[Welland Tribune March 29, 1947]
Dexter D’Everardo has his eccentricities but he left his mark
Dexter D’Everardo, first clerk of the county of Welland. Mystery man and eccentric, was the subject of an after dinner speech given by Louis Blake Duff at the luncheon of the Welland County Municipal Association in the Hotel Reeta yesterday.
“We had clerks at one time in Welland,” said Mr. Duff in opening his address.
Born in Paris in 1918, D’Everardo had much to do with the founding of Welland county. Together with a delegation of reeves he went to Quebec City, at that time the seat of government, and “came back with the bacon.” The county of Welland was carved out of Lincoln, and D’Everardo became the first clerk.
The first issue faced by the county was the location of the county seat. Port Robinson had a claim, so did Cook’s Mills. D’Everardo wanted Fonthill. “The wise guys in Welland grabbed the bacon while the others were arguing.” said Mr. Duff.
The decision did not, faze Mr. D’Everardo. He conducted his office in Fonthill and later when he became registrar, and then clerk of the surrogate court he continued to carry out the duties of his offices in Fonthill, on the site of what is now the Imperial Bank corner.
Document Proves Hoax
Mr. Duff commented a sensation was created when the building was torn down many years later, a sealed box being found adjacent to the chimney which contained a document purporting to be the early history of Fonthill, which spoke slightingly of some of the early residents. It was later discovered the document was a hoax.
D’Everardo first taught school at the foot of Patterson’s Hill, and later became superintendent of schools in Welland county, actually an inspector, in days when school hours were 8 to 5, and Saturday was just another day.
Later he organized the first nursery in Fonthill, and was responsible for the planting of many of the tree-lined avenues of the Fonthill today.
He built himself a beautiful residence which was remarkable for one feature-it had a gymnasium. Mr D’Everardo was a fanatic on physical culture. His bedroom had no windows because he believed the night air to be injurious. He carried his own bread to dinners, no one, he maintained, knew how to bake healthful bread except his wife.
He went to St. John’s church in Thorold and was in his pew on the dot every Sunday, but as soon as the services began he walked out.
Every year he had a New Year’s party to which he elite of the county were invited, and which was the social event of the year. Each year, exactly on the stroke of 12, he would announce that the hour of his retirement had come and that he was going to bed, but invited his guests to continue to enjoy themselves.
He died in Welland in 1891, according to Mr. Duff, “one of the oddest, most colorful men ever to appear on the scene in this county.”
Founded Fonthill
D’Everardo was the founder pf the village of Fonthill, naming it after a town in Wiltshire, England, built by another eccentric.
Straying from his subject somewhat, Mr. Duff made a reference to the eminence of land that is part of the Lookout Point Golf and Country Club which, he said, offers “one of the most charming views in all Canada.” He recalled that it was the scene at one time of a meteorological station, and that following the Napoleonic wars, was picked as the site for a fort by a commission appointed by the Duke of Wellington to make a study of the military defences of Canada. The fort, however was never built.
The reason, stated Mr. Duff, was the Rush-Bagot Treaty, under which it was agreed that Canada and the United States would have a de-militarized border, without forts and without gunboats on the Great Lakes. Good will replaced force in the relationship of the two countries.
County Treasurer, R.P. Barrick introduced the speaker, and County Warden George F. Broadley moved vote of thanks.
At the afternoon session of the association, the county officials passed a resolution appointing Mr. Duff an associate member in appreciation for his services as speaker at luncheons for a number of years.
[Welland Tribune March 15, 1947]
Succumbs at 81, after suffering stroke; was prominent in municipal business circles.
Charles Eugene Steele, prominent Port Colborne business man and a former mayor of Port Colborne and warden of Welland county, died at his home at 296 Fielden avenue this morning at the age of 81. In failing health for several months, his death followed a stroke a few days ago.
Born of one of the oldest pioneer families in the district in Humberstone township, Mr. Steele was prominently connected with a wide variety of activities in a business way, in municipal life and in the field of public service.
A man of recognized integrity, he had the reputation of fighting to the last for a principle. He recognized a responsibility for public service, and showed an active interest in the welfare of his church. He had many friends among the business community, and in a wider sphere in other parts of Ontario.
Was Warden Twice
He had a long record of municipal service, culminating in his election to the wardenship of the county of Welland in 1938 with the distinction of being the only man in recent years to hold the office twice.
He entered municipal life as a councillor for the township of Humberstone in 1896, following this up by being elected a commissioner for Welland County District No. 3 in the county council in 1897 and 1898. This was when the County Councils Act was passed, dividing the county into districts. District 3 composed Port Colborne, Humberstone and Crowland township; He was again elected in 1903 and 1904 and also 1905 and 1906, being honored by his colleagues in 1906 by election to the wardenship.
There followed a period of inactivity as far as municipal life was concerned until 1914, when he again entered the county council, this time as reeve of Port Colborne. He served until the end of 1917, came back for one year in 1922, and then remained out until 1933 when he re-entered the county council after an absence of 16 years. He was returned every year until 1938, when he became county warden for the second time. Mr. Steele was mayor of Port Colborne in 1927-28.
Active in Politics
Warden Steele had also been active in Provincial and Federal politics. He was a member of the commission appointed by the Hon. Howard G. Ferguson as the Ontario Minister of Mines, to survey and report on the natural gas situation in Ontario, and also served two years on the board of reference appointed by the provincial government to fix rates at which natural gas should be sold.
His business career started in 1907 when he organized the Sterling Gas Company, of which he was president and general manager, until he sold his interest in the firm to Dominion Natural Gas in 1928. While he was connected with the gas industry he was honored with the presidency of the Natural Gas and Petroleum Association of Canada, and even after severing his connection with the gas industry, he remained the honorary president of that organization and was active as a member of its executive board.
Born in Humberstone, Mr. Steele was first engaged in farming. He moved to his beautiful residence on Fielden avenue in 1902.
On Sanitorium Board
For many years, Mr. Steele was on the board of the Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium, and was named chairman in 1939-1940. He was a member of the Empire club, Toronto, and a former member of the Port Colborne Lawn Bowling club and the Port Colborne Lion Club, and also a life member of the Port Colborne Golf and County Club. The late Mr. Steele also held membership in Beacon lodge, I.O.O.F. and Macnab lodge, A.F. and A.M. He was a lifelong member of the Port Colborne Baptist church, which he served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Steele was married on December 14,1887, to Alice Emeretta Zavitz, who survives him. Also surviving are two sons, M.D. Steele and Lewis C Steele of Port Colborne; three daughters, Mrs. Herman Ott of Humberstone Village, Mrs. H.J. Shore of Port Colborne and Miss Dora Steele at home; and one sister, Mrs. Clara Minor of Port Colborne.
A private funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from the family residence at 2p.m. Interment will be in Overholt’s cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 17, 1947]
The funeral of the late Mrs. Florence Wokcieszak, who died on Tuesday, March 11, at the Welland County General hospital, was held on Saturday morning from the late residence, 804 Ontario Road to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Crowland. Rev. Father S, Cassin solemnized Requiem Mass, and also officiated at the last rites at the graveside. The pall bearers were Ignac Mimek, Stanley Wilga, Florian Obirek, John Smagata, Peter Cimek and John Imiolo.
[Welland Tribune March 14, 1947]
The funeral of the late Miss Elsie Jackman, who died in her 24th year at her home, 90 Garner avenue on Monday, March 10, was held on Thursday morning from the H.L Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street to Holy Cross cemetery, and was largely attended. The pall bearers, all members of Welland Cricket Club, were Harry Neal, George H. Riley, city clerk J.D. Watt, Joseph Mole Jr., George Hatton and David Jamie.
There were many lovely floral tributes,bearing mute but eloquent testimony to the love and esteem in which deceased had been held, and among them were floral tokens from Ross Stores Limited, the cloth room of the Empire Cotton Mill, Clemens and Miller company, employes of the Empire Cotton Mill, the Ontario Roofing Company, the R. Timms Construction Company, the nurses and staff of Welland County General hospital, Welland Cricket Club, and deceased’s uncles and aunts in Britain. Also many mass cards were noted at the funeral chapel.
“The Rosary” was recited, this being led by Rev. Father J. Culman at the funeral chapel. Requiem Mass was chanted by Father Culman at St Mary’s church.
The late Miss Jackman came to Welland 18 years ago. She has been ill for four years.
[Welland Tribune March 14, 1947]
The funeral of Gladys Jean Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Anderson, 162 Steele street, Port Colborne, whose death occurred at Welland County General hospital on Monday in her 15th year, was held yesterday afternoon from the Dell and Merton funeral chapel to Oakwood cemetery. Rev. R.T. Rutherdale conducted the services which were largely attended by friends and relatives of the popular young girl.
The pallbearers were Howard Brown, Douglas Mackey, George Moore, Donald Kettle, Jack Ellison and Zolay Barnai.
Among the many beautiful floral tributes expressing sympathy of friends were those of the employes of Century Coal Co.; pupils of the 1946 Grade Eight class at Steele Street school; the cellar crew of No. 5 building, Inco; Rosalind Goforth Auxiliary; bridgemen and stripping floor No. 5 building, Inco; the double trio; and the Port Colborne Ladies’ Auxiliary, No. 136.
Friends and relatives attended from Detroit and Flint, Mich.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Hamilton, Toronto and Welland.
[Welland Tribune March 15, 1947]
The death occurred on Friday evening, March 14 at the Welland County General Hospital of Osias Seguain, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adelard Seguain of 310 Simpson avenue, Crowland in his 24th year. He had been ill several years. Born in Ontario he had spent five years in the Welland district, and was a member of Sacred Heart church. He is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs Adelard Seguain, by a brother, Real, and by two sisters, Leurenza and Bertha, all living at home. A brother Claude predeceased Osias almost four years. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 8a.m. from the family residence to Sacred Heart church for Requiem Mass at 8.30 a.m. with interment in Holy Cross cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 17, 1947]
The death occurred on Saturday, March 15, at the Devonia Convalescent Home, Fonthill, in his 72nd year of Robert Logan, who was born in the United States but came to Canada 50 years ago, and had engaged in farming in Willoughby township for 40 years. Deceased was a member of Trinity church, Chippawa. His wife predeceased him some years ago. Surviving relatives include a daughter, Mrs. D. Clary of Niagara Falls, Ont. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 2 p.m., from the H.L. Cudney funeral chapel, 241 West Main street, to the church of England cemetery, Chippawa.
[Welland Tribune February 21, 1947]
The death occurred at her residence, 228 Fares Street, Port Colborne, yesterday, following an illness of two months, of Mary Rosie Carnaroli, wife of Augusto Carnaroli, in her 51st year.
The late Mrs Carnaroli was born in Montreal, Que., and had resided in Port Colborne since 1924. She was a member of St. Teresa’s church.
Surviving are her husband; one daughter, Marcelle, at home, and a brother and two sisters in Murray Bay, Que.
The body is resting at the Dell and Merton funeral home, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne. The funeral will be held on Saturday morning, Feb. 22 at St Teresa’s church, where mass will be sung at 9 o’clock, Interment will be in Mount St. Joseph cemetery.
[Welland Tribune February 20, 1947]
The funeral of the late Rosaire Therrien, who passed away in the 22nd year at the Niagara Sanatorium on Monday, February 17, was held this morning from the J.J. Patterson and Sons funeral residence, 19 Young street to Sacred Heart church, where requiem mass was chanted by Father L.J. Bouchard. There were many floral tributes and mass cards were noted, mute but eloquent tributes to the memory of a popular member of the younger set of his community.
The pall bearers were Alphonse and Joseph Brochu, Elzear St. Pierre, Aurele Maurice, Alfred Fournier and Henri Maurice.
[Welland Tribune February 15, 1947]
The funeral of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Milo, who passed away on Wednesday, February 12, at the home of her son, Paul Milo, Pelham township, in her 62nd year, was held on Saturday morning from the home of Paul Milo to the Greek Catholic Church of St. Michael, Crowland, where requiem mass was solemnized by Father Boresky of Brantford. Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery. Pallbearers were Alec Lehotay, John Kiss, Andrew Dandar, John Myslicki, George Vetrecin, and George Micha.
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