[Welland Tribune March 26, 1940]
John M. Sherk, 64. prominent resident of this vicinity, died suddenly in his Point Abino road home Monday He had been in poor health for some time but had improved greatly, and had made preparations for resuming extensive farming this year. Previously for 20 years he conducted the Point Abino creamery until he disposed of it to Silverwoods, Ltd., a few years ago. He lived all his life on the farm where he was born.
Hr was a member of Memorial United church and a staunch Liberal in politics, though he never sought any office.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; one son by a former marriage, Roy M. Sherk, now residing in Toronto; a brother, Marin B. Sherk of Sherkston; and a sister, Mrs. Watson Morgan of Port Colborne.
Funeral services will be conducted in the late home by Rev. Dr, E.M. Morrow, Preston former pastor of Memorial United church, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Ridgeway cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 19, 1940]
Good Works recalled at services on Monday
Fenwick, March 19- A large number of friends and neighbors gathered at the family home on Monday afternoon to pay their final tribute of respect to Mrs. Annie Catherine Meyers, who passed away early Friday morning in her 77th year.
The services were conducted by Rev. J. Hampson, pastor of the United church of which the deceased was a faithful adherent. Mr. Hampson paid fitting tribute to a life which had been so untiringly spent in the service of her home and loved ones, her church duties and as a neighbor and friend who could always be depended on to lift a helping hand on any occasion.
A quartet composed of Mrs. L.E. Haist, Mrs. H. Ilman, W.E. Boyes and Orley Hannigan, sang two lovely hymns, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” and “Abide With Me.”
Interment was in Hillside cemetery. Pall bearers were W.B. Brown, Orley Hannigan, Verne Koppler, W. E. Boyes, Elmer Coon and Robert Phiillips.
Among the many beautiful floral pieces were the following: Women’s Association of the United church, spray; United Church choir, basket; Big Fur Club, basket; Women’s Institute, spray.
[Welland Tribune March 26, 1940]
Mrs Helen Smith Post, 65, wife of Robert Post who has resided in Rose Hill vicinity for over 30 years died in her home on Dominion road, Bertie township, east of Ridgeway on Saturday night. She was taken suddenly ill on Thursday last. Deceased was well known in this community as a kind neighbor. She was born in Tonawanda, N.Y.
Surviving are the husband: four daughters, Mrs. Fred Woehl, Fort Erie, Miss Mildred Post at home, Mrs. Geo Havill, Fort Erie, and Mrs. Raymond Johnston, Ridgeway, and a sister in Tonawanda.
Funeral services will be held in the family residence at 1.30 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be in Tonawanda, N.Y.
When the farmer woke up he saw it was a sunny day
So after breakfast he went out to bale some hay
The wheat was ready to be cut down
Then with the tractor later in the field he as found
The cows waited each night for milking time
As they knew he’d be in away before nine
The oil truck came and filled up the tank
But after seeing the bill he didn’t say thanks
His wife had supper ready when he sat down to eat
Feeling this farming life is sure getting me beat
All the children have left for jobs far away
So for help he had to hire and them also pay
The farmer’s job isn’t easy with the pay real good
And working long days he’d never leave if he could
The tractor has a problem that he must solve and get going
As snow is coming soon that he is knowing
After milking in the morning the cows are put out
Then in the evening he hopes again for the same amount
When done with the crops he cuts some logs
And sends animals to market in the fall including hogs
If he was sick the neighbours done the chores
But now a days I feel its one thing that’s no more
What he buys is expensive there’s a mortgage over his head
He feels that paying out money he’ll never get ahead
At night he crawls into bed and sleeps like he is dead
While troubles and concerns pass through his head
There is no thanks for him there under the hot sun
But I thank him each day for the work he has done
He can’t go far with cows to milk each day
And if someone is hired to them he’d have to pay
If it wasn’t for the farmer what would we all do
There’s less of them each day trouble is coming for me and you
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
The old school house sat on the prairie so wide
And we’ll never know how many tales it does hide
As most pupils are gone that went there years ago
Some older ones may be alive since others may know
They walked from home a mile or two around
And since they were tired they just sat down
In the winter they built the fire so the school was nice
When the teacher and other pupils came not a room of ice
Their lunch pail was one that had jam in it before
And the boys had bare feet in the summer coming in the door
They didn’t need a gym as they got their exercise coming to school
So the teacher taught large classes as they didn’t act the fool
In the morning before they came there were chores to do
At night returning from school they also found a few
They cleaned the pig pen and gave the cows some hay
And the garden was weeded also no time to play
Eggs had to be gathered and the chickens were fed
Their days were filled with chores until time for bed
They stayed at home in the spring and helped plant crops
And the fall was the same until the harvest did stop
In the summer they were in the hayfield forking hay
As everything was done manually back in the olden days
There was also wood to be cut and put in a pile
While the feast of each meal sure made them smile
Sap was boiled down in a pan each and every spring
As this was the sweetener they used on all things
Others skidded logs in the bush at a young age
And when told to do it they didn’t go into a rage
The garden was harvested in the fall and things put away
Since little food was bought they had food for cold days
Saturday night they were free and took the buggy to town
To see friends have a dance or just look around
They had little education but designed many things
Which made them feel like some earthly King
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
Small villages are disappearing there’s nothing much anymore
Not like back in the olden days of yore
The schools went from early Sept until late June
But must have closed now yes much too soon
The children are bused to a bigger school farther away
Even though a higher price for fuel we all pay
Fuel is high priced but at the school there’s many cars
Youngsters drive now even though they don’t come far
The stores are closed also as folks shop elsewhere
Instead of keeping the local going as its right there
The church is closed too and left there alone
Where there’s a yearly service when folks come home
Years ago men met at night there in the store
Where they talked and complained like never before
When someone wished to talk they got on the phone
Which they could do in the privacy of their home
The general store ordered things which usually took awhile
But when it came in on your face was a smile
If the men weren’t in the village on the farm they were found
Unlike today they weren’t travelling the world around
The school buses went each day regardless of the weather
As they had a full load and no one was tethered
Work wasn’t somewhere else it was there on the farm
Like planting crops fixing fences or building a barn
You may not agree but they were the good old days
Since we always done things only the right way
Unlike today you went to bed with an unlocked door
Today if you do it you invite trouble for sure
Yes today crime is encouraged unlike yesteryear
And as long as we do as we do it will continue I fear
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 6 Nov. 1943]
Above is a picture of the members of No. 4 Troop, Welland Boy Scouts, Sacred Heart Parish: -Front Row, left to right-District Commissioner J. P. Megannety, Scoutmaster Philippe Audet, J. Laland, A.Lemelin, L. Corriveau, L. Demers, R. Larouche, A. Costllo, also Assistant Scoutmaster Arthur Loranger.
Second Row-Cubmaster Antonio Pellerin, L. Marois, L.Cunningham, R. Beaulieu, P. Lamarre, Y. Lamontagne,
Third Row-L. Hardy, P.L.; R. Demers, S.P.; R. Nantel, P.L.; R. Gerard, H. Beaulieu, P.L.; R. Demers, S.P.; R. Demers, P.L.
Fourth Row-R. St. Louis, R. Costello, R. Poulin, , M. Gibbons, L. Beauparlant, J. Labbe, L. Baiano.
Last Row-R. St. Louis; Assistant Scoutmaster Napoleon Jolin, Troop Leader Robert Nantel, Senior Patrol Henri Demers, Roger Latulippe and L. Picard.
[Welland Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 6 January 1945]
A lovely all- white wedding was solemnized this afternoon in Holy Trinity Anglican church at 3 o’clock, when Lavina Osborne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Johnstone, John street, became the bride of Chief Petty Officer Thomas Mains, E.R.A., son of Mrs. Anna Mains, East Main street. Rev. A.H. Davis performed the ceremony amid a setting of evergreen with lighted candles in each window. The altar was decorated with white poms and lighted candles. White satin bows marked the guests’ pews.
The lovely bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a becoming bridal gown of white slipper satin fashioned with a fitted bodice and a long full skirt extending into a brief train. A high circular white silk net yoke accented with silk embroidered oak leaves and long full sleeves, extending to a point over the wrists, were attractive features of the gown. A small cap of white velvet violets with a circular veil over the face, caught her long trail of illusion veiling to her head. She carried a cascade bouquet of white carnations touched with heather. Her only ornament was a single strand of pearls.
Mrs. Thomas Bradshaw was her sister’s matron of honor gowned in white taffeta with brilliant skirt and shirred flounced-effect trim on the long skirt, and a fitted bodice featuring a drop-shouldered effect completed by a circular net yolk. A net tricorn trimmed with a red velvet bow and streamers formed her headdress.
The bridesmaids, Miss Margaret Lewis and Miss Betty Schulze, wore gowns of white taffeta similar to that of the matron of honor. Tiny powder-puff- like hats of net with double ruching, trimmed with red velvet ribbon, perched on pompadour hair styles formed their headdress. All attendants carried cascade bouquets of deep red roses and wore a single strand of pearls.
Harry Cawthorn was organist and Mrs. CR. Kells sang, “O Perfect Love” during the singing of the register.
Howard Gohm was groomsman and Flt. Lieut. J.C. Scarf, D.F.C. of the R.C.A.F. and Fred Watt, nephews of the bride were ushers.
A reception for 50 guests was held at the Rose Villa Inn after the ceremony. Mrs. Johnstone received, wearing a smart frock of black with aquamarine trimming.
The bride’s table was centred with a three tier wedding cake which was flanked by pink tapers in crystal candelabra. Pink mums completed the appointments and also adorned the guest’s tables.
For traveling to Hamilton and the United States the bride donned a fine wool dress in silver grey with mulberry accessories under a three-quarters top coat of muskrat. A corsage of red roses completed her attire.
On their return from the honeymoon Mrs. Mains will reside with her parents and Chief Petty Officer Mains will return to his naval base.
[Welland Telegraph, 22 October 1903]
Word was received here last week of the death of Elgin Myers, K.C., formerly of Toronto and Orangeville and practicing for several years past at Sault Ste. Marie. He died suddenly at the Soo on Saturday. Mr. Myers was the youngest son of the late Henry Myers, J.P. of Ancaster township, Wentworth county. He was born on April 3, 1855, and was educated at the Mount Pleasant high school. He was called to the bar in 1877, and began his practice at Orangeville, also having an office in Toronto. In 1890, he was created a Q.C. by the Ontario Government, and the following year was appointed County Crown Attorney of Dufferin. In the Dominion election of 1890 he unsuccessfully contested the riding of Cardwell in the Liberal interest, being defeated by Mr. R.S. White. In 1842 Mr. Myers incurred the disfavor of Sir Oliver Mowat, who was then Premier, by his active advocacy of the doctrine of annexation, and he relinquished his office as County Crown Attorney. He was a good speaker and a facile writer, and wrote considerably on public questions for newspapers and magazines in Canada and the United States. Mr. Myers was an adherent of the Presbyterian church, and, and had held several high official positions in connection with that body. A widow, two sons and two daughters are left to mourn his loss and these have the sympathy of many Welland friends. The daughters are: Muriel, living in Ridgeway, and Marion, living with her mother and brother, Elgin, in Toronto. A son Garfield, is also living in the west. County Crown Attorney T.D. Cowper if a brother-in-law of the deceased. The funeral, which was private, was held at Orangeville on Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Kightley Mark “11th” Anniversary
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 29 February 1940]
Mr. and Mrs. James Kightley of 129 Regent street were married 48 years ago today but celebrated their “11th” wedding anniversary. This was because they were married on Leap year of 1892. There was no Leap year in 1900, so there was no wedding celebration that year.
At 9 a.m. Monday, February 29 1892, Mr. Kightley and Miss Annie madden were wed at memorial church Penetanguishene, by Father Labreau with Captain William Madden, the bride’s brother, as groomsman, and a friend, Miss Theresa Putfhoff, as bridesmaid. Miss Puthoff has passed on, but Captain Madden has attended a number of the happy couple’s Leap Year wedding celebrations, most of them in Penetanguishene. Mr. and Mrs. Kightley came to Welland in 1925.
Mr. Kightley was born in Honeypot Hills, Vaughan township, 79 years ago, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kightley, his parents, came to Canada from Buckinghamshire 83 years ago, in a sailing ship. Mrs. Kightley was born at Bruce Mines near Sault St. Marie, 72 years ago. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Madden, who came over to Canada from England (to Toronto) by sailing vessel 85 years ago. Mr.and Mrs. Kighley have five children, Fred, in London, Ont.; Charles, at Tillsonburg; Gladys, Mrs. Edgar Fidelar in Niagara Falls, and Lillian, Mrs. Walter Whatmough, Stratford, and Alben G. Kightley, =-
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