[Welland Tribune March 20, 1947]
The remains of the late Harry Meyers, who died suddenly on Wednesday morning at his home, 185 East Main Street, have been conveyed from the J.J. Patterson and Sons funeral residence, 19 Young Street to Toronto, where the funeral will be held. Deceased was about 50 years of age, and was employed at the plant of Atlas Steels Limited.
[Welland Tribune, 8 January 1909]
The following is from “Oak Leaves,” a paper published in Oak Park, Ill:-
“Albert W. Giles, one of Oak Park’s oldest and most respected citizens, received on Christmas day a “Friendship Calendar.” Three hundred and sixty-five friends contributed to the gift, expressions of regard and wishes for a prosperous and happy new year. Mr. Giles has lived in Oak Park for thirty-one years, coming to the village in 1877. He was born in England seventy years ago, when but a small lad his parents moved to Canada. In 1864 he came to the United States, and was employed in the mustering office at Springfield in the closing days of the civil war. For twenty-eight years he was employed by Field Benedict and Co., wholesale clothiers. He is now in the house of Lindelhal and Sons. During the four years of Cleveland’s administrations, beginning in 1893, he was postmaster at Oak Park. He lives at 123 South Euclid avenue.”
Mr. Giles was well-known in Fonthill many years ago, and several old friends who remember his residence there were among the contributors to the “Friendship Calendar.” In 1859 he went to St. Catharines, and was engaged in the office of Mr. Frank Shanley, C.E., during the construction of the Welland railway. He was afterwards with a party of government surveyors who laid out two new townships in the Muskoka district. During his residence in St. Catharines, his singing, in company of Mr. Edward Gore, was prominent feature in all the entertainments of that day. Mr. Giles is a brother of Mrs. R.T. Burns, residing on North Pelham street, and a cousin of Mr. Alfred Giles of “The Chestnuts.”
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
It was just 50 years ago on January 16th inst., that they leaned over a little crying tot and the neighbors declared it a fine looking child.
Like Moses of old, the infant grew strong, and today he is James McKeown, warden elect of Welland county.
Warden McKeown has just passed the half century mark, as indicated. He was born in Willoughby on the shores of the Welland river, and afterwards attended school at section number 7, among his teachers being Mr. Reavely, now one of the county auditors.
Leaving school in this district the subject of this little sketch went to Bellville Business College, where he received a useful business training. This trip to the Eastern city was made in 1883.
He then returned to the county of his first love, and followed farming, living on the Sodom road, where he works a farm of 100 acres.
He was elected reeve by constituents of Willoughby in 1907, and has been returned by acclamation yearly ever since.
His ability has been shown by his excellent work on the Industrial Home committee, and last year he was appointed chairman of that body.
The warden may be classed among the bald heads, and always says that “you cannot have both brains and hair.” Blue of eye, sharp and alert of manner and with a pleasing personality. The council of the County of Welland for 1909 have indeed made a good choice.
[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
The Niagara Times is giving an account of the wedding of Mr. K. Roy Teeple, son of Rev. Wm. Teeple, of this place, FONTHILL, and Miss Evelyn Louisa Carnochan of Niagara, which took place at Fonthill on Dec. 31st, speaks of the bride as one of the most charming of Niagara girls. It was Miss Carnochan who led the polls at the recent “Popular Girl Contest held by the Niagara Times. Rev. Mr. Teeple himself officiated at the marriage of his son. Mr. Roy Teeple is conducting a business in New Liskeard.
DEMOLITION DATE FOR O’REILLEY’S BRIDGE
Historic Pelham-Wainfleet Span Set To Go Down Tuesday
[Niagara This Week, 25 March 2010]
The demolition of the historic O’Reilly’s Bridge spanning the Welland River on the Pelham-Wainfleet border is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday starting at about noon.
Mike DiPaola, associate director of transportation engineering with the Region, said that schedule could change.
So ‘live updates’ on the bridge demolitions will be posted on the Region’s website.
“Because of the age of the bridge and its historical significance, we anticipate that this event is something residents would be interested in witnessing,” said Dipaola.
To ensure safety, spectators are asked to park and watch from the E.C. Brown Conservation Area parking lot, located on the north side of the river, west of the bridge site, DiPaola said.
The plan is to lift the 106-year old iron frame bridge off the abutments, in one piece, with a crane, place the structure on the south side, and then dismantle it. Some of the iron pieces from the bridge will be used to erect an historical marker that will include a photo and plaque.
The bridge is being replaced with a two-lane concrete bridge that is scheduled to be in place by the end of November.
Last March, regional staff told regional politicians that the bridge was too far gone to be saved, and that it had to be closed until a replacement was built.
The single-lane bridge, which dates back to about 1905, was inspected by a structural engineering consultant and the consultant found the bridge was amess: deck beams were deformed, tension lines were loose, top sway cross bracings were loose and sagging, and there was severe corrosion. The Region immediately closed the bridge and detoured traffic.
Ken Brothers, commissioner of public works for the Region which owns the bridge, flashed photos of the deterioration for politicians to see just how bad the structure’s condition was.
Regional staff investigated whether it was possible to re-open the bridge, but have found out it cannot be stabilized, Brothers said.
The rapid deterioration was probably hastened by the fact, large commercial trucks appeared to have been using the bridge, despite a posted restriction banning them, Brothers said.
By Paul Forsyth
[Welland Tribune, 17 February 1987]
PELHAM LANDMARK GETS FACELIFT
PELHAM-The reconstruction of O’Reilly’s Bridge is finally underway.
The Pelham landmark, which had a dubious future for a while last summer, is undergoing a $200,000 refurbishing which will see the deck completely replaced.
The region’s public works committee at one point in June was considering a staff report to close the bridge. The closure was recommended because the bridge was seen as a hazard through its deteration over the years.
The bridge’s load capacity was rated t just two tonnes-the weight of an average car-yet it is used by area farmers to drive heavy farm machinery back and forth over it to work on parcels of land of either side of the Welland River. The Regional staff reporter recommended closing the bridge until a decision could be made on what to do with it –repair it or tear it down.
The bridge was closed last week, and contracted work is expected to keep it closed until early May. Mel Holenski, head engineer of transportation services for the Region, said the bridge-which the region took responsibility of from Wainfleet in 1973, will now be safe for the current transportation uses.
“It’s a total removal of the deck because its (deck) almost perished. Then, they are to reinforce the floor beams and replace the deck.”
Holenski said the 70 year old bridge will have a load restriction, with the weight capacity upgraded from two tonnes to about 10 tonnes-enough to handle a tractor and a loaded trailer.
The contractor will use the existing trusses on the bridge-hence the load restriction-but by not replacing the bridge from the ground up-the Region will save a lot of money. A total replacement of the bridge would have cost about $1 million, he said.
The Region’s public works committee decided not to act on the staff recommendation to close the bridge until input was gained from the public.
“There were representations made by property owners and the public, and the public works committee and (Regional) council made a decision having their concerns incorporated in that decision.”
Strong local opposition to the possible closure of the bridge was demonstrated at a local public meeting in July, organized by Pelham Mayor, Eric Bergenstein and Wainfleet Mayor Stan Pettit-both members of the Region’s public works committee. The meeting was organized to find out how the public felt about the recommendation to close the bridge, and about 80 local residents showed up to voice their opposition to it.
The Region will foot $100,000 of the cost of refurbishing the bridge, with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications picking up the remaining 50 per cent.
By the 1930s, the articles in the Welland Tribune were titled GLEANINGS FROM O’REILLY’S BRIDGE. It concerned the everyday events in people’s lives I am including one from 3 December 1931. When searching for one’s family story, these inclusions are an excellent source of information.
GLEANINGS FROM O’REILLY’S BRIDGE
O’Reilly’s Bridge, Dec. 3-The December meeting of the O’Reilly’s Bridge Women’s Institute will be held at the home of Mrs. Thos. Phillips on Thursday Dec. 10th at 2 p.m. Mrs. John Gaiser, convener of Agriculture for the County will give a paper. The report of the Hamilton District Convention will be given by Mrs. Chas. McCollum. Misses Ethawyn Damude and Geneva Beamer will give a report of their trip to the C.N.E., and the Royal Winter Fair. The lunch committee comprises, Mrs. A. Swick, Mrs. B. Travers, Mrs. O. Sutton, and Mrs. Wm. Sodtka.
Mrs. Harold Black and baby Ann have returned home after spending a few weeks at the home of Mrs. Black’s sister, Mrs. David Bald of Detroit.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Phillips and family spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs.. Burton Ricker of Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Misses Ethawyn Damude and Geneva Beamer have returned from a visit to the Royal Winter Fair as guests of the Department of Agriculture and Women’s Institutes.
Miss Margarite Leavens is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Leavens.
Clifford Palmer of Buffalo and Mr. and Mrs. Ikoff of Niagara Falls, N.Y., visited Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sodtka on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Grange and Audrey Jean Smith of Niagara Falls visited Mr. and Mrs. Marceen Creiger on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Augustine and family of Port Colborne were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Norris Leidy on Sunday.
Russell Beamer has returned to work after a week’s illness.
O’REILLY’S BRIDGE
Over time I have driven often across the old iron O’Reilly’s Bridge and canoed on the waterway that once was an important transportation route for early settlers. As an historical feature of the Welland River, I failed to acknowledge to myself that the bridge would disappear with time and be replaced by a modern, concrete structure. In my research I have read about so many old buildings disappearing from the landscape and wondered what the towns would have looked like in earlier days. Vintage postcards are an excellent way to view how life was. In the old newspapers there is references to O’Reilly’s Bridge and the community of people living nearby. Squire John B. O’Reilly farmed the land and it is documented that Pelham children used the bridge to reach their school.
Here is a sample of an event, 16 January 1909, documented in the Welland Tribune by One Who Knows, a correspondent for the early newspaper.
O’REILLY’S BRIDGE
Farewell and Oyster Supper
On Friday evening, Jan. 22nd, an oyster supper was held at the spacious home of Mr. and Mrs. R.A Phillips, who are about leaving the vicinity, having rented their farm to Mr. W.W. Dilts of Welland.
Although the night was dark and the roads bad, a large number of neighbors and friends were present to bid adieu to the inmates of the home, who have always been noted for generosity a kind hospitality.
The success of the evening was largely due to the untiring efforts of Mr. C. McCollum and Captain Hunter, who were the chief promoters of the very pleasant affair. After the oysters and other good things were disposed of, social chat and games, combined with selections on the piano, were enjoyed till the “wee sma hours,” when all wended their way homeward, after wishing Robbie and his family bon voyage in their future abode.
Mr. Phillips, we understand, intends moving on a fruit farm near St. Catharines.
O’REILLYS BRIDGE
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
Mrs. George Dochstader, who has been very ill, is improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Lounsberry of Canboro are visiting their son, P. Lounsberry.
Marcena Criegar, who insured his foot some time ago, is able to use it now.
The revival meetings, we are informed, have been postponed on account of the roads until next Monday evening.
We are glad to welcome Mr. Irwin and family, who are moving from Lindsay this week, to our neighborhood.
Miss Mable Woodwork of Binbrook arrived on Tuesday to spend several weeks with her sister, Mrs. Robert Murphy.
[Report of the oyster supper sent in by this correspondent has been published in a previous issue.-Ed.]
[Welland Tribune 13, 1947]
Rev. S. Horvath officiated at the marriage Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2.00 p.m., in Our Lady of Hungary church of Elvira Irma, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. F. Gable, of Welland to David Brian Deane, son of Mrs. MacPherson of Johanessburg, South Africa, and the late Mr. Deane.
Given in marriage by her father the bride was charmingly attired in a gown of white slipper satin, fashioned with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves tapering to a point over the wrist. The over-skirt of the same material was edged with tiny plats extended into a short train. Her circular veil was held by a halo of orange blossoms, and she carried a shower bouquet of calla lilies.
Miss Melania Raklovits of Humberstone was maid of honor, wearing a gown of pale yellow tafetta, with sweetheart neckline and short puff sleeves. She carried a shower bouquet of yellow roses and freezias.
The best man was Jim Bedard. A reception for 40 guests was held at 4.00 p.m. at the Rose Villa Inn, where the bride’s mother received the guests wearing a pearl grey crepe dress with black accessories, and a corsage of red roses. The bride’s table was centred with a three-tier wedding cake and lighted tapers.
Laer Mr and Mrs. Deane left on a wedding trip to Toronto, the bride choosing a checked suit topped with a turquoise coat with black persian lamb trim, black accessories and a corsage of gardenias.
They will temporarily make their home at 65 Albert street, Welland after which they will reside in Johannesburg, South Africe.
[Welland Tribune December 22, 1943]
Fonthill, Dec. 22-The death of Arthur Dean occurred early Tuesday morning at his home on Church street, following a month’s illness. He was in his 69th year having come to Canada from England 20 years ago. The late Mr. Dean was an employe of the Empire Cotton Mills Ltd., until his retirement. He resided in Welland until four years ago when the family moved to Fonthill.
He is survived by his widow Sarah T., two sons, Albert at home and Herbert of Hamilton; two grandchildren, Arthur Lee and David of Hamilton; also two brothers, John and Benjamin Dean in England.
The late Mr. Dean was a member of the Coperstone Lodge, A.F. and A.M. under whose auspices the service will be held.
The funeral service will be held from the Drake and Barron funeral chapel on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Rev. W.A. Monteith. B.A., in charge. Burial will take place in te Fonthill cemetery.
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