Clinton News-Record, 1985-6-26, Page 70PAGE FO (FOUR
Huronview
From "poorhouse" to respected home for aged
In the 1800s it was known as the
"poorhouse", the "House of Refuge". It pro-
vided accommodation for the elderly, the
homeless, the poor and the emotionally
distressed.
Today Huronview is recognized as a
respected, Home For the Aged. The staff of
Huronview, under the direction of ad-
ministrator Wayne Lester, are dedicated to
the comfort, safety and well-being of the
more than 300 residents who call Huronview
home.
It's a reputation that's being developed
and emphasized over the years, to the point
where now the term "poorhouse" is only
remembered by a small percentage of the
older population in the area.
Built in 1895-1896 on the east side of the
London Road, south of Clinton, it was once
considered to be the home of the poor, but
now the rich, and people of all financial cir-
cumstances and all walks of life reside at
Huronview.
Huronview originally sat on about 68
acres of farmland in Tuckersmith
Township. The total staff at the time of its
opening consisted of the keeper and his wife,
a cook and a hired man.
The first manager and matron were Mr.
and Mrs. David French of Clinton.
When it opened, the home had 100 rooms
and about nine residents until the spring of
1897 when more came. The first male resi-
dent was Mr. Wes Sutton of Exeter. The first
female resident was 13 -year-old Ida Cunn-
ingham.
The doctor for the home at that time was
Dr. J.W. Shaw, who remained on staff until
1946.
The home was entirely self sufficient. All
of the fruits and vegetables were grown on
the farm. Cattle were raised for meat and
milk. Any crop left over would be sold. The
only thing bought regularly was soft soap
for the laundry.
About 5,000 quarts of fruit were done up
every fall for the coming winter. One thou-
sand tomato plants were purchased from
C.V. Cooke each year. Some 2,800 cabbage
plants grew from seed and there were five
acres of potatoes.
Superintendents over the years included
Robert Mutch and Bob Roberton. John and
Martha Jacob came in the beginning of 1923.
At that time Mr. Jacob also made the
caskets. They were handmade in a carpen-
try shop, located in the basement of the
home. Mrs. Jacob lined all the caskets with
white satin.
Mrs. Jacob was also in charge of making
all the men's shirts, dresses for the women,
quilts for the beds, and knitting men's socks.
At one time they employed a shoemaker,
John Wade, who had a shop in the basement.
In the years that the Jacobs managed the
home, their son Dick looked after the farm.
At the front entranceway to the grounds
was an archway where the sign "House of
Refuge" had been hung in the early 1920s.
One day when Dick was bringing in an extra
large load of hay, he caught the sign and
down it came. Shortly after, they renamed
the home, "Huron County Home."
Dick Jacobs was paid $48 a month for his
527-0180
Congratulations
Tuckersmith!
Enjoy the
celebrations!
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• HOURS:
SUN. & MON. TILL 11 P.M.
TUES., WED. & THURS. TILL MIDNIGHT mg
two FRI. & SAT. TILL 2 A.M.
ON HWY. 8 NEXT TO MAC'S MILK
services as farm manager. He was paid four
times a year, when the committee met.
Funerals were held at the home in the ear-
ly days. Up until 1929 there was a burial plot
behind the farm. There is a cairn at the back
of the farm bearing the names of the dead on
four sides. In later years a plot was purchas-
ed at the Clinton Cemetery, and all the
graves are marked with a footstone and
name inscribed theron.
A colorful resident in those early days was
big George Wilson who was reported to
stand over seven feet tall and wore a size 24
shoe with a sole carved out of a two-inch
plank. When he arrived at the home, his bed
had to be extended about three feet. Big
George was buried in the Benmiller area.
In 1939 the Jacobs started to change the
stabling at the home and included a herd of
milking shorthorn cattle. In 1944 the herd
was changed to holsteins. Several barns
were added to the property during the 1940s
and in 1942 a milk pasteurizing plant was ad-
ded. Surplus milk was sold to the Carnation
Milk Plant at Holmesville. The self-
sufficient farm also included 300 laying
hens.
By 1944 the name was changed to "Huron -
co Farm," to give a name to the registered
cattle. More land was bought, bringing the
total acreage to 202 acres, and it was worked
with horses.
Hogs, cattle, poultry, prize winning teams
of horses and acres of fruits and vegetables
and grains were all part of the early story at
Huronview.
In August, 1954 Harvey Johnston was
HAVE A
HAPPY 150th
TUCKERSMITH!
from
THE MANAGER
and STAFF of
1-0
BANK
TORONTO
DOMINION
BANK
Seaforth
THE BANK WHERE PEOPLE
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
HAPPY 150t1 -1 --Th
TUCKERSMITH
LOVELL
STRAWBERRY
FARMS ry_ KIPPEN
named the first bookkeeper. He was ap-
pointed farm manager in the fall of 1955, and
promoted to the position of superintendent
in 1956. At that time the name of the home
was changed to "Huronview".
Around 1952 Huronview received its first
subsidy from the provincial government
and has been supported by them every
since. Also at the time, the first addition to
the home was built. In 1953-'54 it was con-
structed, followed by a second wing, built in
1958-'60. When this second wing was built,
the original building was completely
dismantled.
The additions brought Huronview to the
status and quality service that it offers to-
day.
Today Huronview has a bed capacity of
310 and residents of the home include people
in their sixties, to those over 100 -years old.
Each resident is considered and treated as a
mature adult who has had a lifetime of rich
experiences. Huronview provides support
for all residents to maintain their privacy
and freedom of choice of companionship, ac-
tivities and interests.
Huronview staff and services include a
full medical team, dietary staff,
maintenance department, laundry and
cleaning staff and activities staff. Huron -
view today boasts a tuck ,shop and lounge,
beauty parlor and barber shop, arts and
crafts room, a large public auditorium,
chapel, banking and post office facilities.
Everyday is a busy day at Huronview. A
Turn to page 45
Congratulations
to our many
friends and customers
in Tuckersmith.
Have a great time
at the Sesquicentennial
Celebrations this weekend.
VERRBEEK'S
FARM & GARDEN CENTRE
22 Isaac Street
CLINTON
482-9333
-7•
3
"CHEERS
for you
TUCKERSMITH!
from
Ken Cardno, Don Eaton
Marie Muir, Barb Watt
SEAFORTH
INSURANCE
BROKER LTD.
MAIN ST. SEAFORTH 527-1610