[Welland Tribune December 29, 1943]
Orin Fox, a resident of the community for the past 26 years, died this morning at his residence, 38 fourth avenue, Crowland, after a lengthy illness. He was in his 45th year.
For the past six months the late Mr. Fox had been plant foreman at the Electro-Metallurgical Company of Canada, Ltd., and previously was traffic foreman at the same plant for 15 years. His illness caused him to leave work about three weeks ago.
Deceased was a member of Cope-Stone lodge, A.F. & A,M, and I.O.O.F. No. 134. He was also a member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian church and formerly served on the Crowland township school board.
Surviving are his wife, two sisters, Mrs. Cecil Chadwick, Tiillsonburg, and Mrs. Orval Dean, Wainfleet; and a brother George, also of Wainfleet.
The funeral will be held from the H.L. Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street, on Friday afternoon at 2.30 o’clock, to Fonthill cemetery for interment. Rev. A.D. Sutherland, minister of St. Andrew’s church will officiate.
[Welland Tribune December 22, 1943]
Well-known in the city in which he had resided for the past 35 years, Ezra High, for many years a farm implement dealer in Welland, passed away yesterday at his late residence, 81 Hellems avenue. The late Mr. High was born in South Cayuga and moved to this district many years ago. He was well-known in Welland and in the surrounding district, having dealt with farmers in the county in his business.
He is survived by his wife, Eliza; two daughters, Mrs. William E. Taylor (Sadie), and Mrs. William Dixon (Pearl), both of Welland; one son, W.M. High of Niagara Falls; a sister, Mrs. Lavina Honsberger of Clarence Centre N.Y. and four grandchildren, Judith H. High, Billy J. Taylor, AC2. Allan W. Taylor and L.A.C. Lloyd E, Taylor.
The funeral will be held on Sunday, December 26, 1943, at 2.30 p.m. from the late residence, 81 Hellems avenue, to Woodlawn cemetery for interment.
[Welland Tribune December 22, 1943]
Mrs. Hiram Bailey, 70 Ross street has received word from Los Angeles, Cal. Of the death of her nephew Raymond Clark Pratt at that city on December 16th. The late Mr. Pratt, who was 34 years old, was born in Welland, the only son of Hiram C. and Evelyn Hyatt Pratt. He moved with his parents to Los Angeles when eight years old and received his education there.
He was employed for 16 years by the Pacific South West bank in Los Angeles and Culver City, but resigned a few months ago to take a position in the office of the Lougheed Airplane Co. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Phillips Pratt; small daughter Marcia; his parents; two sisters Hermione, wife of Dr. Charles F. Vogel, Los Angeles and Margaret wife of John S, Chandler, Alhambra, Cal.; also a great grandmother, Mrs. H.L. Pratt.
[Welland Tribune December 22, 1943]
A large number of relatives attended the funeral of the late Alfred L. Bartz, Humberstone township, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Bartz passed away at his late residence in Dain City on Sunday, December 19th. Services took place at the residence with Rev. T.A. Iseler of First Lutheran church, Humberstone, officiating.
Interment was in Overholt cemetery. The pallbearers were Edward Fiedler, Daniel Fiedler, Owen Segar, Gordon McClellan, Manuel Ort and Peter Nygren.
It was make-or-break time as farmers eyed the weather
By Robert J. Foley
[Welland Tribune, 9 March 1992]
The most critical time of the fall for the farmer was the harvest. On this hinged his livelihood and the survival of his family. Would an early frost damage the crop? Would the rains hold off until the fields were cleared? All these things plagued the pioneer as he waited for his crop to open.
In preparation for the harvest the equipment had to be inspected and repaired where necessary. Sickles and scythes were sharpened and flails made ready. Sweeping the barn floor to prepare it for threshing was a job for which the children took responsibility.
With one eye on the weather the farmer walked his fields checking the grain to satisfy himself that it was ready for harvesting. If he didn’t have children old enough to help with the cutting and gathering, he would hire some farm laborers from the nearest town or, if the weather was holding, neighbors gathered and helped each other bring in the crops.
Haggai Skinner looked over the flowing field of wheat that was about to be cut. He let his mind wander over all that he’s been through in the last seven years. He had been working this very field in 1813 when the American patrol had snatched him up and made him a prisoner-of-war. It angered him still when he thought it. At 64, he was exempt from militia service, yet they had taken him anyway. For almost a year he had languished in prison to be repatriated in July, 1814, in time to hear of the bloody battle at Lundy’s Lane. He arrived home to find the family in mourning for Timothy Skinner who was killed at the Battle of Chippawa earlier in the month. He was buried somewhere on the battlefield. The American refusal to allow the recovery of the dead after the battle was something else that rankled Haggai. He had gone to the battle site after the harvest that year in a vain hope of finding a clue to the burial spot, but found nothing.
He was roused from his musings by the impatient stamping of the horses who seemed anxious to get started. Seeing the boys ready to gather the cuttings into sheaves he began to swing his sickle in a smooth, rhythmic stroke developed over 60 years of farming.
As the grain was cut the workers following behind gathered them into sheaves and loaded them on the wagon for transport back to the barn. The work day began at first light and except for meals, went straight through until sundown. Often lunch was brought to the fields so as to lose as little time as possible.
Once cut, the grain was moved to the barn for flailing. The flail was made up of two sticks each about three feet long. A leather strap or a piece of rope joined these together. The grain was laid out on the floor and the men began beating the stalks to separate the grain. Once this was completed, the stalks were gathered, shaken and discarded.
The grain was swept into a broad wooden shovel with a handle on either side. In a process called winnowing, the grain was tossed in the air, allowing the chaff to blow away while the heavier grain fell back into the shovel. We can imagine the field day that the farm poultry had snatching up the grain that invariably fell to the ground. The grain was then bagged for the trip to the mill or to sell as whole grain.
Wheat most often went to the mill to be ground into flour. Oats and barley were usually sold for feed or, in the case of barley, to be made into beer or liquor at one of the local brewers or distillers.
Transportation to the market was a thorny problem in the 1820s. In Humberstone and Wainfleet, the mills at the Sugar Loaf had to be reached over swampy terrain. In Stamford, the Bridgewater Mills, burned by the American in 1814, had not been rebuilt, making the long trek to either the mills in Thorold or to the Short Hills.
If heavy rain fell, the roads became impassable and often the crop had to be moved in other ways. Those on a waterway sometimes tried to float the grain to the mill, however, this often led to a soaking leaving the grain useless for milling.
The mills in the Niagara Peninsula were water-powered. The grain was poured into a hopper and was grounded between two large stones. The flour dropped through a meal trough and was packed in barrels for storage and shipment. Payment for the milling was often made by giving the miller share of the grain. The miller would also would act as the farmer’s agent in the sale of the ground grain as well.
In order to produce an adequate grade of flour the mill stones had to be sharp. It was necessary from time to time to deepen the furrows in the wheel and to dress the surface. A crane was used to lift and turn over the upper stone. The furrows were then deepened with steel picks to bring them up to spec. To test the levels of the stone a wooden bar with its edge smeared with red clay was drawn across the surface. The high parts with red clay smeared on them were then dressed off until the surface was level.
The next problem facing the millers and merchants of the peninsula was moving the flour to market. Produce from Humberstone and Wainfleet moved by water down the Welland River to Chippawa and then along the Portage Road to the busy port of Queenston. From here freight for every type was loaded on sailing vessels for York, Montreal and Quebec City.
*Historical Note; Haggai Skinner’s farm was located in Stamford Township in the vicinity of present day Mcleod Road and Drummond Road.
Well folks it’s now Sept. and fall is here
And every day winter gets a little more near
Swimming and boating days this year are over again
So clearing snow we’ll all feel some pain
Yard sales and BBQs are over until next year
But there are Studio Tours around Ont. and here
Patio dining is gone it’s indoors until May
Its warmer inside which is the better way
Most fairs are over and won’t be back for awhile
Yes with their return the fair people will smile
Some birth flowers of Sept.are aster and morning glory
The aster signifies love which isn’t a new story
While the morning glory signifies affection we’ve little today
As this is shown when people up and go away
Those getting married in September’s golden glow
Folklore says smooth and serene your life will go
The first Monday in Sept. Will be Labour Day
But those who do labour don’t get enough pay
On Sept. 22 the Equinox gives equal darkness and light
Although in the winter it seems like mostly night
Until Sept. 22 the Zodiac sign is Virgo Libra for the rest
While those born in the spring say the time is best
The harvest moon reaches its peak on the 20th of September
And without flies and heat its the best time to remember
For the children its back to school no more time to play
Just listen to the teacher and learn new things each day
The golden rods are in full bloom and the harvest is mostly in
There are pumpkins potatoes squash and apples in the bin
Cool nights are colouring leaves red orange and gold
And people come for miles the scene to behold
September birthstone is sapphire for truth trust and loyalty
Some things lacking today it does seem to me
Its harvest time on the farm as the winds blow soft
Hopefully it’s nice until all the crops are in the loft
Let’s pray for all covid to be gone yes somehow
But it is monkey pox and others we are concerned about now
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, ON
[Evening Tribune]
A tombstone dated 1840 and bearing the inscription of Elizabeth Ann Spence, wife of Henry Spence, was unearthed by Gerald Parker yesterday as he was tearing down a garage to construct a parking lot for an apartment house he owns at 102 Maple St. Parker considers the stone a rare find, but wonders why it was located on his property since he has no knowledge that a cemetery was ever located there. The stone identifies Elizabeth as the daughter of John and Lydia Barker and says she died Oct. 13, 1840. Parker said he intends to preserve the stone and perhaps donate it to the Welland Historical Society.
*There is an Elizabeth Ann Spence (Barker) buried In Drummond Hill Cemetery, 18 October 1840. Her husband is listed as Henry and her son John B. . Interesting !!!!
[Welland Tribune March 15, 1947]
Succumbs at 81, after suffering stroke; was prominent in municipal business circles.
Charles Eugene Steele, prominent Port Colborne business man and a former mayor of Port Colborne and warden of Welland county, died at his home at 296 Fielden avenue this morning at the age of 81. In failing health for several months, his death followed a stroke a few days ago.
Born of one of the oldest pioneer families in the district in Humberstone township, Mr. Steele was prominently connected with a wide variety of activities in a business way, in municipal life and in the field of public service.
A man of recognized integrity, he had the reputation of fighting to the last for a principle. He recognized a responsibility for public service, and showed an active interest in the welfare of his church. He had many friends among the business community, and in a wider sphere in other parts of Ontario.
Was Warden Twice
He had a long record of municipal service, culminating in his election to the wardenship of the county of Welland in 1938 with the distinction of being the only man in recent years to hold the office twice.
He entered municipal life as a councillor for the township of Humberstone in 1896, following this up by being elected a commissioner for Welland County District No. 3 in the county council in 1897 and 1898. This was when the County Councils Act was passed, dividing the county into districts. District 3 composed Port Colborne, Humberstone and Crowland township; He was again elected in 1903 and 1904 and also 1905 and 1906, being honored by his colleagues in 1906 by election to the wardenship.
There followed a period of inactivity as far as municipal life was concerned until 1914, when he again entered the county council, this time as reeve of Port Colborne. He served until the end of 1917, came back for one year in 1922, and then remained out until 1933 when he re-entered the county council after an absence of 16 years. He was returned every year until 1938, when he became county warden for the second time. Mr. Steele was mayor of Port Colborne in 1927-28.
Active in Politics
Warden Steele had also been active in Provincial and Federal politics. He was a member of the commission appointed by the Hon. Howard G. Ferguson as the Ontario Minister of Mines, to survey and report on the natural gas situation in Ontario, and also served two years on the board of reference appointed by the provincial government to fix rates at which natural gas should be sold.
His business career started in 1907 when he organized the Sterling Gas Company, of which he was president and general manager, until he sold his interest in the firm to Dominion Natural Gas in 1928. While he was connected with the gas industry he was honored with the presidency of the Natural Gas and Petroleum Association of Canada, and even after severing his connection with the gas industry, he remained the honorary president of that organization and was active as a member of its executive board.
Born in Humberstone, Mr. Steele was first engaged in farming. He moved to his beautiful residence on Fielden avenue in 1902.
On Sanitorium Board
For many years, Mr. Steele was on the board of the Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium, and was named chairman in 1939-1940. He was a member of the Empire club, Toronto, and a former member of the Port Colborne Lawn Bowling club and the Port Colborne Lion Club, and also a life member of the Port Colborne Golf and County Club. The late Mr. Steele also held membership in Beacon lodge, I.O.O.F. and Macnab lodge, A.F. and A.M. He was a lifelong member of the Port Colborne Baptist church, which he served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Steele was married on December 14,1887, to Alice Emeretta Zavitz, who survives him. Also surviving are two sons, M.D. Steele and Lewis C Steele of Port Colborne; three daughters, Mrs. Herman Ott of Humberstone Village, Mrs. H.J. Shore of Port Colborne and Miss Dora Steele at home; and one sister, Mrs. Clara Minor of Port Colborne.
A private funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from the family residence at 2p.m. Interment will be in Overholt’s cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 17, 1947]
The funeral of the late Mrs. Florence Wokcieszak, who died on Tuesday, March 11, at the Welland County General hospital, was held on Saturday morning from the late residence, 804 Ontario Road to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Crowland. Rev. Father S, Cassin solemnized Requiem Mass, and also officiated at the last rites at the graveside. The pall bearers were Ignac Mimek, Stanley Wilga, Florian Obirek, John Smagata, Peter Cimek and John Imiolo.
[Welland Tribune March 14, 1947]
The funeral of the late Miss Elsie Jackman, who died in her 24th year at her home, 90 Garner avenue on Monday, March 10, was held on Thursday morning from the H.L Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street to Holy Cross cemetery, and was largely attended. The pall bearers, all members of Welland Cricket Club, were Harry Neal, George H. Riley, city clerk J.D. Watt, Joseph Mole Jr., George Hatton and David Jamie.
There were many lovely floral tributes,bearing mute but eloquent testimony to the love and esteem in which deceased had been held, and among them were floral tokens from Ross Stores Limited, the cloth room of the Empire Cotton Mill, Clemens and Miller company, employes of the Empire Cotton Mill, the Ontario Roofing Company, the R. Timms Construction Company, the nurses and staff of Welland County General hospital, Welland Cricket Club, and deceased’s uncles and aunts in Britain. Also many mass cards were noted at the funeral chapel.
“The Rosary” was recited, this being led by Rev. Father J. Culman at the funeral chapel. Requiem Mass was chanted by Father Culman at St Mary’s church.
The late Miss Jackman came to Welland 18 years ago. She has been ill for four years.
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