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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 30Commercial * Industrial * Farm * General * Residential * Automobile We Provide All Types of INSURANCE Select and Consult an Independent Insurance Agent As You Would Your Doctor or Lawyer We Also Provide * FINANCIAL SERVICES Associated With Canada's Leading Trust Companies * REAL ESTATE Sales and Service A business trusted by Exeter and Area residents since 1924 Hodgson Ltd. Mel Gaiser Exeter 235-2420 INSURANCE — REALTOR Jim Kneale Grand Bend Zenith 22710 MISSIONARY IN BURMA - Rev. Ernest Grigg, above, from Exeter was a missionary who did his most rewarding work in Burma. He was the brother of John Grigg, who ran the Grigg Stationery Store, now MacMillans, With Rev, Grigg is his niece, Kate MacFaul, who helped in the store, Sedion 2, Pope 10 THE EXETER TIMES-APVOCATE .11/NE 28, 1978 Grigg family among the pioneers JOTTINGS BY J, M, S. (June 24, 1954) The passing of Rev. Ernest Grigg brings back pleasant recollections of a long association with one of the pioneer families of this fair town of ours. Before Exeter was in- corporated as a village in 1873 William Grigg conducted a little tailor shop in what later became known as Grigg's Stationery Store now known as Anderson's Stationery, (now MacMillan's). A brass nameplate, "William Grigg, Tailor," adorned the door for many years after his decease. He passed away in 1908 one year after the death of his wife and their remains lie buried in a family plot in the Exeter cemetery. There were several members of the family, but the ones that I remember best were John and Mary Grigg and their niece, Miss Kate MacFaul. It was only after 1938, when the Rev. Ernest Grigg returned from Burma where he had spent the greater part of his life as missionary, that I came to know and appreciate the sterling character of this devoted man. The Grigg Stationery Store, owned and operated by John Grigg which, following his death in 1925, was run by Miss Mac- Faul,and Miss Mary Grigg, will be remembered by every student that passed through the Exeter school up until the passing of Miss MacFaul in 1942. Today the school children are provided with text books, pen and ink, pencils and paper, etc., but it Exeter Times, April 20, 1876 If you want circulars, If you want hand bills, If you want envelopes, If you want business cards, If you want neat bill heads, If you want shipping tags, If you want letter heads, If you want nice visiting cards, If you want the best of all work, If you want any kind of printing - Leave your orders at the Times office and you can secure them on the shortest notice. Is not so long ago that pupils had to provide their own. The first day of the opening term in any school year the students were provided with a list of books and supplies that they would require for the term and were then given the rest of the day to make the necessary purchases. Armed with these lists, what might well be called a raid, was made on the Grigg store where every preparation had been made to meet the onslaught of pupils, Discriminating scholars selected their scribblers from a fascinating array of coloured picture covers, Youngsters and older students had the run of the store and the confidence placed in the honesty and integrity of the children by the owners of the store was not always well placed. Miss MacFaul was often heard to remark that "there were no bad children. She loved them all." Mr. John Grigg, was for many years secretary of the Exeter School Board and was a member of the choir of Caven Presbyterian Church. In addition to operating the book and stationery store Mr. Grigg conducted a wholesale business. He made frequent trips throughout the province and did quite a flourishing trade in school supplies, books, paper bags and wrapping paper. I have printed many an order for stationery brought in by Mr, Grigg picked up on his travels. Mr. Grigg, when occasion demanded, displayed excellent penmanship. I recall on several occasions he was called on to write a particular address for some important occasion. At other times in recording the minutes of the School Board I have had to refer to him for clarification, Following the resignation of Mr. Grigg as secretary of the School Board the duty was taken over by Miss MacFaul who filled the position very creditably at what now seems a very meagre salary considering the amount of work involved. Not all of the children attending school could afford to purchase the books and supplies necessary for their school work but Miss MacFaul felt that no child should be deprived of the means of an education for lack of the money to purchase them. It was recognized by the Board that where it was impossible to collect the money from the parents, the Board would foot the bill. In 1939, one year after Rev. Ernest Grigg returned from Burma, his sister Mary, whose main duty was the care of the home, but who also assisted in the store,passed away and Mr. Grigg took his place in the store with Miss MacFaul. Few men spoke more of the love and guidance of a divine creator than did Mr. Grigg, It was his daily conversation and happiness seemed to beam from his countenance. Every year since returning to Canada from Burma Mr. Grigg has conducted special missions in the United States for the Baptist Church lasting several weeks at a time and it was while on similar work that he was taken ill and passed away. With the passing of Mr, Grigg ends the connection of the Grigg family in Exeter, but the in- fluence exerted by the family will long remain.