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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1966-08-25, Page 91) His Presence Brought Hope LI • Died Before Automobile's Advent By W. E. Elliott "His very presence earri an air of hope," it was said4f Dr. George C. Shannon, w practised in Goderich for more than 40_ yedrs• - He and his son, Doctor -"Reg.'" were probably the 'best -loved physicians who ministered to the people of this town and district in their time—and that was In horse-andsbuggy days, Both passed on before anyone n Goderich owned a car. Sixty-five year have rolled by since they died—within a year —but older residents well re- member the unusual affection in which father and son were held. For 16 years. Dr. George Shannon's sight was so impair- ed that he was said to be almost blind, going his rounds with constant assistance, during 4ntsch of that time, from his son, born several years after the father began practice here. Forgotten by or unknown to os - 's ---- • • ....-,,,,,, ,-,... ,,... , --- - ...... -.,_ . . all but the older generation, the sized houses built a century ity of Toronto, 'frorn Which he perfunctory tribute "would bo Goderich, residing with ha r son, . beautiful old house which stands on a gore immediately west et Alexaddra Marine and General Hospitalgs in a way a Shannon nIemorial'• Stately Trust Unoccupied now for some years, but still immensely at- tractive in its white coat among stately trees, it was built by James Watson, who also built 4"Phe, Mapjes." the M. C. Cam - extol house which later formed part of the hospital and was demolished only recensly to make way 'for theism/ additioti. With it was associated two, if not three doctors, and three others come into this narrative later. • Dr George Shannon acquired the property in 1880. It would appear from date of the 'deed, though it was not registered until 1882. -His executors sold it in 1909 to Mrs. Caroline Jones, and her family resided there for some years. As in most "good - This beautiful old house, immediately west of the hospital, was built by James -Watson, for whom the Cameron house, later part of the 'hospital, also was built. It was acquired in 1869 by Dr. George C. Shannon, who practised in Goderich for more than 40 years, much of that period with his son, Dr. "Reg." ago, there were fireplaces—lour in this ease. Dr. Shannon must have had a stable somewhere near. M. C. Cameron, next to the east, certainly ,had a large one, - Dr. George Shannon was born near Brockville in 1833. eldest son of John Shannon, who came, from County Mayo, Ireland. He attended WoodstOck Grammar School and was graduated in 1857 from the Toronto School of Medicine founded by the famous Dr. John Roiph and which was later the medical school of Victoria University. For about a year' he practised in Hamilton, then for a short time atsselinton, and moved to Gode- rich in 1859, according to a printed record so dim it is hard to read the figures. First Doctor Here, briefly, we come to the town's first doctor, Morgan J. Hamilton, also from Ireland— Cork, to be specific—son of a Navy officer. He married twice, and' his ,second wife was Ann Lambert. Watson, daughter of the James Watson who built the Cameron and Shannon houses. Dr.. Hamilton -died in. 1858, at the early age of 48, leaving four children by hisArst wife, Agnes Brown, and three fern to Ann 'Datson, one two months old. His widow was 2/2 years of age, graduated, in 1807. After a per- iod of. training lifNew York, he returned to Goderich in 1889. In 189f he married Agnes Ross, daughter .01 Hon. A. M. Ross,. former treasurer of Huron and from 1885• treasurer of Ontario. Col. Ross in the latter year con- veyed to Agnes the big frame house on Nprth Street, opposite the museum, known to older residents as the Captain Shep- pard house and to others as the Garrow place. No Opposition Dr. Reg. was elected, Unop- posed, as mayor of Goderich for 1096 and again for 1897. At 35, he was the youngest Mayor the town had ever had. He and his wife had few years together; the doctor died in the North street home,- of typhoid, January 19, 1901. Being almost next door to St. George's Church, the pallbearers carried the casket there without using the hearse. • Dr. Reginald Shannon had two daughters, Dorothy, now Mrs' Graeme Watson, and Gwy- neth, Mrs. Christie Clark. Both live in Toronto. Dr. George Shannon, to whom the untimely death of his sOn was a ,heavy blow, died Sept. 7, 1901. In a sort of footnote testi- fying to the shattering nature of his grief, it is entered upon s Six years later, ors George the Maitland Cemetery record Shannon married Ann Watson -that he died of "old age." He Hamilton. In 1865. their son, was 68 - Reginald, was born, but not in "He practise& up to about a the house here illustrated un- week before his death," the I ' li ed the e be- Huron Signal recorded. "Any impossible to one who knew him Cayley, and family in the line as he went out fighting disease old Wellington' -Street house: and pain and, death." known to an older generation Pallbearers were leading eiti- as the Charles Widder place. zens: W. J. Holmes, Francis mention has been made in Jordan, Philip Holt, John Galt, this narrative of the Jones Um= Sheriff -R. G-. Reynolds and Mal- Hy -'s Qectipancy of -the white colm Graeme Camertin• house near the hospital. This Through marriage with Ann brings into the story another Watson Hamilton, Dr. George doctor—of dentistry. Unsworth Shannon became stepfather of N. Jones, born on a Colborne three Irish - Scotch children: township farm near Carlow, at - Charles James Hamilton, Marian tended school in Goderich, went Hamilton and William Cayley to University of TorontosSchools Hamilton. and obtained his Arts degree. Charles Hamilton became a then served overseas in World doctor, graduating at the Uhl. War I in the Royal Naval Air versity of Toronto, practised in Serviee. Goderich for a time, then re- , He graduated in dentistry in moved to Cornwall, where he 1921. He was on the board of had a distinguished record of Toronto East General Hospital • community service and in a and Scarboro General, and ess Dr. forge v fore he bought it. While Reg. was still an infant, his father was -"surgeon on the gunboats Cherub and Prince Albert," sent to. Lake Huron in the Fenian troubles of 1866. John Reginald Shannon went to school in Goderich, then the medical school of the Univers- larger sphere as M.P. for Stop' mont. A Conservative, he was elected in 1925, one of Rt. Hon. Arthur Meighen's followers. Marian .Hamilton became the wife of 0. F. Carey, Goderich. They resided for about 20 years in the St. George's cres- cent house bulit by Edward 'Sharman in 1878 for Joseph shipslauilder, and now owned -by John Sully. It is On the site of the first St, George's church. Law Practice s William Cayley Hamilton, K.C., practised law in Regina, Where he died at the age of 43. He, married Florence Horton, Goderich, daughter , of Horace Horton, three times M.P., for Centre Huron. They were the parents of Mrs. Norah Hill of chairman of the steering com- mittee of Scarboro Centenary Hospitals. For eight years 116 was a member of Scarboro coun- cil. - Activities as a council member led to his acceptance in 1953 of a nomination for the House of Commons after the death of Joseph Harris, for many, years member for Danforth. He was defeated by R. Hardy Small, Conservative, 12,500 to 11,800, and Mr. Small was in turn de- feated by Reid Scott NDP, in 1962.. Dr. Jones retired from prac- tice to give more time to bitsi- neSs interests and was president of Jones WoodSpecialists Ltd. He was president of Scarboro Arena Gardens, and had organ- ized the building of•it for Scar - Dr. Shannon. boro Lions Club, of which ho was axharter member and la(; ' president. He died Aug. 6, 1964, at his Hill Crescent home in Scarboro, survived by his wife, one son and two daughters. Miss ?,lyn Jones of, Goderich and M. N. C. Hutchinson, Toronto. are sisters: A brother, Dr. E 0. Jones of Toronto is a sessdicat practitioner. 119th Year — No. 33 oberitb ignat= THE GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, TI-LURSDAY, AUG. 25, 1966 0 Second Section Pages 9-16 '11 A Horse Could Talki.: addle Breeds Gaining Popularity - By Tom Fortner I guess a good articleon horsemanship could only be written by a horse. I believe he could easily an- swer all arguments of riders. He could, for instance, point out where to sit for comfort. The horse is making a re- markable come back. Ths! Toronto police have added more horses to their mounted division, the Giovernor‘Gen- eral's Horse Guard has bro- ught back its horses and have a musical ride. In the'Metro Toronto area alone it is estim- ated there are • more than 1.000 saddle horses, and there are more women buyers than men. Prices for saddle horses start at $150 and go as high as $40.000, which an apaloosa recently sold for. Popullrity Growing The saddle horse • or west- ern horse is fast growing in popularity. Most persons start off with a plain horse and then obtain •a special breed. Cost for maintaining such a horse would run the owner about $100 a year, oats, straw, 1 -lay. winter blanket, summer blanket and bridle and halter. of coUrse, one hes to have t he horses hooves clipped every six weeks., They grow like finger nails if not cared for. By the way, you Can now learn how to shoe a horse. George Reid, of Barrie ,iron works, is running a course. The interest in horses has put the blacksmiths back in busi- ness. There is such a demand for horses that one has only to look around. We have 'tte Exeter Riding Club, the Clin- ton Fair and Blyth Fair which have done much to contribute to riding, roping and many ,western contests. Some contests require such skills 'as bulldogging, bronc busting, riding, roping, flag races, barrel races. They even play m-usical chairs in a great many of these events. .Women are right up front had a -horse step from a box to prove they are fast and to a rain 'barrel, into the as ,goo(1 as any man or better'saddle and balance a glass of tin mo cases bettor). water on his forehead. .1 became interested in hors- cs some years back .andI join- ed the Governor- General's Horse Guard where I did a considerable amount of rid- ing. I was a member*of the guards when the musicai ride started. Believe me there is nothing more spectacular than a bunch of raw recruits flying gaily through the air ‘yhile practis- ing for thi's ride. G6derich can juin the 1:erd to. saddle horses. It can claim some fipe riders such as the famous Dick Shelton VI -13 once There are many others like E. Little, R. Merriam and Ray Jeffery, who once sat a buck- ing horse which went the length of 'the town barn in about four jumps. It s planned to orgnize a G',derich Saddle. Club which uld carry out such activities as providing an escort f n- the Goderich Racing Asscciation races, parades, campet, ions a(1. good. clean 'whol.?.- me ridin:y.one ' Ain tyres' ed can- eon- ' tact inc by Ma.1 in ..aro of Tho S4Jtal-Sar.- s Tom Fortner astride his beautiful ap;loosa stallion takes pride in the form of his riding and the appearance of his horse. Many more persons across Canada are taking * an interest in saddle horses. for pleasure riding. Fortner says more women than rnen are taking to the saddle on horses that range in price from $150 tR, $40,000. • ' ' • Among the tricks Fortner hos taught his apaloosa Is kneeling. Although it is one of the standard performances by horses it will be among the items Fortner plans to use in entertaining at hospitals and for charify on a .no -charge basis. He also plays the guitar and has a repertoire of wiestern songs. 1 At full gallop Fortner displays good interest in a Goderich' Saddle Club. for pleasure, parade appearances and for the 1967 Canadian Centennial is ride. form. He hopes to revive His plans include riding competition. His prolect organization Of a musical Fortner calls this trick "taking a drunk home." The horse comes nuzzling up to his master's spine nudging him toward his destination as if he was his master's keepee. This trick has been described as dangerous with a high spirited stallion, but can b' taught with patience and understanding. Fortner trained this horse from the day was a raw bucking cayuse. g,