Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1967-09-07, Page 6N i ' 6-41144 HURON EXPOSITOR, $EAFORTH ONT,, •SEPT. 70907 "(Continued from Page 1) ° dust; here we might mention a. few highlights in the life of Colonel A. VanEgmond, as he was so closely connected with the development of this partof the Euro» Tract. • ' ' Anthony was a- direct descendant of Count Eg- inortt of ,the Netherlands' and was a milita"r y man as long as he remained in Europe. When eighteen year's of age, he joined the Napoleonic Army during°the French Revolution. Itis military career is believed to have had sornething'to do with the constant wearing of Ms skull cap. The cause remained a closed secret even to his + children. His wife was, possibly, the only one who could have given a correct explanation,- but she never reveal- ed the secret. Legend has it that his ears could have been frozen when on the army's memorable retreat from Moscow, of that they were cut off in an encounter with a German soldier. During.his military career, he fought both for and against. Napoleon. Once he deserted, taking all his men with hien, and for this, •he would have been court marsh- alled had he not escaped prison through the stratagem of his wife.. At this time, she and their sou Constant t were allowed to visit him in the' prison. Anthony and Susan, being about the same size, exchanged their wear-' ing apparel on one of these visits. Anthony then calmly walked out, holding the boy by -the hand. Later, when the officials discovered they had a woman prisoner, 4 • ' Susan was freed. Their separation was not of a long duration. They very soonrnet at the place of meeting formerly arranged by them. • For this, of course, they had to leave the country. It was the rule at the time of the Napoleonic Wars that the wives and families' travel with the soldiers. Three -days before one of these famous battles, a son was born to the VanEgmonds. The generals presented the new baby with a gold cup which became a prized- • possession of the family. As the custom was, the baby was given the names of the generals. Thus, instead of Edward VanEgmond, one finds on, his tombstone in Egrnondville Cemetery his. name given as J. C. F. M. E. VanEgihond. Another niemento of these wars is 'in. the posses- sion of Foster Fowler, of Mitchell. It is a carved ivory pen which his great grandfather,' Anthony VanEgmond, carried with him to Moscow andalso during the Battle of Waterloo. When the .Napoleonic Wars were over, Anthony • followed the Britishmigration to the State of Pennsyl- vania. Here he, unfortunately, secured poor farming land. However, i later years, he learned his first land, with the black stones, was part of the Pennsylvania coal fields. After remaining here for eight years Anthony's restless and venturesome spirit urged him to make an- other move. When he heard, in the 1820's, of another large. movement of the Dutch.... from Pennsylvania to Waterloo County, he decided to try his luck in Canada. It was after he arrived in Canada that he became acquainted. with John Galt. It was this commissioner who named VanEgmond an honorary agent of the Cana- da Company. - After" . VanEgmond built the Huron Road and com- pleted his log inn and home on Lot 4, Concession 1, Hul- lett Township,, he cleared the farm, the first in Huron County. It was hese the. :first crop in the. county was harvested. In order to attend the first wheat -cutting- ceremony, Colonel Samuel Strickland,' Dr: William Dun- Iop and three .others walked from Goderich the day previous and spent the night attn. VanEgmond home.. At noon the next day, the Colonel handed - a sickle to Madame VanEgmond and with this she cut the wheat and bound the first sheaf. This was followed by cheers and toasts. After the. ceremony was over. the Colonel escorted his guests through his stump field of potatoes of. which he was justly proud. Some potatoes weighed, seven pounds, and- these were . later exhibited in ail the -taverns along the Huron Road. The total yield from one acre was 734 bushels arid three pecks. - - VanEgmonwas ambitious and enthusiastic and did not shrink from the hardest task if it was for the welfare of the settlers. Anticipating a,„ rush of immi- grants, he laid -in a stockaof 500 barrels of flour during 1831, and in the winter of 1831-32, his anticipations became a reality: This proved to be a profitable busi- ness 'venture,• as during that period his four -horse FALL :FERTILIZERS BULK_ or BAGGED all analysis available Lely or 4 -ton, spreader available SPE,CIAL. PRICES EE • HEAT Certified Talbot- and Genesee Contr-:acts Available TOPNOTCH PF!~OS LIMITED a .. History by Isabelle Cainpbeen teams were kept busy bringing in immigrants :and their goods from Toronto to Goderieh. This t✓anada Company agent cared well for the needs of the settlers.. When hard tines carne their. wad*, VanEgmond always extended a helping hand, The story is told of a reserve wheat supply he kept on hand for emergencies. One day a settler Came begging for wheat, but made the mistake of offering to `pay: for it. The Col- onel refused him flatly, saying: "This wheat is only for those who have no pennies to pay for it," By 1835 Anthony was very dissatisfied with the actions of the Canada Company. To bring the grievances of the settlers more forcibly before the governinent, he offered himself as- a Reform candidate for the first Legislature. When he was defeated by only i a few votes, he became a willing follower of William Lyon IVIcKeri- zie. When. McKenzie approached him to be commander of his troops in the 1837 Rebellion, VanEgmond, be- lieving to be fighting for the freedom .of the people, agreed to assist him. When word reached VanEgmond early in December, he dashed to Toronto, riding all night on horseback. Next morning at the headquarters, he was shocked to find only a few hundred poorly arm- ed • rebel men, instead of the thousands he had expect- ed. Only a short time elapsed till the skirmish at Mont- gomery's Tavern was ended,in defeat for the rebels. VanEgmond did not live -to see the fruits of the rebellion, which led to the, union of Upper `and Lower Canada in February, 1841, and tb the beginning of true responsible government in Canada. At the end of le skirmish. he was captured. and thrown ,into a cold Cell in Don Jail, but very soon he was transferred to the hospital,- where he' died a few weeks later. His death was caused by pneumonia; brought onby exhaustion and exposure, from both the cold of winter on his ride to Toronto and the, coldness and dampness of the cell into which he was cast after his arrest. Such, was the tragic ending of a "remarkable career. One writing of him said : "He was a gallant soldier, an enterprising pioneer and a friend to all. . Two sons, one of them Constant, journeyed, to Tor- onto .and- brought back the Colonel's remainsto the farrri -home 'in Hullett for -burial. Here he was laid to rest with no military honors.. During the homeward jour- ney, his eoffin was opened twice by government- officials, who suspected the smuggling of arms. VanEgmond's remains were later reinterred in Egmondville Ceme- tery, where today an: historic plaque marks his last resting place. ROADS Iir 1829, shortly after the Huron -Road was opened to the immigrants, -a road from Clinton to London was surveyed, known as the London Road. However, it was not till December; 1833, that a sleigh track was opened to traffic along this route. Even with these two = the Huron and the Findonroads in use, the population, of what was later Huron County, • had reached only 385 in 1837. That year two other local roads were opened. One was a short distance west of John Hides Bridge- water Tavernq`"at what is now Holmesville, through to the lake; and the second, the "Mill" road from Egrriond- ville to Bayfield. This second road, which led direct to -the mill, gave the new settlers far, beyond the "Mill", community access to • the grist And flour mill. This mill was partly erected, to the east of the present day Egmondville, by the Canada Company in 1832 and -com- pleted in 1833. At this time this was the second mill in the Huron Tract. The first one had, been erected a short time before in,Go.derich. Concessions had been surveyed, but no sideroads were in 'existence., People coming to the mill from the east on the Huron Road, cantered through' the forest ori foot, crossing what was later the Gemmell and McGeoch farms, till they reached the Silver Creek bridge on Concession two. This was near where the -mil)t was situated, and also near where Silver Creek jained•the Bayfield River. Another road, the Grey Turnpike, - later;" linked this road in a direct line north through Egmondville and Seaforth to Wroxeter. This first improved, road prov- ed to be a great boom to grain and produce farmers to the north, as Seaforth had rail service from Jurie 28, 1858, and the Wellington, Grey and Bruce railroad was not opened till December 29, 1874. The London, Huron and Bruce, known as the "butter acid egg special" made its first run on December 11, 18M These two railroads, cut off much of the grain trade which had been coming formerly to the Seaforth station. With the opening of all these roads in the various di1ections there was an influx of settlers, and progress came to the county. In 1838 the population was 1,168, but by 1842, it had increased to 7,100. As the settlers increased, more and morehamlets'sprung up here and there to supply their daily, needs. Frequently these hamlets owed their origin to an -easily developed water power. A stream that cquld be used to turn the wheels of- industry always provided a nucleus for a centre of population. Some flourished for a time, then passed into oblivion. Others are still to be found on the map, but with reduced*industries and pop- ulatiorr: Still others have a name different from the one originally used. Those along the Huron Road were Mitchell, Can ronbrookk, now Dublin, Irishtown now St. Columban Hunter's -or Mrs. Steerie's Corners how Seaforth, Ross now Egmondville, Harpurhey, Roxb>1rgh later Roxboro, McCrae's Corners later Alma, "The Corners" now Clin- ton, and Holmes Villa now Ilolmesville. It washere an- other road branched off to Porter's Hill and the lake sho2re.. On the Grey Turnpike were Bella Bay now Win- throp, Leadbury, Walton, Morrisdale, Airileyville now Brussels, Jamestown, "' Morrisbank and' Wroxeter. Also on the "Mill" road, wet from-Egmondville, Were' Brumfield, Bannoekbuirn, Varna. and, Bayfield. Toll gates were in use on the London, Mill and Grey Turnpike roads froom the_ time they were. opened. fo :traffic. These did not prove to be popular with the farmers and traveling public. Because of this, in 1873 Huron Caunty Cowl passed a resolution that all toll gates in the county be abolished, A few had been closed prior to this date. ' The one of interest here was among these latter ones. This one was located•'a mile and a quarter west of . Egniondville; at the intorseetidl of -the Mill Itoad and the sideroad leading to Concession two, Tucker- . sinith. This toll gate house was close to the side of the road and it was a two-storey frame building: The nettle Of the first- appointee is not known. The last one to 'it.�was abolished in the collect Elie toll fee, at the time ' Iatee. 1860's, was Henrytfunsn ore. The' building was • then moved JO a' plot on the McAdam farm and -vas the thi i more hone for1nai y- years. Its last mote WAS ttr 64 '101%6 "i1% a ochah fern, nearby, where it tie' Lige a a, itre ike "Before we begin;, Mr. Brofield, did you ever have the measles?' • News of DUBLIN Mrs. Jotn E. Murray in De- troit with Mrs• Vera MacKay. Miss Ann McAlur, Detroit, with Mrs. Patrick Ryan. Mr, and Mrs. Tom Holland, Windsor, with Mr. and Mrs. John Flynn and relatives. Mrs. Louise Eckert and.Mich- ael in Owen -Sound with Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Eckert. Mr: and Mrs. Neil Stapleton and Miss Mary Kelly in -Mont- real and Expo. " Mr. and Mrs. 0. J. Schmidt, Kennelworth, Ont., with Mrs. Loretta Schmidt and Monica Roach. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy Feen- ey and children, Kit`eliener, with Mr, and Mrs. Joseph Ryan. Mrs. Joseph Dill spent • the weekend at her home her and will spend the next two' weeks in Simcoe with Mr. and Mrs. Lester Haynes. Lieut. -Colonel and Mrs. Ed ward Tozier and family of Dav- ison, Mich., Miss Theresa Ryan, News ' of Cromarty Sunday visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gardiner were Mr. and Mrs. 'Tom Waender and Susan, Miss Carol Anne Gropp of Kitchener and_ Murray Eg- gert of Rostock. Mrs: 'Shirley Elliott and .fam- ily of Essek spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and, Mrs. John Wallace. Debbie Wallace returned home with them after a'twowveek's vacation with her. sister. Weekend visitors . with Mr. and Mrs. Otto Walker were Mr. and '1VIrs. Ken Walker of Lon- don, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Cur- rie and family of Dorchester. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gardiner and Janet Marquardt visited re- cently with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kneschtel, RostocIt. Mr. George Brooks of Strat- ford spent the weekend with his mother, Mrs. -Verna Brooks and his grandmother, Mrs. George Wallace. Visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Allen and fainily were Mrs. P. Scott Barr, Burlington, Mrs. Charles Middlebro, Mrs. Robert McKee, Shiela and Ro- bert of Owen Sound, Mrs. Dar- old Coleman, Seaferth and, Mrs. -Frank Allen. 'Holiday visitors with Mr. and Mts. Otto Walker were Mr. Al- lan• Turcott and son Barry, of Scarboro and Mr. and Mrs. Alex Walker and son, Jimmie of Kirkland Lake. - , Farm News The farmers in Huron Coun- ty have been taking advantage of the good weather and have the harvest of spring grains well miller way. In the county as a "whole,- OS% of the spying grain harvest is cornpleted. Yields are down somewhat in the southern part of the county; but are av- erage in the north. Some white beans have been pulled and will be ready to harvest within the next few days. The majoritt of the white beans in the county have turre ed color and, are net too far, og maturity. There are some eases where the beans Vera planted late and: thus, the har• vest here will be mucklater. Ground is being prepared for fall reheat whieht will' be plant- ed Within; the next fcw days, The ,corn crop is Maturing, very .favourebly� end will lira tTUcc a high ,1401'11.. it, eseapes. •ani+ early frost, London, Miss Mary . Margaret Ryan, Kitchener, with Mrs. Pat- rick Ryan. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Looby and family, in Dundas with Mr, and Mrs. John Robinson. Miss Joanne Stapleton, Kit- chener; and will ' teach high school in Galt the coming year. Mr. and Mrs.• Fergu Staple- ton in Ashburn, Ont., With Mr. and Mrs. Hugh PUgh and at- tended the wedding of Mr. Glenn Pugh. •- Mr. and Mrs. Don Coyne, Lon -4 don with Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Butters. .Miss Marie-Krauskopf, Ham- ilton, with Mrs. Catherine Kraus- kopf. `_ Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mal- oney, Stratford, with Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Maloney. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Dantzer, London, spent the weekend at their home- Iiere. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Trott, Clinton, with Mrs. A. M. Looby. Londbn- Ceitks Win QverSt Columban On Saturday, September 3rd, the I ondon Celtics defeated St; Coxumhan in London by a score of, 34, arx, Ryan scored for St, Columban in the first half which ended 1-1. In the second half, Celtics scored twice. The next harm game at St. Columban is on Saturday,: Sept,. 9th, at.4 p.m. against the Dutch, Canadian R team,. Let's hope harvest is over so we can see some good ball. • SMITH'S SPECIALS - FOR Thursday, Friday Robin Hood QUICK OATS Nabob 6c off label deal COFFEE • ' Libby's Deep Brown BEANS and Saturday 5-1b. bag 690 Heinz Fancy Quality TOMATO JUICE ; • Modess Sanitary NAPKINS New from Quaker RUNNY MUNCH • • Breakfast Club Assorted -JAMS LUNCHEON MEAT Wealthy APPLES 1-1b. bag 690 219 -oz. tins'490 2 48 -oz. tins 65C pkg. of 12.39.0; • • 101/2 -oz. pkg. 430 4 9 -oz. jars ?90 12 -oz. tin 490 PRODUCE - e Green PEPPERS, large size Seedless California ' GRAPES, 3 • lbs. for 330 2for 1.90 per lb. 250 FOR ADDITIONA> • SPECIALS SEE LONDON FREE PIS THURSDAY mith's tl - Phone 527-0990 -- - Free Delivery • DOS YOU KNOW THE 4 POINTS BEHIND EVERY- AD? When You See An Ad in THE . HURON EXPOSITOR THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS i. A REPUTABLE STORE . . -a store that lives up twits advertising bar- gains,` has a reputation to uphold. 2. - DEPENDABLE QUALITY x, in the merchandise it sreIIs -- Merchandise that is exactly as repreesented. 3.HONESTY in advertising messages and in. dealings with the public. No 'attempt to falsify or deceives ;r.. . VALUES • • • - ° Every Huron Expositor advertiser has an important message for you. It pays to rearl therm all ! MAKE YOUR PURCHASES THE SAFE WAY CONSULT THE ADS EVERY WEEK IN • . "Since 1860, Serving the Community, iE'ixst" - Phone 47-4240 Seaforth