[Welland Tribune March 26, 1940]
Welcome, red-breasted harbinger of spring
With stately poise you calmly view the skies
And glance again on well-remembered scenes
Familiar to your migratory eyes
No foliage impedes your upward flight
As from bare boughs is heard your welcome note;
And passerby will smile, well pleased to know,
Your presence winter’s absence will denote.
Your liquid notes. Heard early in the morn,
Salutes the first faint gleam of sunshine’s rays
Which through the passing clouds is dimly seen
Till gathered strength of sun disperses haze.
With dignity you gaze on all around,
Your scarlet breast a note of color lends
To drab and sodden grounds. With pleasure now
We welcome spring’s advent, as winter ends.
William McClure
[Source unknown]
One of Welland county’s most useful citizens, who has acquitted himself creditably as a business man, soldier and public official. He is a native son of Welland county and is a scion of one of the prominent and honored pioneer families of this county.
Major Evan E. Fraser was born at Allenburg, Welland county, Ont., March 15th, 1865.
His parents were Alex and Phoebe Fraser. His father was a well-known contractor who was born in Glengarry county, Ont., and moved in 1875 to Welland county, where he was engaged in the contracting business all his life until he passed away in 1921.
Major Fraser attended public and high schools in Thorold and from the very first after graduating engaged in public works. His first employment was on construction work with C.P.R., and he followed construction work all of his life. From 1904 to 1923 he was engaged in active contracting work on his own account, with the exception of his period in France during the World War, where he distinguished himself by his work of constructing railroads in the war zone. Major Fraser was a member of the 76th Battalion and preceded this battalion to France in the winter of 1917 and was with the 8th Light Battalion Railway Troops. For eight months he was actively at work building railroads in France.
A great part of that time was spent at Messines Ridge in France. He returned to Welland, Ont., in 1917.
During all of these years Major Fraser has been prominent as the leader in the councils and campaign activities of the Conservative Party, and his influence in public affairs far transcended mere local limitations, because after acting as councilman in Niagara Falls, South, he was paid the signal honor, in 1905, of being elected Member of Parliament in the Ontario Legislature and so well did he serve his constituents that they re-elected him in 1908 and again in 1911. For several years Mr. Fraser declined to take an active interest in political life to the extent of leading his party, but in 1917 he heeded the insistent call of Welland county citizens and was elected Member of Parliament to the Federal House at Ottawa and he sat there until his retirement in 1921. In 1925 he was appointed to his present responsible position of Welland County Recorder, which he holds with the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
It is a tribute to his executive ability that several labor-saving methods have been introduced into the County Registrar’s office since he was appointed to his responsible position of
Mr. Fraser is a member of the Cataract Lodge of Oddfellows, of Niagara Falls, was well as maintaining a membership in the Mountain Masonic Lodge in Thorold. He is a member of the Church of England. There are few more enthusiastic sportsmen than Mr. Fraser. He makes an annual pilgrimage, during his vacation period, into northern Ontario hunting deer and while he does not indulge in the very strenuous forms of sport, he is nevertheless, intensely interested in bowling and is a member of two bowling clubs.
He married in 1887 to Miss Susie E. Harding, daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Harding of Thorold, Ont., Mr Fraser resides at Culp Street, Niagara Falls, Ont., and had six children, four of whom survive; Jessie, married to William Fraser, a real estate man of Niagara Falls; Eugene, manager of Government Brewery Warehouses, same place; Victor, an operator in the Electric Power House at Niagara Falls, and Kenneth, employed by this brother Eugene in the Provincial Government Brewery Warehouses.
Mr. Fraser is of Scotch and Pennsylvania Dutch extraction, which undoubtedly accounts for the fact that he is a man of strong convictions and is always fearless in expressing them. He is not afraid to live up to what he believes to be right, no matter what the personal cost might be. He always takes an active part in matters pertaining to the advancement of his home community and can be depended upon.
[Welland Telegraph November 27, 1907]
The marriage of Miss Francis Victoria Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs William Clark, to Edward S. Hoffman was celebrated at 6.30 o’clock on Wednesday evening at Ridgeway. Rev. Dr. Laidman performed the ceremony under an arch of evergreens, trimmed with yellow chrysanthemums and Mrs A. Dawson of Buffalo played Mendelssohn’s wedding march. The bride was given away by her father and was gowned in white silk crepe de chene, trimmed with baby Irish lace and pearls, and wore white satin slippers and carried bridal roses and ferns; Miss Myra Hoffman sister of the groom, maid of honor, wore white marquiesette over pink silk charmeuse and carried a large bouquet of pink chrysanthemums. Charles Clark cousin of the bride was best man. A reception and supper followed the ceremony. Covers were laid for twelve at the bride;s table, which was decorated with yellow and white ribbon, wedding bells and bouquets of yellow chrysanthemums and ferns, throughout the house, which was beautifully decorated. There were thirty-five guests present, those from out-of-town were Mr and Mrs F. Hoffman, father and mother of the groom; Mr and Mrs Dr. Wagner, sister of the groom; Mr and Mrs. Heilman sister of the bride; Mr and Mrs Dawson, Mrs. F. Bier, Mrs M. Fryling, Mrs Charles Hoffman, Mrs Charles Cannon, Mrs John Glynn, Miss Myra Hoffman of Buffalo; Mrs B. Kinslow, Phoenix, N.Y.; Mrs A Miller, Percy N.Y. The bride’s travelling gown was a fine blue serge messaline and wore a large black picture hat and white french plumes, going away coat was a navy blue chinchilla with white collar and cuffs of the same materials. The Ridgeway Scout band serenaded the happy couple with a number of selections, amid showers of rice and congratulations from the Welland Telegraph and a host of friends. Mr and Mrs Hoffman left on the evening G.T.R. train for New York and on their return will be at home to friends at 83 Greenfield Place, Buffalo N.Y.. December 15th.
[Welland Telegraph August 27, 1903]
A quiet but pretty wedding took place at the Church of the Incanaculate Conception, Buffalo, on Wednesday morning, August 19th, When Jas E. Twohey, Phm.D of Buffalo, formerly of Port Colborne, and Miss Diana F. Stull of Rockwood, Ont. were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Donohue. The charming and accomplished bride was handsomely attired in silk batiste over taffeta silk, with a large picture hat and carried a bouquet of bridal roses. The bridesmaid was Miss Louise Lahey of Buffalo, who was charmingly attired in green silk crepe de scheme, with a black picture hat and carrying a bouquet of American beauties.
The groom was assisted by Mr. Frederick Rice of Buffalo. After a sumptuous wedding breakfast at the Iroquois Hotel, Mr and Mrs Twohey left for Muskoka and other points north carrying with them the best wishes of a host of friends. They will be at home after Sept. 15Thm at 290 Pennsylvania street, Buffalo.
[Welland Telegraph April 24, 1903]
On Thursday, April 9th, Mrs Mary Holder and Mr. William Booth, both of Port Colborne were united in the holy bonds of marriage. The ceremony took place in Buffalo at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Jno. Thompson, 44 Cottage street, the Rev. Frank Howland officiating. The bride’s sister acted as bridesmaid, while the groom’s brother supported the groom. Congratulations and well wishes are now in order. Mr and Mrs Booth will make their residence in Port Colborne.
[Welland Telegraph May 15, 1903]
Wedding bells rang out in our midst on Tuesday, April 28th, when Miss Kate King, daughter of Mr and Mrs George King, was married to Peter Schneider, of Niagara Falls, Ont., son of Jacob Schneider, of that city. The Right Rev. Father Lewis of Niagara Falls performed the ceremony at the Roman Catholic church at New Germany. The happy event was solemnized at 10 o’clock in the morning in the presence of only the immediate families. Mr Jake Guiess who is the most popular young man in the Niagara district was best man and Miss Annie King sister of the bride, was maid of honor. The bride looked most winsome in a pretty dove colored suit, trimmed with silk and white applique while the maid of honor wore a gown of slate color trimmed with lace and applique.
After the ceremony had been performed all returned to the home of the bride’s parents, where a sumptuous dejeuner was served to about forty guests. The bride received many handsome and costly gifts, showing the high esteem in which she was held by her friends. Mr and Mrs Schneider are now at home to their friends at Niagara Falls, Ont.
[Welland Telegraph January 9, 1903]
At Sherkston on Christmas day, at the home of the bride, by Rev W.H. Swayze, Mr. Maitland S. Young of Crowland to Miss Clarence May Michael, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Nelson Michael.
[Welland Telegraph September 24, 1903]
A Happy wedding took place last evening at eight o’clock at Lorain, at the residence of Mr. Jesse Dann, when Mr, Chas. Springer of the township was married to Mrs. Castle of Buffalo. The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. McLaren. About one hundred guests were present. The Telegraph extends congratulations to Mr and Mrs Springer.
[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.
[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.
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