[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Fellow workers and members of the Welland Hydro Commission this morning attended in a body funeral services for Steve Lapka, whose death occurred at the Welland County General hospital last Friday from injuries incurred in the line of duty as a Hydro lineman last January 10.
The funeral was held from the J.J. Patterson and Sons’ Funeral Residence 19 Young street to St Mary’s church where requiem was chanted by Rev. Father Horvath, assistant pastor of the Church of our Lady of Hungary, of which deceased was a member. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery.
Pallbearers were all fellow workers, J. Taylor, A. Acaster, O. Brown, F. Hartmier, J. Sylie and N. Cobolak.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Many friends, including some from Wainfleet, Long Beach and Buffalo attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Horace Rathfon on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Rathfon died at her residence in Bethel on Thursday in her 61st year. The funeral was held from the late residence to First Lutheran church, Rev. Theo A. Iseler conducted the service. Interment was in Overholt’s cemetery.
During the service Misses Helen and Marguerite Climenhage sang the duet. “The Old Rugged Cross,” accompanied at the organ by Miss Minnie Boneberg, The pallbearers were Emanuel White, George Schleffel, George MacIntyre, Allan Steele, Gordon Doan and William Christmas, neighbors and friends of the deceased.
Among many beautiful floral tributes were those of the Ladies Aid of First Lutheran church and the Bethel Sunshine Class.
[Welland Tribune February 28, 1940]
The funeral of Mrs. Walter Neff, who passed away at her residence, 183 Ash street, Port Colborne, on Saturday, was held yesterday afternoon. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. Wilmer Steele and at the graveside by Rev. A Cusler. Interment was in the Mennonite cemetery Sherkston.
The pallbearers were Earl Michael, Amos Mitchener, George Young, Roy Sherk, Roy Cudney and George Schleffle. Among the many floral tributes attesting to the high esteem in which the deceased was held, was a beautiful floral piece from the Maple Leaf Milling Co.
The funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. Sherkston, Ridgeway and the Port Colborne and Humberstone district.
[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]
Wellandport, Feb.26- Wellandport’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Nancy Jamieson, widow of the late Emerson Jamieson passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sutherland on Friday, February 23rd. Deceased who was in her 91st year was a daughter of the late Mathias and Mrs. Robins and had lived her entire life in the townships of Wainfleet and Gainsboro where although of a quiet and home loving disposition she had endeared herself to a multitude of friends. Her husband predeceased her in 1920. To mourn she leaves two daughters, Zelia (Mrs. T, Sutherland) of Wellandport, and Minnie (Mrs. Wm. Nunn) of Fenwick also three grandchildren, John Henderson of Wainfleet, Charles Nunn and Mrs. Theodore Bowman of Fenwick, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was held this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, Wellandport; followed by interment in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville.
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 8 January 1947]
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T.F. Forestell, K.C., of Fort Erie recently appointed crown attorney for Welland County, will establish residence in Welland as soon as suitable arrangements can be made. Before her marriage, Mrs. Forestell (nee Irene O’Driscoll) taught school at Toronto. The Forestells have three children: Barbara is in training at St. Michael’s hospital, Toronto; Terry is studying for the priesthood in the Brazilian novitiate, Toronto; and Paul is attending Fort Erie High school. |
Succeeds H.W. Macoomb Who Will Resume His Own Practice
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 3 January 1947]
Tobias F. Forestell, K.C., Welland County’s newly-appointed crown attorney arrived from Fort Erie yesterday to take over his new duties. He succeeded H.W. Macoomb, K.C., who has retired after an 11-year term as crown attorney, to resume private practice with the firm of Macoomb, Macoomb and Street.
The new crown attorney is Welland county’s fourth. His predecessors were Mr. Macoomb, T.D. Cowper, K.C.; and L.D. Raymond. K.C. He has been practicing law in the county for 27 years, coming to Thorold shortly after being called to the bar in 1920 and moving to Fort Erie in 1922. In December 1935, he was created King’s Counsel.
A native of Campbellford, where he was born October 28, 1896, Mr. Forestell received his early education at its public and high schools following which he attended St. Michael’s College, Toronto University.
He is a veteran of the First Great War in which he enlisted in the 56th battery, R.C.A., in 1916. He went overseas that year and saw active service until he was wounded in November, 1918. He received his discharge in April 1919, was awarded the Military Medal and returned to Toronto where he completed his law studies and was called to the bar, October 20, 1920.
Mr. Forestall has been an active member of the County Law Library Association, the Canadian Legion, the Progressive Conservative Association and the Niagara Parks Commission. He is a past president of the library association, past president and past zone commander of the Legion and now chairman of the Service Bureau Committee of the Provincial Command of the Canadian Legion; past president of the Niagara Riding Progressive Conservative Association and the Welland County Progressive Conservative Association.
TO RESUME PRACTICE
Mr. Macoomb looks forward to resuming practice. During his years as crown attorney, his firm has been obliged to turn away criminal work; however, according to Gabriel J. Macoomb, would now return to that field.
The retiring crown attorney, who was born in January, 1872, has had some 50 years legal experience. He received his early education in Welland and Toronto where he graduated from Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in 1895. It was then that he became a member of the firm of Harcourt, Cowper and Macoomb.
In 1905, he went into law practice on his own. However, five years later, he again associated himself with the late crown attorney, Mr. Cowper, under the firm title of Cowper and Macoomb.
In 1920 Mr. Macoomb formed a partnership with D. Ben Coleman-now judge of Ontario County. His son, Gabriel entered the firm in 1933 and George Street became a partner in 1939.
The retiring crown attorney has led an active public life.
He was a member of the Board of Education, retiring in 1935 after 30 years’ work in the interests of Welland youth. He was a member of the Welland Public Library Board for many years and its president for one year. Mr. Macoomb was president of the Welland Swimming and Life Saving Club for two years. In 1935 he was president of the Welland County Bar.
His political affiliation has been Liberal and for many years he held the presidency of the Welland City Liberal Association.
He is a member of Central United church and takes an interest in its Men’s Club.
Summers, Mr. Macoomb usually spends on the shore of Lake Erie where he has a home. He has two sons-Hudson W. of St. David’s and Gabriel of Welland. His wife is a member of the Hibbard family of Smithville.
Mr. Macoomb is also a member of the Alabama bar for he practiced law in Birmingham for several years.
[Welland Telegraph, 27 March 1903]
A sad death which brought grief to many Wellanders and to many distant friends and relatives, occurred early Thursday morning, when Carrie Gaiser Crow died after a lingering and painful illness. She had been suffering for many months past, but bore her illness with much fortitude. She was the wife of Mr. W.H. Crow, and was widely known not only too many friends in this town, but to numerous ones throughout the surrounding district. These extend their most heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband, whose keen loss in losing his life-mate just in the fullness of her life is shared in a measure by all who knew her. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. M. Gaiser of Pelham until she came to Welland as a bride. Besides her father, four sisters and four brothers are left. The sisters are: Mrs. R. Moote, of Pelham; Mrs. .Dr. Hutton, of Welland; Mrs. Rev. Grenzebach, of Milverton, and Miss Ada, at home. The brothers are John, Osten, Oscar and Dan. They all reside at home, excepting John, who has a farm just west of Welland. The funeral will take place on Saturday at 1.30 p.m. from the late residence, where services will be conducted. The interment will be at Dawdy’s cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 1 March 1947]
Louis Blake Duff addressed the Home Builders’ Group of Central United Church, in the basement of the church, following the evening service on Sunday, and he spoke on the very early days of printing. The theme was “How We Got Our Bible,” and Mr. Duff traced the history of the printing machines back to the first days. He stated that the world’s first printing press came into being between 1450 and 1455, at Guthenberg’s printing office at Maintz, and the very first book printed was a copy of the Old Testament. Before the end of the 15th century, there were printing offices all over Europe, and it was brought into being in England by William Caxton in 1477.
Dr. Russell Clark, president of the Home Builders’ Group, which comprises young married couples, occupied the chair. Mr. Duff was introduced by Frank Clute and the thanks of the meeting were expressed by Richard Seehuber.
[Welland Tribune, 28 January 1947]
A basket of white mums and snapdragons on the alter table formed an effective background for the marriage on Saturday, in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church, of Catharine Elizabeth, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Upper, Maple Avenue, to Frank W. Packer, Thorold South, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Packer, of Thorold South. Rev. A.D. Sutherland officiated at the ceremony which was performed at the hour of 4.00 p.m. White satin ribbons marked the guest pews.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, was lovely in a gown of white satin, with a full skirt, yoke of sheer nylon, and fitted bodice. The long sleeves tapered to a point over the wrists. Her fingertip veil of embroidered net was caught with a wreath of orange blossoms, and she carried an arm bouquet of American Beauty roses and white mums and maiden hair fern, tied with white ribbon.
The bridesmaid was Muriel Maudsley, frocked in dusty pink taffeta, styled with a fitted bodice, full skirt and cap sleeves, and matching long taffeta gloves. Her flowers were pink carnations and pink and mauve sweet peas, tied with pink ribbons.
Donald W. Justice, organist of St. Andrew’s, played Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” during the signing of the register.
The best man was Robert Packer, brother of the groom, and the guests were ushered by Ward Packer, a brother of the groom and Douglas Upper, brother of the bride.
A reception for 40 guests was held at 5 p.m. at the Rose Villa Inn, Riverside Drive. White mums decorated the guests’ tables, and the bride’s table was centered with a three-tier wedding cake. Receiving the guests were the bride’s mother, who was gowned in grey wool sheer with touches of mauve and a corsage of American Beauty roses and freesia assisted by the groom’s mother, who chose black crepe with gold clips and corsage of pink roses and freesia.
For a wedding trip by motor to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, the bride donned a dressmaker suit in powder blue wool, with black accessories, feathered hat and grey tuxedo coat with squirrel trim. Upon their return, Mr. and Mrs. Packer will take up residence in Thorold South.
Out-of-town guests were present from Toronto, Hamilton, Smithville, Dunnville, Sarnia, St. Catharines Thorold, Merritton, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, N.Y., Kitchener and Port Colborne.
Harry G. Ellsworth Began His Hobby 10 years Ago-Now Has 1,800 Pictures
[Welland Tribune, 6 November 1943]
One of the finest collections of pictures of vessels, old and new, which have in years gone by plied the Great Lakes or are familiar today on the lakes, is owned by Harry G. Ellsworth, King Street, Port Colborne. Mr. Ellsworth started his collection some ten years ago with two pictures of old vessels, since lost or scrapped, and now has some 1,800 pictures of about 1,500 different boats. They include many lost in the big storms of 1913 and 1906, after which many vessels which now, changed, rebuilt or altered in some way bear a different name and would not be recognized by most who had known them years ago.
VARIED COLLECTION
Mr. Ellsworth’s collection contains a picture of Lake Superior’s “Flying Dutchman,” for the Great Lakes has its “Flying Dutchman” too. It was the steamer Bannockburn lost with all hands in 1906 of which the only trace ever found was an oar. The Russia, Prussia, Ocean and other boats of the time, few pictures of which exist are among the collection. There are schooners, steam boats, with auxiliary sail and the more modern vessels of more recent years. And Mr. Ellsworth’s collection is becoming known all over the continent. He is continually seeking new prints of still other vessels to add to his collection.
Since starting his hobby of vessel pictures, Mr. Ellsworth has received requests for many pictures from magazines, for papers and other collectors and has exchanged photos, prints, engravings or photostatic copies with men in both Canada and the United States. Some of his pictures recently found their way into Western University for copies.
Pictures of the Pearl and the Pennsylvania vessels well known in Lake Erie some years ago, started Mr. Ellsworth on his hobby of collecting vessel pictures. Other collectors heard he had these prints and wanted them and in correspondence with them, he says he “got the bug” to make his own collection. Since that time he has secured or exchanged pictures with a dozen men in as many different places. He has supplied pictures for various periodicals and magazines including the Huron Institute.
NATIVE OF WAINFLEET
Mr. Ellsworth, a native of Wainfleet, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Ellsworth, worked with the late M.J. Hogan, as a dredgeman for some 15 years after coming to Port Colborne from nearby Wainfleet in 1900 and in that work gained an intimate knowledge of the ships which piled the lakes. This was probably the start of his collection, although he did not realize at the time that he had learned to love ships. He has been in the employ of International Nickel Co. Ltd. for the past 25 years.
The Tribune plans to publish a series of articles illustrated by pictures of some of the boats which have the most interesting histories in Mr. Ellsworth’s collection. This article launching the series.
*Mr. Ellsworth passed 21 February 1945
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