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Yesterday And Today, A Salute to Blyth's 125th Anniversary, 2002-07-31, Page 32Pictured in back; J. Rick Elliott and R. John Elliott. Seated: Gordon B. Elliott R. John Elliott and J.H.R. Elliott From left to right: John Nixon, Randy Nixon, Rick Elliott and John Elliott stand outside the newly-amalgamated firm of Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers. (Citizen photo) Back row: Gertrude Elliott (Wetilanfer), petty Elliott, Gordon Elliott, Frank Elliott; Marion and Alexander Elliott. Front row: J.H.R. Elliott, his wife, Ada M. Elliott and Aunt Marion's mother. Standing in front of J.H.R. Elliott is R. John Elliott. PAGE 32. THE CITIZEN, YESTERDAY and TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2002. Evidence of tile yard activities still turn up in pond Continued from page 27 Logan went into partnership with Charles Fraser to create Logan and Fraser Tile and Brick. In the days when muscles, both of men and horses, provided power, tile making was a laborious task. First the clay was dug out with scrapers on a drag line pulled by horses. Viola Fraser, daughter of Charles Fraser, when interviewed by Mrs. Wm. Morrill years later, recalled th-at the men had to go into the pond wearing a harness that could be.used to pull them out if they became mired in the quicksand that was a constant hazard of working at the yard. After the clay was excavated it was put in a hopper to be ground. Next it was moulded into tile in long strips and cut to the desired length using wire. The "green", unbaked tile was them stored ;n open sheds to dry before putting it the kilns. Viola Fraser recalled it took an experienced person to tire the kiln using tamarack wood. If the process wasn't done just right, the tiles had to be scrapped. The kiln operation could be hazardous. In 1901 a kiln fire spread to the nearby shed and most of the buildings were lost. Undaunted, Logan and Fraser worked to rebuild the operation over the next winter. The tile yard made three-, five- and six-inch diameter tile which was sold to farmers. JameS Logan's brother William hauled the tile and worked with Eddie Rouse, who had an ditching machine, to install it. The operation flourished for several years, employing 10 men in the summer. By 1913 business declined enough that the business closed. If you're visiting from out of town WELCOME HOME You can keep up with the events of Blyth by checking our website www.northhuron.on.ca Insurance is an Elliott Tradition! In today's diverse and changing economic climate, it's getting harder and harder for business to operate in the black and continue to provide quality service and products to their clients. In Blyth there is such a business that can boast of 92 continual years of success throughout four family generations and that name is Elliott Insurance, The Elliott family, has played an integral part in the history of Blyth and area since 1910 when J.H.R. Elliott moved to Blyth from Thessalon, Ontario to purchase The Blyth Standard newspaper, a book and stationery store and two small insurance agencies. Who would think that from those tender beginnings in 1910 that it would be the start of a four-generation family business? Wm. Alexander Elliott, J.H.R. Elliott's first son began working with his father prior to serving in the navy during WWII and then relocated to Thunder Bay area after the war. In 1936 Gordon B. Elliott, J.H.R. Elliott's third son began working with his father at the age of 21 years in the insurance office until his retirement in 1980, after 44 years of service and commitment to the community. During that time, the insurance industry was far more basic in part from the needs of the customers, as there were few vehicles and buildings required only basic fire and wind coverage. "I got into the insurance by accident. When I came out of Grade 13 in 1934 I worked at a garage. 1 started into the business when' my father needed someone to help him. I came in because of necessity and I've never been sorry for it," said-Gordon Elliott. "The education that was needed for the business was taught to me by my father, and a license was not required to sell insurance," said Gordon. Gordon's son R. John Elliott, joined the firm part time in 1956 and became licensed in 1961 with the Ontario Insurance Agents Assoc. Gordon and John operated the business as a partnership known as Elliott Insurance Agency until 1978 when they incorporated the business into Elliott Insurance Brokers Limited. "It was my desire to go into the insurance business when I was in Grade 9", explained John. "The opportunity of working with my father and carrying on the family business was a simple and meaningful decision that made sense!" "Why are today's rates relatively low compared to 1948?" John says, "It's because of the better fire protection and the consumers increasing risk management of their property. The customers are continuing to upgrade their homes and businesses' electrical, heating, plumbing and roof systems. This reduces everyone's potential to loss of property, thereby reducing the overall costs paid in claims." In 1980 John's eldest son J. Richard Elliott began working part time and in 1983 joined the firm completing the. fourth generation to work within and manage the family's insurance business and service its growing clientele. Rick finished his education at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technologies in Hamilton, Ontario in 1983, received his AIIC Associateship in the Insurance Institute of Canada in 1987 and became a full partner in the firm. "With time, comes experience and being able to draw on the experiences of J.H.R., Gordon and John provide a tremendous resource of the industry-based knowledge and consumer relationships combined with the changes of both the business and community", explains Rick. "I never knew-my great-grandfather, but what I do know is that he has left an indelible imprint in the community and with his children, to pass on into the future. Many times through discussions with both my grandfather and father, they spoke without hesitation, about the strength. compassion and dedication that J.H.R. had for his family and the community, which has been instilled in each of his (amity members generation after generation. In 1988 we computerized our office processes, which actually was the most major change in the office since inception in 1910. The single phone line became five lines, the binding cases became colour-coded tiles and work was done on computers. In 1996 we began providing computer support and service to Cardiff & Mulvey Insurance in Brussels, which is now called Sholdice Insurance Limited and in 1999 after a number of years of discussion, we made strategic alliances with three area brokers including Sholdice Insurance Limited, Lyons & Mulhern Insurance Brokers in Goderich and Seaforth Insurance Broker in Seaforth to become Group. Huron organization of our four offices, which have the state of the art automation system, internal support and a wider rage of Insurance Company markets to offer superior products and better J.H.R. Elliott pricing to our clients. In January 2001, Randy Nixon joined Elliott Insurance Brokers Limited. Randy. was born and raised on a Belgrave farm and is the son of John Nixon owner of Nixon Insurance Inc. a long-time insurance agent for West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Co. Randy also went to Mohawk College in the Insurance Administration Course and obtained his FIIC Fellowship and Certified Risk Managers designation after graduation: John Nixon took over the insurance business operated previously by Mason Robinson in 1984 and created Nixon Insurance Inc. while he also operated a beef and mixed farm in the Belgrave area. John was a director of the board of the West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance Co. since 1974. On August 31, 2001 the two businesses joined forces and amalgamated-to become Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers Inc. The merger of the two businesses also sees the transition from father to son completed as John Nixon has retired and Randy has become the second generation of the Nixon family business and John Elliott has turned the running of the amalgamated company over to the younger Randy, although continuing to generation Rick and 'keep involved and working with the clients. The office is now comprised of five full-time licensed brokers working in the business, including Barbara Snell, who has been with the firm since 1978 and has also completed her AIIC Associateship Degree in 1998; Jacalyn Lantinga in 1988 and licensed in 2002; Aimee Townsend in 1997; Christine Hicks in 2001 with her AIIC degree. We have also Bryan Allan who provides our Property Inspection and Evaluation information services. Anne Elliott, Rick's wife joined in 1994 and licensed in 2002 and Kim Nixon, Randy's wile joined in 2001 both provide support services. Currently. we are proud to continually provide trusted advice and protection to our clients throughout Ontario from Windsor to Ottawa and from Toronto to Cochrane in the north. The scope of our business territory encompasses those customers wherever they are or wherever they move to. from generation to generation within the Province of Ontario. 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