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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1981-07-29, Page 28We wish to thank everyone who helped us to prepare this special supplement in honor of Morris Township's 125th birthday. Besides those people whose assistance we re- ceived on the history of the old school sections and other items of historical interest we wish to thank Ross Procter for his tour ' through "Bodmin" as well as his information and to Jeanne Kirkby for all her help. Also thanks to Those who donated pictures for the sup- plement. to clerk-treasurer Nancy Michie for lending us her book on Morris Township history and Mrs.. Clarence lvIrentcheon for lending us her book on the IvIcCutcheon family "history. ' As the historical informa- tion is this supplement is only as accurate as the papers and books from which it was obtained and the people to whom it was been passed down. please make allowances for errors. Enjoy your reading. Debbie Ran ney Editor of the Morris 125th Birthday issue C©figq'CNillCt aPM. are extended to, MORRIS TpWNSH11s -, FR 4_M... "Molson's Brewery" for their 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Congratulations Morris Township on your 125th Birthday BOWES ELECTRONIC SHOP Magnavox television and Stereo Admiral Appliances, Antennae Installation ....„ Blyth, Ontario Phone 5234412 Happy 125th Birthd•gy , Morris Township DISC JOCKEY SERVICE Country Gold & Rock 'n Roll DISCO, POLKAS, WALTZES GOOD RECORDED MUSIC FOR Vaboussos. DANCES. ANNIVERSARIES, PARTIES, ETC. ETHEL, ONTARIO BRUSSELS — 887-6159 — EVENINGS The Morris anniversary supplement was edited by Debbie Ranney, assisted by Susan Langlois. Ad sales by Rhea Haniilton Congratulations Morris Township on your 125th George of Brussels, Blyth, Brussels, W ingham and Mitchell and Country Ceramics Greenware and Gifts On the occasion of Morris's 125th birthday it is appropriate to pay tribute to the early pioneers who exhibjted vision, ambition and a remarkable enterprising spirit. Brusselsand Morris have grown together over the years and share many memories. The corporation of the village of Brussels and Brussels Public Utilities Commission wish to congratulate Morris and look forward to another 125 years of co-operation together. BRUSSELS PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CHAIRMAN J. Cal Kratiter COMMISSIONERS Harold Bridge Henry Exel BRUSSELS VILLAGE COUNCIL REEVE J. Cal Krauter CLERK-TREASURER ASSISTANT Elizabeth Graber Hank. Ten Pas Stuart Parker Gordon Workman Wm. H. King RuthSauve AI* 125THN BIRTHDAY S.S. No. 3 1905 students, front page photo, were THE YOUTH OF YESTERYEAR—Cecil Wheeler, a gentleman from Morris who is looking forward to his 91st birthday, submitted this class photo. The photo was taken when Cecil was 14 years old in 1905. Back row- Ella Clark, Mary Speir, Agnes Bradshaw, Dora Watson, Celina Wheeler (sister), Maggie Michie, Florence Sheddon, Agnes Knight, Ethel Watson, Maggie Cannon. Second from Back: tinidentified, unidentified, unidentified, Jack Little, unidentified, Harold Karny, labo r MORRIS TOWNSHIP • on your 125th Birthday Watspn's Livestock WE AIM TO SERVE 523-4543 JOHN Blyth ED Happy Birthday Morris on your 125th Birthday While enjoying the festivities in Brussels please visitus 'at the Brussels 5* to $1 Store Brussels unidentified, Janet Gorman., Margaret Speer, Janie Alcock, Myrtle 'Wheeler (sister), Hazel Nichol.. Third: Minnie 1..., Kerr (teacher), Elsie Connon, Lille Watson., Robert Mitchie, Jessie. Wheeler, (brother),' unidentified, Alec Connon, upidentified, Ernest Mitchie, unidentified. Bottom: Cecil Wheeler, Cliff Shurlie, Alec Speir, Dave Knight), Stanley Watson, Alec Connon, Charlie Connon, Frank Little, Wes Sheddon, Bill Speir, Billy Connon. Like all pioneer settle- ments. Morris Township had its share of hearty settlers who worked to clear away the - bush and establish a home for themselves. ' One of the Morris Town- ship, pioneers was Andrew Cloakey who when he was 102 years old walked to the polling booth to help elect R.B. Bennett as the member for West Calgary in 1925. According to the Brussels Post of November 18, 1,925. Mr. Cloakey was born at Maranock Ballaneige, Ire- land in 1823 but regarded himself as a native Canadian "having come to this country eighty-seven years ago." From the Kingston district he moved to Morris Town- ship in• Huron County where at about the time of the Crimean Wars, 'he started to clear a homestead for himself in the wilderness between Blyth and Wingham. Speaking of his 'experien- ces at that time, Mr. Cloakey said, "I used to pack flour on My back for 14 miles and 1 chopped trees one winter for $5 a month and board." A famous Morris Town- ship settler was Patrick Kelly who became reeve of both Blyth and MOrriS , and was influential in. having the Lon-, don. Huron and Bruce rail- way come through all the way to Blyth and Wingham. According to a story in the centennial issue of the Blyth Standard. Kelly had devel- oped a large export trade from the lumber business but had encountered the problem of transportation. He had to haul the lumber by horse and wagon 11 miles to Clinton. the nearest railway station where it was shipped via the Grand Trunk Railway to the Atlantic Seaboard. But competition and the cost of transportation soon became too steep and to Pat Kelly the solution to the problem was a railway. GREAT WESTERN He approached the Grand Trunk Railway, but they turned him down so he went to the Great Western Om- pony in Hamilton which had recently built a railway through London to Sarnia. Apparently impressed by the arguments of the value of goods to be shipped from the country such as firewood. tan. 'bark, sheep and cattle for the Buffalomarket and flour, the officials urged him to go back to Huron and arrange for subsidies 'from the various municipalities to help build the road. The building of a railway in those days meant a great deal as to whether the com- munity prospered er faded •away so most municipal councillors were more than.. happy to pay a subsidy for a railway to come through their town or township. ' The going rate of most of the northern municipalities along the route for the "Butter and Eggs Special " as it rwas called or' the London. Huron and Bruce railway was $25.000. Originally the railway was to run only to Blyth, but further subsidies were raised from 'the townships of East Wawanosh and Morris. and from the village of Wingham to pay for the extension to Wingham. On December 11. 1875. the ,first scheduled trip from Wingham to London was made along the line and service was begun. Reeves and councillois from municipalities all along the line were on that first train. They were taken to London where a banquet was held to mark the opening of the line. London Mayor Ben- jamin Bronyn was chairman for the banquet for 600 held at the Tecumseh House. Among the principal speak- ers was Pat Kelly. PROMINENT A sketch' from the Clinton News-Era and repr inted in the February 23. 1894 issue of the Brussels Post de- scribes Patrick Kelly with more than a tittle admiration. ' '1)eath has removed ano- ther of Huron's pioneers in the person of Patrick Kelly of Blyth. Probably there has not been 4( More prominent or progressiVe citizen in making the splendid history of the paSt than the stpject of this brief sketch: ' The late Patrick Kelly was born in Tipperary County. Ireland in 1832, being the eldest of the family. Along' with his parents he emigrat- ed to this country in 1847. settling in the township of Fitzroy near Ottawa. Six years later, the family moved to the township of Morris where the present edmfort- able homes were hewn out. • 'The deceased u as man of great nerve. indomitable pluck and courage and passed through all the hard- ships incident to pioneer life. His long active and holior• able career front the logging field to the t..onthiritible farm. from the farm to the thaw: and business, from munici- pal to Provincial and Domin- ion politics made his Willie a respected houSehold %%tird extending far beyond the County of Huron. "For over seventeen years. he 'was reeve of Morris and Blyth and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow- workers in the County Coun- cil. He was for the usual term Warden of Huron and con- tested West Huron against the }IOLA. M. Ria. He was an important factor in secur- ing the London. Huron, and Bruce railway through this section. He was„ a thorough businessman and for many years carried on extensive .lumber and flour- mills in Blyth. The-village owes much to the deceased for its pres-. ent standing and prosperity. He was one of the principal promoters in securing fin. protection and electric light .for the village. -The Obituary describes e Mr. Kelly's politics--a staunch Conservative" and his very large funeral"the largest ever seen probably in the County of Huron." "The remains were con- veyed from the late residence to the Roman Catholic Church. the immense and solemn cortege being headed by the Blyth Brass Band. playing the "Dead March in Saul." r.• r". "After the usual service. the imposing procession re- formed, headed by the band marched to the Morris ceme- tery. At the school, the band opened order and the great gathering passed on. " The remains were deposit- ed in the last and silent resting place in the family buryingground, while mans a silent tear dropped." S.S. NO. 5 MORRIS—Here in 1921 the S.S. No. 5 school in Morris got ready for, the Belgrave School Fair. From the left are: Edna (Reid) Hackwell, (teacher), Bob Procter, George 'CONGRATULATIONS Township of Moiris Celebrating 125 years Belgrave Co-op Lacce uNrrst; CO-OPERATIVES OFoiwrAmo 357 2711 Martin,, Dick PriiCier, Bill Grasby, Bdb McMurray, 'Frances Jackson, Harry Jackson, Alberta , McMurray, George Noblesand deorge Michie. Photo from George Michie Thanks to all who contributed