Prominent Resident of County Succumbs
Was Well-Known in Welland-Took Active Part in Politics
[Welland Telegraph, 21 May 1912]
Dilly Coleman, one of the widest known and most prominent men in the county died at his home of his son, Arthur J. at Wellandport, on Thursday evening. Mr. Coleman was at one time very active in politics of the county. He was a very strong Liberal and was always concerned for the welfare and success of the party.
Mr. Coleman was in his seventy-seventh year. He was born in the village of Port Robinson, his parents being among the pioneer residents of the county. The Mansion House, and old hostelry in that village, was conducted for many years by Mr. Coleman’s father, Dilly sr., and it was run for some time by the deceased, previous to his father’s death.
The late Mr. Coleman married Miss Elizabeth McPherson of Port Robinson, who predeceased him about three years ago. Up to twenty-five years ago he resided in Port Robinson. He moved from Port Robinson to Boyle where he resided on a farm until three years ago. He then went west to the home of his son, Arthur at Wellandport, where he resided until his demise. The cause of death was Bright’s disease, of which he had been a sufferer for some time.
Two sons and two daughters, a brother and sister, are left to mourn their loss. They are-J.A. Of Wellandport and Dilly jr, of Stoney Creek the Misses Laura and Louise of Boston, Mrs. Geo. Ross of Port Robinson and Andrew Coleman of Atlantic City.
The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon. A short service was held at the house after which the body was taken to the Episcopal Church at Port Robinson of which deceased was a very devout member. Rev. Mr. Lyon of Fonthill preached the funeral services, a large number of friends and relatives attending. Interment was made in the family burying ground beside the church.
Herbert McBean Johnston
December Canada Monthly
[The Welland Telegraph, 3 December 1912] 
Wake up! Wake up!
I say, wee tad.
Drop your crib and tell your dad
Who came last night
With his reindeer.
Do you think Santa Claus was here?
Run to the hearth
In your bare feet,
Tell me, who left those candies sweet
And that great orange,
Round and fat;
Tell me-did Santa Claus do that?
The Noah’s Ark.
Those lettered blocks,
The timid bunny-see, he walks
When you just press
The rubber ball.
And whence, I wonder, came that doll?
Who brought that engine
And that drum?
And that gay top- my, hear it hum!
Who weighted down
Beneath his pack,
Found our home lay right on his track?
That stocking packed,
Those wonders bright-
What good old Saint was here last night
To leave his treasure
Trove so rare?
No Santa Claus! Ah who would dare?
What! Shatter faith
And bare the truth!
Would you? I’d not do that forscoth!
No! Santa paused
Here on his way
To help make Christmas “Children’s Day!”
[Taken from Welland Telegraph October 18, 1912]
{Compiled by “S”}
An old copy of The Telegraph, published thirty-five years ago, was found in a tin box in the walls of the old Episcopal Church a few days ago by workmen who were making alterations.
The Telegraph thirty-five years ago, it is interesting to note, published four pages a week. Last week, the week of the anniversary, the issue was twenty pages. The size of the paper was increased five times, labor costs have probably doubled, yet the price remains the same, one dollar per year.
The paper, composed of four pages, is a typical representation of the newspaper style of that period.
The biggest heading on the first page is what is known in newspaper offices as nonpareil, one of the smallest types.
Interesting stories of the Welland era of 1877 are found in the pages, however, many of these are now dead. Some of those who are still connected with the business life of today were then men in their prime and their names are to be found within the pages of the paper.
The Welland of 1877 was a far different place than the Welland of today and one needs but a glance to be assured of this.
The most exciting thing which the editors of this early paper, then just a weekly, found for their readers was a county fair, half-buried in mud, and a council meeting.
The publishers were Colcock & Durnan, and the office of publication was in the Griffith block, East Main Street. Politics in the year 1877 demanded a great deal of space and editorial matter occupied three columns, one column being placed on the first page. Free trade was under discussion at the time, Canada , having a one-sided agreement with the United States.
A three-line item on the first page tells the readers of the paper that a survey for the projected new Niagara, St Catharines Railway was to be started at once.
The legal advertisements on the first page contain the names of LD. Raymond, A, Williams and Miller, Miller & Cox. The latter had offices in St Catharines.
The doctors at that time did not possess such an antipathy to advertising as they now have. Four medical men used very good advts They were: Dr. A.B. Cook (now of Toronto), Dr J.W. Schooley, Dr D.T. Scholfield and Dr J.B. Kennedy.
The Queen’s hotel contains an announcement that it would be continued as before, baring liquors. The Frazer House, what is now known as the Arlington, was the only other hotel that used the columns of publicity.
James McGlashan, manager of the Imperial Bank, advertised his branch of the bank in a two-inch space. The capital at that time was $1,000,000. with a reserve fund of $25,000.
J.W. Dawdy, father of William and Har-ey Dawdy, well known Wellanders of today, had a small space on the first page, telling that his new grocery was the best place to but at rock bottom prices. H.D. Lock was a clothing merchant at the time. Charles Stewart was a fashionable boot and shoe maker of the town. C.J. Page advertised for tenders for rooms in the Oddfellows’ new block.
J.H. Burgar, the present magistrate and treasurer, was then proprietor of Medical Hall.
Russia and Turkey were at war.
In an editorial article The Telegraph critizes the expenditure of $59,080 by the government on the Kaministiquia hotel, a shack composed of nothing more than slabs and old lumber, worth not more than $200 at the most.
Bertie and Willoughby fall fairs had been held and brief reports were published. Bertie fair was then held at Ridgeway.
The county fair was just being held as the paper went to press. A herd of cattle, shown at the exhibition, by J.K. Crawford, were ambiguously described in the report as being “a perfect sight”.
Members present at the council meeting held a week before publication were Messrs. Sidney, Page and Lamonte. The heading of the report is as follows: “The fathers succumb to the wishes of the people. They appoint a fire warden. Promises to do better in future. T.W. Hooker won’t face the music. Baits for January election. Unparliamentary proceedings.” It may be seen from this that the council of Welland of 1877 was a very strenuous one.
Marcus Vanderburg, an items states had just been awarded the contract for a new brick house for Charles Loesch.
Five “boarders” at Castle Coulson were announced. Stamford’s fair was highly praised by the scribe who reported it.
A prisoner escaped from Welland jail and was re-captured by Gaoler Baxter. “He was to serve six months but probably will now get more.” is the prophesy of the paper.
Among the local news items there is one announcing the return home from their wedding trip of Mr and Mrs Wm Gainer.
Some of the advertisers, the names of whom will be familiar to Welland’s older generation, are:
- White Bros, liverymen
- Jas Jackson Co., dry goods
- F. M. Hagar, coal.
- Thomas Brown, degtist
- D.D’Everardo, registrar
- Thomas Cumines, druggist
- Geo Cronmiller, furniture
- H.W. Hobson, drugs
- Merchant’s gargling oil, for man or beast, is advertised in a prominent space on the back page.
[Welland Telegraph, 30 April 1912]
A quiet but interesting wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R.J. McCormick, East Main Street, on Monday afternoon, when Mr. McCormick’s mother, Mrs. U.V. McCormick of Port Huron, Mich., was united in marriage to Dr. J.R. McGregor of Detroit. The ceremony was performed in the prescience of immediate relatives by the Rev. J.H. McBain of the Methodist church. Doctor and Mrs. McGregor will reside in Detroit.
[Welland Telegraph, 30 April 1912]
The death occurred at his residence on Garner Avenue on Friday of Garret E. McCombs, aged 25 years. Mr. McCombs was a sufferer for some time of tuberculosis which was the cause of his death. He leaves a sorrowing wife and two small children. His mother and several brothers and sisters also survive.
The funeral took place on Sunday with services at the residence by the Rev. J.H. McBain and the Rev. Mr. Robertson. Interment was made in Fonthill cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Robertson officiating at the gravesite. Deceased was a member of the Orange Lodge, and members attended the funeral in a body.
[Welland Telegraph, 30 April 1912]
Frank Eades, an English boy who made his home with William Vanalstine for the past three years, died at the Welland County Hospital on Friday, where he had been confined for the past eleven weeks suffering from tuberculosis of the bowels. He was a bright and intelligent lad and will much missed, not only at his home but as well by many young friends. He leaves a mother and a younger brother who resides in Thorold township, and also a sister in England. The funeral took place on Saturday with interment at Fonthill.
[Welland Telegraph, 13 September 1912]
Many friends in Welland were shocked to hear of the death of John Wilkerson, which occurred at this home on Division Street, on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Wilkerson had been in good health for some time, the immediate cause of death, however, was a rupture of a blood vessel in his head.
Deceased was born near Allanburg and was a descendent of a U.E. Loyalist family, of which he is the last surviving member. He came to Welland in 1866 and followed his trade of a mason. In 1894 he was married at Hamburg, N.Y., to Miss Annie Croft, who survives him.
Mr. Wilkerson was not a member of any church but was a free thinker and a man of sterling character and high principles. His death will be widely mourned. In politics deceased was a staunch Conservative.
JOHN WILKERSON
[Welland Tribune, 12 September 1912]
The death occurred suddenly yesterday of John Wilkerson, Division street, in his 69th year. He had been in good health until Tuesday, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis death ensuing in twenty-four hours. Deceased was born in Thorold township and had lived in Welland about half a century, following the trade of a mason, and he was a man highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was the last surviving member of his family. A widow survives.
[Welland Telegraph 1912]
First Case of the Kind Ever Tried in Welland County—
Marriage Performed by Presbyterian Minister in Bridgeburg
Alleging that she was only fifteen years of age when she married him, Josephine Bellanca of Buffalo,N.Y. is bringing an action against her husband, James Pavonie, of Dunnville, for annulment of the marriage contract. Mrs Pavonie also alleges, as a reason for securing the divorce, that she married without the consent or knowledge of her parents.
When the couple were married by the Rev. Mr. McIntyre in Bridgeburg last April Josephine was just fifteen years of age. Her love for Pavoni influenced her to consent to the marriage and to keep it secret from her parents. She did not agree to cohabit with her husband, who is ten years her senior, until she reached a more mature age. This, it is said, was approved of by him as he only hopes to preserve the girl for himself by having the marriage ceremony performed.
Soon after the marriage Pavonie left to take charge of his position as foreman of Lalor’s canning factory at Dunnville. In his absence, his child bride, who was living with her parents, grew cold towards her husband and about a month ago told her parents that she was dissatisfied with her choice and would like to be free again.
The result was an action for annulment of marriage, The action was the first of its kind ever tried in the county of Welland, It will be heard in High Court before Justice Teetzel on the 18th of November,
George H. Pettit is acting for the plaintiffs.
[Welland Telegraph, 6 February 1912]
Many friends in the Welland section will regret to learn of the death of H.H. Lymburner, which took place on Sunday. Mr. Lymburner was seized ten days previous with a very severe attack of pneumonia, to which he succumbed. He was born in the township of Canboro, but had been a resident of Welland for the past fifteen years, coming here from Campden. He was blacksmith for A.D. White for seven years, but for the past six years conducted his own shop on North Main Street. He was well known as an excellent workman. He was married on July 16, 1878, to Miss Elva A. Zimmerman, who survives him, with two daughters-Mrs. George W. Hughes of Port Hope and Miss Lulu of Welland. He leaves five brothers -Peter of Elcho, Tilman of Canboro, Mathias of Tillsonburg, John of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Aden of Niagara Falls, N.Y. He was a member of the C.O.F. And Copestone Lodge, A.F. & A.M. The last named order will have charge of the funeral tomorrow. Many friends unite in expressions of sincerest sympathy to the bereaved widow and children.
WEDDING BELLS
Stalker-Igoe
[Welland Telegraph, 5 July 1912]
Many friends in Welland will be interested to learn of the marriage which took place in Seattle, Wash., on Thursday, June 27, when Miss Helen Louise Igoe became the bride of our well-known former townsman, George William Stalker. Mr. and Mrs. Stalker will reside in Seattle, and the groom has hosts of friends here who wish them a long and happy married life.
* Note: Newspaper says 27th but marriage certificate says 26th .
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