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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1965-08-26, Page 11HISTORICAL .COMMITTEE STILL WORKING Robert Currie Bought X00 Acres In Wawanosh for $200 per Acre Excerpt from April 11, 1907 edition of Wingham Tirnes, 'Nearly all of out readers will recognize the picture we give this week, Mr. Robert Currie was the first resident in this see - tion of Huron County, He first saw the light of day in Kirkcu- bright, in the south of Scotland in 1829, and at twenty years of age, in company with three of his brothers, carne to Canada, The year the Curries landed in Montreal was a memorable one, It was in that year the Parliament Buildings at Montreal were burned. "Mr. Currie and his brothers first settled in Guelph Township, remaining there until 1853, when the subject of this sketch, and two of his brothers came up to this section and bought their land in Wawanosh. They re- turned to Guelph Township and remained there until the follow- ing year, and then settled here permanently. The next settler to come in after the Curries was a Mr. Thompson, who, in the Fall of 1854, purchased the farms in Turnberry now owned by William Deans and John Prin, gle. The country here was then a dense forest, no other settlers being in the section, and Mr. Currie was told that he was go- ing too far back, and the noun» try would never amount to any- thing, but he was firm in his belief that this section was all right, and he lived to see a prosperous town and farming community, In 1853, Mr. Cut` rle purchased 200 acres at $2.00 per acre. The property is pre - Friendly Service Friendly service — an unbeatable combination , from babysitting to an extra smile from your waitress. Make your stay in Toronto more enjoyable... try it LORD SIMCOE STYLE! LORD SIMCOE HOTEL 150 King St. West, Toronto. Tel: 362-1848 ' WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE Mr. Robert Currie, 52 years resident of Huron. sently assessed at $58.00 per acre, a great increase in value. "Mr. Currie can tell many an interesting story of the pio- neer days, and of the way the early settlers had to work hard to clear up their land. Speak- ing of the increased price of lumber, he says that in the ear- ly days he sold thousands of feet of Hemlock, delivered in the log at the mill, for $2.00 per 1, 000. Consider that with the price now paid. "Mr. Currie has had his share of municipal honours. He was first elected a Councillor of Wawanosh in January, 1857, serving for three years. He was Deputy -Reeve in 1860-61, and Reeve in 1864-65-66. In 1867 the Township was divided into two municipalities - East and West Wawanosh, and Mr. Cur- rie was the first Reeve of East Wawanosh. From 1877 to 1886, he served as either Reeve or Deputy -Reeve, and for yearshas been a Justice of the Peace. During his municipal career he had some exciting experiences. He can well remember in 1859, when the gravel road between Morris and Wawanosh was built by the Government. The road0e4/4/ dor eae ^�t €I } %lam -N.- 131 eig 10, BOY'S WEAR ata out of) dam/ He'll go to the head of the class in boys' wear that passes every test for good looks and rugged wear. Be smart and select soon from our complete collection of styles forot dress, school and sport. BOYS' STRETCH—Asstd. Shades $4.98 M COTTON PANTS BOYS ;,,,BACK -TO -SCHOOL LONG SLEEVE COTTON SHIRTS CONTINENTAL STYLE Black, Blue, Beige COTTON PANTS $3.99$1.99 G BOYS' BACK -70 -SCHOOL REDUCTIONS Values to $14.98 COTTON PANTS $1.9 COTTON KNITTED T SHIRTS BOYS' FALL WINDBR[ SHOR AKERS T SLEEVED 01TON SHIRTS SA 9 E SPECIALj to $3.99 Values to $2.98 99c to $1.99 Values to $7.45 $3.99 up Reg. $2.98 $1.49 to $1,99 HANNA'S MEN'S AND BOYS' WEAR was completed to what is known as the Prairie, south of Wing- harn, where low lying land and the river presented no small problem, keeping the expense in mind. The Engineer's advice was sought, and he recommend- ed that the road go east down the First Line of Morris, and then up the sideroad to what is now the Junction. Mr. Currie could not stand for this, and he sat up one night and drafted a plan to make the road go west around the bend of the river, and come out over where the foot bridge now stands near the Salt Works, then known as Gra- ham's Bridge. The late Thomas Holmes was then Reeve of Wa- wanosh, and he fought for Mr. Currie's plan. Being defeated on this, he put up a fight to have the road go straight over the Prairie, He carried his point. The road was built at a cost of some $36,000. The Ber- lin and Ashfield gravel road was started by the Government in 1858, and the first bridge at Zetland was built in that year. The first two bridges to be erected in what is now Lower Wingham, were built by money raised by private subscription, save $75.00 given by the Turn - berry Councillor who resided in Lower Wingham division. Mr. Currie says the first settlers were so badly in need of these bridges, they went at the work themselves, not being able to get aid from the municipalities. "Three years after Mr. Cur- rie, the Government surveyors came in and surveyed off the 2, 000 acres which had been set aside as the site for what was then named Wingham, The first settlers to locate in Wing- ham proper being the Cornyn families. "Mr. Currie has travelled extensively, having visited his native land in 1876 and again in 1.886. He has been in Wes- tern Canada on four different Occasions, going through to the Coast on three of them, He spent nearly all of last year in the West, part of the time in San Francisco, "Mr. Currie has been an ac- tive Liberal all his life, and being a great reader is well posted on all questions c; the day. He is a good debator and enjoys nothing better than be- ing in a keen debate. In early life he married Miss Ann Link- later, and they raised a family of seven sons and one daughter. They moved to Wingham some four years ago. Mrs. Currie passed on two years ago, Our respected townsman has a large circle of friends who will wish him many more years of happy life." EXCERPT FROM MAY 19,1,e,f3:0, EDITION OF" WINGHAM TIMES' "Mr. Peter Fisher, Postmas- ter, sends the following tribute to the late Mr. Currie," "On April 25th, 1860, while in search of a water power, I saw Mr. Robert Currie harrow- ing near the Boundary Line. I asked him if he could show me the Government Mill Site, and he replied " With pleasure". In a few minutes he piloted me through the woods, showing me a tree where the electrical power house now stands, then, the site of the present milldam. Mr. Currie was one of the best known and most successful farmers in the County of Huron. He was ever ready to supply the early settlers with seed grain, potatoes etc. , and wait patient- ly till pay day "after harvest". The poor always found him a generous friend. As a Magis- trate, he tempered justice with mercy, and always endeavoured to settle disputes without costs. He was a lover of books and travel, and enjoyed a discussion very much. Mr. Currie was a typical Scot, who did much to make this world better than he found it. Having been associat- ed with him for the past fifty years, the loss in a personal one to me." Mrs. McGee Dies At Huronview Agnes Jane McGee of Ed- ward Street, Wingham, died at Huronview, Clinton, on Sun- day. Mrs. McGee, who was 91, had been ill for a long period. Her parents, the late Archi- bald and Jessie McKellar lived at Port Huron, Mich. , where she was born. They latermov- ed to Morris Township where she attended Stone School. In 1897 she married Robert Stew- art McGee at Belgrave. He predeceased her in 1939. Mrs. McGee is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William(Ber- tha) Henderson of Wingham, a sister, Mrs. Margaret Suther- land of Sarnia, seven grand- children and eight great grand- children. Mrs. McGee was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Funeral service was held at the R. A. Currie & Sons funeral home on Tuesday afternoon with interment in Wingham Cemetery. Rev. G. L. Fish officiated, Bride -Elect Is Showered LAKELET--The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jacques was the scene of a kitchen shower on Friday evening to honor their only daughter, Nancy, on the event of her approaching mar- riage, Entertaining games and con- tests were enjoyed after which Nancy was presented with many and various gifts, including a six -piece set of cookware from the members of the Lakelet Women's Institute and 4-H girls Met at Bathurst WHITECHURCH—Visitors with Mrs. Cecil Falconer on the week -end were Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Wellwood of Caledon, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wellwood, Margo and Susan of Bathurst, N. B. Richard Wellwood had only the week before met and con- versed with Archie Jamieson in Bathurst. Archie at one time worked at the home of the late Walter Ferguson, 6th Con. Kin- loss. Many former friends will be interested in knowing of Archie's location. NIVIIIIMMOMMOISIONOMINMat For all of your Construction Needs Cali . , I� jU!fle eat CONSTRUCTION CO. General Contractors DIAL 357-2344 WINC<HAM Wingham a Advance*Times, Thursday, Aug, 26, 194$ :P.ag0 Move to Lucknow, Shower _Held: in. Feted by Friends Community Hall WHITECHURCH—A social evening was held August 14, in Langside Community Hall to honor Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Mof- fat, Sharon and George, prior to their leaving the community, The evening was spent play- ing progressive euchre with Mrs, Janet Twamley winning the prize for high lady, Wallace Conn, for gentlemen, Mrs. Clifford Young, low lady, and Carolyn McGillvary, low gent. After lunch Arnold Scott read an address and Wesley and George Young and Gordon Wall presented Mr. and Mrs, Moffat with a coffee table, and two end tables, Sharon was pre- sented with a cosmetic set and George with a bill fold. Lloyd replied thanking all for their gifts and inviting them to visit at their home on Stauffer Street in Lucknow. Lloyd is employed in the Lloyd -Truax factory in Wing- ham. BABY IN HOSPITAL WHITECHURCH--Mr. and Mrs. Athol' Purdon, Doug, Pat- sy and Shelley of Sarnia spent the week -end here with hispar- ents, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Pur - don, While here they received a phone call from their daughter, Mrs. Bob Woods of Port Col- borne, who had gone to Tren- ton to spend the week -end with her husband who is supervising a boys' summer camp. Their 19 -month-old baby, left in the care of Mr. Wood's mother, had choked, was rushed to hos- pital and operated on before the parents could be located. The friends here wish the child a speedy recovery. WHITECHURCH A shower was held Saturday evening in Langside Community Hall for Miss Eileen McGillvary, bride - elect who is to be married Sat- urday in Toronto, Mrs. Gordon Wall conduct- ed several contests and presid- ed far the program. Fern l' ragt and Nancy DeBoer gave a duet with Mrs, Richardson as pianist, Laura Jean Conlon sang,"home on the Range", accompanied by Mrs. Bregman, Carolyn Mc- Gillvary gave an instrumental. Assisting Miss McGillvary in opening the miscellaneous gifts were Miss Carolyn McGillvary and Mrs. Ivan Laidlaw and others helped in the placing of the gifts, Miss MoGilivary ex- pressed thanks and lunch was served, Kerry Reunion At Walkerton WHITECHURCH--Mr. and Mrs. Albert Coultes, Diane and Beverley Solomon attended the Kerry reunion held at Walker- ton on Sunday, when around 75 gathered to enjoy games, con- tests, visits and renew old friendships. Prizes were given in the games and contests and Mrs. Dave McIntosh of Tiverton, the oldest attender, received a gift. A new slate of officers was elected and they will meet again in 1966, same place but in the month of July. Members came from Port Elgin, Tiver- ton, Kincardine, Tara, Toron- to, Paisley, Walkerton and Whitechurch. BELL LINES by K. R. Witherden your telephone manager Tots and the Telephone Any Wingham parent knows the magic that the tele- phone holds for children. Learning to use the telephone properly, like learning to do ;many other things in the home, can be taught with a little pre -planning. Here are a few tips to help your youngsters use the phone correctly and courteously: 1. MAKE IT FUN TO LEARN: Teach your child how to answer the telephone promptly and in a friend- ly way, 2. MARE A FEW BASIC RULES -- (and stick to them) : Explain to the Children that their calls should be brief, that they should speak directly into the mouthpiece (and not shout), and that the re- ceiver should be put down gently, S, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Let your child calla friend, grandma or other special relative under your supervision. Using the telephone can build a child's confidence, ex- pand his "social graces,'P and help him communicate ef- fectively. Its "magic" can also be used advantageously to help instill in children those qualities of respect and re- sponsibility that will ultimately mark them as mature adults. • a Kitchen Favoured Milady's kitchen, which replaced the hall in 1959 as the most favoured location for the telephone, is still the front runner according to the Company's latest study of customer attitudes and preferences: 42% of customers had telephones in the kitchen—almost twice as many as in the hall. (In 1958, the proportion was 33% hall, and 31% kitchen), Other preferences today: Iiving room, 19%; bedroom, 15%; dining room, 7%. The study also shows that extension phones are found In one out of five homes, and that k8% of residence cus- tomers have telephones in colour, Cleaning Problem? Occasionally, the question arises as to the best way to clean a telephone. The answer is quite simple: a damp cloth keeps any phone clean and shining. Never clean your telephone with soap and Water, as water may pene- trate into the Set and put your sekvice out of order. Incidentally, the outer plastic shell • oesn't requite any special waxes or polishes ---it's "self. shining"!