan, manager of the Imperial Bank, advertised his branch of the bank in a two-inch space. The capital at that time was $1,000,000. with a reserve fund of $25,000.
J.W. Dawdy, father of William and Har-ey Dawdy, well known Wellanders of today, had a small space on the first page, telling that his new grocery was the best place to but at rock bottom prices. H.D. Lock was a clothing merchant at the time. Charles Stewart was a fashionable boot and shoe maker of the town. C.J. Page advertised for tenders for rooms in the Oddfellows’ new block.
J.H. Burgar, the present magistrate and treasurer, was then proprietor of Medical Hall.
Russia and Turkey were at war.
In an editorial article The Telegraph critizes the expenditure of $59,080 by the government on the Kaministiquia hotel, a shack composed of nothing more than slabs and old lumber, worth not more than $200 at the most.
Bertie and Willoughby fall fairs had been held and brief reports were published. Bertie fair was then held at Ridgeway.
The county fair was just being held as the paper went to press. A herd of cattle, shown at the exhibition, by J.K. Crawford, were ambiguously described in the report as being “a perfect sight”.
Members present at the council meeting held a week before publication were Messrs. Sidney, Page and Lamonte. The heading of the report is as follows: “The fathers succumb to the wishes of the people. They appoint a fire warden. Promises to do better in future. T.W. Hooker won’t face the music. Baits for January election. Unparliamentary proceedings.” It may be seen from this that the council of Welland of 1877 was a very strenuous one.
Marcus Vanderburg, an items states had just been awarded the contract for a new brick house for Charles Loesch.
Five “boarders” at Castle Coulson were announced. Stamford’s fair was highly praised by the scribe who reported it.
A prisoner escaped from Welland jail and was re-captured by Gaoler Baxter. “He was to serve six months but probably will now get more.” is the prophesy of the paper.
Among the local news items there is one announcing the return home from their wedding trip of Mr and Mrs Wm Gainer.
Some of the advertisers, the names of whom will be familiar to Welland’s older generation, are:
- White Bros, liverymen
- Jas Jackson Co., dry goods
- F. M. Hagar, coal.
- Thomas Brown, degtist
- D.D’Everardo, registrar
- Thomas Cumines, druggist
- Geo Cronmiller, furniture
- H.W. Hobson, drugs
- Merchant’s gargling oil, for man or beast, is advertised in a prominent space on the back page.
Circuit Riders were clergymen who travelled from community to community to minister to the early settlers. They were usually of the Methodist faith. This particular gentleman was the Rev. C.A. Russ, Port Robinson Methodist Circuit, 1908-09. He served Dells, Lyons creek, Port Robinson and Crowland.
JAMES C BALD
1935
I have been requested by the trustees to write up the early history of this section. Unfortunately the early records have been destroyed or lost, so the very early events such as the construction and management of the Pioneer school of the district, the manner and names of men who were responsible for its being, the names of early teachers and all pertaining to it have to be gleaned from a few old records and from the recollection of a few of the older residents. The land which constitutes this district had been granted prior to 1800 to discharged soldiers who had formerly constituted the garrison at Fort Niagara, and had fought with Wolfe at Quebec. A Lieutenant Brown was one who had received a grant in this area.
These soldiers did not, to a very great extent endeavor to clear and develop the territory, but sold their grants to settlers who began to come in about 1800 from Scotland and constituted the pioneers of the district, together with U.E.L.’s who arrived in the last years of the eighteenth century and these U.E.L.’s were granted two hundred acres for each male.
Lt. Col. Cruikshank, government archivist at Ottawa in his compilation of documents, re war 1912, mentions Brown’s Bridge and on a very early map the road leading from Brown’s Bridge to the Short Hills is indicated. This road is now the Town Line between Thorold and Pelham, and no doubt, with the trails along the Chippewa Creek as the Welland River was then called, constituted the main traffic routes of the period.
Near Brown’s Bridge, the first rude log school was constructed on Lot 260 in Thorold Township on the banks of the river. The furnishings in accord with the pioneer times were of the crudest. The pupils sat on benches of split logs, no desks. A shelf ran along one side of the building in which the older pupils could rest their books when writing. A huge fire-place was the method of heating the structure. This school was simply a community undertaking and was maintained by the families of the settlement-each paying so much per quarter for each pupil, supplying a quantity of wood and boarding the teacher a stated period. The one school master of whom I have heard was David McAlpine, a discharged soldier, whose only qualifications were that he could teach the three R’s and keep discipline. The amount of money paid him was very meagre. My grandparents’ family attended this school
I fail to find any mention of a School section as we know today, during the existence of this school.
The minutes of a meeting of the “Welland Library Company” held in this school house near Brown’s Bridge, November 26, 1825, illustrate the interest taken in it by its members. The shareholders present were David Thompson, James Brown, George Bradshaw, Nathan Hancock, Amos Bradshaw, John Hellems, Josiah Page, Patrick O’Reilly, Alex Brown and George Shregley, These men were not residents of one thickly settled neighborhood, but lived miles apart and instead of having the good roads of to-day on which to travel, were obliged to go to this meeting by the bridle paths which mostly formed the highways of those days.
At that time there was not even a hamlet where the town now stands; there was no village of Merrittsville; the “Aqueduct” did not then exist; the first sod had not yet been turned on the Welland Canal; the beautiful farms that to-day line both banks of the Chippewa were just being reclaimed from a state of wilderness; the settlers’ rude homes were far apart. The pioneers of that day realized the necessity of improving the minds of the people of this young country and set about the collection of some literature out of which to form the nucleus of a circulating library. Some of the books were Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, Paley’s Philosophy, Washington’s Official Letters. For a period of upwards of thirty years the Welland Library Company flourished, holding their annual meetings, sometimes at O”Reilly’s Bridge. A short time previous to the year 1858, the people of the rising village of Merrittsville began an agitation for the starting of a Mechanics’ Institute. They negotiated with the Welland Library Company for an amalgamation of the proposed Mechanics’ Institute with their company and completed arrangements in 1858, the year of the incorporation of the Village of Welland.
In religion the early settlers were mostly Quakers or Presbyterians. In 1797 the first meeting of the Quakers was held in Pelham, where the old Quaker Church once stood. The people of Presbyterian faith helped maintain a church along the River near Port Robinson. Some of the subscribers of that church in this district were Thomas Burgar, Thomas Bald, David Thompson. The list was dated 1820.
The second school, of which we have better records, was situated at the Cross Roads-a frame construction with wooden seats and desk- a great improvement on the earlier school. This school must have been a fair size for we are told that in the winter as many as sixty or seventy pupils attended. Many were young men and women. Robert Beattie was one of the teachers of this school, and some of the names of pupils attending this building were McKinley, Moore, Dunn, Beattie, Dirks, Brown, Bradshaw, Blanchard, Philip. I have no doubt this school was the first in the section under the organization as we know it now, with trustees elected and government inspection under the Egerton Ryerson Public School Act. It is interesting to note that the sum of two dollars was granted in 1871 to the Egerton Ryerson Memorial Fund by the trustees of this section.
This school has been known for many years as the Cross Roads School. This seems a very indefinite appilation-but in the early days it was a very definite place-for here one of the earliest trails crossed the Town Line on the main road in this district. This school was erected about 1840 and continued in use till about 1860. During this period Captain John Brown was Secretary Treasurer. Several books are in existence of the Free Public School Library established in this school, and conducted according to the regulations adopted by the Council of Public Instruction for Ontario. This building was destroyed by fire and a new building was constructed on the Pelham side of the Town Line which we know as the Old School. This building served as a school until 1917, when a movement was promoted by the Inspector and trustees for an alteration of the boundaries of the section, so that the school would be more convenient to a larger number of pupils and also to accommodate the fast growing school population caused by the industrial development of Welland. Many meetings were held and the ratepayers eventually chose the site of the present brick school. The Townships of Thorold and Pelham passed the necessary by-law authorizing the trustees to borrow $3200.00 and proceed with the erection of the building. In 1919 the attendance was such that two teachers were employed for a short time in the one building. In 1921 a temporary frame school was built on land owned by the N.S.& T. Railway. The attendance at these schools has been at the maximum for several years. The following have held the office of Secretary Treasure of the section:
Captain John Brown, 30 years or more; Peter McKinley, 6 years; George A. Philips, 9 years; Philip Dirk, 3 years; Alexander Upper, 3 years; John Gainer, 6 years; James C. Bald, 20 years; and Albert E. Venables, the present Secretary.
In February 1934, the School Board and citizens of this section presented James C. Bald with a beautiful silver tea service in recognition of his having served the section some thirty years as trustee-over twenty as Secretary. The gift was gratefully accepted by the retiring Secretary Treasurer, and in reply stated that it would be a reminder of the confidence of the ratepayers had in him for so many years.
This short sketch was compiled by James C. Bald in January 1935 and has been made as authentic as possible.
This school took an active interest in School Fairs of the County and on one occasion won First Prize and $25.00 in the competition. A silver cup was won by the school at the Welland Rose Show on three consecutive occasions and thus they were allowed to retain it. The cup had been donated by R. Cooper, M.P.P. for Welland, for the best exhibit of flowers from any school in the county.
In May 23, 1939, the Women’s Institute of Quaker Road presented the Senior School with two elm trees which were planted in front of the school. A tree planting ceremony was held in the school. Mr. James Bald acted as chairman. Humerous addresses were given and the children participated by singing patriotic songs. Mr. bald suggested that when the trees grew older a bronze plaque be placed on them with the proper inscriptions. The trees were planted in honor of King George VI’s and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada.
In 1943 crowded conditions in both schools made it necessary to consider the building of a new school. During the year several ratepayers’ meetings were held to look into the new school situation. It was decided that a new school was impossible nit war conditions improved.
In 1947 plans were approved for the building of a new school on Thorold Road at Stop 19. On September 22, 1948, the new five room school was opened with an enrolment of 194. The school section was enlarged to include pupils from the Shelter; and the triangle to Stop 18 Road which was formerly a part of Quaker Road School Section.
The staff of the new school included H.F. Kyes. Principal; H.A. Hodgkins, Louise Stillson, Patricia Knowles, Margaret Tuck and Nellie Johnson. Public School Inspectors were George E. Tait and Robert Carter.
On January 2, 1950, the new school was taken over by the City of Welland along with the annexed portion of the Township as far as Willson Road on the west and from the Welland River on the south to Thorold Road on the north.
At annexation the school was named the James C. Bald School in honor of the former secretary of the school district. Prepared by F.H. Burwell, Principal J.C. Bald School, December 1970.
A Village Publication Ere Welland Was Named- Merrittsville -a Suburb of Fonthill-Names Known Today and Names Lost to Memory
By
Frank C. Pitkin
(V1)
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 11 June 1925]
Next in order of the third page of the Welland Herald of September 20, 1855, you come to an advertisement that may for all this recorder knows, embody the Robert Cooper and the Maple Leaf mill of our own time- a notice that Wm. Thompson having purchased the Merritsville Mills has commenced business on his own account and would inform his friends and the public that he is prepared to do Custom Grinding in a Workmanlike manner on short notice, and hopes to receive a continuance of the liberal patronage hitherto extended to the mills.
Next Alex. Young advertises for sale “a valuable farm of 100 acres in the Township of Crowland, Welland County, C.W.” Said farm can “scarcely be equaled in Fertility of soil and beauty of surface…it is only four miles from the county seat and one mile from the Village of Crowland.”
Furthermore, “as the proprietor has had frequent applications for the Farm, those who would wish to purchase would do well to give an early call.”
Which last seems to be a version of the modern tip to Get Busy!
School Teacher Wanted
“A teacher of first rate qualifications may hear of a good school at Fonthill. Application to be made to the Trustees.”
They were D. Kinsman (father of Fred Kinsman, now postmaster of the village) and J.B. Oxley (of the then locally prominent family of that name and whose descendants are frequent visitors to this city and the village.}.
Follows then the card of A.L. Cumming, Commissioner Court B.R. & C. P., Accountant, Conveyancer, & c., at the Post Office, Merrittsville, C.W. He would “respectfully inform his friends and the public that he has opened a General Agency and Collecting Office and solicits their patronage and support.”
In addition to various branches of legal work enumerated, “He will also give his attention to the adjustment of intricate accounts, claims, etc., to the making them out and Collecting the same, in all parts of the country.
Some Burg Then
To show you the standing and importance of the Fonthill of those times, attention is called to the next advertisement, an 8 inch ad, of the hardware store of Dewitt C. Weed, 222 Main St., Buffalo.
There was undoubtedly the well-known firm of Weed & Co., of today, but can one imagine a Buffalo business house of 1925 thus advertising.
The ad is a curious one, No prices are quoted and no bargains offered; but there is a lengthy list that seemingly embraces about every item known to the hardware trade.
Stone Bridge
John Graybiel of Stone Bridge advertises to rent there, on the west side of the Canal, a store and dwelling house, occupied formerly by the late Mr. Schooley.
He says that “The advantages for a good mercantile business are good,” so things must have changed somewhat thereabouts.
J. Thompson, Esq., Stone Bridge is also named as one to whom application for a lease may be made.
More Buffalo
Another Buffalo ad follows, and this with a wood cut of Butler’s Patent Flouring Mills: sold by Weston, Cogswell & Co., successors to Lowell, Wright & Co.
They advertise mill machinery…and punctuality attended to.
These various Buffalo ads suggest the possibility that today’s merchants of the Bison City are over coking a bet and neglecting a profitable field, “Advertising rates quoted on application.”
More Stone Bridge
Stone Bridge was apparently “some punkins” then, for next is the advertisement of Haun & Dobbie, who there manufactured Iron AND WOODEN Plough’s.
A prospective Plough purchaser would find much pull in what they say-“Would respectively announce to farmers, and the country generally that they make and have constantly on hand an extensive assortment of Ploughs, warranted to be made of the very best material and on the newest and most improved principles.”
“Neither time nor expense has been spared in getting up patterns that can not be surpassed in the Province; our workmen are the best that can be obtained; and our Ploughs have been awarded the First Prizes at the more recent Provincial and County Fair.”
Attention of R.J. Bryden
And here comes not only a clinching argument but a notice to our District Representative of the Ontario Department of Agriculture that the present plowing matches under his auspices and that of the Plowmen’s association are no new thing, for the ad continues-
“The last named proprietor (Dobbie) having been awarded the first prize on Ploughing at the last County Ploughing Match, held at Port Robinson, using a plough designed and manufactured at their establishment, which success in such a wide field of competition enables us to assure our patrons perfect satisfaction.”
Call For Old-Timer
Is there left any small boy (or girl) of that day who can tell us about that Port Robinson Match or any others? It would make good stuff.
No Fords Then, But…
The tin rattler of our times was not even a wild dream then; but they did have something we lack today-Murgatroyd Buggies, for you come now to that means of transportation for the second or third time, and you find a rival to the Chippawa buggy-maker in the advertisement of P.M. Cushing, of Ridgeville; which hamlet the most of you probably suppose has not been on the map that long-at least, it does not look so today.
But Cushing “begs to acquaint the public that he has purchased the right to Manufacture and Vend Murgatroyd’s Patent Suspension Carriages, and is now prepared to furnish them of any size and in any style of finish which may be desired.”
The buggy must have been sort of like today’s Rolls-Royce in its field for you read further-“For neatness and lightness, combined with strength and durability they, by far, excel anything of the kind ever before used, as will be apparent to all who see them and examine the principles upon which they are constructed.”
They were evidently the real goods then; and who knows but what seventy years from now, people will muse over advertisements and wonder how, we could possibly have gotten around without the aeroplane every family will likely than have hitched to the roof, awaiting use.
Some Difference
The next advertisement is given here in full for the purpose of illustrating the great shift from that time to the form of advertising you are familiar with today. Contrast this copy of seventy years ago with the lay-out utilized by merchants now.
“Mr. Danson Kinsman, grateful for the generous patronage heretofore extended to him, begs respectfully to announce to his Customers and the public generally, that he is now receiving and opening out his spring stock, consisting of Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware and Crockery, in the premises formerly occupied by Mr. E.R. Page, directly opposite the Registry Office.
“His purchases this month have been large and embraces the newest styling of Ladies’ Dresses in Muslins, Tarltans, Baregas, Lawns, Alapachas, Coubourgs & Ginghams; Brocade, Plain Black and Fancy Silks; Calicos in endless varieties; Dunstable and Straw Bonnets, Ribbons new and fashionable styles, parasols, &c., &c., &c.”
“Gentlemen’s Leghorn and Straw Hats, Spring and Summer Clothing.
All of which will be sold unusually cheap, for ready pay, on short approved credit.
A nimole sixpence is better than a slow shilling.
A good assortment of Room Paper always on hand.”
“Fonthill, 25th April, 1855.”
Reflect Awhile
If you are an advertiser, you will likely muse a bit over this old ad.
You will get the dates-that of the ad April, and of the paper, five months later. Putting it in front of them while it is fresh evidently was not practiced then.
And you will note what may seem to you the stilted courtesy of the approach, but which was evidently the right lead-off then.
If you are of the fair sex, you will likely consider a space on the dress materials enumerated. If it be that you have journeyed long enough on life’s highway to have worn some of them yourself, “Tarletons, Alapachas, Coubourgs and Calicos will doubtless draw up many a fair picture of yourself thus garbed; or it may be that they will only help recall Mother or Grandmother and their tales of youth.
And the “Dunstable Bonnetal” Be you woman or man, old or young, that tas of a surety, an alluring sound: and fancy can, but paint some fate, then fair and fresh and young , framed in such bonnet,-a face that today either bears the deeply graven marks of Time or has, ere this, passed into the dust you and all of us must some day reach.
Dunstable Bonnets! Ah me!
If you are a mere man, you likely have a dim idea of what a Leghorn Hat looks like; and when you learn that men in those days supposedly rigged themselves out in contraptions along the same sort of lines, you find cause for satisfaction, if you are of the younger generation, that you were not alive to thus gum up the landscape; but if you are an oldster you probably recall yourself thus arrayed and feel that the handsome and rollicking young buck of those times had the varnished hair sheik of today beat by a mile.
Down Get To Earth
To return to things mundane, you will next read a notice signed by John Frazer, Prov. Warden’s Office, Pelham and dated April, 1854, that all persons are thereby forbid trespassing in any manner upon the Lands known as “The Great Cranberry Marsh, situated principally in the Townships of Crowland, Humberstone and Wainfleet,”and that “such trespassers will be prosecuted as the law provides.”
“Cranberries” must have meant something different then than it does now, as it is presumed that the marsh of today has always been in the hands of Nature alone, and that Man has made no artificial change in the blueberries there garnered.
The next advertisement is of no local interest; it offers for sale a farm in Elgin County on “Talbot Street, the greatest Thoroughfare and general Stage route through Canada West.”-and a continuation of our own Canboro Road.
One advantage cited is the farm being rounded on one side by a good Plank road.
One hundred acres, with small house, barn and large orchard, are offered for $3,000.
You would hardly get an Elgin County farm at that price today.
Nor would the vendor come to Fonthill to advertise it.
Mercy! What Have We Now!
This seems a good time to lay-off for the next advertisement would be banned from the columns of any newspaper today, and it leads to speculation upon the work the professional “reformers” of those times were busy with, for they scotched this evil, all right: they did so.
[Welland Tribune, 24 September 1897]
In all the historical researches in connection with the scenes of 1812-14 a remarkable oversight hs been made in the case of the McClellan family, Capt. Martin McClelland having fallen in active service, and was interred with others in old St. Mark’s cemetery, Niagara. Two descendants, grandsons, now live in Fonthill-Martin and Luther McClellan. Luther O. was requested by Rev. Canon Bull to furnish a short history of his grandfather’s life, which he has kindly consented to do, and has given us the following for the historical society, which met at Beaverdams 15th Sept, 1897
HISTORY OF CAPTAIN MARTIN McCLELLAN
Captain Martin McClellan was born in the year 1778 in Cherry Valley, New York state. At the age of twelve years the Indians became troublesome and barbarous with the whites, so much so that they were obliged to sacrifice their property and forsake all and escape for their lives. His father, Wm. McClellan, was captured by the Indians and rings put in his nose and ears. He made his escape with his wife and family of three boys, with the exception of one son, Captain Martin McClellan, who was captured by the Indians and kept in custody for three months. He was taken away down to Ogdensburgh, and on their return with him to Cherry Valley was recaptured by the whites and brought to Niagara for the remainder of their days, raising three sons, Martin, John and William. John settled in Caledon and lived to the age of ninety-six. William settled at Beaverdams and owned a farm there, where the battle of Beaverdams was fought across; he lived to the age of eighty years. Martin remained on the old farm joining the Queen’s bush at Niagara. His father was owner of a large estate in New York state, that was confiscated through the Indian trouble. Captain Martin McClellan was given the power of attorney by his father to dispose of the property that was surrendered. A large portion of it was never disposed of on account of the war of 1812 coming on, and, unfortunately for his financial interests, Captain Martin was one of the Canada’s true loyal subjects, and stood manfully up to defend his country that was near and dear to him. He fell as a hero in that war, consequently nothing more was done as regards the property in New York state. Captain Martin McClellan was killed at the battle of Fort George at the age of 34. He was also in the battle of Queenston Heights, and stood very close to the brave Brock when he fell at the foot of the mountain. He left seven descendants (grandsons) living-Martin and Luther, living at Fonthill; Dr. Martin McClellan, Chicago; Dr. J.W. McClellan, California; Dr. Frank McClellan, Michigan; C. Thompson, Niagara Falls; and A. Thompson, Virgil. Captain Martin McClellan fell on the 27th day of May, 1813. In the old St. Mark’s church, Niagara, a tablet, fastened to the wall, bears the following inscription:
In Memory of
CAPT. MARTIN McCLELLAN
Aged 34 years.
CHARLES WRIGHT and W.M. CAMERON
In the 25th year of their age.
Of the First regiment, Lincoln, Militia,
Who gloriously fell on the 27th day of May, 1813
Also, Adjutant LLOYD,
On the 8th King’s Regiment.
This tablet was in the yard until a few years ago, when interested parties saw it was going to places removed it to the church and fastened it to the wall to secure it, as it was looked upon with exceeding interest. It brings back to the mind the tattle of musketry and rush of foemen-the day when Niagara was taken. A very remarkable and sad event took place the evening prior to his death. He was deeply impressed that he should go and see his wife and family, who were taken from Niagara to Virgil during the trouble. After a short interview with his wife he said: “I have come to see you for the last time; I have been deeply impressed this afternoon that this is my last day I have to live; I expect to be numbered tomorrow with the slain; my convictions are so strong I must bid you good-bye; here is my watch and purse, you will never see me again alive.” Before three o’clock the next day he fell, with three others that were buried with him. Cameron and Wright were relatives and Lloyd a near friend. Strange to say, the ball penetrated the watch pocket, and many of his friends thought if the watch had not been removed from the pocket his life would have been spared, as the watch was a heavy English watch. My brother Martin has the purse in his possession that he handed to his wife, purchased five months before his death. Inside the following inscription is found in his own hand writing: Martin McClellan’s property, Niagara, Dec. 21st. 1812.” His wife was left with a family of five children, three girls and two boys, my father being the youngest, only six months old. Captain Martin McClellan was owner of a large estate. The law was in those days that the eldest son inherited all. His wife suffered a heavy loss financially; the buildings were burned, and but one house could be found out of six. He had a large quantity of brick hauled to build a house. The Americans replied them and used them for breast-works for a defence. And now when reflecting, notwithstanding the friendly feeling that exists between the two nations, it stirs up a spirit of enmity in the minds of those that had relatives that were compelled to sacrifice their lives to save their country, which was near and dear, from falling into the hands of a nation that was taking a great advantage of the Canadians at that particular time. Whilst old England had her men engaged in a vigorous war with another nation, it was certainly very unjust on their part to ponce upon us, a mere handful compared to them, and to me it seems cruel in the extreme, and certainly was the means of making many fatherless homes with one to eight in number, and should cause a remorse of conscience in the hearts of those that were the instigation of that cruel invasion. Consequently we should manifest a more grateful memory of those who protected and preserved this land as a British possession.
Late Reporter for Welland Tribune
[The Evening Tribune, 19 July 1958]
Although some of the old names still exist today in Welland business circles, most of the city’s early stores and shops have long gone the way of their founders.
This, however, is perhaps all the more reason to recall a few of them on the occasion of Welland’s 100th birthday. After all, these were the people who were the pioneers of our modern businesses on East and West Main streets. Their general stores were in more ways than we might think possible the forerunners of today’s supermarkets and department stores.
It is a sad fact, however, that our information of these early businesses is, to be charitable, limited. Although the first settlement in this area was known to be before 1790 we have practically no information at all about the daily life our forbearers until well into the nineteenth century, and nothing at all on the stores where they bought the necessities of life until 1850. And then it is sketchy information at best.
However, limited as our knowledge is, we can still glean some idea of what our “prehistoric” stores were like; and we even know some of their names and where they were situated.
This last problem is, in a general way the easiest to solve, as, until after 1900 the business district of the area consisted, as far as one can learn, exclusively of East and West Main Streets. The exact location, however, of some of the stores is often hard, and sometimes impossible to determine.
Of course, as in all small communities, tastes were much simpler, then than now. They had to be. Nevertheless, if one goes by the advertisements, in early, early newspapers the people were not too badly off. All the necessities and most of the luxuries of life, including China tea, coffins, and ready-made suits seemed to be available.
The reason for this was certainly that Welland, as well as most other 19th century communities, was much more self-sufficient than is now the case. With transportation both less convenient and more costly this was the only solution for smaller towns and villages.
DIDN’T GO THIRSTY
One thing Welland never seems to have lacked is hotels and taverns. There at least eight of them, evidently doing a brisk business in beer and hard liquors in the 70s and 80s when the population was still under the 2,000 mark.
It was the grocery stores of the village of Welland which perhaps would be at once both the easiest and the hardiest for present-day residents. The most restricted ones largely took the place of crockery and hardware stores as we know them, while one could also buy clothes, including suits and dresses in some of the more adventurous shops. When considering the early days of this area one enterprise which immediately comes to mind is of course the Ross Store, with a continuous history of 80 years as part of the city’s business district in the same location.
The founder, David Ross, came to Welland in 1878 as manager of the town’s branch of a store belonging to the Bull and Ross dry goods change chain. A few years later “Daddy Ross” as he came to be known, bought out the Welland store, after the chain had experienced financial difficulties.
The store was originally in the same location, as today, although it occupied much less space. The building, known then as the Mellanby Block, also contained two other establishments, one on each side of the Ross premises. On the corner to the west was Cumine’s Drug store, while to the east was Thos. Teskey’s general store. Both were eventually taken over by Mr. Ross after he had bought the whole block shortly before the turn of the century.
Another of the earliest businesses established even before the arrival of David Ross, and still continuing in operation was the boot and shoe store of Daniel McCaw, who died in 1902 at the age of 92, started his shop in 1867 at the corner of Cross and East Main Streets, opposite the court house.
As well as being one of the area’s most prominent businessmen, Mr. McCaw also became the first reeve of Welland. His son John, and currently his grandson, L.D. McCaw, followed in his footsteps.
Celebrating it own centennial just two years ago was a third Welland store which has been here for many many years, that of Richard Morwood and Co., hardware retailers. Started back in 1856 at the same location on West main St., as it now occupies, the business is now in the hands of John and Arthur Morwood, grandsons of the original Richard Morwood, who was one of the business pioneers of this community. When first started the store dealt in groceries and dry goods as well as hardware.
An indication of the nature of the grocery business in the early years is provided by advertisements in the Welland papers of the 1870s. For example Crites Brothers grocery store located in Mellanby’s Block ( now the Ross Block), advertised “tweeds, cottons, shirtings, green tea and coffee,” while Hendershot and Hancock, also on East Main St., had groceries, crockery, china, glassware, oils, paints, syrups and salt.
Another grocery store was James Griffith’s in Dunigan’s Block. Here as well as groceries and dry goods, customers could also buy shoes, readymade clothes of all sorts and millinery. Even modern supermarkets seem to have been outdone by some small town grocers, in the variety of goods offered.
LOW PRICE ERA
Prices for foods were of course ridiculously low by present standards. In the village period eggs were 10 cents a dozen, best beef eight to twelve cents a pound, with the heart, liver, tongue and kidneys thrown in. However, beginning to lament the passing of “the good old days,” we must remember he was a very lucky man who got a salary of more than $600 a year and that the average was considerably less than that.
Other grocery stores included “Stalker’s Old Stand” on West Main at Frazer, J.B. Taylor, also on West Main, and several on East Main. These were Swayze’s in Dunigan’s Brick Block, J.S. O.Neal in the Opera House Block (now the Odd Fellows’ Hall,) John Crites, S.H. Griffiths, “China Hall,” where lamps and dinner sets mingled with the vegetables, and “The Old Gothic Store,“ of James Bridges. And The Toronto Star” in which boots and shoes shared the limelight with groceries and dry goods.
In addition to the grocery stores there were also establishments for the dispensing of strong drink and tobacco, and as the Toronto Tea Store (which did also sell tea) and T.F. Brown on East Main. One store exclusively devoted to meat that of R.A. Lambert, also flourished for some years.
How so many grocery and food stores could survive in a town with a population under 2,000, can only be surmised. They must have been at least partially saved by the wide range of haberdasher, clothing and hardware business that most of them did. Of course the farmers of the area formed a good portion of their clientele.
Hardware stores did also exist, although perhaps they were not of quite the same type as our modern ones.
Instead of selling small kitchen and household utensil, these old stores sold eavestroughs, roofing and stoves, taking in exchange “hides, pelts, rags, old copper, brass, iron, etc.” Clayton and Hopkin’s hardware on East Main also sold “smoke stacks of any size,” to those who were interested. J.H. Crow on West Main St., combined his hardware store with a plumbing business and repair shop for tin and iron ware.
A fair number of furniture stores also existed, in spite of the fact that so much of their business was done in the groceries. One of the oldest and most best known of these was Mrs. R. Cooper’s millinery shop, on West Main St., since 1868 at which time Mrs. Cooper, a Scottish immigrant, had come to this country.
In addition to Ladies’ hats, Mrs. Cooper sold “fancy goods,” to her clientele. With her own work shop and with several employees, this lady exemplified the self-sufficiency of small town merchants in the last century, It was not for her to buy hats ready-made at some central fashion house. Instead, following along lines suggested from New York and Paris, Mrs. Cooper gave the benefits of at least some originality of her Welland customers.
In men’s clothing M. Whalley and Co., established 1877, L.H. Pursel started in 1884, and Andrew‘s hats and caps, on East Main, took some portion for at least a few years, of the clothing trade remaining after the grocery stores had finished with it.
Horses also needed equipment in these pro-automotive years, and harness shops, blacksmiths and livery men took the place to today’s ubiquitous garages, and gas stations. A.D. White was one of the earliest with a blacksmith and carriage business on East Main Street in 1866, expanding into livery in 1874. Another livery was that of Lawrence and Sutherland just opposite the court house which had been started at some time before the turn of the century,
It the name of was any indication E. Brasford’s: Harness and Horse Clothing Emporium: established on West Main St., in 1889 must have been well patronized by the upper crust of equine society. A fourth business catering to horses was Andrew Carl’s harness shop on West Main, started in 1871.
In a related field we find the Agricultural Hall of W.G. Somerville on the west side of the canal on North Main (now Niagara St.,) just off West Main, which began in 1880.
THE SODA FOUNTAIN
When it comes to eating out, village residents do not seem to have had much choice other than to go to a hotel or tavern, as restaurants as such, from all evidence, appear to have been non-existent. However, from the last years of the century, if they were satisfied with dairy products, they could patronize one of the pastry shops, such as R.G. Common’s near the courthouse or W. H. Crowthers on North Main where the delights of the ice cream parlor and the newfangled soda fountain awaited them.
The first known bakery, that of David McEwen believed to be on East Main St., did not have any of these new ideas when it was flourishing in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Instead, there one went, taking one’s own wrapping paper to buy cakes, buns and candy, dispensed by old Grandma McEwen while the proprietor attended to his baking.
In 1900 modern times came closer with the establishment of ice cream rooms in conjunction with two stores of the Dilworth Drug Company in the town. The “Wilhelmina Room,’ in the east side store, became a favorite meeting place for the town younger set.
One of the more important of the early drug stores was the Medical Hall, started by J.H. Burgar on East Main St., in 1866, which was used for a short time as the town library just before the turn of the century. Another early druggist was Thomas Cumines in Mellanby’s Block, at the foot of East Main St., also established before 1870.
That drug stores were early branching out is to be seen in an advertisement for Burgar’s store in 1872, then known as Burgar & McKee’s in which the reader is informed that spectacles worth $2.50 were to be had for one dollar, “less than cost” as this forerunner of the modern “sale” ad put it.
Welland also had other stores and businesses, ranging from jewelry shops to billiard parlors. In the first category was T.H. Lord in Lamont’s Brick Block on East Main St., who advertised watches in the early 1870s’ for “from 25 cents up”. In the second was J. Bradburn’s Arcade Billiard Parlor and Sample Rooms. The latter were for the sampling of wine, liquor and cigars.
Just barely in the jewelry line was the shop of L. Goodvilliers on East Main. However, this line of goods almost reminds us of the grocery stores, at least in its range. As well as watches, clocks and jewelry, he had available “stationery, soaps, perfumes, school books and fancy goods.” His motto- a very modern one-“quick sales and light profit.”
Of course, there was one barber in town, and perhaps more. The only one known definitely in the 1870s was Abraham Jamieson on East Main St. What is more surprising is the existence of the “Royal Photograph Gallery” under its proprietor Alf Lord on East Main in these years.
Among the other stores were Mrs. J. Tuckey’s jewelry and optical shop, started in 1862. J.M. Livingstone music store, specializing in pianos and organs, and O.H. Garner in the Opera House Block, who carried on the rather queer combined trade of ticket agent, telegraph clerk and bicycle dealer.
Of the early hotels, probably the leading establishment was the Commercial Hotel, conducted by a Mr. Vanderslip. This was the only one which had regular bus service at the station of the Grand Trunk railway, as well as being unique in having a colored porter on duty in the lobby. It was built in 1856, the year of the California gold rush, and its first proprietor is reported to have lost his life while joining in the search in the far west.
Other hotels included the Barney House on the west side, the City Hotel (where Woolworth’s stands), the Union House, (opposite the jail), the Dominion Hotel (on the site of the old registry office), the Franklin (across from the old Grand Trunk), the Maple Leaf (on the site of the fire station), the Tremont on West Main and the O’Brien Hotel on the former Canal Street.
Room and board for a week in these establishments cost from $2.50 to $2.75 a week in the village days of Welland.
For many years the population of the community grew very slowly, and of course no great expansion in business activities could be expected at such a time. Even so, a steady development in them can be seem from earliest days, with the gradually increasing variety of stores and products until the veritable explosion that took place just after the coming of the 20th century.
REAL GROWTH STARTS
From 1905 to 1911 the population of the town of Welland more than tripled, jumping from under 1,800 to
6, 250. This was the real beginning of the growth of Welland to its present status as a medium size, highly industrialized city.
Along with the population growth has gone great commercial expansion and of course change. Certain it is that great surprises would be in store for some of our early businessmen if they could return and see East and West Main Streets as they are today. The general layout of district would be the same, but the size and variety of the stores would be rather shaking.
However, the fact of variety in itself would not be too remarkable, for our visitor, especially if he had run a grocery store. The number of goods might astound him, but that one store can sell both clothes and can openers would not seem at all strange to one who himself had outdone in some respects our ultra-modern supermarkets.
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