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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1971-11-18, Page 12The Sovereign Bank of Canada maintained a brvich in Walton for a number of years at a time when the Sholdice livery operated a stage in the villagcl: This post card scene is postmarked at Walton, January 1, 1908 and carries a one cent stamp on which is the likeness of King Edward V U. It is addressed to Mr. Geo. Clarke, Constance, Ont. The Sovereign Bank building is now occupied by the Douglas Ennis general store and Mr. Ennis loaned the picture. SEAFORTH MONUMENT WORKS All Types of CEMETERY MEMORIALS OPEN DAILY T. PRYDE & SON Inquiries are invited — Telephone Numbers: 'EXETER 235-0620 CLINTON 481-9421. SEAFORTH: Contact Willis Dundas Or Bill Pinder 527-1382 — Bus. 527.1750 WE ARE BUYING CORN We now have a FAST NEW elevator and intake. We •have the quickest and most modern un- O loading facilities available for our Bean and Corn Gro'wers. — ALSO STORAGE — For Courtesy & Service come to W. G. Thompson & Sons Limited MITCHELL 1% Miles West of Mitchell on Highway t .PHONE 34-8433 TEAR DOWN THE FIELD IN A GOOD USED CAR FROM C4th MOTORS MI= USED -- 1969 Chev. "8", 4-door Hdtp 1969 Chev. "8", 2-door Hdtop 1969 Chev. I,8 ,, Custom .Hdtop 1969 Chev. 1,81, Stationwagon 1968 Mustang "8", Hdtop 1908..POntiac "8", Sedan P.S. 1968 Chev. "6", 'Sedan 1967 Chev. "8", 4-dr. Sedan No Reasonable Offer Will Be Refused — NOT CERTIFIED — 1963 Buick LeSabre 196:3 Dodge "8 - Sedan 196:: Pontiac Sedan 3IAKE US AN OFFER 4th 4Motts$44 tALES 44.444 '.SERV/dE cervieoter Phikt,S27-1750 • SEAF0i1T14 Lot Open Evenings to 9 p.tu. Mrs. Charles Reeves was in- stalled as noble grand of "Edel- weiss Rebekah Lodge at the regular meeting Monday evening. She succeeds Mrs. Lillian Grummett who was In- stalled as junior past noble grand. Other officers installed were: vice grand, Mrs. Mae Habkirk; recording' secretary, Mrs. Peter Malcolm; financial secretary, Mrs. George Campbell; treasurer, Mrs. Keith Sharp; Warden, Mrs. Margaret Messen- ger; conductor, Mrs. R. M. Scott; Chaplain, Mrs. Annie Harrison; color bearer, Mrs. Mabel Collins; supporters, Mrs.Gordan Papple, Mrs. Janet Baker; Mrs. Foster Bennett, Mrs.Everitt Smith; Inside Guardian, Mrs.Mae Hillebrecht; Outside guardian, Mrs . Caroline Clugston . Mrs. James Rose is to be installed as musician at a later date. Her office is temporarily being taken by Mrs. Leslie McClure. Mrs. Ruby Bell of Hensel', district deputy president and staff were the installing officers. Mrs. Bertha McGregor was installing marshal; Mrs. Evelyn McHeath, musician and Mrs, 'Belva Fuss,. soloist. Mrs. Reeves named the fol- lowing committees: Social con- veners - Mrs. Adin Forbes, Mrs. Papple, Mrs. R. Scott, Mrs.Hille- br echt and Mrs. Grummett. Finance - Mrs. J. Rose, Mrs. Tillie Dunn, Mrs. E.Smith; Property, Mrs. Messenger, Mrs. Leslie McClure; - Mrs. Ed. Andrews; Visiting, Mrs. Habkirk; Mrs. Grummett, Mrs. G. Papple, Mrs. J. Baker, Mrs. Frank Smale, Mrs. Roy McGonigle, Mrs. E. Smith; Covenant, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Mae Dorrance, Mrs. William Roe; Membership, Mrs; Rose, Mrs. A. Harrison, Miss Jean Scott,,Mrs. Charles Felker, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Wilmer Cuthill; Benevolent, Mrs. R. Scott, Miss Eleanor Henderson, Mrs. Hillebrecht, - Mrs. Anne Henderson, Mrs. Mal- colm; District, Mrs. Papple,Mrs. Scott,C.P.T.repreantative,Mrs. Grummett; Trustees, Mrs. Dor- rance, Mrs. Dunn, Mrs.Harrison. Mrs. Bell read two poems entitled 'Reflecting happiness and fellowship" and "Friendship". On behalf of the lodge, Mrs. Grummett presented Mrs. Bell with a gift. Two euchre dates have been it changed to December 13 and Jan- uary 10, with no euchre being held in November. Mrs. Adin Forbes and com- mittee convened a buffet luncheon following the meeting. • risloolsa gnsailzitzilteemivaVasaulszazeaczagatfosewSE ' a GRAND OPENING! -# Ohe 0111'011g 4st.1, BOUTIQUE a a Vast across from the Drive-In Theatre entrance) COME-IN FOR FREE HOME- MADE DONUTS & COFFEE DURING OUR OPENING -- We're Sure You'll, Find Our Motif Interesting And Our Selection Unusual. • COMPLETI LINE OF KNITTING YARNS & PATTERNS • COMPLETE RUG MAKING PROGRAM' • 'AFGLAN KITS FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER2I8th & 19th ' of a 158 Beech Street CLINTON THE 4DRON EXPOSITOR SEAFORTH ONT., NOV 18 1971 History Recalls Walton Activity 100 Yearjs Ago A history of Walton prepared by Mr,s. Nelson Reid of that *Village, was presented to a Meeting of the Huron Historical Soeietty held in Walton on Oct- ober 27th. The following is the third in a series of extracts from the history. THE ENNIS STORE On May 24, 1900 a lodge known as the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen pur- chased land from Geo. McKim who owned the hotel on the corner, The land known as Hewitt's Survey was part of lot two and was purchased for $75.00 with John Morrison as clerk. A two storey brick building was erected on the property the same year with the Sovereign Bank occupy- ing the lower floor along with a barber shop on the east end, Some of the barbers were Pete Mc- Taggart, Wilfred Clark and Wesley Clark. The upper floor served the community as a dance hall as well Serving every money need Whether you want tdborrow, save or invest-- safe keep your valuables—set up a retirement or an in est meat fund—appoint a reliable executor for your estate or an agent to handle funds-- Victoria and Grey offers you eery range of sere ice-, hacked by eighty jearS of suck.'essfu I experience. VICTORIA TRUST COMPANY SINCE .14E39 as a meeting place for the lodge. The first social function to be held in the hall was an Oyster Supper which included the lodge members and all who helped with the building in any way. Other functions held in this hall were formal and informal dances, banquets, medicine shows, travelling groups presenting plays, etc. as well as local plays. Christmas concerts, bazaars, political meetings, Red Cross and institute meetings and box socials. The first lodge members were Thos. Ramsay, John Rowland, Patrick Ryan, Lewis Hoegy. Jas.. Harry Cal- clough, Wm, Walsh. John Henry Galbreth, Jas. S. Smith, Wm. Johnston, Sam Smith, David Jas. Boyd. Juhn Rae. Geo. Wilbee, John Balfour, ,•m, Riley, Saul Shannon, Hugh Shannon, John Shannon, John Kirkconnell, John Buchanan, Jas. C mitts, Robert Ferguson, Wm. Neal, George Ferguson, Peter Gardiner, Thus. Archibald and others. Several years later when the Bank moved away, Dennis Blake opened a jewelry store on the north side and the south side was used for a storage room by a merchant Wm Neal. In 1934 Douglas Ennis, who had been employed o ith W.G.Neal and later with Bernie and McLeod, rented the lower floor and opened up a ge:ieral store. In 1938 he purchased the build- ing froth the shareholders of the lodge. The fe'w shareholders' at that time were Amite Ferguson, Matid Ferguson, Thos.Archibald, John Shannon. The hall was closed later that year and converted into an apartment where he, his wife and family were to live. The building north of the store was built before 1915 for a harness shop by Arnold Stephen of Chicago. He had a wooden leg and was called Peg Leg. Other owners were Jack Ryan, HUMPHRIES STORE In 1885 William Henry Humphries with his family moved to Walton from Sebring- vine. He was a blacksmith and wagon maker. He had a family of five children, Dr. Robert Humphries, New York, James Henry, William John, Margaret (Mrs. Hugh Shannon), and Jemima (Mrs. Jack Hall) Vancouver. • In .1,901 he built the Humphries store which was operated at the time by Margaret and James. Later when James moved away William took his place. In July 1917 William Henry died and at the time of his death was the oldest businessman in Walton. The store was a general store, groceries, hardware. They also had the agency for International Harvest Company and a flourish- ing coal business for Walton and vicinity. Also gathering cream, eggs, and groceries, being de- livered where done. After Margaret's death in 1943 William was in the business alone. When William died in February 1951 his sons Stewart and Bill took over the business. In 1965 Bill began as a travelling salesman for Knechtel 8: Co...of Petersburg. Now Stewart runs the business assisted by his wife, the former -Iiilaryzliiiiiiiettta*$.111 is Postmaster and mailman for R.R.#3, Walton. The post office is situated , in the store. OLD BANK OF COMMERCE The old Bank of Commerce building north of the Marks garage was built about 1915 by Dennis Blake who operated a Jewellery Store in the lower part of the Workmens' Hall. He passed away about the time the building was completed so his brother Lewis Blake took over the business and -also had the agency for Newcombe Pianos. He died several years later. The Bank of Commerce pur- chased the building and renovated it. James Mullen of Seaforth was the first manager. Other managers included Joseph M. McMillan of Seaforth, Adolph Sohier, Rutherford liewitt,James Hambley. Some bank employees who served under these managers were: Bill Ross, Vincent Pat- terson, Ed. Devereaux, Walter Oliver, Ewart Young (C urlY). Leon Tavell, Lockhart Johnston, Frank Cydmore. In 1932 the bank was closed and sold to Frank Gill who oper- ated a barber shop on the lower floor with living quarters on the upper floor. Kenneth Ferg and Orma followed the Gill family and also operated a barber shop. In October 1943 Ferg sold the building to Wesley Hackwell who moved his harness and shoe repair shop over from the east side of the street, after selling his lot and. building to Douglas E nnis. Mr. Hackwell also did bar- bering, received dry ;,cleaning and at one time & library was' located in the front room of the building and he acted as librarian. It was also the gather- ' ing place for the men of the community who loved to gather around for a friendly chat or a game of Lost .Heir. On July 22, 1964 Mr.Hack- well passed away following several months of Illness. Mr. Wm. Thamer purchased the property in the fall of the same year and changed the lower floor to a pool room with a barber shop at the front for his son John. The adjoining ' house was built for Mr. and Mrs. John Thamer but after liv- ing there for a time they moved to Kitchener where he carried on a barbering business. Miss Pearl Thamer now owns the buildings after completely renovating the pool room and upstairs to living quarters, The Bank of Commerce came into the building in 1918 and closed its doors in 1932 during the days of depression., BENNETTS STORE The cement block ,store on the west side of main street was built by Eli McLaughlin who also owned a blacksmith shop south of the store where Ralph Traviss now resides. The first occupants were Robert' Ferguson and James Harris who rented the building and started a general store. Dressmaking establishments were on the upper floor at various times, one of which was operated by Miss Annie,. Mary and Hannah Jackson. Bert Lydlatt later purchased the building and operated the store for several years. The next owner was Richard Pratt. The United Farmers (UFO) were the next , owners with Miss Mary Shortreed as the, first manager and later Thomas Young was in charge., About' this time the upper floor was converted into a hall where many' dances were held as well as euchre parties, a few concerts, box socials and etc. The writer can recall o'ie very important meeting when Agnes McPhrail was the guest speaker. W. C. Bennett (Kenny) pur- chased it from the UFO and car- ried on a successful business for a number of years. About ,1930 the Post Office was moved to this store from the Old Neal's store which had been purchased by Bernie and McLeod. The hall was closed and converted into an apartment by Mr. Bennett. When Mr. Bennett was ap- pointed post master at the Clinton Air Base the building was sold to Barry Marshall who operated a mail route as well as the 'Post Office. He also operated the qtore on a smaller scale. Arotmd 1965' when Barry was appointed postmaster at Brigden he sold the building to Stewart Humphries who moved the Post Office to his store on the east side of the street in Grey town- ship. He also took over the mail route. At present, June 1971, the building stands vacant. BLACKSMITH AND WAGON SHOPS In April 1876 the following advertisement appeared in the Huron Expositor - A Blacksmith- shop to sell or rent. The under- signed is prepared to receive offers for renting or selling the blacksmith shop in Walton occupied by himself. Immediate possession will be given. For further particulars apply to John McNab. All accounts and notes due on January 1, 1876 must be paid at once. Otherwise they certainly will be placed in court for collection. In 1877 we find that a J. J. Lennox succeeded Mr. McNab. In the 1880's a Mr., Fulton ran one of the blacksmith shops. Eli McLaughlin built the blacksmith yon the west side of the street now occupied by Ralph Traviss. He was followed by a Jack Allan who did splendid work- manship. While Russel Marks had this he made an apartment above the shop but it is no longer a blacksmith shop. January 18, 1877 - Advertisement in Huron Expoaltor - A chance for mechanics - for sale cheap, a lot with house, wagon shop and lumbershed hereon in the village of Walton. The buildings are all new, and this is an excellent opening for a good wagonmaker. There are three blacksmith shops in the village and only one wagon shop. All kinds of seasoned lumber will be sold with the property or separately. Apply to John ,Cowan, Walton, Ontario. John Lennox, brother of J. J. Lennox rented-this shop. Wrii. Humphries, grandfather of Stewart and Bill Humphries with his son James operated this wagon shop for a good number of years. He was followed by Nell and Jack McNeil, Thomas Clark and then Art Pullman. At, one time the price of putting a new shoe on a horse was .20¢ and re-setting an old shoe .10e. At present there is no need. here for these shops so they have ceased to exist: , VETERINARY DOCTORS The first veterinary doctor in Walton was Dr. Ball in April 1894. He was, followed by a Dr. Moore. A story is told that whenever a strange man came wandering through the vil- lage he was sometimes roughed up and sent on his way. Onee one of 'the local men dressed as a troth was wandering around and this Dr. Moore was going to give him the usual treatment but the tramp turned the tables and" beat him up. Dr. Waghorn was next. He first lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Edna Hackwell. Then he built the house now occupied by Douglas Kirkby. They had two children, Edna and Gordon. MEDICAL DOCTORS In 1876 Dr. Palmer located inWalton as a doctor. DrpArm- strong of Howick located in Walton in 1893. He was followed by Dr. Irwing in 1900 and then by Dr. Menzies. Dr. Armstrong built the large home now occupied• by Ronald Bennett. • NEEDLE POINT AND FELT POINT • CUSTOM KNITTING AND CROCHETING • W. C. Bennett, John Clark, Jas. F. Hackwell and Wes. C.Hack. well. This building was sold to Douglas Ennis in October 1943. The garage beside it was built in 1946. The gravel for this was drawn by Ed. Regele and the floor put in by Stuart Dol- mage. Assisting with the car- penter work were Wm.Palmer. Wm. Murray, Gordon Murray, Fr* E nnis, Fred Miller, Wilmer Cuthill, Vic Shaw and Thos. Johnston. , Clerks who have assisted in the store include . „Anna Ennis (Mrs.Ross Cunningham), Cosby Ennis, Edith Ennis (Mrs. Ken RItChie) deceased, Mrs. Geo. Hilbert and Mrs. Wm. Coutts. VG ii * COMPLETE HI-STRAW tin CRAFTS • MACRAME CORD • CREATIVE CREWEL Edelweiss Lodge Installs New Officers a HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily Except Sunday Fridays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. itlwaramomesoutimakt•int* • • • • •