July 11, 1905-August 21, 1965
(By Vilma Ens)
Robert Douglas MacArthur , educator of hundreds of students during his 41 years as teacher and principal was born just after the turn of the century in Burk’s Falls. He received his schooling there and after finishing high school attended Teacher’s College in North Bay.
His first teaching position was in G. Chrilber, where he taught from 1923 to 1926. An opening for principal came at Woodland school in St Catharines. He applied an d was accepted.
The agreement signed by the trustees of the school stated that R.D MacArthur would be paid a salary of $1200 for the term beginning Sept 1st 1026 to June 30th 1927. Another clause stated that the Board and the teacher may, sat their option respectively terminate this engagement by giving notice to the other of them at least one calendar month previously, and so as to terminate on the last day of a calendar month. The letter of reference from George A. Evans, principal at schreiber public school states that “as a teacher , Mr. MacArthur is painstaking, energetic and conscientious firm but kind in discipline and most excemplary in conduct, willing to assist in all matters that tended to raise the moral status of the community.It is with regret that I learn of Mr. MacArthur’s intention to sever his connection with the staff but nevertheless this testimonial of his worth is truthfully and cheerfully given. I have no hesitency in recommending Mr. MacArthur to and Board of Trustees desiring the services of a faithful and efficient teacher.” So MacArthur stayed at Woodland school for 18 years from 1926-1944. During this time he married his hometown sweetheart, Laura Parsons and two sons were born to them, John and Douglas.
He came to the police village of Fenwick in 1944, to head the school as principal. The old school on Baxter Avenue right in the centre of town must have been quite a challenge. Grade one had a classroom behind the building with the only heat in winter being a wood stove at the back of the room. The main school building was old and the play ground was small. A tremendous amount of encouragement was given by Mr. MacArthur to both staff and students to persevere under these trying conditions. Then in 1951, a new school was opened on Canboro Road in the middle of an apple orchard and grapery. The grounds around the school were huge and gave Mr. MacArthur an opportunity to have baseball diamonds, playground equipment and lots of room for his students to run and play. He encouraged baseball games and a game of scrub was always held at recess and lunch times There was a covered entrance so the children could skip and play ball against the wall even in the rain. Marbles were played at the “boys entrance” and hop scotch along the south s would ide of the school. Even “hide-go-seek was fun because of the great places to hide in the grapery.
He organized a “field day” every spring and everyone participated. He encouraged both girls and boys to try their best and an abundance of ribbons and silver cups were given out. There was also a gymnasium where once a month the whole school would congregate for assembly . A different class would be responsible for the entertainment. The class rooms were large and warm and washrooms were clean and functional. Mr. MacArthur was a teaching principal and sought to pass on his love of maths and sciences to everyone of his pupils. He expected excellence .
Mac’s salary of course did no increase by very much, as was the case in those days Therefore he worked as a purser and wheelsman for the Hunterville Lake of Bays and Lake Simcoe Navigation Co. Ltd. During the summer from 1929 to 1948. His steamers were the Mohawk Belle and the Algonquin. His usual working dates were from June 29 or 30th to the Labour Day weekend. Sometimes there would not be even one day’s rest from work on the boat to the first day of school. The letter from the Vice President and Secretary states “This is to certify that we have always found Mr. MacArthur to be of good character strictly temperate and a non-smoker. Honest , capable and faithful in the discharge of his duties as purser and wheelsman.
During his twenty two years in Fenwick R.D. MacArthur was a vital force in the life of the community. He was an elder in the Fenwick United church and a former member of the stewards’ board. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for 30 years and a past noble grand of Pelham Lodge 454 IOOF. He also belonged to the Ontario Federation of Teachers.
The write-uo in the newspapers after his passing said that his qualities as a teacher will live on through the lives of his pupils. Not only the qualities as a teacher and principal but as an exceptional human being whose love, fairness, humour and encouragement was an inspiration to many.
[April 6, 1961]
HE’S 100 AND HAPPY
Augustus Misener, 8 Herick Ave, is a wrestling fan, an avid reader of newspapers and a man who wouldn’t change a thing. He’s also 100 years old today.
“In the old days a man worked from sunrise to sundown,” he said, referring to his farm, now sold in Crowland township near Port Robinson
“The shorter work week and all the other changes all for the better,” Mr. Misener .said.
Crediting his longevity to moderation, not only of pleasures but of work, the cleareyed oldster noted that it’s all right for a man to work hard but he shouldn’t overdo it.
Having retired 30 years ago, at the tender age of 70, Mr Misener now lives here with a son, Cecil. A second son , Arthur lives in Brantford. Two daughters and two sons, reside in the United States.
His major pleasures include reading the daily newspaper from front to back (“I wouldn’t want to miss any scandals,” he says, chuckling) and watching the weekly wrestling matches on TV.
A non-smoker, who prefers his tobacco the old-fashioned way, as something to chew, not inhale, Mr. Misener’s great-grandfather emigrated to New Jersey from Germany in the middle 17th century.
The family then came to the peninsula, bringing grass seeds and fruit tree startings with them. At the time of the Fenian raids, Mr .Misener was six years old.
“I don’t remember the raids,’ he said. The invaders reached Ridgeway “smuggling themselves in and thinking Canada was such a small place they could take it over…”
He was reluctant at first to sell the family farm on his retirement, he said until he was shown that one son could make more working in a factory than two sons could hope to make working the farm. “That seemed to settle it,” Mr. Misener said.
He described the farm operation as a mixture of grain crops and cattle. Plus fruit. “In those days we never had the insect or disease problem growers have now.”
Members of the family and former neighbors from Port Robinson attended a special birthday party honoring Mr.Misener last weekend.
One of the highlights of the evening was the arrival of happy birthday wishes from Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.
Children living in the U.S., are Mrs Sadie Monti, Baltimore, Md; Mrs Irene Bernier, Highland Park, Mich.; Milen Misener, St Clair Shores, Mich. And Morris Misener, Tamps Florida.
HE’S 103 TODAY FINDS LIFE HECTIC
[April 6, 1964]
Harmon Misener doesn’t have much use for today’s world.
“Too much hurly-burly..it’s no good, too fast for me,” he said.
But then, it’s not too surprising that a man who counts 103 years of yesterdays finds the hectic pace of 1964 a little much for him.
Whatever his opinion of the pace of modern life, it didn’t prevent him from taking his first airplane ride-to Florida-when he was 100 years old.
And until a little over a year ago he lived with his son on Herrick Ave. And made his own solo trips downtown- but his doctor decided it was time he took it a little easier, so now he lives in Bellevue Convalescent Home.
It is there they are holding a 103rd birthday part for him today.
He was born on a farm property at Doansridge in Crowland township and farmed it himself for most of his life. The property has been owned by his grandfather before him
Most of his youth was spent in the Niagara peninsula- but he did spend time west of Chicago when he was a youngster.
He speaks of a fire in Chicago about that time that was started by “Some old woman’s cow.”.In 1871 a fire-caused by a cow kicking over a lamp-swept through the city causing some $200,000,000 damage and high loss of life.
Now from a comfortable seat in a nursing home bedroom he offers this advice to youngsters wondering how he remains so alert with all the years behind him.
“Work hard and steady..and never abuse yourself.”I never smoked…could take a drink, but never too much. It’s not good to drink to excess either. Work hard, but not to excess.”
What about war record? “It’s a poor business, this fighting. I was never in the army..never saw any use in it,” he sniffed. There was always more than enough to do down on the farm.
When he finally gave up farming he went to live with his son, Cecil Misener at 8 Herrick Ave, in St Catharines-and from there flew to visit another son in Tampa, Fla., after his 100th birthday.
Last week a framed message on behalf of Premier John Robarts was sent to the nursing home wishing him well on his birthday. He recalled that on his 100th birthday the prime minister of Ontario had come in person to congratulate him.
He still has a lively curiosity and gave Standard Photographer Dick Titley and his equipment the once-over.”What does he want?” he asked. Then added; “He’s a big fellow.. I wouldn’t want him to be mad at me. What do you want me to do?”
He’s still lively enough to remember it’s spring too. What about the nurses, he was asked.”They’re really good and lovable..a jolly good bunch.” he said emphatically, as one brushed his full, silver head of hair. And how does he keep all his hair at this age? “Why, I never gave it away,” he said with a grin.
HARMON MISENER, OLDEST RESIDENT, DIES AT 104
[November 2, 1965]
St Catharines’ oldest citizen 104-year-old Harmon Augustus Misener, died yesterday at a city convalescent home where he had ived for the past two years.
Mr Misener was born in Crowland township April 6, 1861. He lived most of his life in the Niagara peninsula, and was a farmer until his retirement at 70.
He was a tobacco-chewer whose family emigrated from Germany to New Jersey in the mid-18th century. When his family came to the Niagara.
Former County Home Superintendent Passes
[Evening Tribune, 18 January 1965]
A former superintendent of the Welland County Home for the Aged, now Sunset Haven, Mrs. Eva McClellan died on Saturday, January 16, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital, where she had been a patient for the past four months, in her 90th year.
Born in Newbold, Worcestershire, England, she came to Canada in 1883 residing first in Niagara Falls before coming to Welland.
Her husband, the late George B.McClellan, was superintendent of the County home for the Aged and was succeeded by his wife, who had been matron on his death. Mrs. McClellan served a number of years as Superintendent before retiring in 1942. She is remembered as a touch-liked and highly respected county employee.
Previous to the McClellan’s tenure at the home, Mrs. McClellan’s father, the late John R. Hemmings, also served as superintendent.
Mr. McClellan also served as manager of the Welland County Agricultural Society which operated the annual county fair.
For the past five years, Mrs. McClellan has resided at the Eventide Home, Niagara Falls. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in that city.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. E.C. Webb, Bessie, of St. Catharines and Mrs. Grenville Townsend, Elinor, of Niagara Falls; two grandchildren, Mrs. Paul Kozik, Ann, of St. Catharines and Judy Townsend of Niagara Falls; two great grand-children and one sister, Mrs. A.T. Krafft of Cooksville.
The late Mrs. McClellan is resting at the Morse and Son Funeral Chapel, 5917 Main St., Niagara Falls, where services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. Entombment will follow at Fonthill Mausoleum.
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