Welland History .ca

The TALES you probably never heard about

BELOVED POET LAID TO REST

[Welland Tribune March 13, 1940]

Glowing Tribune Paid to Long Life and Service

Fenwick, March 13-Friends and neighbors gathered on Tuesday afternoon to pay their last respects to Miss Agnes Ethelwyn Wetherald, who passed away early Sunday morning. A short service for intimate friends was held at the family home “The Tall Evergreens,” then the funeral cortege proceeded to the Friends church, Pelham Corners, for a public service. The pastor, Rev. Stanley Van Every, officiated.

It was fitting that the final ceremonies for Miss Wetherald should take place in the place so closely associated with the life of the Wetherald family. Here for many years Mr. Wetherald, father of the deceased preached for divine worship, and Miss Wetherald herself was always a faithful adherent.

Mr. Van Every paid glowing tribute to the long life of love and service of the one who had gone, she had not really died, as her spirit would live eternally in the many lyrics she left behind and which were so much a part of herself, the pastor stated.

Six friends of many years standing acted as bearers, Frank Page of New Dundee, Wm. Dorland of  St. Cathareines, J. A. Daboll of Ridgeville, Stewart S. MacInnes of Welland, Walter McRaye of Grimsby and Louis Blake Duff of Welland.

After a short service in the church, the remains were reverently laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

A TRIBUTE TO ETHELWYN WETHERALD

[Welland Tribune March 13, 1940]

A friend upon whom I leaned heavily
Is gone, and I shall miss her counsels true;
Instead of friendly cheer, now dreacfully
A yawning gulf now widens ‘twixt us two
Yet was her soul eternal, let us say,
As all who walk God’s earth, on other hand,
And will she not arise, that certain day
When trumpets call  His flock, from every land.

Until that day of meeting, let mine be
A life still lived on well, and selflessly,
Which she would quite approve if she could see;
I know that I a better life can lead
Because she was a friend indeed;
God answered well, when He, a prayer, did heed.

-Dorothy Evelyn White

RELEASE (In Memory of Ethelwyn Wetherald)

[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]

The homestead trees are black tonight
Against the winter sky,
And all the happy, eager earth
Has blossomed but to die.

My heart was ever one to sing
With shining field and wood;
The blind and cruel and bitter way
It never understood.

But still above the evergreens
I see the stars burn bright;
And there once  more my soul mounts up
Where it is always light.

-Fisher Davidson

SCHOOL HONORS TWO DECEASED

[Welland Tribune March 12, 1940]

Tribute Paid Memory of Poet, Former Pupil

Fenwick, March 12- A special assembly of staff and pupils of Pelham Continuation school was held on Monday morning to pay tribute to the memory of Miss Ethelwyn Wetherald, renowned poetess and to Miss Evelyn Berry a former pupil of the school.

Miss Wetherald had presented the school with an autographed copy of her last book of lyrics and sonnets, on February 15, 1933, and from this volume two poems were read: “Parting” and “The Soul Knows.”

It is not given to many communities to have the honor of claiming such a famous and well loved person as their own, and while she has passed into that great beyond of which she wrote frequently, her works remain a living monument to the memory of a gracious and lovely lady.

LAST RITES FOR VICTIM OF POWER LINE MISHAP

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Fellow workers and members of the Welland Hydro Commission this morning attended in a body funeral services for Steve Lapka, whose death occurred at the Welland County General hospital last Friday from injuries incurred in the line of duty as a Hydro  lineman last January 10.

The funeral was held from the J.J. Patterson and Sons’ Funeral  Residence 19 Young street to St Mary’s church where requiem was chanted by Rev. Father Horvath, assistant pastor of the Church of our Lady of Hungary, of which deceased was a member. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery.

Pallbearers were all fellow workers, J. Taylor, A. Acaster, O. Brown, F. Hartmier, J. Sylie and N. Cobolak.

FUNERALS – MRS HORACE RATHFON

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Many friends, including some from Wainfleet, Long Beach and Buffalo attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Horace Rathfon on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Rathfon died at her residence in Bethel on Thursday in her 61st year. The funeral was held from the late residence to First Lutheran church, Rev. Theo A. Iseler conducted the service. Interment was in Overholt’s cemetery.

During the service Misses Helen and Marguerite Climenhage sang the duet. “The Old Rugged Cross,” accompanied at the organ by Miss Minnie Boneberg, The pallbearers were Emanuel White, George Schleffel, George MacIntyre, Allan Steele, Gordon Doan and William Christmas, neighbors and friends of the deceased.

Among many beautiful floral tributes were those of the Ladies Aid of First Lutheran church and the Bethel Sunshine Class.

FUNERALS – MRS. WALTER NEFF

[Welland Tribune February 28, 1940]

The funeral of Mrs. Walter Neff, who passed away at her residence, 183 Ash street, Port Colborne, on Saturday, was held yesterday afternoon. The service at the house was conducted by Rev. Wilmer Steele and at the graveside by Rev. A Cusler. Interment was in the Mennonite cemetery Sherkston.

The pallbearers were Earl Michael, Amos Mitchener, George Young, Roy Sherk, Roy Cudney and George Schleffle. Among the many floral tributes attesting to the high esteem in which the deceased was held, was a beautiful floral piece from the Maple Leaf Milling Co.

The funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, N.Y. Sherkston, Ridgeway and the Port Colborne and Humberstone district.

MRS. N. JAMIESON OF WELLANDPORT PASSES AT 90

[Welland Tribune February 26, 1940]

Wellandport, Feb.26- Wellandport’s oldest citizen, Mrs. Nancy Jamieson, widow of the late Emerson Jamieson passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sutherland on Friday, February 23rd. Deceased who was in her 91st year was a daughter of the late Mathias and Mrs. Robins and had lived her entire life in the townships of Wainfleet and Gainsboro where although of a quiet  and home loving disposition she had endeared herself to a multitude of friends. Her husband predeceased her in 1920. To mourn she leaves two daughters, Zelia (Mrs. T, Sutherland) of Wellandport, and Minnie (Mrs. Wm. Nunn) of Fenwick also three grandchildren, John Henderson of Wainfleet, Charles Nunn and Mrs. Theodore Bowman of Fenwick, six great-grandchildren and two  great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was held this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, Wellandport; followed by interment in Hillside cemetery, Ridgeville.

LAST RITES FOR REV. G.A. CROPP

[Welland Tribune February 23, 1940]

Brother Ministers, Friends and Relatives Attend In Large Numbers.

Fenwick, Feb 23- The funeral of Rev. George A. Cropp, superannuated minister of the United Church of Canada, held at Beachville Saturday afternoon, was attended by a large concourse of brother ministers, relatives and friends. Following a private service at the family home, conducted by Rev. P.E. Deeth of Lynden and Rev. W.T. Rose of the Beachville United church, a public service was held in the United church., a public service was held in the united church. Rev. W. Rose conducted the service and assisting ministers were Rev. Roy Johnson, Merritton; Rev. R.R. Elliot, Wellandport, who read the scripture lesson, Rev. William Fingland, Niagara Falls, who represented the Niagara Presbytery, and led in prayer; Rev. D.R. Willliam S, Daniels, Jerseyville, past president of the Hamilton Conference, who represented the conference; Rev. R.M. Geiger of Welland and Rev. C. D. Draper of Tara, intimate friends of the deceased, and Rev Earl Eddy of Hagersville, who closed the service with prayer and the benediction. Other ministers attending were Rev. W.L. Davidson, Tillsonburg; Rev. J. Hampson, Fenwick; Rev W. S. Owen, Rev. N. Godfrey, Rev. F.R. Hendershot and Rev. J. M. Wright all of Brantford; Rev. R.A. Graham and Rev M.P. Smith of London; Rev. Clark Logan, Woodstock; Rev. C.D. Daniels, Ingersoll; Rev. J.A. Jewitt, Cainsville and Rev. J.F. Bewell, St Catharines.

The pall bearers were William Dorland, T.K. Mangnall, Benjamin Holland, Hugh Hacker, William Bremner and Herbert Bremner. Interment was in the Beachville cemetery.

A large number of relatives and friends were present from out of town to pay their last respects to a kindly and respected friend.

ANNIVERSARY FELICITATIONS

[Welland Tribune March 4, 1940]

Mr. and Mrs. J. Kightley Honored at their Home

Mr. and Mrs.James A, Kightley were felicitated on Sunday by their children, grandchildren and friends on the occasion of their 11th Leap  Year wedding anniversary at a turkey dinner at their home 129 Regent street.

Covers were laid for 35 persons and the event was one of happy reminiscences. A three-tier wedding cake centred the table. It was topped with two quaint diminutive figures of a bride and groom. Mr.and Mrs Kightley were married on February 29, 1892.

Captain William J. Madden of Penetanguishene. Mrs Kightley’s brother, was toastmaster, and the bride and groom were duly honored. They received many lovely and useful gifts, among others being a chest of silver a fine purse of gold, a handsome table lamp and large bouquets of  flowers.

There were many guests from Penetanguishene, Midland, London, Toronto, Buffalo, Stratford, Niagara Falls, N.Y., Hagersville and Welland. Among those present were Captain W.J. Madden and William Madden Jr., and Miss Mary Madden from Penetanguishene, Mr. and Mrs. W. Whatmough of Stratford, Mr and Mrs. E. Fiedler of Niagara  Falls, N.Y., and Miss Mae Madden from the Soldiers hospital in London.