[Welland Tribune February 4, 1947]
Former Mayor, Member Succeeds E.F. Fraser Who Recently Retired
T.H. Lewis, M.L.A announced this afternoon that he had been advised buy the Ontario attorney generals’s department of the appointment of Mark Vaughan of Welland as county registrar for the county of Welland.
Mr Vaughan succeeds Major Evan E. Fraser of Niagara Falls, who retired recently.
The new registrar is one of Welland county’s best known citizens. He served as member of the legislature for Welland from 1923 until 1934 and prior to his parliamentary career held the mayor’s chair in Welland in 1917 and 1918.
He holds the distinction of having served as Welland’s mayor in the first year that it was incorporated as a city. That was in 1917. He was an alderman in 1915 and 1916.
Mr Vaughan disposed of his long established business, the Vaughan Seed Company, to a new company at the start of the year. The terms of sale included transfer of the goodwill and use of the name “Vaughan Seed Company, Limited,” but Mr Vaughan has no further connection with the firm.
[Welland Tribune January 16, 1947]
The death occurred yesterday afternoon at his late residence, on Highway 3A, Thorold township, of Douglas S. Winger, who resided for many years in Humberstone. He passed away as the result of a heart seizure, in his 63rd year.
Born in Chippawa, deceased went to Cleveland, O., as a small boy, where he took up and followed the vocation of a carpenter. He moved to Humberstone and resided there for 35 years, moving to Toronto three years ago, where he was employed by the Piggott Construction Company. Last October he took up residence in Thorold township.
He was an adherent of the Lutheran church, and a member of the Carpenters’ Union.
Surviving are his widow, Sarah Jane Henri; five sons, Douglas of Wainfleet, and Glenn, Allan, Charles and Ronald of Port Colborne; three daughters, Isabelle and Helen of Buffalo and Faye of Port Colborne; and 10 grandchildren.
The funeral will be held on Saturday at 2p.m., from the H.L. Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street. Interment will be in Morgan’s Point cemetery.
Funerals – Douglas Winger
The funeral of the late Douglas S. Winger, who died of heart seizure at his home, Highway 3-A, Thorold township, on Wednesday evening in his 63rd year, was held at Saturday afternoon, January 18, from H.L. Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street, to Morgan’s Point cemetery. Rev. Theo. Iseler pastor of First Lutheran church, Humberstone, officiated. The funeral was well attended and among the many floral tributes noted at the graveside were those from the “Carpenters, Painters and Coopers, Inco,” “Goodfellows Club, Electro-Metallurgical Company of Canada, Limited;” office staff of Inco; Humberstone Ten Pin League;” “Red Caps Bowling Team.”
The pallbearers, five of whom were sons of deceased, were Douglas, Glenn. Charles, Allan and Ronald Winger and a nephew Stanley Winger.
[Welland Tribune January 16, 1947]
Fenwick, Jan. 17-Funeral services were held on Tues afternoon from the Lampman Funeral Chapel, for the late Mrs Lucy Moote, 82, who passed away in the Belmount Home, Toronto, on January 11. Officiating were the Rev. W.A. Dempsey of Fenwick United church and two members of Mrs. Moote’s family-Rev. Chas. Jay of Toronto and Rev. Stanley Moote of London, who gave the eulogy.
Mrs. W. Brown and Mrs. Kilman sang two numbers, “Rock of Ages” and “I’ll Say Good Night Here and Good Morning Up There.”
Mrs Moote was the wife of the late Robert Moote of Fenwick who predeceased her 13 years ago. Formerly Lucinda Neibo of New Hamburg, she followed the profession of teaching until her marriage some 33 years ago, when she came here to reside.
Active in Community Work
She took a keen interest in all affairs of the community, a good worker in everything pertaining to the church, Mrs Moote was a member of Fenwick United church; active in Sunday School. Aid and W.M.S. of which organization she made a life member. An active worker in the Fenwick Women’s Institute, the Pelham Horticultural Society and director of Maple Acre Library, she was its librarian for six years.
Mrs Moote left the village to take up residence in Toronto nine years ago and although suffering from failing health, maintained an interest in affairs at Fenwick. Surviving are a number of nephews and nieces. Interment was at Hillside cemetery with the following acting as bearers: J.Roy Page, M. Stirtzinger, S. Wright, E. Parsonage, R. Phillips and John Comfort.
[Welland Tribune January 21, 1947]
The death occurred unexpectedly at his residence, Lorraine, Humberstone Township, Monday afternoon of Charles Emery Misener, in his 58th year. The late Mr. Misener was born at Boyle and had resided at Lorraine for the past two years, coming to the district from St. Catharines. He had been employed for some years as an automobile salesman in St. Catharines Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.
Surviving are his widow, Ellen Jane Dagg; a daughter, Margaret Ettle; a sister, Mrs. James Hill, Wellandport; and a brother, Murray B. Misener, Bismark.
The funeral will be held from the Dell and Merton Funeral Home, where the body is resting, on
Thursday, January 23, at 3.30 p.m. to Hillside Cemetery, Ridgeville. Rev. George H. Knighton will conduct the service.
Charles Emery Misener
The funeral of Charles Emery Misener, whose death occurred unexpectedly at his residence, Lorraine, Humberstone Township, on Monday, in his 58th year, was held yesterday afternoon from the Dell and Merton Funeral Chapel, 50 Clarence Street, Port Colborne, to Hillside Cemetery, Ridgeville. Rev. George H. Knighton conducted the service.
The pallbearers were six nephews, Stewart Hill, Clifford Hill, Murray Hill, Cameron Hill, Horace Misener and Arnold Reid.
Among the floral tributes were those of the staff of the Elsie nursing home and the staff of Bell Marine and Mill Supply.
Friends and relatives attended from Bismark, Wellandport, Welland, St Catharines, Fort Erie, Sherkston and Niagara Falls.
[Welland Tribune January 16, 1947]
The death occurred on Thursday, January 16, at the Welland County General Hospital in her 48th year of Mary, wife of Steve Costea, of Canby Street, Port Robinson. Deceased was born in Roumania, but had been in Canada for 44 years, and had resided in the Welland district 22 years. She is survived by her husband, Steve Costea: four sons, George John, Nicholas and Lea; a daughter, Helen, at home; two brothers, William and Konstantina Dunba, in Saskatchewan; and a sister, Mrs Sylvia Topala, in Saskatchewan. The funeral will be held from the family residence, Port Robinson, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 8.30 a,m, for Requiem Mass at that church at 9 o’clock. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Mrs Steve Costea
The funeral of Mrs. Steve (Mary) Costea of Port Robinson, who died in Welland County General hospital on Thursday, January 16th in her 48th year, was held from her late residence, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Port Robinson, on Monday morning, January 20, and Rev. Father Joseph Crothers chanted Requiem Mass, also officiated at Holy Cross cemetery.
The pall bearers were Alec Kyle, James Nicols, Joseph Stando, Clarence Young, Frank Gentile and Constantine Cumsha.
[Welland Tribune January 24, 1947]
Wellandport, Jan. 24-The funeral of the late William Cavers, held at Lampman Funeral Home on January 7, was attended by many friends and relatives. Mr Cavers was well-known having spent all of his 87 years in the vicinity of Wellandport. His wife, Mary Cavers predeceased him fourteen years ago as did two sons, Will and Jim.
There are four daughters and four sons surviving: Mrs. George Rands of British Columbia, Mrs Will King of Fonthill, Mrs H. Thornton of Comber, Mrs A. Hodgkins of Welland, Stanley and Blake of Wellandport, John of St. Anns and Robert of Ridgeville. There are 24 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. McRoberts and the music was played by Mr and Mrs Wm. Piper of Humberstone and John Lampman. Many beautiful flowers were received. Flower bearers were grandchildren of Mr. Cavers. The pall bearers were nephews: Roy Goring, W.A. Cavers, J. Wilson, Walter Collver, Hugh Collver and Chas. Freure.
[Welland Tribune January 13, 1947]
“Open House” was held after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the home of Mr. And Mrs Cecil McPherson of Wellandport, who were celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. During the afternoon holy communion was observed for the guests.
Mr. and Mrs McPherson went through the wedding ceremony, with Rev. McRoberts officiating.
Henry Jupe acted as best man and the bridesmaid was Mrs John Cosby.
Friends and neighbours and members of the Wellandport United church presented the couple with a tri-light lamp, with the pastor making the presentation.
A buffet lunch was served, and Miss Ada Coleman of Wellandport and Mrs. J. H. Reaker of Welland poured tea throughout the afternoon. Mr McRoberts proposed the toast to the bride and groom of 60 years ago. Ridgeville, Fonthill and local points called to extend felicitations. Centering the tea table was a wedding cake, the gift of Dr. And Mrs Crick of Toronto. The happy couple were the recipients of many flowers and congatulatory notes.
Life-long residents of Gainsborough township, Mr and Mrs McPherson had been members of Wellandport United church for over 30 years. Mr McPherson retired from farming 32 years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. McPherson entertained on Saturday at a dinner for close friends. Among those present were Mr. And Mrs John Cosby, St Anns; Mr and Mrs John Barwell and Fred Barwell, Mr and Mrs Henry Jupe, Mr and Mrs Herb Dawdy and Rev. McRoberts, Wellandport; and Mrs J.H. Reaker of Welland. Mr McRoberts acted as chairman during the dinner.
The guests presented Mrs McPherson with a basket of carnations. Mr and Mrs Dawdy entertained with singing and music.
A business trip to Toronto and back could take as long as five days
By Robert J. Foley
[Welland Tribune, 7 April 1992]
Getting from one place to another in the Niagara Peninsula is fairly simple for us today. A 30-minute ride from Welland puts us just about anywhere we would wish to go. We can leave home at 9 a.m., drive to Queenston, transact our business and be home for lunch. Even business in Toronto can be wrapped up and we can be home for dinner.
Travel in the 1820s was not as easy. Road conditions were subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Two days of driving rain turned hard-packed roads into quagmires of impassible mud. A trip to York (Toronto) was a major undertaking.
The sun had not yet made its appearance when young Abraham Stoner said good-bye to his father, Christian. Abraham was going to York on family business and he was meeting a friend at Cook’s Mills who was going to Chippawa with his boat for supplies. The first leg of his journey was to catch the four o’clock stage to Queenston. The stage ran on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fortunately, the weather was good and the Portage Road would be reasonably good for travelling.
Abraham had never been to Chippawa and after the isolation of the farm he was awed by the hustle and bustle at this southern terminus of the Portage Road. Schooners and barge-like, flat-bottomed boats were transferring goods to and from wagons that seemed to be strewn haphazardly along the docks or lined up along the road.
He searched out the stage office and purchased his ticket on the Chippawa-Newark coach. The clerk informed him that he was the fourth passenger so the coach would leave as scheduled. If four passengers did not buy tickets by four o’clock the stage was held over until seven the next morning.
The coach rolled out of Chippawa on time and even though the stage seemed to find every pot hole, rattling Abraham’s teeth, he felt growing sense of excitement. They passed rumbling wagons and carried goods around the Falls of Niagara for shipment on to York, Kingston and Montreal. An occasional caliche, a two-wheeled gig that seated two people, would flash by at incredible speeds, or so it seemed to Abraham.
The stage arrived after dark and he found himself a room at the inn and attempted to get some sleep.
The next morning, the sight that greeted his eyes left him speechless. If Abraham was in awe of Chppawa he was flabbergasted by Queenston. He counted 60 wagons lined up at the docks to unload merchandise onto the ships moored there.
Having found the “Annie Jane”, the vessel that was to take him to York, and ascertaining her sailing time, he headed off to get some breakfast. The crossing would take eight or nine hours depending on the wind and he wasn’t sure if he could eat aboard. Friends teased him about sea sickness and he hoped that it was only teasing.
The crossing was fairly smooth and Abraham found that as long as he stayed on deck his stomach remained relatively calm.
After docking he went off to find accommodations for a least two nights and prepared to go to the government buildings the next day to settle his family’s business.
Abraham Stoner finished his business and spent one more night in York’s boarding schooner for the return trip. By the time he reached home he has been gone for five days. There is a good chance that he walked most of the way from Chippawa to Humberstone unless he was lucky enough to hitch a ride with a farmer on the Chippawa Creek Road.
Freight moved through the peninsula to and from the Northwest. Many fur traders moved along the Portage Road between Queenston and Chippawa patronizing the taverns that dotted the landscape. The trip from Queentson was slow and tedious. Although two oxen could easily pull a ton of cargo from the top of the escarpment to Chippawa, it took four or five to pull the load up from the Queenston docks to level ground. The wagons used on the road were supplied by local farmers who supplemented their income by hauling freight.
Growth along the Portage Road in Stamford Township became inevitable. The intersection of Lundy’s lane and Portage Road saw a fledgling community emerge right after the war that eventually became Drummondville. Stamford Village was laid out near the Stamford Green and St. John’s Church.
Freight destined for points in the interior was moved most often by water. The Chippawa was a busy waterway that was navigable up past *Browns Bridge. Lyon’s Creek was also of major importance. The creeks along the Niagara such as *Street’s, Frenchmen’s and Black all had small ribbons of settlement along their banks and were used extensively to move the goods of the farmers to their homesteads.
William Hamilton Merritt was beginning to flex his muscles again about this time and the Welland Canal was to change the transportation system in the peninsula and in Canada forever.
*Brown’s Bridge was s small settlement built around the bridge that once crossed the Chippawa at the foot of Pelham Road in Welland.
*Street’s creek is now known as Usshers creek. Its name was changed to honor Edgeworth Ussher, a militia officer, murdered during the rebellion of 1837-38.
[Welland Tribune, January 24, 1947]
The most largely attended funeral in Welland in several years was held yesterday afternoon as hundreds of friends paid their final respects to the late Flight-Lieutenant Richard Lewis Curtin, and showed their sympathy for the bereaved family. Flt.-Lt. Curtin, son of Mr and Mrs R.F. Curtin, of Welland, was killed when an R.C.A.F. plane crashed at Marsh Lake, Yukon Territory, on Wednesday, January 15, as it was returning to its base at Whitehorse after investigating a fire. Five other persons were killed when the plane crashed.
Services were held at the J.J. Patterson and Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young Street, with Rev. A. D. Sutherland, minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mr Sutherland brought a comforting message to the mourners based on the text, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord.” Entombment was at Fonthill mausoleum.
Attesting to the popularity of the young man was a large number of floral tributes. Included was a particularly memorable wreath sent by the personnel of No. 6 Command Squadron of Whitehorse, of which Lew Curtin was a member, with instructions that a fresh orchid be placed on the wreath each day. Other R.C.A.F. floral pieces were from the officers and men of the R.C.A.F. Station at Whitehorse and the Air Officer Commanding and Officers of Northwest Air Command, Edmonton.
Flowers from local organizations included the Welland Sea Cadet Corps,Ladies Auxiliary of the Sea Cadets, Welland Optimist Club, Welland Anglers’ club, Mayor and council of the City of Welland, Welland Volunteer Firemen, Welland County Agricultural Society, Welland-Crowland branch of the Red Cross Society, Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellors Club of the Knights of Pythias, Past Chiefs Club of the Pythian Sisters, Presbyterian Sunday School. Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Gamma Fraternity and Ladies’ A.A. Club.
Six cars were required to convey the floral tributes.
A representation of R.C.A. F. Officers from the Aylmer station together with members of the Welland police force provided a guard of honor at the funeral residence.
Sea Cadet George Farnsworth was present at the Fonthill mausoleum to sound the“Last Post.”
Paul-bearers were six close friends of the deceased; Jack Patterson, Hugh McNeil of Brantford, Robert Arthur, Owen Segert, J.E. Jones and Kenneth Beamer.
Six officers from the R.C.A.F. station at Aylmer acted as honorary bearers: Flt.-Lt. J. Hutton, Flt.-Ltd. J.R. Fraser, F.O. W.A. Winder, F.O C.E. Elliott, F.F. D.G. Parker. D.F.C. and F.O. C.W. Kipfer, D.F.C.
The funeral was attended by a large number of young people and many organizations were represented.
[Welland Tribune, January 16, 1947]
War veteran, Popular Young Man Dies with Five others in Plane
Word was received here today that Flight Lieutenant Lewis Curtin, 57 Randolph street had been killed yesterday afternoon when an Air Force plane crashed on Marsh Lake near Whitehorse, N.W.T.
Six persons were killed in the crash, five R.C.A.F. personnel and a civilian employe.
Officials of North West Air Command at Edmonton said the only information they have is that the crash occurred while the plane was returning to Whitehorse from Teslin, Yukon Territory, where the R.C.A.F. officials had been investigating a fire. Teslin is about 105 miles by road southeast of Whitehorse. Marsh Lake is about 45 miles south of Whitehorse and near the Alaska highway.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin had been with the interim R.C.A.F. and was a pilot attached to No. 6 Communications Flight in Whitehorse.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in December, 1940, and received his wings at Saskatoon in August 1941 with rank of Sgt-Pilot. During the war he saw service with anti-submarine patrols on the West Coast, on the East Coast and in Newfoundland, and also was engaged in overseas transport work. Since March, 1945, he had been stationed in Edmonton flying on the North-West staging route. Three months ago he was transferred to Whitehorse.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin married Diane Munroe, of Grand Manan, N.B. in September, 1945, and his wife was living with him at Whitehorse.
Deceased was born in Hamilton on December 15, 1919, but his parents moved to Welland shortly afterwards and he spent most of his life in Welland prior to enlistment. He attended Welland public schools and was a graduate of the Welland High and Vocational school. At the time of his enlistment he was a student at the Niagara Parks Commission school of gardening and landscaping, with only a year to go before graduation.
Popular with Welland’s younger set, Lewis Curtin was a member of Pi Delta Gamma fraternity, and the Lookout Point Ski Club, his hobbies including skiing, hockey and hunting. He was an adherent of the Presbyterian Church.
Surviving besides his wife and parents, is a sister, Miss Mary Curtin.
Funeral arrangements will depend on further news from R.C.A.F. officials.
Other Victims
Killed in the crash besides Flt.-Lt. Curtin were:
Sqdn.-Ldr. Robert Andrew Bucham, D.F.C., commanding officer of the R.C.A.F. station at Whitehorse.
F.O. Alfred Henry Hartivikson, works and buildings officer stationed at Whitehorse.
Flt.-Sgt. Joe Milner, N.C.O. in charge of the fire fighter section stationed at Whitehorse.
L.A.C. Charlie Curtis Brooking, aero-engine mechanicat Whitehorse, flying as crewman; mother, Mrs. Sid Brooking, Trehern, Man.
Ray othen Porter, electrician, R.C.A.F. civilian employe at Whitehorse; mother Mrs Harriett, Porter, Edmonton.
FLIER’S BODY IS EN-ROUTE
[Welland Tribune January 18, 1947]
Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Curtin learned today that the body of their son, Flight Lieutenant Lewis Curtin, who was killed on Wednesday when an air force plane crashed on Marsh Lake near Whitehorse, N.W.T, arrived in Edmonton last night and should reach Welland Tuesday. Tentative arrangements have been made to hold funeral services Thursday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin’s widow, the former Diane Munro of Grand Manan, N.B. was reported en route from Whitehorse to Welland.
Cause of the crash which claimed the lives of five R.C.A.F. personnel and one civilian employe remains unknown although R.C.A.F. officers are investigating.
The bodies of the six victims were flown to Edmonton yesterday.
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