Welland History .ca

The TALES you probably never heard about

WEDDING – O’SHEA-MULLEN

[Welland Telegraph July 3, 1903]

On Wednesday morning at 8 o’clock one of the prettiest weddings which have taken place in Niagara Falls in some time was celebrated at St Patrick’s church. The principals in this interesting social event were  Miss Margaret Mullen, daughter of Mrs. Mary Mullen, corner Victoria avenue and Morrison street, and  Mr David O’Shea of Buffalo. The impressive marriage ceremony of the Roman Catholic church was celebrated by Rev Father Otto, pastor of St Patrick’s, assisted by Rev Father Lawrence, of the Carmelite Monastery. After the church service was completed a number of the  more intimate friends of the bride repaired to the home of the bride,  where an informal reception was held from 8 till 10 o’clock. The young couple left at noon for  an eastern trip including New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

WEDDING – HARVEY-THOMPSON

[Welland Telegraph July 23, 1902]

Mr Joseph Harvey, son of Mr. Martin Harvey, and Miss Ethel Thompson, eldest daughter of Mr. Henry Thompson were married on Wednesday of last week. Miss Jennie  Thompson acted as bridesmaid and Mr Wm Goulding supported the groom. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. P.W. Smith, rector of the parish. The newly wedded couple are spending their wedding trip to Toronto.

DEATH CLAIMS W.H. CROWTHER

[Welland Tribune March 12, 1947]

Recalled in Welland as a citizen who gave abundantly of his talents to the service of his community as mayor , freemason, hospital governor, businessman and Presbyterian. William H. Crowther died in his 79th year in the private patients’ pavilion, Toronto General hospital on Tuesday.

He had latterly  resided   at McNab  in the vicinity of St Catharines but his earlier associations were those experienced in Welland 35 and 40 years ago. He is survived by his widow Mrs Margaret Byers Crowther, two sons Dr. Albert Crowther of Toronto, Wilfrid of McNab and a daughter Miss Dora Crowther of McNab, all well known in Welland. A son Flt Lt William Crowther,R.A.F. killed in battle in France shortly after the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the summer of 1917. Two sisters Mrs E. Stubbs and Mrs A. Touks of England survive, also five grandchildren.

William Henry Crowther was born in Britain and came to the Welland district near the turn of the century. He carried on a bakery business on Niagara street for more than a quarter century. Deceased was one of the  first governors   of the  Welland County General Hospital, being  a member of the board of governors while mayor of the town in 1909 and 1910 and he was later a life member of the hospital trust. He was one of the oldest living members of Cope-Stone Masonic Lodge and one one of the senior past  masters. For more than twenty years he was a member of the  board of managers of St Andrews Presbyterian church. He was a member in Welland of the  Canadian Order of Foresters.  The remains are resting  at the Hulse and English funeral chapel, 75 Church street St Catharines for funeral service at 2p.m. Friday March 14 with interment in McNab cemetery.

WEDDINGS – SHEARING-LYON

[Welland Tribune March  21, 1947]

A pretty wedding took place in Queen Street United church when Miss Shirley Elsie Lyon, younger  daughter of  Mr and Mrs Thomas Lyon of Emerick  avenue, Fort Erie north, became the bride of James Patrick Shearing, son of Mr and Mrs Jack Shearing of Toronto. The Rev. H.S. Fiddes performed the ceremony.

The bride was given in marriage by her uncle Mr. Charles Lyon, and was gowned in a  pale blue silk jersey dress, street length with navy accessories.Her corsage was of pink carnations, and she carried a white prayer book used by her mother at the latter’s wedding.

The bridesmaid, Miss Mary Ellen McPhee of Fort Erie West wore a grey gown, street length with rose accessories and a corsage of pink carnations. The best man was Mr Charles F.Flake of Fort Erie North.

Selections played at the  ceremony were “I love you truly,” and “I love thee.”

Following the wedding service, a reception was held at the  bride’s home, 207 Emerick avenue. The bride’s mother received in sea-green silk crepe, and a corsage of pink carnations. Her accessories were brown.

For going away the bride changed to a brown gabardine suit with matching accessories.

Out of town guests included Mr and Mrs L. Davidson of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. J. Shearing of Toronto and Mrs. O. Randahl of Belleville.

Mr and Mrs Shearing will make their home in Toronto.

Riverside  chapter O.E.S. sent a delegation to St Catharines last night  in a chartered bus. Worthy matron Mrs Jean Hurst was in charge. It was district inspection night.

DEATH CLAIMS ‘BILL’ MORRISON

[Welland Tribune March 17, 1947]

Hamilton, March 17-Death of William Morrison, 68 year old Hamiltonian who was eight times mayor of the city was termed a loss to the entire province in tribute paid by  by Premier   Drew of Ontario.
Mr Morrison died suddenly in hospital Sunday. He had retired undefeated from  mayoralty in 1943, on his appointment to the  Ontario Workmen’s  Compensation Board of which he was chairman.

From Toronto Premier Drew said:”His death is a great loss to me  personally as it will be to his very wide circle of intimate friends. As chairman of the Workmen’s Compensation Board he has served his native province well.”

It was Mr. Morrison who nominated Col. Drew for leadership of the Ontario Conservative Party in 1938 and shortly afterwards he represented Liberal Premier Mitchell Hepburn at the  conference on Dominion-Provincial relations at Ottawa.

In 1924 Mr Morrison ran for  Board of Control, being elected annually until in  1928 he won annually until in 1928 he won a  provincial by-election. He was re-elected to the legislation in 1929 He left provincial politics for his first mayoralty term in 1905 and held the office through 1943.

M.D. EMSLEY FORMER PELHAM RESIDENT DIES

[Welland Tribune March 26, 1947]

Pelham, March 26- Melborne Donald (Bernard) Emsley, a North Pelham resident for 12 years, died at his home, Stone Road, North Grimsby on Monday after an illness of over 2 years. Mr Emsley was born in St Catharines, January 15, 1920. He was the son of Mr and Mrs M Emsley, Grimsby.

Surviving are his wife, the former Goldie Wilcox; two daughters Corona and Kathleen; and five sisters, Mrs Roy Godden, Mrs Walter Bentley, Kathleen, Helen and Evelyn. An only brother was killed overseas.

Services were held at the Emsley residence in Grimsby Monday afternoon, thence to the  Stone church , Fulton. Interment was in the  adjoining cemetery. Rev A,J, Sutherland conducted the service.

DEATHS – MRS WILLIAM RAMBO

[Welland Tribune March 10, 1947]

The death occurred at her residence, 61 Adelaide street, Port Colborne, Tuesday afternoon of Valerie Rambo, wife of William Rambo in her 71st year. Death followed a brief illness.

The late Mrs. Rambo was born at Ridgeway and had resided in Port Colborne for the past 61 years. She was  a member of St Patrick’s church..

Surviving are her husband, William; a daughter, Mrs Victor Simpson, Port Colborne; two grandchildren; a brother, Watson Guinter, Port Colborne; a sister, Mrs. T. Edwards, Toronto.

The funeral will be held on Friday, March 21 from the Dell and Merton funeral chapel, 50 Clarence street Port Colborne to St Patrick’s church, where mass will be sung by Rev. E Carey. Interment will be in Mount St Joseph cemetery.

DEATHS – HARRY R. RICHARDSON

[Welland Tribune February 4, 1947]

The death occurred at Buffalo, yesterday, of Harry R. Richardson Rounds avenue, Buffalo, N.Y., former resident of Port Colborne, in his 65th year.

The late Mr. Richardson was born at Ridgeway, but spent his early years  in Port Colborne prior to going to Buffalo some 38 years ago. He has operated a radio shop in that city for some years.He was the son of the late Robert and Cynthia Richardson.

Surviving are his widow, Clara two daughters, Mrs George Rick and Mrs Frances Blinzler, both of Buffalo; and a brother, Frank Richardson, also of Buffalo. A son Arthur was killed in action at Okinawa in June 1945. He was predeceased by a brother Fred of Port Colborne and a sister, Mrs. William   McNeil.

The funeral will be held from the Ulrich funeral parlor, Bailey avenue, Buffalo, N.Y. on Wednesday at 2 p.m. to Forest lawn cemetery.

FREDERICK DELL

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 24 February 1947]

The death occurred this morning in the Niagara Falls General Hospital of Frederick Dell, a native of Crowland township, but a resident of Willoughby township for 45 years. He was engaged in farming, and despite his advanced years, was so engaged almost to the time of his death. He was in his 79th year. Deceased was an adherent of Lyons Creek United Church, His wife, the late Miss Etta May Burns Dell, predeceased him. Surviving relatives include a daughter, Mrs. H.J. Thomas, at home on their Willoughby homestead; a granddaughter, Miss Marjorie Thomas; three sisters, Mrs. William Beam Mrs. Laura Wade, Willoughby township; Mrs. William Beam, Stevensville and Mrs. Charles Swayze,  Los Angeles; also three brothers, James of Willoughby township; also C. Cleve, Buffalo, N.Y., and George, Arizona, U.S.

The remains are resting at the Morse and Son funeral chapel, Niagara Falls until Tuesday, and the funeral will be held on Thursday, February 27, at 2 p.m., from the family homestead, Willoughby township to Fonthill cemetery.

ROBERT LOGAN

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 17 March 1947]

The death occurred on Saturday, March 15, at the Devonia Convalescent Home, Fonthill, in his 72nd year of Robert Logan ,who was born in the United States but came to Canada 50 years ago and had engaged in farming in Willoughby township for 40 years. Deceased was a member of Trinity church, Chippawa. His wife predeceased him some years ago. Surviving relatives include a daughter, Mrs. D. Clary of Niagara Falls, Ont. The funeral will be held on Tuesday March 18 at 2 p.m. from the Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street,to the Church of England cemetery, Chippawa.