[Welland Tribune]
WELLAND- The Kinsmen Club of Welland was officially chartered in April, 1942.
Among its charter members were such well-known Welland citizens as Ted Spencer, Fred Stahlschmidt and Harold Fox and the club quickly became busy “serving the community’s greatest need,” as the Kinsmen motto goes.
The club was the idea of Hal Rogers, a native of Hamilton, Ont. When he returned from service after the First World War, Rogers missed the camaraderie he shared with fellow soldiers.
In an effort to find some of that lost camaraderie, he applied for membership in another service club, but was turned down because his father was already a member of that club.
Rogers then started his own men’s club with a group of 12 young men.
Today, the all-Canadian Kinsmen organization numbers 22,000 members, including Kinettes (wives of Kinsmen}, K-40, K-ettes and even Kin Kids clubs.
Members are between 21 and 40 years old.
The Welland Kinsmen Club took on many projects and later formed a bond with the Mentally Handicapped Association of Welland, a bond which still exists today.
With the support of the people of Welland, the Kinsmen built Pauline McGibbon School.
During 1984, members of the club were involved in many community events. Bicycle rodeos, a casino tent at the NRE, helping All People’s Coop Nursery School, Community Christmas Toys ’84, buying a van for the ARC industries cleaning service and bringing a magic show and circus to Welland are only some of the projects undertaken by the club.
[Welland Tribune]
WELLAND- The Kinsmen Club of Welland was officially chartered in April, 1942.
Among its charter members were such well-known Welland citizens as Ted Spencer, Fred Stahlschmidt and Harold Fox and the club quickly became busy “serving the community’s greatest need,” as the Kinsmen motto goes.
The club was the idea of Hal Rogers, a native of Hamilton, Ont. When he returned from service after the First World War, Rogers missed the camaraderie he shared with fellow soldiers.
In an effort to find some of that lost camaraderie, he applied for membership in another service club, but was turned down because his father was already a member of that club.
Rogers then started his own men’s club with a group of 12 young men.
Today, the all-Canadian Kinsmen organization numbers 22,000 members, including Kinettes (wives of Kinsmen}, K-40, K-ettes and even Kin Kids clubs.
Members are between 21 and 40 years old.
The Welland Kinsmen Club took on many projects and later formed a bond with the Mentally Handicapped Association of Welland, a bond which still exists today.
With the support of the people of Welland, the Kinsmen built Pauline McGibbon School.
During 1984, members of the club were involved in many community events. Bicycle rodeos, a casino tent at the NRE, helping All People’s Coop Nursery School, Community Christmas Toys ’84, buying a van for the ARC industries cleaning service and bringing a magic show and circus to Welland are only some of the projects undertaken by the club.
[Welland Tribune December 1942]
The sewing circle of Bethel United Church, met at the home of Mrs Roy Overholt on Wednesday with fourteen ladies attending. The day was spent sewing and knitting for the Red Cross Society. Three boys shirts were finished and six pair of trousers. They also were sewing on ten hospital gowns for men. The ladies have been making sheets and pillow cases, and a number of them were brought in finished ready to return to the Red Cross rooms at Smithville. A pot luck dinner was enjoyed at noon to which each lady contributed, The collection was received by Mrs Amos Beamer. The Circle will meet again after the Christmas season.
Mrs William Butler is confined to her home under the doctor’s care.
Mr Roy Robbins and daughter Myrla of Elmira spent the weekend with the former’s mother, Mrs Tillia Robbins.
John R. Tait, Stoker 1, stationed at Halifax, N,S. Arrived home this week to spend the Christmas season with his wife and children, Patricia and Bobby,
Mr and Mrs Stuart Hill and son Charles and Mr and Mrs Arthur Dilts, all of Ridgeville, were recent guests of the former’s parents, Mr and Mrs James Hill and family.
William J, Anderson called on his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Nelson Chadwick at Wellandport.
BOYLE and VICINITY
[Welland Tribune October 1942]
Mr and Mrs Penrose Steward and family of Hamilton and Mr and Mrs Fred Schwoob and son Jimmy of Niagara Falls, N.Y. spent thanksgiving day with Mr and Mrs Joseph W, Schwoob.
Miss Marian Hill spent a few days with her aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs Gordon Robbins and family Niagara Falls,
Mr and Mrs Alfred Chessel and daughter Doris of Fonthill were recent guests of the latter’s sister, Miss Nellie Gracey.
Mr and Mrs Oscar Collard and daughter Jeanette of Wellandport and Sgt William Schwoob and Mrs Schwoob and children Gordon and Joyce of Hamilton were recent guests of Mr and Mrs Joseph Schwoob
Mrs James Hill and Mrs Clifford Hill spent Tuesday at St Catharines.
Mr and Mrs Wm. E. Anderson and Mrs Leonard E. Cocks of Fenwick spent Thursday at Welland.
Mr and Mrs John Swayze and Miss Francis Ulman of St Catharines spent Sunday with their parents, Mr and Mrs Henry Ulman and family. Mrs Ulman is still confined t her room through illness under doctor’s care.
Rev G. J. Comfort and Mrs Comfort and son John of Dunnville spent Friday with Mr and Mrs Pail A, Comfort and family.
Mrs John Henderson and granddaughter Patsy Henderson of Wellandport and Mr and Mrs Wm J, Anderson called on Mrs Henry Ulman and family on Sunday.
Pte Clifford Misener has been transferred fro the camp at Brantford to Petawawa.
Miss Lelia Hill of Welland spent the weekend with her parents, Mr and Mrs James Hill.
[Welland Tribune December 1942]
The funeral of the late Mrs Dillie Catharine Beamer, widow of the late Albe Beamer was held on Sunday afternoon, December 13th. From her late residence here, with a wide circle of relatives and friends and neighbours attending. Deceased who was of a kind and loving character will be sadly missed in her home and community where her influence was felt. She was a daughter of the late Ezra Gee and Margaret Ecker and was born 78 years ago in the township of Gainsboro where she spent her entire lifetime. Although she has not enjoyed good health for a number of years, death came as a shock to everyone.
She leaves to mourn her demise two daughters, Mrs Burton Stirtzinger (Nellie) of St Catharines and Mrs Elwin Coon (Ethel) of Tintern also three sons Edmund Beamer of Welland, Amos of this community and Cecil of Fonthill also 6 grandsons, Vernon and Norman Beamer of Welland, Gordon Stirtzinger of St Catharines, Wray Beamer of this community and Lloyd and Ralph Beamer of Fonthill, also 1 brother Emery Gee of Gainsboro township. She was predeceased by her husband, Albe Beamer in October 1918, also two sons Silas Beamer and Wesley Beamer, also one brother and four sisters.
The service was conducted at the home and graveside by Rev, H.S. Fiddes. The male quartette comprising Robert McPherson, Herbert Dawdy, Adelbert Piper and George Southwick sang two appropriate numbers. The floral tributes were beautiful showing the high esteem in which deceased was held. The casket bearers were three grandsons, Vernon Beamer, Norman Beamer. Gordon Stirtzinger and three nephews, Everett Gracey, Charles Gee and Clifford Gee. The flower bearers were Thomas Freure, Roy Overholt, Chester Lambert, William Heaslip, Herbert Gracey and Wm J. Anderson.
Interment took place in the family plot at Lane’s cemetery.
Among those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr and Mrs Burton Stirtzinger and son Gordon of St Catharines, Mr and Mrs Elwin Coon of Tintern, Mr and Mrs Edmund Beamer and sons Norman and Vernon, Miss Wiley, Mr and Mrs William Dilts, Mrs Fred Schooly and daughters Aletha and Lois, Mrs Michener, all of Welland, Mr and Mrs Norman Williams and Mr and Mrs Cecil Beamer and sons Lloyd and Ralph of Fonthill and Mrs Ethel Howell of Hamilton.
[Welland Tribune October 1942]
Mr and Mrs Gordon Robbins and daughter Ruby of Niagara Falls were Sunday guests of Mr and Mrs James Hill and family.
James Ebeling of the armed forces at Kingston spent the weekend with his wife Mrs Ebeling at the home of her parents Mr and Mrs Cyrus Misener.
Mr and Mrs Leonard E. Cocks of Fenwick spent Monday at Grimsby. They also called on the latter’s sister, Mrs Wm J. Anderson.
Mr and Mrs William Cutler spent Thurs at Welland.
Mr and Mrs Clifford Lane and family of Silverdale spent Sunday with the latter’s parents, Mr and Mrs Cyrus Misener.
Mr and Mrs William Graham were at Dunnville recently.
Mr and Mrs Edward Wainwright of Kenmore N.Y. were recent guests of relatives here.
The young people’s group of Bethel United church met at the parsonage on Tuesday evening with the vice-president Miss Alice Neff in charge. Mrs H.S. Fiddes led in prayer. The scripture lesson was lead by Miss Neff and the devotional talk on Missions was given by Mrs Fiddes. The responsive scripture reading was led by Miss Neff. Miss Edith Williams invited the group to meet at the home of her grandparents. Mr and Mrs Emery Gee on Tuesday evening, October twenty-seven for a hallowe’en masquerade party.
DEATH CLAIMS J. FRANK BEST
Was Seriously Ill for 3 Weeks; Funeral Monday
[The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 16 October 1942]
The community today mourns the death of John Franklin Best, who passed away at 11 o’clock last night at the Welland County General hospital following an illness of three weeks. Mr. Best had been ill for many years following his return from the battlefield in the First Great War, but three weeks ago he became seriously ill, and although he rallied at times, he suffered a relapse yesterday from which he never recovered. The funeral will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. from the Sutherland-Thorpe funeral home, 152 Hellems avenue, with interment in the family plot at Woodlawn cemetery. Rev. A.H. Davis, rector of Holy Trinity church of which deceased had long been a member, will officiate.
Deceased was the son of the late William Jones Best and Henrietta Lock Best, was born in Welland and attended both its public and Welland high school. He was at the age of 11 highest in his entrance class at Central school, and won a scholarship as highest boy in entrance classes in the province. He was in later life a chartered accountant, and very recently officiated locally as an expert on income tax computations. He had varied interests. He was a veteran of the First Great War, was in his earlier days vitally interested in hockey, and in later life was prominently identified with the Welland Liberal-Conservative Association.
Fine War Record
Deceased enlisted in June 1915, with C. Company, the 76th Battalion. C. Company was recruited from the old 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Among those with him were his brother Harry Best, who was fatally wounded in May 1917, and Fred J. Kilgour, later warden of Welland county. In Britain, deceased was transferred along with his brother to the 58th Overseas Battalion, and he was wounded in October 1916 in Courcelette during operations of the Battle of the Somme, suffering injuries to both forearms, to the heart and also the loss of the sight of his right eye. His brother Sergeant Harry Best was killed in action just prior to the time he had been scheduled for a course entitling him to a commission on the field.
Corporal J.F. Best returned to Canada in November 1917. He was 20 years of age at the time of his enlistment. Following his return to Welland, he joined the Great War Veterans Association, and was one of its first presidents, and later joined the Canadian Legion. The funeral to be held on Monday will be under Canadian Legion auspices.
Deceased was also very active with patriotic endeavors in the city, and had worked with effective results in the various Victory Loan and similar campaigns in the present war.
Associating himself for years with the Liberal-Conservative Association, he had acted as organizer and office campaign manager in a number of elections, and was a sub-committee chairman for years.
Deceased married Miss Mary E. Stapf, a daughter of the late Fire Chief Charles F. Stapf, on March 29, 1922.
The late W.J. Best, deceased’s father, was one of the city’s most highly respected and oldest residents, was a former mayor, and for many years held the chairmanship of the Welland Hydro Commission. It was three weeks ago that deceased attended a special dedication service at Holy Trinity church, and there unveiled a memorial window honoring the memory of the late William Jones Best and Henrietta Lock Best.
Deceased took a deep interest in the sports life of the community in his earlier days, and among other things he organized a girls hockey club and was its manager for some years. He also played hockey while with C. Coy, the 76th Battalion following his enlistment in 1915.
Deceased is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Best, 50 Griffith street, Welland, by an aunt, Miss Fannie Best, Dorothy street and by relatives in the United States. His twin sister, Frances (Fannie), Mrs. G.P. Ash, died in Toronto 20 years ago.
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