HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 45T he Seniors
'shot' town
Looking over an old photograph
of Exeter's main street I am
reminded of one family that for 95
years played an important part in
the history of Exeter and will live
long in the memories of those for
whom this column is especially
written.
I refer principally to Joseph
Senior, the photographer who
took the picture, and in whose
homes today there are individual
pictures of groups that are of a
high sentimental value.
Photography, with its colored
pictures and practically foolproof
cameras, has come a long way
from the days of the tin-type,
when photography was more or
less of a mystery and cameras
for individuals were practically
unknown.
It was on the first of July, 1887,
that Joseph Senior's father,
Charles Senior, started business
in Exeter as a photographer. His
first studio was in a frame
building opposite the present
Times-Advocate office.
He occupied several buildings
before purchasing the old Royal
Hotel, which was used both for a
residence and studio. The
building was torn down to make
room for a home for C. F, Hooper
when Mr. Hooper built the home
and an egg-grading station, now
the bank of Nova Scotia,
In 1887 Joseph Senior took over
the business from his father and
in that same year he was married
to Miss Almena Wood.
Nineteen years later, 1906 Mr.
Senior took over the building now
occupied by Rether's Restaurant.
The top storey, with artificial
lighting, was used for taking
pictures and the ground floor for
processing and a display room,
During the years he was in
business there were few persons
living within miles of town that
he had not photographed. The
pictures were taken on glass
plates and with his system of
tabulating and filing he could go
back for years and produce the
negatives. Unfortunately when
he retired from business in 1944
the negatives were disposed of
and destroyed and some valuable
history of early days in Exeter
was lost forever,
Mr. Senior was quite a
musician in his day. He was a
member of one of the first bands
in Exeter under the leadership of
Mr. Harry Gidley. For years he
was the leader of Caven
Presbyterian Church chbir.
In 1904 Mr. Senior was ap-
pointed clerk of the municipality,
a position he held until 1910 when
he retired. In 1915 he was reap-
pointed as clerk and treasurer, a
position he held until he resigned
in 1941 after serving under 13
reeves. His salary the first year
as clerk was $125.00. At the time
of his retirement a banquet at-
tended by municipal officials was
held in his honor at the Central
Hotel.
Mr. Senior retired in 1944 and
moved to California to make his
home with his daughter, Mrs.
Gillies, where he passed away
several years later.
Section 2, Page 25 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973
CAST OF CHARACTERS - Although modes of dress certainly have
changed over the past few decades, they haven't altered quite as much
as some of the characters in this picture might suggest. Actually, these
are some of the young people of James St. United Church in costume
for one of the plays they used to put on every winter. This one was call-
ed"The Eyes of Love". From back left the cast is: Flossie Hunter, Pearl
Wood, Earl Tapp, Sylvester Taylor and Grace Creech. Front left, Betty
Grant, Reta Rowe (Mrs. Jim Smith), Rev. Duncan McTavish, Alma Har-
ding, (Mrs. A. Rundle), Clarence Dawn and Silas (Gabby) Reed.
Parts of Europe
and South America
J. F,
fAHN
NACHINFOY.,
Exeter is our Home!
Established In Exeter In
1961. And We've Been
Growing Ever Since.
FARM
MACHINERY With the completion of our
new manufacturing plant,
we now have 31,000 square
feet of space. By next
year we'll be employing
about 50 people.
PROUD TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO A PROSPEROUS EXETER
Exeter Clerk'
Joseph Senior, above, was a
prominent photographer in Exeter
and is responsible for a great
many of the pictures in this
centennial issue.