Welland History .ca

The TALES you probably never heard about

YOUNG-FETTERLY

[Welland Tribune, 27 November 1943]

Central United church was the setting for a lovely wedding this afternoon at two o’clock when Rev. George H. Knighton united in marriage, Norma Fetterly, daughter of Mrs. A. Draycott, 748 King street, Humberstone, and Carl F. Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Young, 72 West avenue, Humberstone. The wedding music was played by Reg. M. Steeves.

Given in marriage by Fred Moscrip, the bride chose an attractive floor-length gown of white crepe chiffon with long bishop sleeves. A scalloped headdress of net held her full-length veil and she carried a bouquet of roses and mums.

Miss Beatrice Fetterly, sister of the bride, was maid of honor, and the bridesmaid were Miss Dorothy Sheddan and Miss Evelyn Young.

Blue satin and lace in a floor-length model with sweetheart neckline and short sleeves was worn by the maid of honor. A sweet heart headdress held her shoulder-length veil and she carried roses and mums.

Miss Young chose blue chiffon and Miss Sheddan was lovely in blue taffeta, made with sweet heart necklines. They wore shoulder-length veils and their bouquets were roses and mums.

Donald Young, brother of the groom, was groomsman and Francis Neff and Ernest Brown ushered.

A reception for 30 guests was held at a local café, where the bride’s mother received wearing burgundy with black accessories. Mrs. Young, mother of the groom, chose a frock of black and gold with black accessories.

For travelling to Niagara Falls, the bride donned a blue dressmaker suit with blue accessories.

Mr. and Mrs. Young will make their home in Humberstone.

GAUZER-ZIMMER

[Welland Tribune, 18 December 1943]

A lovely winter wedding had its setting in St. Patrick’s R.C. church, Port Colborne, this afternoon at 3 o’clock, when Mary Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Zimmer, Sr., 138 Neff street, Humberstone, became the bride of PO Eugene Gauzer, R.C.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gauzer of 308 Dufferin street, Fort Erie, north. Rev. E.J. Canning officiated and Miss Marie Gannam rendered an organ selection during the signing of the register, Schubert’s “Ave Marie.”

A lovely gown of brocaded satin made on semi-princess lines with long train was chosen by the bride who was given in marriage by her father. The dress featured a sweet-heart neckline and long sleeves which tapered to points over the hands. Her full-length veil was caught into a ruffled headdress and she carried a sheaf of Calla lilies.

The bride’s sister, Mrs. Albert M. Iacocca of Allentown, Pa., as matron of honor, wore a pale blue taffeta with three-quarter length sleeves. Her headdress was pink with a shoulder-length veil and she carried pink roses.

Donald Stewart of Niagara Falls was groomsman. Adam Zimmer Jr., brother of the bride and Matthew Zick, of Humberstone, cousin of the bride, were ushers.

Following the ceremony, a reception for 40 guests was held at the home of the bride’s parents. The table was centred with a three-tier wedding cake and silver candelabra and decorated with roses.

Mrs. Zimmer, the bride’s mother, received in brown crepe, matching accessories and corsage of pink roses. The groom’s mother, Mrs. Gauzer, chose a black velvet dress accentuated with a string of pearls, black accessories and pink roses corsage.

For travelling to Toronto, the bride donned a bottle green coat with brown accessories and a white gardenia corsage.

PO Gauzer and his bride will make their home at Summerside, P.E.I.

Out-of-town guests attended from London, Ont., Goderich, Fort Erie, Hamilton, Buffalo, N.Y., and Allentown, Pa.

OSTERTOG-RIGG

[Welland Tribune, 23 November 1943]

Saint Mary’s rectory was the scene of a quiet wedding Saturday when Irma C.E. Rigg, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Rigg, became the bride of Albert G. Ostertog, son of Mrs. Katherine osterog and the late Albert Ostertog. Rev. A. McMahon officiated.

The bride was lovely in an aqua-marine dressmaker suit with sequin trim. Old English blue accessories and a corsage of gardenias completed her outfit.

Her only attendant, Mrs. C.H. Holler, of Tonawanda, N.Y., was charming in a street-length frock of wine velvet with matching turban. Mrs. Holler wore a corsge of roses and baby mums.

C.H. Holler of Tonawanda, N.Y., was groomsman.

A reception followed at 624 Delaware avenue, Buffalo, N.Y.

The bride and groom will honeymoon in Washington, D.C., and on their return will reside in Tonawanda, N.Y.

MEMBERS OF NO. 4 TROOP

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 6 Nov. 1943]

Above is a picture of the members of No. 4 Troop, Welland Boy Scouts, Sacred Heart Parish: -Front Row, left to right-District Commissioner J. P. Megannety, Scoutmaster Philippe Audet, J. Laland, A.Lemelin,  L. Corriveau, L. Demers, R. Larouche, A. Costllo, also Assistant Scoutmaster Arthur Loranger.

Second Row-Cubmaster Antonio Pellerin, L. Marois, L.Cunningham, R. Beaulieu, P. Lamarre, Y. Lamontagne,

Third Row-L. Hardy, P.L.; R. Demers, S.P.; R. Nantel, P.L.; R. Gerard, H. Beaulieu, P.L.; R. Demers, S.P.; R. Demers, P.L.

Fourth Row-R. St. Louis, R. Costello, R. Poulin, , M. Gibbons, L. Beauparlant, J. Labbe, L. Baiano.

Last Row-R. St. Louis; Assistant Scoutmaster Napoleon Jolin, Troop Leader Robert Nantel, Senior Patrol Henri Demers, Roger Latulippe and L. Picard.

PILOT OFFICER E. A. KER

[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 2 October 1943]

Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross has been made to Pilot officer E.A. Ker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Ker of Fenwick, according to an announcement from air force headquarters. The citation accompanying the decoration follows:

“This officer has taken part in many operational sorties in the course of which he has destroyed several enemy aircraft and damaged others.  In May, 1943, when on patrol over Cap Bon peninsula he sighted a force of more than 18 Messerschmitt 109’s. He succeeded in breaking up the formation and destroyed one of the enemy aircraft, P.O. Ker has always displayed great keenness to engage the enemy and continual devotion to duty.”

Pilot Officer Ker was one of more than 75 men of R.C.A.F. crews commissioned in the field for efficiency, meritorious service and display of qualities of leadership. He was born in Fenwick 23 years ago, before enlisting he was a lively sports enthusiast and at school was identified with hockey and basketball. He was also a member of the Y.P.S. of Fenwick United church. He enlisted on December 11, 1940 following his graduation from Pelham Continuation School. He received his wings at Dunnville in August, 1941, and went overseas in September of that year.

EDMONDSON-HORTON of NETHERBY

[Welland Tribune, 20 November 1943]

A quiet ceremony took place in the United Church parsonage, Port Robinson, Friday afternoon, November 19, at two o’clock when Rev. W. E. Long united in marriage Viola Louise Horton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Horton, Cook’s Mills, and Joseph Albert Edmondson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Edmondson of Netherby.

The bride looked lovely in a two-piece heavenly blue wool dress with chocolate brown accessories. Her corsage was f talisman roses and she wore a gold bracelet, the gift of the groom.

Her only attendant was her sister, Mrs. Clifford Kramer of Fingal, who wore a becoming rose wool dress with black accessories and corsage of pink and white mums.

The groom was attended by his brother-in-law, Frank Beresford, of St. Catharines.

Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride for the immediate relatives. Mrs. Horton, mother of the bride, received the guests in a black crepe dress with embroidered bodice and assisted by Mrs. Edmondson, mother of the groom, who wore a black crepe dress with white trim. Both wore corsages of roses and baby mums.

A buffet luncheon was served to the guests by Miss Jean Horton, assisted by the bride’s sister, Eileen Horton. The bride’s table was lovely with a damask cloth, centred with t three-tiered wedding cake flanked with tall silver tapers in crystal holders.

Later the happy couple left on a brief honeymoon after which they will be at home to their friends at 92 McNaughton road, Welland.

LOCAL MAN HAS RARE COLLECTION OF PICTURES OF LAKE VESSSELS

Harry G. Ellsworth Began His Hobby 10 years Ago-Now Has 1,800 Pictures

[Welland Tribune, 6 November 1943]

One of the finest collections of pictures of vessels, old and new, which have in years gone by plied the Great Lakes or are familiar today on the lakes, is owned by Harry G. Ellsworth, King Street, Port Colborne. Mr. Ellsworth started his collection some ten years ago with two pictures of old vessels, since lost or scrapped, and now has some 1,800 pictures of about 1,500 different boats. They include many lost in the big storms of 1913 and 1906, after which many vessels which now, changed, rebuilt or altered in some way bear a different name and would not be recognized by most who had known them years ago.

VARIED COLLECTION

Mr. Ellsworth’s collection contains a picture of Lake Superior’s “Flying Dutchman,” for the Great Lakes has its “Flying Dutchman” too. It was the steamer Bannockburn lost with all hands in 1906 of which the only trace ever found was an oar. The Russia, Prussia, Ocean and other boats of the time, few pictures of which exist are among the collection. There are schooners, steam boats, with auxiliary sail and the more modern vessels of more recent years. And Mr. Ellsworth’s collection is becoming known all over the continent. He is continually seeking new prints of still other vessels to add to his collection.

Since starting his hobby of vessel pictures, Mr. Ellsworth has received requests for many pictures from magazines, for papers and other collectors and has exchanged photos, prints, engravings or photostatic copies with men in both Canada and the United States. Some of his pictures recently found their way into Western University for copies.

Pictures of the Pearl and the Pennsylvania vessels well known in Lake Erie some years ago, started Mr. Ellsworth on his hobby of collecting vessel pictures. Other collectors heard he had these prints and wanted them and in correspondence with them, he says he “got the bug” to make his own collection. Since that time he has secured or exchanged pictures with a dozen men in as many different places. He has supplied pictures for various periodicals and magazines including the Huron Institute.

NATIVE OF WAINFLEET

Mr. Ellsworth, a native of Wainfleet, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Ellsworth, worked with the late M.J. Hogan, as a dredgeman for some 15 years after coming to Port Colborne from nearby Wainfleet in 1900 and in that work gained an intimate knowledge of the ships which piled the lakes. This was probably the start of his collection, although he did not realize at the time that he had learned to love ships. He has been in the employ of International Nickel Co. Ltd. for the past 25 years.

The Tribune plans to publish a series of articles illustrated by pictures of some of the boats which have the most interesting histories in Mr. Ellsworth’s collection. This article launching the series.

*Mr. Ellsworth passed 21 February 1945

PAUL TOKAR, NOW PILOT OFFICER, TOPS ATHLETES AT R.C.A.F. STATION

[Evening Tribune, 1 October 1943]

Native of Fenwick and well known in Welland-Crowland sport circles, Paul Tokar was promoted to Pilot Officer in the R.C.A.F. at St. John’s, Quebec, on June 10, and is stationed at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe Sask., where he was recently appointed assistant physical training officer.

Pilot officer Tokar, who excelled in Niagara District softball, baseball and basketball leagues, has extended his athletic versatility to his training station in the west, where he has won recognition for his prowess in competition in field meets and on softball service teams.

Recently he won the high jump, broad jump and several other events at a field meet held in Saskatoon arena and previously during the third annual “Dafoe day” field met at Dafoe, Sask., was presented with the Wheatley Trophy for individual proficiency by Fit. Lt., G.H.F. Irving, president of sports on the station.

He won the coveted cup by capturing first place in the high jump, pole vault, running broad jump, hop-step-and-jump and the men’s baseball throw.

P.O. Tokar was entire fielder and top batter for Dafoe’s No. 5 R.C.A.F. Bombing and Gunnery School baseball team, which advanced to the semi-finals of the Saskatoon Exhibition Week baseball tournament.

He is the son of Mrs. Tekla Tokar of Fonthill and the late Steve Tokar and was educated at Fenwick public school and Pelham continuation school. He was employed at Atlas Steels Ltd. when he enlisted.

DEATH OCCURS OF ARTHUR DEAN

[Welland Tribune December 22, 1943]

Fonthill, Dec. 22-The death of Arthur Dean occurred early Tuesday morning at his home on Church street, following a month’s illness. He was in his 69th year having come to Canada from England 20 years ago. The late Mr. Dean was an employe of the Empire Cotton Mills Ltd., until his retirement. He resided in Welland until four years ago when the family moved to Fonthill.

He is survived by his widow Sarah T., two sons, Albert at home and Herbert of Hamilton; two grandchildren, Arthur Lee and David of Hamilton; also two brothers, John and Benjamin Dean in England.

The late Mr. Dean was a member of the Coperstone Lodge, A.F. and A.M. under whose auspices the service will be held.

The funeral service will be held from the Drake and Barron funeral chapel on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Rev. W.A. Monteith. B.A., in charge. Burial will take place in te Fonthill cemetery.

FUNERALS – MRS. ADA BORN

[Welland Tribune October 12, 1943]

Services were held yesterday for the late Ada Diver Born, wife of Thomas O. Born, 107 West Main street, who passed away Saturday at the Welland County General hospital in her 52nd year. The funeral, which was largely attended by relatives and neighbors, was held from the Sutherland-Thorpe funeral home, 152 Hellems avenue to Woodlawn cemetery for interment. Rev. A,J. Thomson, curate of Holy Trinity church, conducted the service and Mrs. H.B. McIntyre officiated at the organ.

The pallbearers were Clarence Ort, Joseph Thomas, Thomas Grant, John Fuller, Tony Mate and J. Brennan.