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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1935-05-16, Page 9JORKAL .VIEW OF THE TOWN OF WINGHAM SECOND SECTION WINGHAM, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, MAY 16th, 1935 PAGES 9 TO 16 THE BANKING INSTITUTIONS OF THE TOWN OF WINGHAM Bank of :Hamilton The first Chartered I3anlc to open its doors for business in Wingham `was the Consolidated, in 1872. Mr, F. J. Gosling was the Manager of this bank. There weretwo private banks, 'having as their respective Managers, Messrs, C. Tait' Scott and Benjamin Wilson. For a number of years, the banking 'situation remained unclang- -ed. However, in the year 1879, the Bank of Hamilton took over the Con - THE LATE JOHN A. MacLEAN Son of Lauchlin McLean, was en- gaged for many years in the Lumber =business with his father. Upon his fa- ther's retirement, he carried on the business "The MacLean Lumber and Coal Company" very successfully, un- til the time of . his death two years .ago. This business is still being car- ried on by his fancily. solidated Bank and Mr. Wilson's pri- vate business. Mr. Wilson was en- gaged' as Manager and the business was carried on in Mr. Wilson's prem- ises for several years. Business ex- pand.ed at such a rate that the .Bank of Hamilton decided to build. They bought the old Royal Hotel property, on the corner of Diagonal Road and Main Street, and erected what at the present day is our Canadian Bank of Commerce. While the building was tinder construction, through the care- lessness of a painter, the interior of the building was badly burned. Mr. Wilson was Manager of the Bank of Hamilton for several years and later was' appointed•'Inspector, with head - ,quarters at Winnipeg, Mr. Corbould followed Mr. Wilson as Manager. Mr. C. P. Smith was appointed to succeed Mr. Corbould. The Bank of Commerce Before the Bank of Hamilton and Bank of Commerce amalgamated in the year 1916, the latter had erected a beautiful building opposite the Mac- Donald Block. It was opened for busi- ness on April 20th, 1906. They .had taken over Mr. A. E, Smith's private Banking Business and engaged Mr., Smith as Manager, After the amalga- mation, the Bank of .Commerce offic- es were vacated, for the present, site, which is the old Bank of Hamilton. This Bank had more :modern and spacious offices. Mr. C. P. Smith, the Bank of Hamilton Manager, at that time, was retained until four years ago —wbeii1ie was superannuated. He and his family are at present residing in Victoria, B. C. The former Bank of Commerce has since been used as a Doctor's offices, Dr. W. Connell oc- cupying the offices since the death of the late Dr. Margaret Calder, Mr. L. R. .I3lackwood is the present Manager of the Bank of Commerce; Mr. C. Kingan, Accountant, and there is a staff of six employed. Mr. Blackwood has recently moved;here from Tilson- burg and is well liked by the citizens of the Town. The Dominion Bank The Dominion Bank opened its doors for business in the year 1902, in the Mason Block, on the corner of Josephine and John Streets. This Block was built in 1879," and owned by George Mason. The entire second floor was used at one time as a China Hall and Book Store. However, in the year 1920. The Dominion Bank bought the: premises and had it re- modelled. The second floor was made into living 'quarters. A new vault was added in the 'rear of the building in 1934. The interior of the Bank is fin ished very attractively. The exterior has also been redecorated and pres- ents a fine appearance. Mr. Gibson was tire first Manager, Mr. J. R. M. Spittal, the present genial Manager, Some of the past Managers of the Dominion Bank were: Messrs. Hep- burn, Evans, Geike, Sculley, Blom- field, Wallace, Bishop, and the pres- ent Manager, Mr. Spitta-l. In this building, known as the Mas- on Block, Mr, George Mason informs the, that he• had the first telephone service and switchboard in Wingham. He had a line running from his block' to iris residence ,also to the Inglis Woollen Mill, and to 'Mr: Inglis resi- dence. There was also. one to the Grand Trunk Railway office and one to the Great Northwestern Telegraph Co. office. This was in 1883 and in 1885 Mr. James McGuire, C. D. C., and Express Agent, took over the newly established Bell Telephone from Mr. Mason. THE PARK WINGHAM Wingham has its Park on the cor- ner of Josephine and Alfred Streets. It contains three acres of land. Many n good game of baseball, lacrosse and football, have we seen on these grounds. There is a good gaine of aoftball nearly every evening in the summer, • On Friday night of each week, The \Vinghatn Citizens' Hand favours tis with concerts of fine mu- sic, On the opposite' corner, on the site of the Old Scott and Bell Factory, the Wingham Horticultural Society' THE LATE THOMAS BELL are planning a Park, which should be Pioneer Furniture Manufacturer and when 'comi>leted an ideal spot. At the Ex -Mayor of \Vinghatn. . West end of the Town Park, on the • 81ZO'1gSWICK' HOTEL, WINGHAM; ONTARl0 r Au#Maar of TlIe Wistortral Eruirni tIrljoilla5 ltban 0.11e AutlRtr's Ermttrks In the history of a nation, eighty years may not.be•a long time, but in the history of, a community, such as The Town of 'Wingham, it is a long time indeed, and it is fitting that it should be marked in some memorable manner. That has been my chief rea- son for endeavouring to give you an outline of the History of the Town of Wingham. Ft is eighty years since the pioneers came to Wingham, and established the beginning of a Town, in which we are proud to live. The judgement of those early settlers in choosing this spot, for their homes, has been abundantly vindicatid, and we, the present citizens, might well pause to honour the memory of those men and women, who have made pos- sible our residence here. Eighty years ago, Wingham was a land without buildings, roads or fene- ELEANORE J. McLEAN Composer of the Historical Review of the Town of Wingharnn; who gave of her time, enabling the Author to Accomplish the goal of his desire, that is,; tb give to readers a Review of this Town's History, as nearly car - Oct, as it was -possible' to have it. es, To -day, with its fine paved streets, waterworks, sewers, electric light and power, telephones, police and fire pro- tection, a modern hospital, education= al advantages, beautiful churches, pub- lic library, two transcontinental' rail - MRS. THOMAS J. McLEAN \+Vlio was born in Wingham, and has been a continuous resident here ail her life. Her parents, the late Mr, and Mrs, Thomas Netterfield were among Lower Wingham's early set- tlers. ways, bus service, Provincial Highway No, 4, and a host of other services, it is a modern community. As our Town has• progressed, so have our Town- ships adjoining, being transformed from primeval forest to a prosperous farming district. The'past eighty years have brought matey changes, and in these changes, Wingham has had its share, First there was our pioneer farmer, then the building of saw mills, flour mills, then the coming of the little country store. With the coming of the Grand Trunk Railway (The Canadian Na tional) in 1873, settlement became more rapid. Progress from that time has been steady. The population in- creased, and new •businesses, such as the manufacture of - furniture, etc., were establisheds Wingham moved steadily forward and improvements were added that improved living con- ditions of the citizens. It has been a pleasure and a privi- lege for ane to gather any data, that is contained in this Review. Wing - ham's progress has not been spectac- ular, but it has gone steadily forward. I wish to thank all those who have placed advertisements' in this issue, and thus aided in the success of the venture. My sincere hope is that this Special Historical Review of the Town of Wingham, may be a pleasure to the older readers, and an inspiration to the younger generation, .Sincerely, Thomas J. McLean. CAPT. NEIL McLEAN Son of Mr. and Mrs, T. J. McLean, who has been with his father in the contracting business. ".Mickey" is still going strong corner of Alfred and Minnie Streets, is our Bowling Green and Club house, It. presents .a charming picture, on summer evenings with the bright lights and beautiful trees. THE CEMETERIES The Wingham Cemetery Daily as we doivtnvard glide, Life's ebbing stream, on either side, Shows at each turn some smouldering hope or joy; The Tuan seems following still, The funeral of the boy, Our present. Town Park is what, at one time, ,was Wiugham's first cem- etery. In 1877, it was decided to put.- Chase utchase new ,ground for a larger'cern etery. Ten acires of land were put-, chased from Mr. Alex, Kelly, just out- side the Town ' Plot, .' This sacred ground today holds the remains of many, many of the first "settlers who were buried its the first cemetery, as well as ntatty who were citizens of the town. The grounds are well kept, the Committee in charge endeavour each year, to add to the beauty of the .solemn resting place of the de- parted. It will be a comfort to those who are far away, to know that their dear ones are resting in such a beau- tiful spot—God's Acre, Death's but a path that must be trod Tf Man would ever pass to God. The Roman Catholic Cemetery The Roman Catholic . Cemetery' ad- joins the Wingham Cemetery, It is a beautiful and well kept City of the 1)ead. THE MAYORS OF THE TOWN OF WINGHAM SINCE INCORPORATION The following is a list of the May- ors who have served the Town since Incorporation in 1879: Mr, Benjamin Wilson, (deceased). Mr. Thomas Bell, (deceased), Mr. C. Tait ,Scott, ldeceased:), Mr. George McKenzie, (deceased). Mr. H. W. C. Meyers, (deceased). Mr. John. Neelands, (deceased). Mr. W. W. Inglis, (deceased). Mr, Robert McIndoo, (deceased), Mr. W.' Clegg, (deceased). Mr. D. M. Gordon, (deceased). Mr, John Hanna, Sr., (deceased), Mr. W. F. Brockenshire, (deceased). Mr. J. A. Morton, (deceased). Mr. R. Vanstone, . (deceased). Mr. William Holmes. Mr. Thomas Gregory, (deceased). Mr. George Spotton. Mr. C. G. Vanstone. Dr. A. J. Irwin, (deceased). Mr. J. W. McKibbon. Mr. L. F. Binkley. Mr. W. Gurney. Mr. H. B. Elliott. Mr. W. H. Willis. Mr. Thomas Fells. And our present Mayor, Mr. John W. Hanna, who is serving his second year, and is doing his best during this period of depression. He carries on one of the best Gents' Furnishing shops in Ontario. It is just' forty years since Mr, Hanna's father — the late Mr. John Hanna — was Mayor of Wingham. Like his father, John Jr. is public spirited, ever willing to lend a helping hand to those who are deserving of it. Of the twenty-six Mayors Wing- ham has had since Incorporation, there are ten still living. I have re- frained from coimnnenting on the mer- its of any of rhe former Mayors with one exception, namely the late Mr. 1H. W, C. Meyers. This will be found in my remarks in connection with an • account of the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, There have been five Town Clerks since 1879: Messrs. Hayward, FIynn, Ferguson, Groves and our pre- sent Clerk,' W. A. Galbraith. • The year of Incorporation the total assessment for the Town was $400,- 000.00. The total assessment for the year 1934 was $1,102,965.00. This does not include property' exempt frons taxation such as Churches,. Gov- ernment Buildings, and Municipal Property, amounting approximately to 1 the value of $850,000.00. The rate this year of 50 mills, compares favourab- i ly with other 'Pori ns, which have not las extensive improvements as has !Wing] tam. ! The present Town Council is com- posed of Hit Worship Mayor John W. Hanna, who is serving the Town for the second term; Reeve Fred David- son, (second terns); the Aldermen: Messrs. H. B. Elliott, J. H. Crawford, M. Bishop and D. Geddes, have been serving the Town for two years or more; while two new men were ap- pointed to this year's Council, viz., Messrs. FL T. Thompson and J. (Art.) Wilson. Our Town C'ierk, Mr. W, A. Galbraith, has served the 'I',own for the past fourteen years, Mr. J. W. Bushficld is the Town Solicitor, and Messrs. A. II, Musgrove and j. W. Dodd are the .auditor;:: Mr. 1). Mc- Gill is the 'Town Assessor, Last but not least rye have Chief of Police George Allen and Constable pert. Platt, who take care of the `1'own day and night. Look over the photographs, which appear in this paper, of our Town Fathers. THE WINGI-IAM TOWN HALL The corporation of Wingham decid- ed in 1890 to erect a new Town Hall, on the site known as the Market Square. It is a fine three storey building containing on the first floor,` the Municipal Offices, the Public Lib- rary, and the Council Chamber. The auditorium on the second floor has a seating capacity of eight hundred. In, EDWARD SHERMAN One of the pioneers of Upper Wingham, having lived here for over 60 years. He was a Sergeant in "B" Company of the old 33rd Huron Regiment, of which he was a member for many years. the old days before the advent of the i Talkies and Radio, how We used to enjoy it when the Marks , Comedy i Company or the • Guy Brothers' Min: 'strels would come to Town! The aud- itorium has been greatly improved by the addition of a beautiful velour cur- tain, in dark blue with trimming of gold. This was presented to the town ori Thrusday night, April 11th of this year, by the Wingham l)raniatic. Society. This Society have staged two very good revues here "c\ Bold Front" and "The Dumb Waiter". The Town as a whole are indeed grateful to the Dramatic Society for their gift -and they must feel proud to think of the improved appearance of the stage. A photograph of the ToWn Hall appears in this Edition. THE LATE T. A. MILLS 'Who was one of Win ham's early merchants. NOV LTSr' Il`ACTORY, WINGIIAM, ONTARIO