HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1966-07-07, Page 8UMW tXxiOSITOR; , EAb'ORTII, ONT., JULY 7, 1966
(Continued from, laSt week)
NURSING HOMES
When, a need arose for a Nursing Home in the
'town not only one but two opened in the same year. In
1954 Bert Muir purchased the old J. H. Broadfoot
home on Jarvis St. and equipped it for a nursing home.
•It was opened later in the year. His wife, Mrs. Orma
Muir' was the nurse in charge. Patients were cared for
here till a few months after Bert Muir's death in the
spring of 1964.
In October, 1954, Miss Pearl Thamer, R.N. bought
the home of the late Mrs. Charles Stewart on Centre
St. and soon it was opened under the name of Thamer-
Rowland Nursing Home, but from the next year it was
known as The Thamer Nursing Home till sold to Wil-
liam and Lois Hodgert in 1963. Miss Thamer made ad-
ditions and other changes in the late 1950's and many
more improvements were made by the Hodgerts in
1964. Mrs. Lois Hodgert is the Registered Nurse in
charge. The name from 1963 has been Kilbarchan Nur-
sing Home.
Shortly after the new Seaforth Community Hos-
pital opened on September 14, 1965, Mrs. Jean Hen-
derson of Kincardine,. Ontario, got possession of the
Scott Memorial Hospital building. Seaforth Manor, as
it is now known, opened to receive patients in Novem-
ber, 1965. Mrs. Henderson is the Registered Nurse in
the home, and associated with her in this project is
her husband Bernard Henderson.
FUNERAL HOMES
Funerals have undergone changes with the chang-
ing times. With the coming of the automobile into gen-
, eral use, came motor hearses. It was W. J. Walker
who purchased the first one in town in June, 1919, but
by 1920 the other two undertakers, H. C. Box and S. T.
Holmes each had purchased and was using a motor
hearse also.
Funeral Homes till the 1940's were almost un-
heard of in the town. The earliest funerals, conducted
out of the private homes, were held in W. J. Walker's
residence on High St., or in part of the Box and Whit-
ney furniture stores. After G. A. Whitney bought his
home on Goderich St. in November, 1949, he built an
addition to the west of it. His Funeral Home here was
used for the first time in November, 1950. In April,
,1951, R. S. Box purchased the former Samuel Dickson
property on High St. and built a chapel adjoining the
home on the north side. Funerals have been held here
from September, 1951. For his Funeral Home W. J.
Cleary uses his private residence on Side St.
INSURANCE
William N. Watson was the first to sell insur-
ance in Seaforth. He had an office on North Main St.
by February, 1859. Daniel L. Sills came to the town
in 1867 and had his home and office on the southeast
come of Temperance and Side Streets, now the home
of Havey Leslie. Sills was the Canadian general man-
ager of` the Conn Mutual Life Insurance Co., Hartford,
Connecticut. He was the first agent this company ap-
pointed in Canada. G. T. Jarvis, John Seattor, A. G.
McDougall and John S. Porter were other insurance
agents in the 1860's.
The McKillop 1VMutual Fire Insurance Company
originated at a meetings of interested persons held in
the Commercial Hotel. on Wednesday, March 1; 1876.
The purpose of the meeting was to consider the form-
ing pf a farmers' fire insurance company. After much
discussion, it was resolved that the 'company be form-
ed and the above name was the one chosen. Another
meeting was held on March 18, with a .fair attendance
of prospective members and more than the amount
of insurance required for organization was secured.
At a meeting oh April 3, 1876, the directors were el-
ected, five from each of the townships of McKillop,
Tuckersmith and Hullett. The new directors met in
Carmichael's Hotel on April 8, 1876, and the officers
elected were as follows : President, G. E. Cresswell;
.vice-president, W. J. Shannon ; and secretary -treasur-
er, M. Y. McLean. The agents appointed were David
Sproat, Robert McMillan and Thomas Neilands. The
committee to examine applications: and grant policies'
Was the president, vice-president and. John McMillan.
From July, 1876 till 1878, the membership in-
creased .from 275 to 857 and the insurance from
$260,000.00 to $783,504.00. The total amount of losses
for the first two years was $515.00:
The company is still in a prosperous condition to-
day. Only seven secretary -treasurers have served since
the founding in 1876. These were M. Y. McLean, W.
J. Shannon, Thomas E. Hays, D. F. McGregor, M. A.
Reid, W. E. Southgate and Mrs. Keith Sharp. Since
1961 meetings have been held in the company board
room at the back, of W. E, Southgate's Insurance Of-
fice.'
SPORTS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sports such as hockey, Lacrosse, baseball, football
and curling were all popular from an early date. Some
teams were fortunate enough to become champions.
In later years bowling, badminton, golf and tennis were
added to the list.
Football• originated with the High School pupils
in 188Q, but it was not till 1888 the Seaforth Collegiate
Institute Football team was organized. By 1890 it had
assumed the title of the Hurons and had gone forth
conquering and to conquer under their Captain, George
A. Dewar. In its heyday this team won Western On-
Itario Championships. During the 1890's and early
1900's it held the Haugh Cup for nine years, then
after an absence of 33 years another collegiate team
again won it in 1934.
The Stars of Seaforth in 1876 won the baseball
• championship of the Counties of Wellington, Grey,
Perth, Bruce and Huron. Mention has already been,
made of the World Championship won by the .fire bri-
gade in 1888. In 1891 the Hurons of Seaforth 'defeated
the Scots of Toronto, five goals to one and won for
them that -year the Football Championship of Canada.
The finalgame was played on the Recreation, Grounds
in Seaforth, July 1, 1891. The Beaver Laerosse team
journeyed to New York on invitation of the Cresent
Athletic Club -of Brooklyn and before a crowd of more
than four thousand persons, defeated this 'champion -
team of the United States. This game was played June
3, 1905. Seaforth Beavers Intermediate Hockey team
brought to eaforth in 1941, the first Ontario Hockey
Association Intermediate Championship that ever
came' to Huron County. Again in 1965 and 1966, ,the •
Seaforth Beavers tvon the aa#'t a trophy and champion.
0140,
8Cl ' ' ,1"-'OtILTRY FARMS
she s1 tan.
f di.ei eilf in aforth ii1 X19$6' i e
31 0tedl t ? th Xnt01itt'tioziai• `te ri"ng Mathtvhich` is
a
a History by Isabelle .Campbell
to be held from October 11 to 14 'on the Scott Poultry-
Farms
oultryFarms adjoining the town at the northwest corner.
James M. Scott, an ambitious young• lad, was the
founder of the Scott Poultry Farms, which is today
one of the larger poultry establishments in the Prov-
ince of Ontario. It was in the fall of 1920 that James
took over the farm flock of 40 Barred Rock hens. At
this time early winter eggs had been unthought of but
through the use of fresh meat scraps, careful feeding
and good management his small flock gave exception-
ally high production right through the year. This en-
couraged him to continue. •
The next year, 1921, his poultry plant was com-
prised of 50 pullets, housed in the basement of the
barn, a 60 egg incubator, a second hand brooder house,
purchased for $5.00, and a small coal burning brooder
stove. Year by year, his business grew by leaps and
bounds till his poultry plant today occupies 412 acres
in one block, and includes four sets of farm buildings,
equipped with the most modern poultry equipment
available. Incubators with a capacity for hatching be-
tween twenty-five and thirty thousand chicks each
week are in use, a far cry from his 60 egg incubator
in 1921.
Since 1965 William Scott, a Toronto University
graduate in engineering, has been assisting his father
in the management of the Scott Poultry Farms Ltd.,
now associated with Kimber Chick, Inc., Niles Cali-
fornia.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
From 1845 there has been an Agricultural Society
in this community. At that . time it was listed as Har-
purhey and had around one hundred members from
part of Tuckersmith, Hullett and McKillop Townships.
The first known site for the fair was in Harpurhey
in Knox's Hall, just east of the cemetery and acros9
the road a mud stree was used as a. half mile straight
race track.•
By 1861, the Tuck rsmith Branch of the Agricul-
tural Society held its. fall fair on Thursday aid Friday,
September 15 and 16,' in Seaforth on land where the
public school and Neil Bell's gas •station and garage
are situated. Here there was an oval race track, grand
stand, crystal palace and ticket office all enclosed by
a high board fence. In the late 1890's the crystal palace,
which was. near the road, was burned under mysterious
circumstances. • •
The society in 1875 leased their grounds for five
years to the Seaforth Cricket and Baseball Clubs, but
reserved the use of it,;,,for show and other necessary
purposes. In February, 1880, the lease between this
society and the Seaforth Driving Park Association was
-cancelled. The grounds from then were under control
of the Agricultural Society. Fairs were held here till
the early 1900's. In March, 1907, ' Joseph Goldthorpe
and. Mr. MacEwan, of Goderich, bought the land and
buildings for $1,200.00. The buildings were torn dower
by the new owners.
In• 1890 contractors William and John Copp had
the old Burns' Presbyterian Church, in . Hullett, moved
to their property. directly across the 'street from these
agricultural buildings, to be used as a stable. The Copps
received it in part payment for work done on the new
brick church. For the past ten years David Schenk
has used this building for a car body repair shop.
On June 5, 1900, Ed Coleman sold one acre in the
n.ortheas) corner of the town to the Agricultural So-
ciety. On this land was built a unique two-storey eight -
sided crystal palace and other buildings. The first fair
was held ,here in September, 1902. The admission was
as follows: non-members, 25 cents; ladies and children,
10 cents; and carriages, 25 cents. Implement agents
were granted free space for their exhibits. In the har-
ness classes, Michael Broderick and James Gillespie,
both local harness makers for more' than half a century,
were keen competitors. Their well made brass mounted
harness was always a special attraction. Fall fairs of
the Seaforth Agricultural Society, now in. Class B, are
still held here.
As has been mentioned there was a race course
in Harpurhey in the, early days. Dr. T. T. Coleman
also • had one on his farm south and east of the fair
ground site, which he closed in 1875 and had the land`
laid out into town lots. For one year the town was
without a race course. In June, 1876, a joint , stock
company was formed, intending to purchase ground
for driving park, but they leased instead. The price
of each share was fifty dollars. In December, 1880,
when the Seaforth Driving Park Association dissolved,.
the dividend received was only $3.00 per member.
Part time that the quarter mile oval track was
being used on Goderich St., the Turf Club was operat- e
ing a half mile•track on the second field from the north
road on Thomas Lapslie's farm, now owned by Gordon
Elliott. This was known as Fairview Driving Park. In
1899, this Seaforth Turf Association •bought land from
Ed Coleman where the race track is today. After the
half mile track was constructed the area was put up
for auction and it was purchased by the Agricultural
Society with the Town of Seaforth, also the townships
of Tuckersmith and McKillop each contributing' $100.
Thomas Scott made up the $700.00 balance to pay off
George McCartney's $1,000.00 mortgage.
In 1949 more land was 'acquired and the new
arena and ,comrltunity centre was built March 23, 1950,
was the first of• the three night opening of this mem-
orial arena. It is used for skating, curling and hock-
ey. In it is also a banquet hall and the Legion quarters
were here till 1960. Father • Stephen Eckert Council
of the Knights of Columbus, organized in October,
1961, hold their meetings here. Also from January,
1959, the Seaforth Teen Town group, organized through
the'efforts of Chief Elmer Hutchinson, have held their
dances here; and after ,the Badminton Club left the
town hall, the gatherings ' of this group were held also
in the arena.
(To be continued)
Read the Advertisements — It's a Profitable Pastime!
DID ► INN! KNOW
,f rrn-r. t
Fri ,fll,%'/•.,,'�%
...that Sun Ufa of Canada is err
of, the world's leading life insaransa
companies, with 150 branch Ansa
throughout North America.?
As A • San Ujo nryr+rs•eM.
OW is row coaM,rwtt%
rias X frit .Ir •--•lost
JOHN J. WALSH
Phone 271-3OO' " = 48' Rebecca Si., STRATFORD
Sun Life Assttranee • Company of Canada
DEAR DORIS
-advice from
Doris Clark
HFR HUSBAND IS .BRIGHTER
DEAR DORIS Njy husband
(a salesman) is brighter -than I
am, but he envies my persever-
ance.
erseverance. He has. started two study
courses and dropped them,
whereas I want to start on a 10-
year plan, even if It's just one
subject a year.
I know he would filnd excuses
to dissuade me because deep
down, though he would never
say this, he would resent my
pursuing a higher q education
than he has.
Doris, I understand my hus-
band's feelings. It is very, neces-
sary for a man to feel he is bet-
ter educated than his wife, and
I am always careful to show my
reliance on him about everyday
problems.
I don't want a degree. Just
enough education to be able to
help the mentally retarded, or.
some other .field where I would
be working with people.
Learning 70 Live
DEAR LEARNING Your
comments show insight. But ie
hasn't occurred to you that your
salesman - husband doubtless
konks out with brain fag when
his work day is over. The occu-
pation of sales representative
ranks with the most difficult
and demanding — of both phys-
ical and mental energy.
Your 10 -year plan is a good
one,, and. I'd guess your forte is
in working with people. Why
not think about a hobby your
husband would enjoy while you
are attending classes? A study
course takes tough discipline;
but he too will be happier if he
is engaging his leisure hours in
a creative er sociable pursuit.
We all need something relaxing
and different to think • about
in our off hours.
DEAR DORIS — This girl I
know is an unwed mother. I am
very fond of her. Every so often
she won't s ak., to me, because
of sometl• ig I have said to
someone else. She doesn't men-
tion to me what I did or said
wrong.
I do a lot of drinking, because
I am very shy. Would she be
putting on a show or brushing
me off?
I asked her for a date once.
She didn't say yes or no. I don't
know what I should do; afraid I
might do the wrong thing.
Confused
DEAR CONFUSED — How
do you know the silence is be-
cause of something you've said,
if she never tells you? It may be
that she just isn't interested in
a date, but hates to hurt your
feelings by saying so.
CORSETTIER
Bras, Girdles, Corsets.
and Support Garments
TO FIT ALL FIGURES
At Reasonable Prices
Mrs., J. Hoelscher
SEAFORTH
George St. — One Block East
of Library
Why
The
Christian
Science
Monitor
recommends
you read
your local
newspaper
Your local newspaper is a wide -range
newspaper with many features. Its
emphasis Is on local news. It also
reports the major national and inter-
national •news.
THE MONITOR COMPLEMENTS YOUR
LOCAL PAPER •
We specialize in analyzing and inter-
preting the important national and
International news. Our intention is
to bring the news into sharper focus.
The Monitor has a world-wide staff of
correspondents—some of them rank
.among the world's finest. And the
Monitor's incisive, provocative edi-
torials are followed just as closely
by the men on Capitol Hill as they
are by the intelligent; concerned
adult on Main Street.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THE MONITOR
You probably know the Monitor's pro•
fessionai reputation, as one of the
world's finest newspapers. Try the
Monitor; see how it will take you
above the average newspaper reader.
• Just fill out the coupon below.
Th'e Christian Science Monitor
One Norway Street
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02115
Please start my Monitor subscription roe
the perlod checked below. I enclose
1 W 3' tunds).
YEAR
3 months $(1 `I a months $12
Hama
stunt
•tate ZIPCede,6.:_-_:.
Pnr6A
But. ?' You have reason to
•think she is beingensitive
about something -= and an un-
married Another aright have be-
come eittra sensitive to fancied
slights — write her a friendly
note saying yoa''d like . a date,
That you are wondering wheth-
er something you have said has
inadvertently hurt her.
DEAR DORIS — How would
you go about, accepting a group
invitation' to a wedding? This;
was the usual formal engraved
invitation, addressed on the out-
side to "The Executive and
Staff of Blank & Company".
Do we use a • company letter.
head? About 20 of us plan to.
go.
' Secretary
DEAR SECRETARY — A
blanket invitation to the entire
staff of an organization is un-
usual, to say the least. A wed-
ding is an important occasion,
and each guest, should be given
the prestige of a personal in-
vitation.
But this was not done. I'd say
the responders would have to
use a little of their own judg-
ment in accepting.
Perhaps the best way would
be to write it on the finest per-
sonal . or., executive stationery
(not a letterhead of the compa-
ny); handwrite the words of ac-
ceptance with a pen, using the
form of the invitation:
In place of the specific names
the first lines might read:
"Twenty members of
the executive and staff of
Blank and Company
Accept with pleasure etc."
Confidential to Old Land
Daughter — You h two
strikes against you: (1)
boy friend is a grown man ei ht
years your senior; and (2) while
you were born here, your par-
ents were raised where there
just wasn't the casual, early dat-
ing we do in Canada.
Give yourself, and your par-
ents, the break of taking no
one — let alone a man 25 —
seriously for at least four years.
ASK FOR
EO INVITATIONS
O ANNOUNCEMENTS
.0 ACCESSORIES
COME IN AND
ASK FOR YOUR
FREE BRIDAL 'GIFT
REGISTER
Phone 527-0240
WILLIAM M.- HART
Phone 5270870 : Seaforth
PERSONALIZED
WASTERS - GIFT IDEAS SERVIETTES;
Phone 527-0240 : Seaforth
We're going
on
VACATION
SEAFORTH UPHOLSTERY
WILL. BE CLOSED
FOR VACATION
Sat. July 23 to Mon. Aug. 8
Seaforth Upholstery
PHONE 527-0190
SEAFORTH-
It's Great With :Mead s
MAPLE LEAF
DAIRY
Phone 527-0810 Seaforth
0
BROWN'S SUPERTEST STATION,.
Sundays, Holidays, Everyday — Maple Leaf
Dairy Products are available et
•
1965 ENVOY "EPIC" — E927.6..
1964 OLDS SEDAN, A.T., R. P.S. and P.B. E93%5
1963 DODGE SEDAN, H3. --E9498
1963 FORD COACH -E8655
1962: FORD GALA .Y SEDAN, A.T.—E9883
1962 CHEV. SEDAN, R•--965008
1961 CHEV. SEDAN—E7981
1961,PONTIAC SEDAN -46141
1961 METEOR COACH—E9488
1959 CHEV...SEDAN, R,, $275.00—E4957
'1960 •CHEV. %/%-'TON PICKUP, (1ow mileage) -078560
1959 CHEV. 1/2 -TON PICKUP -073814
NO REASONABLE .OFFER REFUSED
AT
eaforth Motors
Phone
527-1150 w ' Seaforth
LOT OPEN EVENINGS TO 9:00
•
•
r
•