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Clinton News-Record, 1984-12-26, Page 2Page 2r-.CLIWFQN N WA ORP, WE �r r //I R4W, 1EC,1atio , 225,.1984 / / / ////// Jack and Gladys Van Egmond stand in front of their house, the oldest structure on their 200 year old farm. The Bicentennial farm, on the outskirts of Clinton has a colorful history of past owners, including a Dutch count, one of Mr. Van Egmond's ancestors. (James Friel photo ) onds, proud of elle past By John and Monica Ladell Few Ontario families can have such distinguished ancestry as the Van Egmonds of Hullett Township. And when we visited them AEA north o ton, the farm seemed special, too. 'For it was one of `those cloudless days .when time seems to stand still, problems and worries disappear, and people and animals relax in the sunshine. Jack Van Egmond, his wife, Gladys, and his daughter, Susan run a Jersey operation on a century .farm that first belonged to Jack's grandmother's family, the . Far- quhars. The Van Egmond history is an astonishing one. The first of the family to settle in On- tario, Count Anthonius Jacobus Wilhemus Gisbert Lamoral Van Egmond, was born in Holland in 1778. This gentleman of many names came of a distinguished family. One of his ancestors, a Count Von Egmont, was a Dutch patriot beheaded in the city square in Brussels in 1568. It was after him that Beethoven named his famous Egmont Over- ture. Colonel Anthonius (.or Anthony) Van Eg- mond joined Napoleon's forces and took part in the retreat from Moscow in 1812. In 1815 he fought for the British at Waterloo. In 1819 he emigrated to Pennsylvania and in 1828 he moved onto the Huron Tract with his wife and 10 children. Colonel Van Egmond took to the life of a frontiersman with enthusiasm.B He chopped down trees and cleared nearly 100 acres of land in less than two years. He and his eldest son, Constant, built nearly 45 Miles of road east of Goderich (now part of Highway 8). He established four hotels and he brought in teams of oxen and of horses to carry provi- sions and mials. This was a relief for his youngest son, Johann Carl Friederick Edouard Marious VanEgmond. Edouard (or Edward) had carried the mail on his back between Galt and Goderich, a distance of about 70miles. Later, he settled down as a farmer and sawyer on the Huron road some Goderich Twp. celebrates a first GODERICH TWP. - "A red letter day for Goderich' Township" is how Reeve Grant Stirling described December 20, the day when The Goderich Township History Volume I made its first public appearance. At an afternoon public ceremony and mammoth autograph signing session at the Goderich Township Community Centre, Reeve Stirling noted that the 376 -page book was -the culmination of more than three years of work. "It was a long process," he said, noting all the meetings, the digging and the organiza- tion of the material. The Goderich Township History Volume I takes a detailed look at the 150 year history of the township. Goderich Township 1-5-0 will be celebrated in 1985. Reeve Stirling noted however that Goderich Township is in fact 152 years, be- ing incorporated as a municipality in 1833. Reeve Stirling commended Gerry Ginn, chairman of the 1-5-0 committee for his work in organizing the book and the yearlong schedule of events. Mr. Ginn accepted the first copy of the book and in turn donated it to the Hohnesville Public School. Principal John Kane and librarian Marian Pullman were on hand for the special presentation. Mr. Ginn noted that the book is unique in that it has more than 12 authors who helped put the hundreds of pages of historical infor- mation and photographs together. He offered special thanks and apprecia- tion to Alison Lobb, editor of the book. Mr. Ginn also presented a copy of the book to Huron Warden Paul Steckle. Warden Steckle will give the book to the Huron Coun- ty Library. He -noted, ""I receive this bookwith a great deal of pride." Warden Steckle also went home with a personal copy. His municipality, Stanley Township, is currently preparing a history Make cold feet a thing of the past and Save at the same time during 2uertt's annual WINTER BOOT and SHOE SALE. STOREWIDE three miles east of Clinton. It is from him that Jack Van Egmond is descended. Colonel Anthony Van Egmond was en- thusiastic about the development of Huron County. In opening up the country he ac- quired a great deal of land — some say as much as 14,000 acres. And, kind and hospitable, he was a friend to everyone. Well, perhaps not everyone. Van Egmond had enjoyed the friendship of John Galt, founder of the Canada Company, but he could not get along with his successor, Thomas Mercer Jones. He hated and despis- ed the men who allied themselves with Jones and with the Family Compact in Toronto. "Parasites and idlers," he called them. With this attitude it was perhaps in- evitable that the Colonel should have en- countered William Lyon 'Mackenzie. The two men shared the same views of a need for change. Gradually the old soldier came to the conclusion that only force would displace the Family Compact. On an unlucky day he accepted an invitation to lead the Rebels in the 1837 uprising. As is well known Mackenzie's forces were defeated at Montgomery's Tavern in Isl- ington, and Colonel Van Egmond was cap- tured and taken to prison. He was an old man by this time and he died soon after. It was a sad end to a distinguished career and his extensive lands were confiscated. But time exonerated him.,Today, Huron County is proud of this founding father who sacrific- ed everything for his principles. According to one source, Colonel Anthbny Van Egmond was "a tall, well built, soldier- ly type of man," and this description, equally fits his great -great-grandson, Jack Van Eg- mond. Both Jack and his daughter, Susan have inherited another Van Egmond quality — a gift for music. Jack's wife, Gladys, is also an accomplished musician and accom- panist, with a particular interest in country music. The Van Egmonds are enthusiastic Jersey breeders with a purebred herd of 100 head, milking about 45. Van Egmond is a past president of the Ontario Jersey Club and has served on its board for 15 years or more. "Why Jerseys?" we asked. It was the ra o ace him a book for their 1986 cele b tins, and economics that first attracted , V n Eg Goderich Township's efforts will be an good mond says. Jersey colas cost less - it was as example for the Stanley book committee to simple as that. But they have other attrac- study. Reeve Stirling called the book, "a first for Goderich Township." The hardcover book takes a detailed look at life in Goderich.Township for the past 150 years. It focuses on municipal affairs, schools,churches, clubs and organizations and community life. It also highlights 11 families who have lived in the township for the past century and a half, as well as eight 150 year family farms. Editor Mrs. Lobb said that a second volume of township history is currently in the works and should be available by July 1985. r 9 Volinrie wild' deal "spedifieally' With Goderich Township families. Anyone who -is interested in' iecorang the history of their family in this volume is asked to contact Alison Lobb by January 15. Final submis- sions for the book must be in by March. Goderich Township History Vol. 1 The marks the beginning of an exciting year for the municipality. Celebrations will get underway on New Year's Eve with the 1-5-0 kick off dance, to be held at the Goderich Township Communi- ty Centre. On January 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. a levee will be held at the Community Centre. At tha celebration the Goderich Township plates will be displayed. This is the only time that the plates will be available. They feature a picture of the hitch wagon, made by Tom Penhale of Bayfield, for Disney World in Florida. The. plate not only recognizes Mr. Penhale's achievement, but also honours the Disney family who .originally settled in Goderich Township. . Organizers of 1.5-0 promise an exciting year ahead in Goderich Township • and Mr. Ginn noted, "We invite everyone in western Ontario to the festivities all year long. They start on New Year's Eve 1984 and end on New Year's Eve 1985." LADIES All Dress Boots Reg. to '89.95 NOW 149.93-179°95 BOOTS Casual Boots Reg. to '69.95 NOW 139.95 to 149.95 LADIES FALL DRESS SHOES 20% OFF LADIES PURSES (Clinton Store Only) See our table of PURSES at 1/2 Price many styles and colours to choose from All other HANDBAGS" CLUTCHES and SHOULDER BAGS 20% OFF MENS WINTER BOOTS ----REDUCED TO CLEAR ALL CHILDREN'S BOOTS SALE PRICED -- Anything not already mentioned is 1 O % OFF in both of our stores except "'NEW SPRING MERCHANDISE" Como Early before your size Is gone • uertb's SHOES Quality & Service Since 1938 Exeter and Clinton 43.0611 482-9692 4 tive features. They convert roughage into protein more economically than any other breed. It is possible to get an open milk quota for Jersey milk ( which has, with a tightening up of the quota system, made Jerseys more popular) and the monetary return per kilogram of milk is higher. Then, if protein testing of milk should come in, Jersey milk is higher in protein. Three of the Van Egmond's herd sires have come from Lloyd Farms Limited at Princeton, leading Ontario breeders. Their present junior sire came from Jim Mortson of Queensville. He is Echobrook L.B. Spotlight, son of Grafton J.R. Lucy, Boy. Then in the spring of 1983 they bought Granclare Topaz Rosebud V.G. for $5,000 at the Spruce Vine Silver Classic Sale. It's an impressive Jersey herd.. It's ap- parent, too, that not only do the Van Egmonds keep Jerseys; they also like them. "They're the nosiest things around," Jack Van Egmond says of his cows as we vainly try to make Granclare Topaz Rosebud pose for a photograph. She and her other doe - eyed companions arefar more interested in checking us out and sniffing at the camera lens. Susan Van Egmond is a teenager who is totally involved in the farm's activities. She is also active in a number of 4-H clubs and raises Nubian goats as well as keeping a mare and selling her foals. "Children need responsibility," her father says, "and farm children get a lot of that. You _don't find much delinquency among farm children." Certainl an this farm with its cows, horses, goats, geese and a dog, there's much to keep Susan occupied. The history of the Van Egmond family is enshrined in Van Egmond House at nearby Seaforth. Built by the Colonel's eldest son, it is open to the public as a museum. The present-day Van Egmonds have reason to be, proud of their ancestors; but undoubtedly were he able to communicate with us, Colonel Van Egmond would tell us that he. is proud of his descendants and of the county that he helped to found. Life on, the farm, written by John and Monica Ladell, honors Ontario farmers in the bicentennial year. The series is produc- ed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture - and Food. There was an autograph signing party in Goderich Township last week when authors of The Goderich Township History Vol. 1 sold their first order of books. Presentation of the first books were made to Gerry Ginn, chairman of the 1-5-0 committee and Huron Warden Paul Steckle. (Shelley McPhee photo) Season's Greetings!' FROM ALL OF US AT CLINTON'S GAS BAR LEFT TO RIGHT: Jerry Faber -Case Buffinga-Ron Maines -Bill Darrel WE'VE ENJOYED KNOWING YOU AND SERVING YOU THIS YEAR! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday - Saturday 8 am-10.pm Sunday 9 am -10 pm (Winter Hours) CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY GATS Bee NIONWA, NO 1 Wltl CliN70N e-76 i.r _----"WE SERVE you-—.GIOIA/AA1 CC 1 APPLIANCE REPAIRS Large or small, we'll fix them all.... Our repair exports will have your appliance In tip top shape fast. -, - �-, Call Us Today At PECK APPLIANCES 'IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VARNA' VARNA 482-7103 GOETTLER OF DUBLIN A STORE FULL OF BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE On the Main -Street of Dublin 345-2250 Free Delivery BACHERT MEATS °Try our own smoked pork chops '')14for the bar -b -q season° CUSTOM KII.IJlo1G, FREEZING Cutting & Wrapping KILL DAY ON TUESDAY All meat Gov't. 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