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The Huron Expositor, 1968-10-31, Page 23A fa • otos Ala • -Mork THE Hy�PxPoIi1roL 1100040114 en, a Wikuct;weat ,szef 291 Dundas Street, London, Canada . Resident Partners O. M. Cameron J. J. Cronin G. F. Francolia K. W. Lemon O. W. Parkes D. Q. Preston j, F, Roblnacin W. L. WoOd an Halifax SaintJohn Quebec MontrealOttawa TorontoHamiltonialtchenerLondonWindsor a Port Arthtir Port William Winnipeg Regina Calgary Edmonton Vancouver Victoria Arroorrinirromireemeemersolle, many happy returns to a' good friend For many of its long and memorable years we have served the townspeople of Seaforth and the surrounding district. It has been our privilege to deposit your savings, issue your guaranteed investment- ce4ificates, loan you money in mortgages, provide `yliu safety. doeposit boxes, act as custodian in your financial affairs and promote your interest in any Way. we could. So, today, as no stranger in your midst, we feel very much a part of your celebration when we say with your other many friends ."Happy Birthday to Seaforth"., VG Maid GREY TRUST .COlvlANY SINCE 1889 ' In these days of miniaturiza- tion with. micro -seconds and miniskirts, society -seem to want everything shortened: Everything is getting smaller - even "old home week". was sq- ueezed.down to "old home week- end". Over the July 1st holiday fhe town of Seaforth, welcomed back departed sons and daught- ers who made the scene for a real swinging "get Te-accniainted weekend". Old timers from all across Canada and the U.S.A. returned for a weekend of nostalgia and home cooking. The town is,,100 years old this year and although never going much beyond 2,000 in population it has produced many who left, but still call it home.' One of thefirstto leave Sea - forth was no doubt Anthony Van Egmond. Thirty years before Confederation and thirty-one years before Seaforth was in- corporated as a village he was 'summoned'. by William Lyon McKenzie to lead the rebels into Toronto., He was defeated That winter in the skirmish at Mont- gomery's Tavern, and was, cap- tured and confined to the Tor- onto jail. Another early leaver G. F. Rogers, went on from the princi- palship of Seaforth Collegiate Institute in the early 1900's t� become the Director of Educat- ion for the Province. William Aberhart left in 1910, heading eventually for Alberta to teach achool, There he formed the Social Credit Party and was Premier of Alberta for eight' years. Howard Kerr left in 1919, graduated in Engineering, be- came a teacher, worked for the Department of Education and went on to become the found- ing President of Ryerson Poly - technical Institute. Dr. Kerr is now the 'Chairman of the Coun- cil of Regents for the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Joe (Ham) Fisher, after work- ing for the local Seaforth Week- ly, the Huron Expositor (which incidentally celebrated, along with our country, its 100th an- niversary) left to become a very famous Ottawa correspondent for the Toronto Telegram. Be- fore he died he was in charge of the Editorial page. , made in Seaforth bY the -Robert Bel/ Engine and Thresher COM- pany like the heavy horse has gone into history remembered only as a symbol of the real old days on the farm. In the early 1930's Finley McKereher's daughter left the farm, to attend Macdonald. Inst- itute 'in Guelph. Today, -MSS Helen- McKereher, . SA, M.S., - R.P.DT., is Dirictor of the Home Econernics Branch of the Ont- ario Department ,of Agricultuat and Food, Honorary President pf the Federated Women's Inst- itutes of Ontario and a life mem- ber of the Associated Country Women of the World. Charles Stewart left to work for the Robert Simpson Com- pany. To -day, "Chuck" Stewart is a vice President and Director of Simpsons. Stewart Brothers, a clothing store started by his father -and-uncle is still in the family and going strong on Seaforth Main Street. George Daly paints on the weekends at his stodio conver- Most small townin those ear- ly days had a weekly paper. For over eighty years Seaforth had two - 'The Huron Express now the Huron Expositor and the - Seaforth Sun which became the • Seaforth News. Jim Scott, noted area histor- ian, left Seaforth and became Book Editor of the Toronto Tel- egram, Journalism Professor at Western and later Assistant to the President of Waterloo Uni- versity. Jim Gillespie left Seaforth after returning frbm World War 1, to go on to an illustripus car- eer in teaching, rising to dis- tinction as Principal for many years (including the Period 1939-1945 when many service- men were trained) of Central Technical Schobl in Toronto. Art Reid left Seaforth in the early 1920's and got into the consumer loan busiOss.. He for- med a company that is almost a 'household word . in North America. In fat it is - - "House- hold Finance". He was President until shortly before he died. Another household word, at leastio farmers in Western Can- ada forty years' ago was "Imper- ial". Reported to be the best in Canada, the Imperial Thresher 4 ‘` :" • • (ND OD is turnim up the design '6 ted from a rural school nestled, in the Caledon Hills. Through the week George is the Director • of Creative Advertising for Sim- psons and more than any other person is responsible for his Company being given the SOC- RATES AWARD. Not once, but three times -has this International award been won in competition with every Departnient store in North America. But George is still known best in his hometown for his pencil sketches of the Sea - forth Collegiate that appear in the school Year Book. , 'Ken Larone left Seaferth to attend Ryerson Polytechnical In- stitute wh'en former resident, ,Howard Kerr, was principal. Larone was founder ,And now is co -publisher of one of the most successful weekly newspapers in Canada - The Scarborough Mirror. About one hundred years be- fore Ken left town Andrew Lum- sden was Editor of the Huron Express. Andrew left Seaforth in 1860' and founded a news- paper that is now the Winnipeg Free Press. Nor were the arts neglected. The town's contribution is as significant as it is varied. Painter William Creswell spent most of his life in Seaforth and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy. One of his paintings hangs in the National Gallory in Ottawa and two others painted about 1887 hang in the Ontario Art Gallery. Poetess Isabel! Graham born - in Seaforth, in the_ late1800's wrote for publications all over North America and is rememb- ered particularly for her book of poems. ""A Song of Decem- ber". written around 1994. Just about the time irwaa in- corporated, Miss Grace McFall was born in the new village of Seaforth. She went on to become a soloist with St. Paul's Cathe- dral in Toronto and from there she sang as a member bf various concert tours throughout Can- ada and the United States. Ac- claimed in New York with the Frances Wilson Opera Com- pany around the turn of the cen- turyshe married a local banker, James Mullen and died a , few -years ago at the age of 94. On • Itaving • high school in 1935, aoung Ed Devereaux head- ed West far a job in Northern Manitoba as. timekaeper, stock clerk and general handyman at the Gunnar Gold Mine. When the treasurer of that :nultionition dollar company re- tired thirty odd years later, his nameavas Edward Devereaux. Seaforth probably IThd the first Hippie, but didn't know it, Charlie Pearce came from the area, but during tbe 1920's and 30's wandered the country and was "recognized" by thousands as the king of -Hobo's. He usually wore white run- ning shoes with a double breast- ed blue suit complete with brass buttons and a Commodore -style cap. His clothes were emblazon- ed with everything from a 'large Ontario Motor League metahem- blem; a shoe from a small trot- ting horse; bottle taps and faded artificial flowers. He success- fully resisted work, baths, and haircuts if alive today would probably be holding court on a tattered threne in Yorkville, To- day he probably would qualify for a grant-, from. the Canada Council and like the hippies of today, nobody -wanted to claim him, but everybody liked him. With the passing of the Teach- ing PeOfession Act of 1944 the Ontario Teacher's Federation was born, and Miss Nora Hod- gins became its first permanent secretary. In their 20th, Anniver- sary publication, George Drew, oaalio signed the Bill into law as Premier of Ontario and Minister of Education, wrote: "I know that all who have been closely associated with educatiesti In Ontario would wish to express a -- their admiration for the splend- id way in which Misi Nora Hod- gins has carried out her very important duties during the whole life of the Federation." The official biography of Miss Nora Hodgins begins with these four words • Born in Seaforth, Ontario. In 1867 the Canadian Bank of Commerce was formed. Twenty - One years lathr young John Aird set up shop for them on Sea- fOrth's dusty Main Street, He went from Manager in this small clapboard 'Bank to become Sir John Aird the 5th President Of the Canadian Bank of Coth- r ii the Ito' CHRYSLER DODGE DART FARGO, TRUCKS A COMPLETE '1,1,NE OF DODGE PARTS and .AcCESSORIES Drive with confidence . with a complete line of quality prwiuqt", from our. ESSO SERVICE STATION 41. • - AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR CASE FARM EQUIPMENT . besign '69 DodgeNlonaco and Polara. Big in every'''ing but price. Formula '69 Dodge Charger. Here's what performance is all about. Design '69 Dodge Coronet. It Costs a little les S to go first class. Design '69 Dodge Dart. Compact lovers never had it so big. ROWCLIFFE 1/10TORS• . ' StAkORTH, ONTARIO PHONE 527-1670 "Serving Seaforth and Area for over 20 "Years" al COMMiSSion that recom- mended the establishing of the C.B.V. Ilia grandson and name- sake now sits in the Canadian Senate. Bill Golding left Seaforth for Ottawa, but always came back. He married in 1913, raised fiv_n_ Children, was active in the Unit- ed Church and Superintendent of the Sunday Scheid. A mach- inist, he rode a bicycle to work down Main Street every day to the local foundry. • He was really more disting- uished on • his return, for his rugged face 1howed the "hon- est" dirt that was the badge of the ten hour day. His rise 'from machinist to Senator was a- match any day for Horatio Alger and was not unlike others in this young country who really made it as a result of hard Work and a continuing dedication to the ser- vice of his fellow man. He ran for the town council shortly after getting married and served until 1921 when he be- came Mayor. Through the years he served continuously on either or all of the town council, the Public Utilities Commission, the Library Board, Hospital Board, and Board of Health. First el- ected to the Commons in 1932, he sat continually until Mack- enzie King appointedahim to the Senate in 1949. He died in 1961 having a rich, full life. The minute the Egmondville •Islirver froze over it was invaded shinny plaVers. One of the boys formally known to his friends as Ralph lived less than 100 yards from the river. He went on to the N.H.L. to play for Detroit and Boston. Ralph "Cooney" Weiland latercoach- ed Boston Bruins for four sea- sons, and today,coaches at Har- ' yard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Canada's two "National games Lacrosse and Hockey are symbo- lized by the one word, "Bea- vers". The Seaforth Beavers La- crosse team won the Senior 'A' Championship in 1895 and the Seaforth Beavers Hockey team won the Intermediate 'B' Ont- ario Cup in 1941 and broke the record bv winning it again three years in a row - 1965-66-67. • What could the town of Sea - forth have to do with the Lion's Club in the United Kingdom? Arnold Turnbull left Seaforth to join the Imperial Life In. , surance Company and was sub- sequently transferred to Lon- don, England. He worked to de- velop an interest in the Lions Club over there and is remern- berer as the•man Tesponsible,for the export of this fine .organiza- :ion to Britain. Few areas in Canada or fields of endeavour are without a na- live of ,SeafOrtli• Sgine• are in Hollywood, some in Halifax, Some have gone to Cape 'Kept nedy, some to cane Dorset. , Does this array of talented' people make Seatorth unique ea • mong small tOWns? Not en your We. Although it does rank high as an exporter of brains arift talent, is this not tho gioat qual- ity of all our small towns? The close community and family ties, friendlypse-range • com- petition and intimate working with neighbours and friends in church; lodge and service clubs, hones to a fine edge the ability to use the brain like a pocket computer and develop compet- ence to the limit. This comes out as a rather _undefinable thing loosely called small town native intelligence, but is simply a more earthly and practical awareness ,of just what the hell life is all about. Through the years this has put City slicker cousins at a great disadvantage. /he region around Seaforth now comprising the county of Huron was settled in , compara- tively recent times so escaped involvement in the far of 1812 and other events connected with, the birth of the province. • Like all ether Canadian towns, both world wars saw most of the town's young men leave. Many returned wiCheroic re- cords 'and many names are in- scribed on the memorial in Vic- toria Park—of those who did not return. These heroic young men who fought to preserve a way of life they cherished played a real part in the (birth of Canada from Colony to Sovereign Na- tion. When the Huron Road was put through from Guelph to Goder- ich in 1828 (now number 7 and 8 highway) the site of Seaforth was regarded as undesirable swamp worth nothing. Ten years later two small clumps of build- ings known as Harpurhey and Egmondville (the latter named after -Colonel Van Egmond) were already started as settle- ments, but all one could find in the present day Seaforth was a signpost pointing to the other two places a few hundred yards away. That corner was common- ly known " as "GUIDE POST SWAMP": This area of swamp and bush, about one million 'acres, was purchased .from the Chippawa Indians for a little more than three shillings an acre. The County of Huron and parts of adjoining counties known as the Huron Tract were the scene of the greatest scheme ever of private colonization. Ad- vertisements appeared in Lon- don, England, offering townships for sale at 50.cents per acre. , .wn . 01.11.11.110,04y1i1140intos*pira"aof the 4,904‘1,i, . tbe:41.40ry 4t.thern,710cea.e- .,,, . pAny, Builder and develrpoo oft44:40yerloa70a,70:jOW developed 440 p1paned in an :Yn14q; :baivl:7n714:4:4ce19:::t9034,elrtlon4010 :OW08 were opened gr4::naln' . and without a4eriLre:: . . machines and equIontent. . i A1thoi4h "the Platienel (;00.t, ° tgraiilde has lista MO two Sea4 forths,the one JP Ontario' argtf,. One more than the name originates in Scotland. The origins of other early ,sot* tiers in -the area can -be identified by the names , of the surrounding coninwnittes.., Cer- tainly no one questions theoriaa gin Of Dublin, SIX Miles Oast of-. Seaforth of Eeriest to the NOW, among others in . the i OUrcia Tract including Exeter, Brussels, Zurich: Khiv_a,'I,St. Joseph, -St, Augustine of Neustadt. , When the railroad w e n through in the 1850's one could4, truthfully say that Seaforth was' less than a suburb nestled be -1 tween the villages of Harpur--. hey and Egmondville. The seedk from which today's town sprung:, and grew was "planted" between; the two villages. The seed was of course the Railway Station. • By 1893, someone decided that-, Seaforth should go up in ,the. world so the skyscraper of the7 day was built midway down the Main Street. It was reported on. cornpletion to be the highest' town hall in Ontario. Although today's residents were never caught up too much with any -deep feeling for the past, they have read naueh of the history of the area written in the past decade. Contempor- ary historians like Belle Canip- bell, Jim Scat and Harry Boyle, have ...done much to develop a 'new interest in the past stretch- ing right back to the origins. of the Canada Company. An in-; terest that reached crescendo proportions at the 100th Birth- day Party on the July 1St -Week end. All t is was started by a cul- tured cottish author named' John Galt who formed the Can47 oda Company around 1824. As its first Superintendent the aris- tocratic Galt often personally selected many of the earliest settlers. Artisans, men of letters and skilled craftsmen were sought out hyaGalt and this is so evident today from the archia tectural works that remain in4 the area as their memorial'. Many( of those who .returned to Seaforth to celebrate this2 centennial week end are with,., out doubtaleseendants of these' first adventurous hand-picked; artisans and craftsmen, e CONGRATULATIONS SEAFORTH ON VOUR 100th BIRTHDAY UNION GASCOMPANY OF CANADA LIMITED aaaa, , a • Clair WeStcott who wrote this story of Seaforth na---- tives who have contributed to' he town' ahroak-is execti- t ve assistant to the minister of Education of Ontario. In these days of miniaturiza- tion with. micro -seconds and miniskirts, society -seem to want everything shortened: Everything is getting smaller - even "old home week". was sq- ueezed.down to "old home week- end". Over the July 1st holiday fhe town of Seaforth, welcomed back departed sons and daught- ers who made the scene for a real swinging "get Te-accniainted weekend". Old timers from all across Canada and the U.S.A. returned for a weekend of nostalgia and home cooking. The town is,,100 years old this year and although never going much beyond 2,000 in population it has produced many who left, but still call it home.' One of thefirstto leave Sea - forth was no doubt Anthony Van Egmond. Thirty years before Confederation and thirty-one years before Seaforth was in- corporated as a village he was 'summoned'. by William Lyon McKenzie to lead the rebels into Toronto., He was defeated That winter in the skirmish at Mont- gomery's Tavern, and was, cap- tured and confined to the Tor- onto jail. Another early leaver G. F. Rogers, went on from the princi- palship of Seaforth Collegiate Institute in the early 1900's t� become the Director of Educat- ion for the Province. William Aberhart left in 1910, heading eventually for Alberta to teach achool, There he formed the Social Credit Party and was Premier of Alberta for eight' years. Howard Kerr left in 1919, graduated in Engineering, be- came a teacher, worked for the Department of Education and went on to become the found- ing President of Ryerson Poly - technical Institute. Dr. Kerr is now the 'Chairman of the Coun- cil of Regents for the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Joe (Ham) Fisher, after work- ing for the local Seaforth Week- ly, the Huron Expositor (which incidentally celebrated, along with our country, its 100th an- niversary) left to become a very famous Ottawa correspondent for the Toronto Telegram. Be- fore he died he was in charge of the Editorial page. , made in Seaforth bY the -Robert Bel/ Engine and Thresher COM- pany like the heavy horse has gone into history remembered only as a symbol of the real old days on the farm. In the early 1930's Finley McKereher's daughter left the farm, to attend Macdonald. Inst- itute 'in Guelph. Today, -MSS Helen- McKereher, . SA, M.S., - R.P.DT., is Dirictor of the Home Econernics Branch of the Ont- ario Department ,of Agricultuat and Food, Honorary President pf the Federated Women's Inst- itutes of Ontario and a life mem- ber of the Associated Country Women of the World. Charles Stewart left to work for the Robert Simpson Com- pany. To -day, "Chuck" Stewart is a vice President and Director of Simpsons. Stewart Brothers, a clothing store started by his father -and-uncle is still in the family and going strong on Seaforth Main Street. George Daly paints on the weekends at his stodio conver- Most small townin those ear- ly days had a weekly paper. For over eighty years Seaforth had two - 'The Huron Express now the Huron Expositor and the - Seaforth Sun which became the • Seaforth News. Jim Scott, noted area histor- ian, left Seaforth and became Book Editor of the Toronto Tel- egram, Journalism Professor at Western and later Assistant to the President of Waterloo Uni- versity. Jim Gillespie left Seaforth after returning frbm World War 1, to go on to an illustripus car- eer in teaching, rising to dis- tinction as Principal for many years (including the Period 1939-1945 when many service- men were trained) of Central Technical Schobl in Toronto. Art Reid left Seaforth in the early 1920's and got into the consumer loan busiOss.. He for- med a company that is almost a 'household word . in North America. In fat it is - - "House- hold Finance". He was President until shortly before he died. Another household word, at leastio farmers in Western Can- ada forty years' ago was "Imper- ial". Reported to be the best in Canada, the Imperial Thresher 4 ‘` :" • • (ND OD is turnim up the design '6 ted from a rural school nestled, in the Caledon Hills. Through the week George is the Director • of Creative Advertising for Sim- psons and more than any other person is responsible for his Company being given the SOC- RATES AWARD. Not once, but three times -has this International award been won in competition with every Departnient store in North America. But George is still known best in his hometown for his pencil sketches of the Sea - forth Collegiate that appear in the school Year Book. , 'Ken Larone left Seaferth to attend Ryerson Polytechnical In- stitute wh'en former resident, ,Howard Kerr, was principal. Larone was founder ,And now is co -publisher of one of the most successful weekly newspapers in Canada - The Scarborough Mirror. About one hundred years be- fore Ken left town Andrew Lum- sden was Editor of the Huron Express. Andrew left Seaforth in 1860' and founded a news- paper that is now the Winnipeg Free Press. Nor were the arts neglected. The town's contribution is as significant as it is varied. Painter William Creswell spent most of his life in Seaforth and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy. One of his paintings hangs in the National Gallory in Ottawa and two others painted about 1887 hang in the Ontario Art Gallery. Poetess Isabel! Graham born - in Seaforth, in the_ late1800's wrote for publications all over North America and is rememb- ered particularly for her book of poems. ""A Song of Decem- ber". written around 1994. Just about the time irwaa in- corporated, Miss Grace McFall was born in the new village of Seaforth. She went on to become a soloist with St. Paul's Cathe- dral in Toronto and from there she sang as a member bf various concert tours throughout Can- ada and the United States. Ac- claimed in New York with the Frances Wilson Opera Com- pany around the turn of the cen- turyshe married a local banker, James Mullen and died a , few -years ago at the age of 94. On • Itaving • high school in 1935, aoung Ed Devereaux head- ed West far a job in Northern Manitoba as. timekaeper, stock clerk and general handyman at the Gunnar Gold Mine. When the treasurer of that :nultionition dollar company re- tired thirty odd years later, his nameavas Edward Devereaux. Seaforth probably IThd the first Hippie, but didn't know it, Charlie Pearce came from the area, but during tbe 1920's and 30's wandered the country and was "recognized" by thousands as the king of -Hobo's. He usually wore white run- ning shoes with a double breast- ed blue suit complete with brass buttons and a Commodore -style cap. His clothes were emblazon- ed with everything from a 'large Ontario Motor League metahem- blem; a shoe from a small trot- ting horse; bottle taps and faded artificial flowers. He success- fully resisted work, baths, and haircuts if alive today would probably be holding court on a tattered threne in Yorkville, To- day he probably would qualify for a grant-, from. the Canada Council and like the hippies of today, nobody -wanted to claim him, but everybody liked him. With the passing of the Teach- ing PeOfession Act of 1944 the Ontario Teacher's Federation was born, and Miss Nora Hod- gins became its first permanent secretary. In their 20th, Anniver- sary publication, George Drew, oaalio signed the Bill into law as Premier of Ontario and Minister of Education, wrote: "I know that all who have been closely associated with educatiesti In Ontario would wish to express a -- their admiration for the splend- id way in which Misi Nora Hod- gins has carried out her very important duties during the whole life of the Federation." The official biography of Miss Nora Hodgins begins with these four words • Born in Seaforth, Ontario. In 1867 the Canadian Bank of Commerce was formed. Twenty - One years lathr young John Aird set up shop for them on Sea- fOrth's dusty Main Street, He went from Manager in this small clapboard 'Bank to become Sir John Aird the 5th President Of the Canadian Bank of Coth- r ii the Ito' CHRYSLER DODGE DART FARGO, TRUCKS A COMPLETE '1,1,NE OF DODGE PARTS and .AcCESSORIES Drive with confidence . with a complete line of quality prwiuqt", from our. ESSO SERVICE STATION 41. • - AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR CASE FARM EQUIPMENT . besign '69 DodgeNlonaco and Polara. Big in every'''ing but price. Formula '69 Dodge Charger. Here's what performance is all about. Design '69 Dodge Coronet. It Costs a little les S to go first class. Design '69 Dodge Dart. Compact lovers never had it so big. ROWCLIFFE 1/10TORS• . ' StAkORTH, ONTARIO PHONE 527-1670 "Serving Seaforth and Area for over 20 "Years" al COMMiSSion that recom- mended the establishing of the C.B.V. Ilia grandson and name- sake now sits in the Canadian Senate. Bill Golding left Seaforth for Ottawa, but always came back. He married in 1913, raised fiv_n_ Children, was active in the Unit- ed Church and Superintendent of the Sunday Scheid. A mach- inist, he rode a bicycle to work down Main Street every day to the local foundry. • He was really more disting- uished on • his return, for his rugged face 1howed the "hon- est" dirt that was the badge of the ten hour day. His rise 'from machinist to Senator was a- match any day for Horatio Alger and was not unlike others in this young country who really made it as a result of hard Work and a continuing dedication to the ser- vice of his fellow man. He ran for the town council shortly after getting married and served until 1921 when he be- came Mayor. Through the years he served continuously on either or all of the town council, the Public Utilities Commission, the Library Board, Hospital Board, and Board of Health. First el- ected to the Commons in 1932, he sat continually until Mack- enzie King appointedahim to the Senate in 1949. He died in 1961 having a rich, full life. The minute the Egmondville •Islirver froze over it was invaded shinny plaVers. One of the boys formally known to his friends as Ralph lived less than 100 yards from the river. He went on to the N.H.L. to play for Detroit and Boston. Ralph "Cooney" Weiland latercoach- ed Boston Bruins for four sea- sons, and today,coaches at Har- ' yard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Canada's two "National games Lacrosse and Hockey are symbo- lized by the one word, "Bea- vers". The Seaforth Beavers La- crosse team won the Senior 'A' Championship in 1895 and the Seaforth Beavers Hockey team won the Intermediate 'B' Ont- ario Cup in 1941 and broke the record bv winning it again three years in a row - 1965-66-67. • What could the town of Sea - forth have to do with the Lion's Club in the United Kingdom? Arnold Turnbull left Seaforth to join the Imperial Life In. , surance Company and was sub- sequently transferred to Lon- don, England. He worked to de- velop an interest in the Lions Club over there and is remern- berer as the•man Tesponsible,for the export of this fine .organiza- :ion to Britain. Few areas in Canada or fields of endeavour are without a na- live of ,SeafOrtli• Sgine• are in Hollywood, some in Halifax, Some have gone to Cape 'Kept nedy, some to cane Dorset. , Does this array of talented' people make Seatorth unique ea • mong small tOWns? Not en your We. Although it does rank high as an exporter of brains arift talent, is this not tho gioat qual- ity of all our small towns? The close community and family ties, friendlypse-range • com- petition and intimate working with neighbours and friends in church; lodge and service clubs, hones to a fine edge the ability to use the brain like a pocket computer and develop compet- ence to the limit. This comes out as a rather _undefinable thing loosely called small town native intelligence, but is simply a more earthly and practical awareness ,of just what the hell life is all about. Through the years this has put City slicker cousins at a great disadvantage. /he region around Seaforth now comprising the county of Huron was settled in , compara- tively recent times so escaped involvement in the far of 1812 and other events connected with, the birth of the province. • Like all ether Canadian towns, both world wars saw most of the town's young men leave. Many returned wiCheroic re- cords 'and many names are in- scribed on the memorial in Vic- toria Park—of those who did not return. These heroic young men who fought to preserve a way of life they cherished played a real part in the (birth of Canada from Colony to Sovereign Na- tion. When the Huron Road was put through from Guelph to Goder- ich in 1828 (now number 7 and 8 highway) the site of Seaforth was regarded as undesirable swamp worth nothing. Ten years later two small clumps of build- ings known as Harpurhey and Egmondville (the latter named after -Colonel Van Egmond) were already started as settle- ments, but all one could find in the present day Seaforth was a signpost pointing to the other two places a few hundred yards away. That corner was common- ly known " as "GUIDE POST SWAMP": This area of swamp and bush, about one million 'acres, was purchased .from the Chippawa Indians for a little more than three shillings an acre. The County of Huron and parts of adjoining counties known as the Huron Tract were the scene of the greatest scheme ever of private colonization. Ad- vertisements appeared in Lon- don, England, offering townships for sale at 50.cents per acre. , .wn . 01.11.11.110,04y1i1140intos*pira"aof the 4,904‘1,i, . tbe:41.40ry 4t.thern,710cea.e- .,,, . pAny, Builder and develrpoo oft44:40yerloa70a,70:jOW developed 440 p1paned in an :Yn14q; :baivl:7n714:4:4ce19:::t9034,elrtlon4010 :OW08 were opened gr4::naln' . and without a4eriLre:: . . machines and equIontent. . i A1thoi4h "the Platienel (;00.t, ° tgraiilde has lista MO two Sea4 forths,the one JP Ontario' argtf,. One more than the name originates in Scotland. The origins of other early ,sot* tiers in -the area can -be identified by the names , of the surrounding coninwnittes.., Cer- tainly no one questions theoriaa gin Of Dublin, SIX Miles Oast of-. Seaforth of Eeriest to the NOW, among others in . the i OUrcia Tract including Exeter, Brussels, Zurich: Khiv_a,'I,St. Joseph, -St, Augustine of Neustadt. , When the railroad w e n through in the 1850's one could4, truthfully say that Seaforth was' less than a suburb nestled be -1 tween the villages of Harpur--. hey and Egmondville. The seedk from which today's town sprung:, and grew was "planted" between; the two villages. The seed was of course the Railway Station. • By 1893, someone decided that-, Seaforth should go up in ,the. world so the skyscraper of the7 day was built midway down the Main Street. It was reported on. cornpletion to be the highest' town hall in Ontario. Although today's residents were never caught up too much with any -deep feeling for the past, they have read naueh of the history of the area written in the past decade. Contempor- ary historians like Belle Canip- bell, Jim Scat and Harry Boyle, have ...done much to develop a 'new interest in the past stretch- ing right back to the origins. of the Canada Company. An in-; terest that reached crescendo proportions at the 100th Birth- day Party on the July 1St -Week end. All t is was started by a cul- tured cottish author named' John Galt who formed the Can47 oda Company around 1824. As its first Superintendent the aris- tocratic Galt often personally selected many of the earliest settlers. Artisans, men of letters and skilled craftsmen were sought out hyaGalt and this is so evident today from the archia tectural works that remain in4 the area as their memorial'. Many( of those who .returned to Seaforth to celebrate this2 centennial week end are with,., out doubtaleseendants of these' first adventurous hand-picked; artisans and craftsmen, e CONGRATULATIONS SEAFORTH ON VOUR 100th BIRTHDAY UNION GASCOMPANY OF CANADA LIMITED aaaa,