HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 35THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1992. PAGE A3.
— ^G «
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition g
What’s the celebration? 125 years of what?
Published by North Huron Citizen
So what's the celebration? 125 years of
what?
The 1992 125th anniversary celebration
in East Wawanosh isn't a celebration of the
first settlement or the first municipal
government, but the celebration of the
creation of East Wawanosh, along with West
Wawanosh from the large township that had
been called simply Wawanosh.
While Huron County celebrates 150 years
of county government this year, the
Wawanoshes, along with Morris, Tumberry
and Howick, weren't part of Huron as it was
in 1842 when the first county council session
was held in the upstairs of the old county
gaol in Goderich. Huron County stopped at
what is now County Rd. 25, but went farther
south and east than today to include parts of
Middlesex and Perth.
Those southern townships had been part
of the Canada Company tract of land that
had been opened up by John Galt, William
"Tiger" Dunlop and Col. Anthony Van
Egmond. The section that is now East
Wawanosh and the other townships had been
crown land and settlers needed to pay cash
up front for the land rather than being able to
put down a small down payment and pay
over time. With the Canada Council
accepting credit, most settlers chose to take
up land in the south. A change in
government policy in 1849 to allow settlers
to pay over time brought a flood of pioneers
into the bush in the 1850's.
When the area now comprising East and
West Wawanosh was first admitted to Huron
County, it was as one township. Before the
townships separated in 1867, that township
had one East Wawanosh man, Robert Currie,
as reeve and another, Hezekiah Helps, as
deputy reeve. They look up the same offices
in the new township. Other councillors were
David Scott, Lancelot Nethery and Thomas
H. Taylor.
The first meeting of east Wawanosh
township council was held on January 21,
1867 at Peter Porterfield's house at Mamoch.
The first decision councillors had to make
was on the hiring of a township clerk. Six
men tendered for the job and two men, Wm.
Bengough and David Williams both
Residents pull together
Early in 1991 the residents of East
Wawanosh began planning for their 125th
celebrations. Committees were formed and
volunteers came forward to take over the
helm of each.
George Cull, a relative newcomer to the
community, was appointed chairman, while
long-time East Wawanosh resident Wilma
Scott was first vice-chairman. Township
clerk Winona Thompson was given the
position of second vice chairman, while
Joyce Vincent and Ruth Olson were named
secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Committee chairpersons are: beard
growing, Eldon Cook; parade, Don Pattison;
church service, Wilma Scott; school reunion,
Louise Bosman; sports activities, Murray
Shiell; photo contest, Carol Munro;
souvenirs, Barb Shiell; kick-off concert,
Marlene Toll; publicity and advertising,
Lorraine Cook; invitations, Noreen Gnay;
Kinsmen contact, Jim Ross; finance
committee, Vaughn Toll; Prince/Princess
contest, Angela Nethery; family dance,
Meribeth Scott; parking, Steve Robinson and
puppet show, Joanne Olson.
tendered to the job for $60 and the tic led to
conflicting motions with Mr. Helps and Mr.
Taylor in favour of Mr. Bengough and Mr.
Nethery and Mr. Scott favouring Mr.
Williams. When Mr. Williams offered to do
the job for $50, council agreed to appoint
him.
Mr. Williams was then authorized to
accept tenders for the positions of assessor,
treasurer and collector. However, Mr.
Williams himself only lasted one meeting as
clerk after councillors objected to the way he
had recorded the minutes of the first
meeting. A motion to appoint a new clerk
was made. Wm. Bengough was again
To Our Friends In East Wawanosh
We join hands in friendship
As our municipalities celebrate
a heritage of
one hundred & twenty-five years
of history and growth Ifrn!c
We extend an invitation to
West Wawanosh celebrations
on July 24 - 26
THE TOWNSHIP OF
WEST WAWANOSH
Reeve: Bob Hallam
Dep. Reeve: Alex Chisholm
Councillors: Richard Foster
Walter Elliot
Ronald Snowden
supported by two councillors but two other
councillors supported James Tisdale who
had originally asked $80 to do the job but
now agreed to match Mr. Bengough's offer
of $60. Mr. Tisdale got the job and served as
clerk until 1870.
Donald McGibbon became assessor at a
salary of $35, James McGowan, Treasurer
for $48, and Joseph Dunbar, collector for
$24.75.
Estimates of expenditures for that first
season were: $3890.03 for county purposes;
$582.17 for township purposes; $400 for
salaries and incidentals; for a total of
$4872.20 to be raised through taxes.
WAWANOSH
Congratulations
EAST WAWANOSH TOWNSHIP
Clerk, Helen GrubbReeve, Dave Lee Councillor, Robbie Lawrie
CONGRATULATIONS
to the
Township of
East Wawanosh
on your
125th Anniversary
Councillor, John Elliott Councillor, Shirley Fyfe
Dave McLellan, P.U.C.Dave Webster, P.U.C.
Councillor, Steve Sparling
Best Wishes to the
Council and
People of
East Wawanosh
Township on your
125th Anniversary
and Homecoming
Celebrations.
The residents of East Wawanosh can be
justly proud knowing that for 125 years
they have worked to make their community
and the country a more rewarding and
enjoyable place in which to live.
East Wawanosh is a wonderful
community filled with friendly and caring
individuals.
This is a very special occasion for the
citizens of East Wawanosh, and I want to
take this opportunity to extend my sincere
best wishes for a joyous celebration.
f|i The Village of Blyth MURRAY CARDIFF
HURON - BRUCE