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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1966-03-03, Page 5• • • • r • 1 • 1 i r 4 The Sto.ry (Continued from Page 1) wild animals frisking through the almost impenetrable virgin forest. . Then one day, in the early 1840's, came Andrew Steene, one with enough courage to settle in the swamp. He was its first settler. With much effort, he • made a clearing and erected a log cabin on the southeast corner of Lot 26, Concession 1, McKillop. This was at the crossroads, now the intersection at Main Street and No. 8 Highway. Steene lived here without a neighbor for many years. - Andrew married Mrs. Elizabeth Cluff Beattie, widow of Luke Beattie, who died of ship fever and was buried at sea in 1842 whenon his way to Canada with his wife and family. To Andrew and Elizabeth Steene was born a daughter in 1845 in the Steene ldg eabin. Margaret was the first white baby -born ill what is now Seaforth. Andrew died a. few years later' 1854,. before the first train whistle had been heard, (which hAil much to do with settling the destiny of the town plot. Mrs. Steene continued to live in this old historic landmark, as originally built, till it was destroyed ,by fire in the late 1870's. A part of it was still remaining in a ruined condition when Belden's Atlas was pub- lished in 1879. The Four Corners In the Canada Directory for 1851, compiled by Robert W. S. McKay and printed by John Lovell, of Montreal, not one word of recognition was given to Seaforth. At that time it was still referred to as the Four Corners, Hunter's . Corner, or Mrs. Steene's Corner. ' Another brave settler, McGregor•by name, bought Lot 11, Concession 1, Tuckersmith, but he himself did not live on it. His home was on land further west. However, he cleared ten acres on the northeast corner where the Royal Apartments stand today, and offered the whole farm for sale at $450,00, but even at that price it was many years before he received an offer from a purchaser. Eventually an Irishman named An- drew McKernan bought threeacres of the cleared land at the corner and on it he built a log tavern, and ad- joining the tavern Was a small grocery- store, Mc- Kernan then became the second inhabitant of the "swamp" area, and his tavern was the first public building. Land to the south pf Steene's habitation; owned by the late Colonel Anthony VanEgmond, was offered up at a sheriff's sale in 1841 following his death in 1838 in Toronto jail, where he had been imprisoned because of the part he played in William Lyon McKenzie's rebellion. Part sold at that sale was. land through which the railway now runs. At -the sheriff sale, G. J. Goodhue, of London, became the owner. Goodhue very soon sold it to L. Laurason, also of London, and he in turn sold to Christopher Sparling. It was Spar - ling who influenced the officials of the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway to buy, their right-of-way through the Sparling property. This they did in 1853. Construc- tion was soon commenced, but the line did not reach Goderich . till 1857. Railway Right -of -Way Christopher Sparling and his brother George had reason to want the railway to run close to what they hopedone day would become, a town. By this time they both had other.. holdings in the area. Christopher own- ed the lot directly across from Steene's and . George had bought land at the northeast corner of Main Street intersection.' In 1856'and surveyed into town lots, .arid it is known today as the G. Sparling survey. Shortly after the railway right-of-way was ,pur- chased, Patton, Bernard and Le Froy, professional men from the east, came into the Seaforth picture. These three lawyers, also interested . in land speculation, bought the remaining part of the McGregor property from Christopher Sparling and at 'once surveyed the whole lot into a town plot. These town founders laid out a village site in 1854 and 1855 and had the first plan registered in the name of Seaforth, in honor of the native place of one of them in Scotland. This name has been -retained ever since. Patton was the senior partner of the firm, and was law partner of John A. Macdonald, of Kingston, who was later Sir John A'. Macdonald. During the years that progress was practically at a standstill at the crossroads, two thriving villages were being firmly established—Harpurhey to the west, and Egmondville to the south. No one, in either of these ambitious, fast-growing villages, ever dreamed that a rival should arise at Guide Board Swamp, How- ever, after the 'Buffalo; Brantford and.,.•Goderich Rail- road whistled through and was 'officially opened 011 June 28, 1858, many changes took place in the next few year., - Even after the rails were laid, none of the'three— Harpurhey, Egmondville nor Seaforth—was consider- ed by the railway company of sufficient importance to require a station. Nothing daunted, the people in Har- purhey built a flag station at their own expense, as did also. the people of Egmondyille. While an agita- tion among these rivals was going on to obtain a regu- lar station with shipping facilities, Patton, Bernard and Le Froy stole a march on the citizens of these other villages by offering the land fora station in Seaforth. The company agreed, provided the erection of the build- ing be also given free. Egmondville and Seaforth merchants joined forces and built a frame station at their own expense where the present 'one now stands. This left -Harpurhey sidetracked as a rail centre. The location 'of the stations very soon spelled the doom of both Harpurhey and Egmondville, and Seaforth flour- ished at the expense of the two larger rival villages. Post Office Moves The post office, which had been formerly in Har- purhey, was moved here and opened December 1, 1859. The transfer was brought about through the enterprise of a few influential rrten. " Alfred M. Patten, Wroxeter, brother of James Patton, was the first postmaster. With Patton came a merchant named Torr, also from Wroxeter. These were among Seaforth's earliest busi- nessmen. Another factor that favored the new centre was Seaforth being chosen the southern 'terminal of the Grey Township turnpike, instead. of Harpurhey, as was originally planned. This change was made through the effor'"h of James Dickson, the Member of Parliament for the district. This first improved road was built to lead straight through , from ° Brussels to Seaforth Main Street. Here again Harpurhey was sidetracked as a wagon road centre, and gradually from then began to fade away. Dickson, no doubt,' foresaw great possibilities for Seaforth because he very soon bought a lot on the west, ide of the .second block on Main Street, and on it built 0 Seaf� • a History by Isabelle Campbell the first brick store. He was also the first merchant to move his business from Egmondville.. Dr. T. T, Cole- man moved down from Harpurhey and was Seaforth's, first practicing physician. Others who followed were James Hatt, shoe dealer William Grassie, blacksmith and wagonmaker; Thomas Knox, hotelkeepgr; William Ballantyne, inspector of licenses, and Edward Hickson, storekeeper, Slowly at first, but gradually each year more busi- nessmen in Harpurhey and Egmondville gave up the fight for supremacy and moved their stocks and equip- ment to Seaforth. The station, the post office, the "Grey Township Turnpike" and these extra businessmen greatly contributed to the rapid growth of Seaforth, and also the others who came independently from other communities. From this time on the new centre began to develop and grow unchecked. Before 1862, nearly all businessmen were engaged in either the building trade or were dealers in grain. Of the latter, James Beattie continued as a grain dealer the longest. By 1863 a number of stores had opened for busi- ness, also three hotels, and that year there was a home- building boom. Between fifteen `and twenty homes were in course of erection. At this time the principal busi- ness consisted of buying and forwarding wheat, which continued to increase till it was estimated -that the amount of wheat handled was greater than at any point in Ontario, even including Toronto. Thera were single firms which handled over $1,000,000 worth of wheat in one season. Beattie & Armitage Co, was one of these, and in the year '1878 they also manufactured and ex- ported to Liverpool and Glasgow 15,000 bags of oat- meal, made from oats imported from the United States. It was an everyday occurrence to see the streets filled with' teams from pointh to the north as far distant as fifty miles—Brussels, Wroxeter, Gorrie, Paisley, Wal- kerton and other places. This continued till after the Grey and Bruce Railroad was built in 1875, and the -Huron and Bruce in 1876. A Village is b'aorn In 1867 when the census was taken by William N. Watson and a population of. 1056_. was shown, _steps were ,-immediately taken by the citizens to have Sea - forth incorporated as. -a •Separate municipality. The territory was defined as composed of Lots 10, 11 and east half of Lot 12, in the Township of Tuckersmith, also the southwest quarter of Lot 24, the south halves of Lots 25, 26 and the southeast quarter of Lot 27, in the first Concession of McKillop—in all an area of 400 acres. James H. Benson " was appointed the Returning Officer for the first elections which were held in the old village schoolhouse, known as "Union School No. 5, Township of McKillop". As a result, the incorporated village became an accomplished fact on January 1, 1868. The first municipal council members were as follows: Reeve, Dr. T. T. Coleman ; Councillors: John Beattie, James Hatt, A. McDougall, Alonzo Strong; and Clerk, Thomas P. Bull. The discovery of salt in 1868 gave great impetus to the village and it soon became . a booming town., In- dustries, common to every town in those early days, such as foundries, cabinet factories, stave factories and planing mills, were soon doing a thriving business. So. great was the progress of the village from 1868 that an Order -in -Council, dated October 2,, 1874, asked that the Incorporated Village of Seaforth be erected into a town to be called the Town of Seaforth, having at that time a population of over two thousand inhabit- ants. By this time the territory within the limits of the town had increased from 400 to 550 acres. The additional 150 acres included 100 more acres in the Township of McKillop and 50 in Tuekersmith Town- ship. The proclamation that gave it the status of a town on January 1, 1875, also declared that it be divid- ed into three parts, to be known as the north, east arid south wards, and- these were to .be limited as fel- lows: the north ward to comprise all that portion west of Main. Street and north of St. John Street; the east ward, the portion south of St. John S'' and ,'nett ward, that east of Main Street ireet and west of Main Street. On January. 1, 1875, Alexander Armitage .became the town's first Mayor; D. D. Wilson, Reeve, and Wil- liam Elliott, Clerk. The mayors during the years have been : A. Armitage, 1875-6; Dr. T. T. Coleman, 1877-8; John Beattie -.1879-80 ; Alonzo Strong, 1881-2'; M. Y. McLean, 1883-4; Dr. T. • T. Coleman, 1885-6; James Beattie, 1887-8-x- Robert Wilson, 1889-90; Francis Holmested, 1891-2; D. D. Wilson, 1893-4; William M. Gray, 1895-6; Robert G. Scott, 1897 (died 1898) ; Ben- jamin B. Gunn, part 1898-9; John A. Wilson, 1900-1; John H. Broadfoot, 1902 (died 1903) ; M. Y. McLean, part 1903; Noble Cluff, 1904-5 W. Harry Willis, part 1906; Michael Broderick, part 1906-•7••; Thomas E. Hays, 1908; Duncan J. McCallum, 1909-11; John C. Greig, 1912 -part T913; William Ament, part 1913-15; Harry Stewart, 1916-11; John Stewart, 1918; Foster Har- burn, 1919-20; William H. Golding, 1921-9; Richard G. Parke, 1930; John F. Daly, 1931-2 ; Andrew D. Suther- land, 1933-7; John J. Cliff, 1938-46; Merton A. Reid, 1947-8; J. E. Keating, 1949-50; Dr. E. A. McMaster, 1951-57; Beverley F. Christie, 1958 (died July 1960) ; Edmund Daly, August 1960-1962; Earl' Dinsmore, 1963 - (died March 1964) ; Angus MacLean, part 1964 ; John F. Flannery, 1965 till the present time, ' Mrs. Betty Cardno was the town's first woman councillor. She was appointed to fill the vacancy on March 18, 1965, caused by the sudden death of her husband, Reeve Nelson Cayrdno. Few town clerks hav€ served during the years— William Elliott, John A. Wilson, David H. Wilson, Lyle Hammond, and the present one, Ernest Williams. Population. Increases - The population in 1875 was 2,060. In 1965 it was 2,249. The total value of real, personal property and taxable income in 1875 was $457,900.00. The total to- day is $1,995,376.00. James Dolmage, of St. Marys, ,was appointed the first town. -constable at a salary of $350.00 a year. To- day a regular three-man force, Gordon Hulley, .Keith Ruston and John English are on duty around the clock, with a few assistants on call for special duty. The town in its eighth year had an outstanding record. In March, 1883,- the tax collector, E. Lusby, reported he had collected every cent of -taxes due on the list for the year 1882. The Second Division Court of Huron County was set up in Harpurhey in 1$50, but moved by the 1869's to Seaforth. The Division Court Clerks have been James Dickson, Ludwig Meyer, John Beattie, John C. Greig, Edward C. Chamberlain, W. E. "Ted" South- gate and Talton L.. Reid. Since 1964 Seaforth work has been carried on in Clinton by Mrs. W. My Nediger, (To be continitied)• 1,p0 4? �zuarzN Area �Organizations Busy lit Dublin The members of St. Mary's Anglican Guild, Dublin, met at the home of Mrs. Chas. Friend on Thursday evening. Mrs. Wil- liam Smith presided for the meeting, which was opened with the hymn, "Abide With Me." Mrs. Lloyd Humphreys read the Scripture and the accom- panying nieditation and prayer from the study book, "The Up- per Room." Following the roil call, the secretary -treasurer, Mrs. Roy Burchill, presented the financial report. It was decided to have Len- ten envelopes again this year, with each member providing her own envelope. A new date, March 16, was set for the ves- try meeting and: pot -luck sup- per, originally planned 'for January 26. The Penny -a -Day was collected from each mem- ber. Mrs. Charles ,Friend read a chapter from a book entitled, "The Greatest Thing ' in the World," by Henry Drummond. It was decided to continue read- ing from this book at future meetings.'. The next meeting will be' held at the home of Mrs. Lloyd Humphreys on March 23. The RED CROSS TO MEET The regular meeting of the Red Cross Society will be held in Carnegie Library, Friday af- ternoon, March 4th,' at 3 'p.m. Euchre Winners. Sixteen tables were at play at' the "progressive euchre patty sponsored by the Women's In- stitute Friday evening in the Community Hall. Winners were: ladies' high, Mrs. Herb Traviss; ladies' low, .Mrs. Douglas Fras- er; gents' raser;_gents' high,. Gordon McGav- in; gents' low, James Smith; lucky card draw, Mrs. Alex Den- nis. Committee •in charge ,were Mrs. Ronald Bennett, Mrs. Roy Huether, Mrs. James Nolan, Mrs. James Clarke and Mrs. Allan McCall. - There will be another progressive euchre March llth in the hall. CPT Fund Increases Assistance Mrs. Tillie Dunn, vice -grand, reported on cards sent to sick, folk at the regular meeting of Edelweiss Rebekah Lodge -Mon- day evening, 'Mrs. JameS Rose, noble grand, presided. March 9th was set as the date for a. pot -luck supper to be held in the IOOF hall, 'when members 'of Edelweiss Lodge, who were losers in a penny contest in aid of the CPT fund, will host members of Fidelity Lodge, IOO1;'. The latter , organ- ization is to arrange a grogram. Reporting for the "T com- mittee, Mrs. Peter Mala m said they had donated $70 s he Seaforth Community Hospi al to purchase equipment. The group plans to sell tickets on' a chair. Organized originhally to assist in aid toward cancer, polio and tuberculosis, the CPT commit- tee has broadened .its assistance to other rases in need of finan- cial assistance. Equipment on hand for loan are three hospi- tal beds, four' wheel -chairs, adult and children's crutches and walkers. Mrs. WinnerCut.hilt reported she had sewing on hand,. -to be done for the Children's Aid Society, and asked for volun- teers. Letters ;of thanks were read from Miss Dorothy Clark, of Stratford, sec.-treas. for the March • of Dimes campaign, ex- pressing appreciation for the' generous response made ,by the lodge in the recent drive. Further plans were made for the, dessert euchre set for Mar. 30th. Following the meeting, 15 tables were in play at euchre with the following being win- ners: high score. Mrs. Wilmer Cuthill, George Campbell; lone, hands, Mrs. Frank Striate, Se - cord McBrien; low score, Mr. and_.Mrs. David Papple; door prize, Mrs. Robert. Upshall; lucky cup, Mrs. Newman Gar- rett. Mrs. Margaret Messenger convened a lunch. The earth is the fifth largest planet. For 220 million people., Rus- sia produces only 185,000 cars a year, one-third of Canada's output. Trying to get a few minutes' rest after an exhausting day on the farm, poor father was be- ing harrassed by an endless stream of unanswerable ques- tions from his little son. "What do you do all day in the fields, Dad?" asked the Youngster. A thoughtful pause. Then: "Dad, how do you know when Mere • through?" president closed the meeting; 'with prayer. A very succespful Chinese auction was held, and another is to be held at the, March meeting. Mrs. Friend, assisted by Mrs. Burchill, serv- ed a delicious lunch. Mr. John Nagle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph- Cronin -and Mrs. Joseph Dill are attending the Hydro convention jt Toronto. Mrs. Pat O'Rourke and chil- dren, Dundas, with Mr. and Mrs. Peter Maloney. Miss Marie Krauskopf, Hazii= ilton, with ' Mrs. Catherine Krauskopf. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Butters and daughter, Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. Ron Butters and fam- ily, St. Thomas: and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Butters and family, London, with Mr. and Mrs. Tom Butters. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Lo.oby are spending three weeks in Trinidad. Mr. Mike McLaughlin and Mr. Matt McCreight are pa- tients in Seaforth Community Hospital. Mark Day Of Prayer The World Day of Prayer service, . which was held in St. Thomas' Anglican Church on Friday, Feb. 25, was very well attended. Mrs. George McGav- in read the meditation on the theme, "Ye Are My Witnesses." We are reminded in Isaiah that God told , the Hebrew people, "Ye are my " witnesses:'' ' What of " our day and generation? What does witnessing mean to us in this ever-changing world? Surely it means having a con- cern for people, being interest-, ed in their well-being and be- ing ready to help whenever and wherever possible, as well as obeying Christ's command to his disciples, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all, stations." A lovely solo by Mrs. Cleave - Coombs and a choir consisting of members from the different churches, were both accompan- ied by Mrs. J. °A: tewa"rt' on the organ. - Others taking part in the service were Mrs. W. B. Boul- ton, Mrs. C. Friend, Mrs.. Wm. Ball, Mrs. Wm. Campbell, Mrs. Wm. Little, Mrs." Dale Nixon, Mrs. Francis Coleman, Mrs. Harold Wilson, Mrs, Alex .Ches- ney and Mrs. Ed Boyes. The offering, which amount- ed to $52.40, was received by Mrs. Bruce McLean and Mrs. John Oldfield. • ZION Mr. Dan Burchill is home with his mother, Mrs. Hester Burchill, who is very ill at the home of Mr. and.Mrs. Jack Bur- chill. • .. ' Mr.' and Mrs, Len O'Rourke, Vicky, Patti and Gayle with Mr. and Mrs. Herb Britton on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Roney. entertained the Roney family on Sunday, it .being their par- ents, Mr. and'Mrs.,Alex Roney, fiftieth . wedding anniversary. The. /family are: Mr. and Mrs. Earl Roney and family, 'Mr. • and Mrs. John Bell' and daughter Seaforth; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Huras and family, Stratford : Mr. and Mrs. Bert Mahan♦• and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Roney and family, Staffa. Ten ladies from UCW Zior attended the World Day of - Prayer in Brodhagen Church on Friday. - THE HURON VcrOtsfrolt,, mom. 1965 AMBASSADOR 1965 ACADIAN 1964 CLASSIC AUTOMATIC 1962 RAMBLER 2 -DOOR 1961 CHEV. BISCAYNE-6' Cylinder 1961 AUSTIN - See the New 1966 Models N. ow on Display MILLER MOTORS Phone 527-1410 Seaforth PERSONALIZED COASTERS - , GIFT IDEAS - SERVIETTE`S 'Phone 527-0240 Seaforth 4 SMIT'H'S SUPERIOR *FOOD MARKET* SPECIALS FOR Thursday, Carnation MILK Robin Hood FLOUR Friday and Saturday 2 Large Tins 31 0 Clover Leaf 'Fancy Solid ''WHITE -TUNA York Choice TENDER PEAS Scott Family Pack TOILET TISSUE White, Pink, Yellow 1. Maple Leaf DETERGENT (Liquid) --Buy 1 Large 910 Plus 1 Free PRODUCE Y: 7-1b. Bag 690 • 7 -oz. Tin- 39* 2 20 -oz. Tins 390 4 -Roll Pkg. 390-. Florida White or. Red GRAPEFRUIT New. - 20 -oz.. Cello Bag TEXAS CARROTS 5, for 430 2 Bags 350 Tender Young GREEN ONIONS • • • 2 Bunches 1.9¢ FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIALS° E]`LONDON FREE PRESS THURSDAY Smith's Phone 527-0990 'S1.1PERIOR ,FOOD MARKETS*1 Free Delivery .ENGINE .OV-ERHAUL SPRING SPECIAL for 6 cyl. 99 50 Chev. Cars 441 ANI) MOST OTHER MAKES AND MODELS includes piston rings,'piston pins, motor overhaul gasket set and 41/2 quarts of oil • Complete Valve (rind • Clean Oil Breather • New Rings • Check Oil Pump Operation • New Pins ` " Check Oil Pan and 011 Lines • SEAFORTH MOTOR' YOUR GUARDIAN MAINTENANCE SERVICE Pho►ie 527-1750 . Seaforth, _.