From the Chair
|
T |
his
issue marks the beginning of a new era, leaving behind the ferment and
productivity of the Frank Phripp leadership. Fortunately, Frank is relishing
the role of Past President and will continue to contribute his ideas and energy
to the Branch. Most of the previous Executive have stayed on, I’m happy to say.
The recent executive meeting was certainly up to its usual standard of group
participation so I’d say we were well and truly launched.
Sadly,
I have to report the serious illness of our Regional Director, Ken Young. He has
undergone surgery at the Grey-Bruce Regional Health Centre. At last report, he
is doing quite well.
The
Wellington Group has really taken hold of its big role -- organizing the Region
3 Annual Meeting and Workshop in Harriston on April 22, 1995 from 8:30 AM to
4:30 PM. There will be a multitude of jobs for volunteers, so get in touch with
George Taylor in Guelph at (519)824-2309.
We
have just been notified that our application for a Cultural Project Grant from
the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation has been approved. We
are now in the happy position of being able to upgrade our computer facilities
and make them available to the public. Present planning is that the equipment
will be set up in the Grace Schmidt Room at the Kitchener Public Library.
.....Charles
Rand
From Our Past Chair
|
T |
he
election of the 1995 Branch Executive was held at the Annual Meeting of the
Branch on 12 December, after the deadline for the last issue of Branch Notes,
so too late for me to get this message to you. I do want to assure all members
that we have in place a new enlarged Executive, enthusiastic and abundantly
capable of providing good leadership for the many and varied activities of the
Branch. As you examine the list on page two you will recognize many familiar
names, but you should also notice that several of those people have taken on
new assignments. After outstanding work for some time, these folks start a new
activity in the Branch, refreshed and eager for a new challenge. Some, like Norma Huber who has coordinated
the Waterloo Cemetery work from the beginning to virtual completion, are
changing from tasks they have done for many years. You will also notice some
new names and I would like to introduce those people to you.
Our
new Chairman is Dr. Charles Rand and
we are indeed fortunate to gain the services of this congenial and capable
gentleman. Charles has been active as Treasurer of our Seniors Group, the
Autumn Gleaners, and has always provided his consistently good counsel in all
Branch business. Welcome and best wishes in your new role, Charles; you may be
confident of good support from the strong executive team with you.
In
our Wellington Group, Eric Hilborn
and George Taylor have switched
positions, George now taking on the duties of Group Coordinator and
Vice-Chairman of the Branch and Eric looking after Program. This leadership
points to good progress ahead in Wellington.
The
vital task of Editor of Branch Notes
which has been very well done by Marjorie Kohli for the last four years is now
taken on by Rosemary Ambrose. We can
all be confident of the continued high standard in our Newsletter. Rosemary’s
interest, ability and dedication to service in the Branch have been
demonstrated by her work on numerous tasks for many more years than she wants
me to declare. She also continues to be our authority for Waterloo church
records. Rosemary has turned over the duties of Membership Secretary to the
good hands of Norma Huber.
We
are pleased to be able to reactivate the dormant Publications position as Marjorie Kohli has volunteered to bring
forward for publication new resources that are turned up. Indeed she has
learned of several during her own research.
Our
working relationship with the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation will be
continued by David McKnight who
replaces the ever industrious Frances
Hoffman as our representative.
Frances, as Vice-Chair, becomes the right hand support to our Chairman
and stands by to assume the Chair in the future.
You
will note that the musical chairs have not involved everyone and we are pleased
that several of our good workers are holding steady in the job. Carol
Goodger-Hill will continue to distribute Publicity about Branch affairs and
generate the accurate records of our many meetings. Dona Madill will still be looking after our money -- and have you
noticed how the balance has been climbing? Our Branch Notes come to us unerringly and promptly after delivery from
the printer as a result of Sam Weicker’s
diligence and steady efforts. Prompt responses to mail orders for our
publications are provided by Paul Pepper
and as a result of this and wide circulation of price lists, sales have climbed
steadily to become our largest source of income. Jack Coursey has rallied our Seniors, and a few not so senior, into
an effective and productive working team making new indexes readily available
in our library and elsewhere and by sale on computer disks. Ron Lambert passes over the nominating
duties to me and he carries on the friendly representation of the Branch at the
many events where we have the opportunity to serve at a sales table. We are
pleased to have Lee Giilck and Ryan Taylor continue as
members-at-large. Lee has been a dedicated cemetery worker and active proof
reader of transcripts and indexes, as well as secretary for the Autumn
Gleaners. Although Ryan is now living at some distance in Indiana he is very
much with us through his weekly genealogy articles in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record and his frequent contacts with
his many friends here. Donna Wall
will carry on to arrange excellent programs for the meetings in Kitchener, as
well as to ensure that visitors and newcomers are made to feel welcome when
they attend. Laurie Strome continues
to ensure the careful attention of her team to the constant flow of enquiries
about ancestors. Our Branch Library in the Grace Schmidt Room of the Kitchener
Public Library is once more in good shape as a result of the constant care
provided by Thelma and Bill Barnes. Sharon Richards, who has served on the executive for some years,
has taken on the task of trying to achieve more and better results from
members’ expressions of their interests. We are fortunate to have all these
volunteers continue their good work.
In
Wellington, Garnet Allan continues
to look after enquiries as well as church records. Thelma Hornberger carries on coordination of the cemetery work
which has made truly good progress in the last few years. Jacquie Norris attends to the active building of the Wellington
Group library in the Guelph Public Library and she works with Fred Abraham in publication sales. Lloyd Busch is always on hand to
welcome everyone to the Wellington meetings held in the Orange Lodge. Frank Vigor looks after publicity for the
Group and has recently taken on the additional task of Strays Coordinator for
Wellington.
Some
new tasks have been recognized in establishing the 1995 positions and new faces
move into view to take care of them. We welcomed Jim McKane a few months ago to a job of rapidly increasing
importance, Computer Resources; we are already seeing great results from Jim’s
work - and look for much more. Jeananne
Westbrook has taken up the task of Strays Coordinator for Waterloo and she
has also joined Laurie Strome’s team answering enquiries. Garnet Richmond has moved in to carry on the cemetery work in
Waterloo. Another very active genealogist from Wellington, Walter Jutte, has joined as member-at-large.
We
welcome all these volunteers and wish them success and satisfaction in carrying
out their tasks.
I
should like to thank all the executive and members who have been active in the
Branch while I have been Chairman; you have made the task possible for me, and
just as importantly, -- a real pleasure. Thank you and I wish you all good fun
and success in your ancestor hunting.
Sincerely,
Frank Phripp.
Editor’s Comments
|
F |
ollowing
in the footsteps of the former editor of Branch
Notes, Marjorie Kohli, presents one with somewhat of a daunting challenge.
Marjorie’s writing skills, her computer knowledge, her organizational
abilities, not to mention her boundless energy, are attributes which can only
be aspired to by your new Editor. However, with your patience and assistance, I
am sure we will be able to produce future issues of this Newsletter of a
reasonable interest and quality.
This
first issue of Branch Notes for 1995
hopefully contains items of interest to those searching for information in the
County of Waterloo and/or in the County of Wellington, as well as information
of a more general nature.
From
time to time, beginning with this issue, I plan to reprint some of the
information from early Branch Notes.
Those early issues contained a wealth of information which is available now
only to those who have copies, or to those fortunate enough to have access to
copies in archives and/or libraries. As only some information will be
reprinted from early newsletters, members are reminded that the Autumn
Gleaners, under the capable direction of Jack Coursey, are compiling a Surname
Index and an Index to Branch Notes
articles from all newsletters. Disks containing these indexes, as well as Death
Notices and some Family Charts, are available from the Branch for $5.00, plus
$2.00 postage. Some back issues of Branch
Notes are available, at a cost of $2 plus mailing and handling.
Please
feel free to ask questions, make suggestions, and send in materials for
possible inclusion in Branch Notes.
Deadlines for receipt of contributions are as stated on page 2.
Important
Notice: This February 1995 issue of Branch Notes is being sent to all 1994
members whether or not they have renewed their membership for 1995. The next
issue, for May 1995, will be sent only to those who have paid for 1995.
Membership in the Ontario Genealogical Society is $35, plus $12 Branch
membership. Associate membership in OGS is $7, plus $12 Branch membership.
Please contact the Branch for an appropriate application form, should you need
one.
Branch News
|
|
Meetings:
March 13, 1995:
Getting your family history into print. Alison Lobb.
April 10, 1995. David
McKnight will discuss changes in the geographical boundaries of the
Waterloo-Wellington area.
May 8, 1995. Irish
Research. Sean O Suilleabhain, Leitrim Genealogy Centre, County Library,
Ballinamore, County Leitrim, Ireland.
Wellington Group Meetings:
February 27, 1995.
Carrie Slingsby will discuss the holdings of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints.
March 27, 1995. Jack
Coursey. “Where do I start? Where do I go from here?” Getting started with your
genealogy research.
April 24, 1995. Ron
Pequegnat.
May 29, 1995. Patrick
McEwan. Monuments.
________________________
Publications: The following are new
publications available for sale. Please note that the first amount given is if
buying in person. If buying by mail please use the second amount to cover
mailing costs. Enclose $.50 for each additional item. Orders from the United
States and the rest of the world, please remit in US dollars to cover extra
postal charge.
New publications as of
February 1, 1995.
The
Handbook for the Family Detective. Introduction to Family
History. Basic Genealogy Research. By Jack Coursey. $10.00, $13.00.
Waterloo-Wellington
BRANCH NOTES Name & Subject Index, No. 6, 1983-1984.
$15.00, $18.00
Breslau
(Cressman) Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo County. Revised
1995. $7.50, $10.50
Breslau
(Cressman) Mennonite Church. Some Obituary Extracts (1909-1983).
$7.25, $10.25
Mount
View Cemetery, Master Index, Cambridge (Galt), Waterloo County.
$34.25, $37.25
Old
Preston Cemetery, Master Index, Cambridge (Preston), Waterloo County. Revised
and enlarged 1995. $8.50, $11.50.
___________________________
The
Autumn Gleaners. Jack Coursey.
The
Seniors Group of W-W Branch OGS was the brainchild of Frank Phripp who, in
January of 1993, called a meeting of interested seniors to discuss projects to
supplement the Cemetery Transcriptions which were nearing completion.
After
three meetings and several discussions concerning projects, a formal committee
was established with Jack Coursey as Chair, Dr. Charles Rand as treasurer and
Lee Giilck as secretary. A small membership fee was collected from 15 members
and an application for assistance was made to the New Horizons Program. The
application was denied.
The
name “Autumn Gleaners” was adopted and a project to index the names which
appeared in Branch Notes between 1972
and 1992 was instituted. This work began in the fall of 1993. In April 1994 the
first book covering Branch Notes,
Volumes 1 and 2, October 1972 to December 1974, was published.
Since
then a further five books have been published covering years 1975 through 1984.
A
second project of indexing death notices that appeared in local newspapers was
begun. The notices from the 1993 KW Record
were recorded and printed in alphabetical order by surname and also by maiden
name and placed in the Grace Schmidt Room in the Kitchener Public Library.
Indexing of death notices continues.
A
third project of indexing the family charts of members of the branch was begun
in 1994.
The
Gleaners have prepared a computerized inquiry system, by obtaining permission
to use a program called LIST for retrieval of the information collected.
The
current disk, which became available in September 1994, contains four files:
Death notices for
1893-1897, 1931, 1941, 1993, 1994.
Branch
Notes indexes for surnames - Volumes 1 through 8.
Branch
Notes indexes to topics - Volumes 1 through 8.
Family charts.
These files are in the possession of our
Branch publications sales coordinator and are available for sale at $5.00 per
copy of all four files on one disk.
_____________________________
|
|
Computer Resources:
J. McKane
OCFA
(Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid)
OCFA
is the latest 'genealogical disease' to infest the country! The goal is to have
ONE index for all burials in Ontario. The current version has over 353,000
names. Version Four which is due for release in June will be MUCH larger as it
is currently over the 500,000 mark.
Many
people have had great success using this fantastic new tool. We have had
successful 'hits' from as far away as Great Britain and several uses in the
U.S. A typical story was of a
researcher from Waterloo. He had been searching for years to locate the burial
of his wife's great-grandmother, who had died living in Brant County. Using
OCFA, she was found buried just across the border in Waterloo County.
This
project continues towards a very rapid completion in the Waterloo-Wellington
Branch as far as our own transcriptions. It is now time to add the index from
any transcriptions that our members own from another area of Ontario. Doing so
does NOT violate any copyright laws since it is only an index of names. This
will benefit your research by assisting other genealogists find their
ancestors. After all, we are in a 'giving' hobby.
You
could also assist in the creation of this valuable new tool by asking other OGS
branches to become involved by submitting the indices from their
transcriptions.
For
further information related to any of the above, please drop a note to the
Branch OR contact me directly:- James A. McKane, 192 Baker Street, Waterloo,
N2T 2L4. You may also call me days at (519) 578-6760.
COMPUTER GENEALOGY
COURSE
Jim
McKane will be moderating a course on the use of computers in genealogy. At
press time, no definite timetable or location has been determined but it will
be in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Four-six classes of 2˝ hours each are
planned. This course will be limited to a maximum 20 registrants and cost no
more than $60.00. If you wish to register on a no-obligation basis, please send
your name, address and contact telephone numbers to Jim’s attention, c/o the
Branch, or call him days at (519) 578-6760.
_____________________________
Important dates: To keep you informed
of special events, we try to keep this section as up-to-date as possible. Here
are some coming events.
GENE-O-RAMA ‘95. The
Ottawa Branch announces its 14th annual GENE-O-RAMA, to be held March 24-25,
1995 in the Council Chambers of the Nepean City Hall, 101 Centrepointe Dr,
Nepean ON. There will be four speakers, publications for sale, various
displays, and the opportunity to have old photographs copied (to size 4” X 6”)
at cost. Write Gene-O-RAMA ‘95, c/o Ottawa Branch OGS, PO Box 8346, Ottawa
ON K1G 3H8.
OGS Genealogical
Workshop and Annual Meeting for Region III (Bruce & Grey, Huron, Perth,
Waterloo-Wellington.) will be held April 22, 1995 at the Harriston-Minto
Community Complex, Young St, Harriston, Ontario. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Speakers:
Lutzen Riedstra, Archivist, Perth County, and Robert Halfyard, OGS. Please see
the application form enclosed with this newsletter.
Region 2 Meeting &
Genealogical Fair. Co-sponsored by the London & Middlesex County Branch of
OGS and the London Public Library. On April 29, 1995 at the London Public
Library, Main Branch, 305 Oxford St, London ON. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Subjects:
Research Techniques; the Donnellys. For further information contact Ken Wilson
(519) 686-9548, or Alastair Neely, London Public Library, (519) 661-4600.
(E-mail address alastair.neely@onlinesys.com).
Seminar ‘95, “Tween
the Lakes.” On May 19-21, 1995 at Wheel’s Inn, Chatham, Ontario. Many
interesting speakers, plus workshops on Computers & Genealogy, Putting Your
Family Story into Print, Living History, French Research, and Black Genealogy.
For information, write: OGS Seminar ‘95, 639 Grand Ave W, Suite 101, Chatham
ON N7L 1C5.
News from other Branches
Did you know that Port
Arthur, now part of Thunder Bay, once was called Prince Arthur’s Landing? (Past Tents. Thunder Bay Branch OGS, Vol.
15, No. 4, December 1994.)
Actual dates of
Canadian Census Returns:
1851 - 2 January 1881 - 4 April
1861 - 14 August 1891 - 6 April
1871 - 2 April 1901 - 31 March
(Kingston Relations. Kingston Branch OGS,
Vol. 21, No. 4, September 1994.)
Query.
ROSS. Mary Mackie, 64 Sunset Blvd., North Bay ON P1A 1R3, is searching for information on: John Ross, husband of
Mary Dunbar. Children (4 or 5 girls, 3 or more boys), some b. in Scotland. John
came from Fife. Had a carpenter shop in Galt in 1851. His son, Alexander, b. in
Galt ca. Sept. 20, 1848, wed Mary Ann Shelton, and lived in Lucknow ON. (Newsletter, Bruce & Grey Branch OGS,
Vol. 24, No. 4, November 1994.)
Death.
At Deloraine, Manitoba, on Saturday, December 28th [1895], Samuel Smith, aged
81 years. Deceased was for some time a resident of Windsor. He was the second
Mayor of the town of Guelph. He leaves a wife and family of five sons and two
daughters, one of the latter being the wife of F.S. Evans, Manager of the
Canadian Telegraph Co., of Windsor. [Newspaper date Jan 10, 1896] (Manitoba
Births, Marriages, Deaths from the Amherstburg
Echo, as printed in Generations.
Manitoba Genealogical Society Inc. Vol. 19 No 4, December 1994.)
|
|
News
from our local resources
Kitchener Public Library
Construction
and renovations at the Library have resulted in a number of changes. The most
dramatic difference is the new addition on Level 3 (Upper Level), which was constructed
above the garage. This area now contains the Information Desk, Reference
Collections, Government Documents and Periodicals, as well as copying machines
and film readers.
The
Grace Schmidt Room of Local History also has been moved to Level 3, in an area
near the top of the stairs.
Level
2 (Street Level) has been somewhat rearranged. Books in other languages have
been moved down from the Upper Level to this area. Audio-visual materials have
been moved from Level 1 to Level 2. It is expected that a cafeteria will be
opened later in the year on Level 1.
______________________
Regarding Interlibrary
loans. Our Branch librarian, Thelma Barnes, suggests
that members refer to pgs 104 & 105 of the August 1994 issue of OGS Newsleaf for clarification regarding
interlibrary loans from the OGS Library in Toronto. Our own Branch library, in
the Grace Schmidt Local History Room of KPL, has copies of the OGS Library
holdings lists: 1984 -- call number 929.3713 ONTAR; and Supplements -- call
number 929.3713016, Vols. 1 & 2. All OGS Branch libraries should have these
publications.
Wellington
County Museum & Archives
The following letter
has been received from Bonnie Callen, Archivist, Wellington County Museum &
Archives. Thank you, Bonnie!
“Genealogists
with ancestors from Ireland can now research a major source at the Wellington
County Museum and Archives. The Archives has just acquired the International
Genealogical Index for Ireland.
“The
IGI, available on microfiche, was compiled in 1992 by the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, and is based on information from
parish, town and county registers. This valuable tool for family history
research literally contains thousands of names and dates extracted from such
sources as birth, baptismal, and marriage registers. Names are arranged
alphabetically making access quick and easy.
“The
IGI for Scotland and Canada are also available for public use in the Ada Currie
Reading Room of the Wellington County Museum and Archives, located midway
between Fergus and Elora on County Road 18. The Reading Room is open week-days.
For more information call archivist Bonnie Callen at 846-0916.”
Recent Acquisitions.
Genealogical
Research Directory 1994.
Fifty
Years. Glen Allan Mennonite Church 1944-1994.
Eight scrapbooks kept
by Ella McDowell containing newspaper clippings from Drayton and area
newspapers on social events of residents
in Drayton, Peel and Maryborough Townships 1942-1982.
Roswell Mathews family
history.
Geiger Monument Co.
record collection.
More
of Interest
FOUND. Extract of
entry of Birth for Murray Wilson, son of William D. Wilson, 1933, and the
marriage certificate of Murray Wilson to Norabelle Sproule at Knox Presbyterian
Church, Guelph, in 1964. These certificates will be given to anyone who can
prove relationship to the above people. If no one claims the forms we will
house them in the “Wellington Collection.” We thank Margaret Nagy of Westbank
BC for sending them to us. (Contact Jacquie Norris, c/o Waterloo-Wellington
Branch OGS, PO Box 43030, RPO Eastwood Square, Kitchener ON N2H 6S9.)
A DISCOVERY.
Jack Coursey reports:
“Recently,
I was visiting in Bobcaygeon and was shown an interesting family Bible. The
Bible was titled Pictorial Family Bible. It contained a long list of reprint
information with Library of Congress numbers. The last reprint note was in
1900.
“This
Bible was bound in wood, and needs some repair. It contains the Bible text,
plus many colourful pictures.
“The
front page of the Bible records the marriage as follows:
“‘Florence
A. Roberts, Toronto, and Joseph Edgar Short of Toronto. Married at ???????, St.
Matt Church, Toronto on the 25th day of April, 1900. In the presence of Ellen
Louise Roberts and Alyia Warmen. Signed Rev. J.H. Oliver.’
“A page labeled BIRTHS lists the following:
- Joseph Edward
Roberts Short, August 11, 1901
- Florence Dorothy
Short, February 15, 1903
- Norman Alexander
Short, June 26, 1904
- Frank Albert Short,
August 27, 1908
- Evelyn Eleanor
Short, September 7, 1910
“A
page labeled MARRIAGES lists the following:
-
Florence Dorothy Short W. Curey
Foster, September 15, 1922
-
Norman Alexander Short Dorothy
Abbott, May 25, 1924
-
Frank Albert Short Estelle Scalett,
June 30, 1933
-
Chas Dawson Short Winnie Worsnap,
December 5, 1934
-
Evelyn Eleanor Short Ford J. Chick,
August 1, 1938.
“Anyone interested in
this family, or any member of the family, may contact Jack Coursey at: 80
Wimbleton Cres, Kitchener ON N2B 3K5.
Phone (519) 744-9448.”
(Ed.: This letter from
Jack was also printed in the Kawartha Branch Bulletin, Vol. 4, 1994.)
HELP NEEDED.
The following is a query from Lost in
Canada?. Vol. 17, No. 3, Summer 1994: “Grandfather Charles BARKER, son of
Charles and Maria CHILDS, b. 10 Jan 1873 Guelph, Ont. Wish to find info about
his early life, what happened to his siblings left in Canada. Believe he had a
brother James in London, Ont. Charles II migrated to Maine ca turn of the
century. His mother also went to Maine and they both died there -- Brownville
Jct., and Bangor ME.” Please write Dorothy Barker Wetzel, 4455 Pine Lane,
Woodruff WI 54568-9560 USA.
______________________________
A Genealogist’s Complaints:
The past isn’t what it
used to be.
The document
containing evidence of the missing link in my research is certain to be lost
due to fire, flood or war.
It’s a question of
knowing where you belong --when your great, great grandfather’s obituary states
he died without leaving any children.
Complex questions have
simple, easy to understand, wrong answers.
It’s a miracle if the
spelling of your European ancestor’s name bears any relationship to its current
spelling or pronunciation.
(Source: Timberline, Upper Ottawa Valley
Genealogical Group, Vol. 5, Issue 6, December 1994.)
True? A filing cabinet is a method of losing
information alphabetically.
(Source:
Nipissing Voyageur. Nipissing
District Branch OGS, Vol, 15 No 4, December 1994.)
Queries ???????
Cober/Strome.
Noah Cober in 1870 started a sawmill on Lot 10, Conc 3, Maryborough Twp,
Wellington County. In 1868 Noah married Elizabeth Strome. Elizabeth died in
1906. Noah and Elizabeth’s children were William, Minerva, Oliver, Andrew,
Benjamin, and Mrs. William Kenny. I seek a picture of this sawmill which was
still in operation in the 1930s. Please reply to Wayne Volmer, RR 3, Listowel
ON N4W 3G8.
Robertson. Looking for information on the family of Sam
Robertson who was one of the original settlers in Hollen [Ed.: Holland Twp?],
Ontario. There was mention of him in the booklet, “Ghost Towns of Wellington
County.” His daughter, Martha, became my grandmother. Please forward any
information to Alan Bricker Groff, 604 South Dr, Winnipeg MB R3T 0B1.
Simms/Bell/Hobbs/Sanderson/Scott. Andrew Simms, b. 1803 Ireland, m. Elizabeth
Bell. To Canada c.1830. Settled in Eramosa Township, Wellington County. Andrew
d. 1893. Elizabeth d. 1879. Children: Mary Jane (William Scott), Elizabeth
(Walter Scott), William Wilson (Ann Atkey), James (Eliza Atkey), Ellen, Andrew,
Maria (Sanderson?), Mathew, Janet (Hobbs?). Looking for descendants of family.
Will share info. Any info to Alan Campbell, 1044 Guthrie Drive, Sarnia ON N7S 1Y2.
Weber/Gies/Kress. Joseph Weber, b. Neustadt, Ontario 1865. m.
Catherine Gies in St. Clements RC Church 1888. Children born in Kitchener:
Clara b. 1889?; Herbert b. 1891; Adele b. 1892; Eugene b. Toronto. Worked as
shirtmaker in Berlin before migrating to Toronto c.1894. Seek information on
any members of Joseph’s family in the Kitchener area. His marriage record shows
his parents as Aloys (Aloysious?) Weber and Katharina Kress. Any information
about his parents and siblings appreciated. Also, when did he leave Neustadt?
Forward any information to Mary Power, 1375 Queen St. E., Toronto ON M4L 1C7.
Information from an old
newspaper:
John Johnson, An Early Eramosa Township Settler.
Many
genealogists have made exciting discoveries when reading old newspapers. Not
only were births, deaths and marriages recorded in the section of the newspaper
designated for such information, but further details were occasionally printed
elsewhere in the same issue. This happened most often with obituaries which can
provide interesting details about the family of the deceased individual.
The
following obituary from the Guelph Mercury
was found in an old farm house belonging to Margaret Crothers, RR 4, Campbellford
ON K0L 1L0. The Mrs. Beattie mentioned
in the first paragraph was the great-grandmother of Mrs. Crothers’s husband.
Unfortunately, the date of the newspaper is not recorded, nor is the actual
date of death of Mr. Johnson. Based upon the following text we can only surmise
that he died c.1889. Perhaps Mrs. Crothers has these dates. If not, perhaps
ideas for searching could be provided by one of the members of our Branch.
THE
LATE JOHN JOHNSON, OF ERAMOSA
The
obituary notice which we give below, is copied from the Guelph Mercury and the subject of the sketch is
the father of Mrs. [Eliza Johnson] Beattie, wife of the Rev. D. Beattie, of
Campbellford:
We
are indebted to Mr. Hugh Black for the following appreciative notice.
By
the death of Mr. Johnson, of Eramosa, which was noticed in last week’s Mercury, another of the old landmarks,
not only of Eramosa, but of this county, is removed. He was widely known and
much respected, and the following account of his life and the early times in
the history of this section will be of interest.
Mr.
Johnson was born December 27th, 1807, at Ashton on Willows, Lancashire,
England. On the 26th of April, 1819, he, along with his parents and other
members of the family, took passage in a sailing vessel, there being no “fast
Atlantic steamers” at that time, and after a passage of 53 days landed at
Philadelphia. They lived in Pennsylvania two years and at Tiago [Ed.: Tioga?]
Point four years, then made up their minds to come to Canada. Starting out with
six yoke of oxen, the trip as far as Hannahsville [Ed.: now Nelson at the
intersection of Hwy 5 and the Guelph line], on Dundas street, was made in three
weeks and three days. The remainder of the journey to Eramosa was made at an
average of 2˝ miles a day. He often spoke of his first meeting with the late
James Black in the great pine bush above Hannahsville and they were ever
afterwards warm friends. Mr Johnson’s father when there -- above Hannahsville
-- turned back and traded a yoke of oxen and a wagon for Lot 18 Conc. 1 in
Eramosa. There was soon a clearing made and a house built and on Nov. 27, 1826
they arrived at their new home, the weather being beautiful and warm.
The
only settlers in Eramosa at the time were Geo., William, and Thos. Armstrong,
Jas. Smith, Mr. McCormack, Nelson, Parkinson, Kribs, Ramsey and Armstrong (near
where Rockwood is now), and Quaker Smith. He often spoke of the first township
meeting in Eramosa which was held in David Kribs house, now James Auld’s farm,
the deceased being one of the number. The meeting was held for the election of
Township officers which was done by show of hands. Guelph Township had its
first meeting April 27 of the same year. To the time of his death Mr. Johnson
was never absent from a Township meeting, a period from 1827 to 1889 -- 62
years. We question whether another man in our province attended uninterruptedly
so many township meetings. Since Mr. Johnson came to the country he has never
failed to record his vote in every township and parliamentary election that has
taken place.
In
those early times many discouragements met the struggling settlers, frost and
rust would sometimes ruin a fine looking crop and the hopes of a year were
often blasted in a single night.
The
market there was at Hannahsville. The journey required eight days -- the ox
team being turned out to browse when feeding time came.
The
settlers were happy and contented living in true friendship with each other,
sharing in all their joys and disappointments. Settlers were so scattered that
it required all the neighbors for a distance of eight miles to be gathered to
raise a barn. The first preaching the settlers heard in their new home was by a
Methodist minister in Mr. Nelson’s house where Eramosa P.O. now stands.
Afterwards the late Elder Jas. Black used to walk from Milton where he was
teaching school to Mr. McCormack’s house, Lot 17 Conc. 1. After meeting he
walked back to Milton in time for his school Monday morning. The first school
house was built in 1830 in which meetings were afterwards held.
Mr.
Johnson was a perfect encyclopedia, his memory of dates and events being
marvellous. He gave the following facts sometimes before his death. The first
schoolteacher was a Mr. McAllister who had twenty pupils and the teacher was
paid by a rate bill. The first female child born in the township was Mary
Ramsey (sister of John Ramsey); first male child, George Armstrong (now of
Fergus); first death, Mrs Quaker Smith; nearest P. Office Dundas.
[Mr.
Johnson’s] homestead was a clergy reserve lot and cost him $4.00 an acre. In
1832 he walked by Hannahsville, the only road to Toronto, to get a title to his
land. The Hon. Peter Robinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands, had a headache and
could not see him. He was compelled to return home again on foot without doing
any business, showing the utter indifference of the officers of the government
of the day in discharge of their duties to the public. Mr. Johnson’s brother,
William, was under the direction of the late Mr. Galt, opening roads through
the country. He went through the woods to see his brother and met him where
Guelph now stands and was present when the first tree was cut on the site of
the “Royal City.” When Lord Elgin was governor of Canada, he visited Guelph.
Mr. Johnson was appointed to be his coach man with a carriage and three span of
matched horses. He met the representative of royalty outside the town and drove
him through the streets to his destination. ....
...
He was a life long Presbyterian. ... He took an active interest in politics,
and was a life long, consistent, active, intelligent Reformer. ... Yet he had
no political enemies, many of his warmest friends being Conservatives.
He
was married 15th March 1833, to Margaret Smith, who preceded him to the land
beyond nearly three years ago. The deceased’s family consisted of four sons and
five daughters, all of whom are living but one daughter, Mrs. Armstrong. His
eldest son, Edward, is in the Northwest. James is a doctor, with a large
practice in Millbank. Henry, well known as one of the leading doctors in Fergus,
and Archibald on the old homestead, all of whom are well known, respected
citizens in their respective localities. The large funeral which gathered to
pay the last token of respect indicated the esteem in which the deceased was
held. His remains were laid to rest in the Union Cemetery, on the old
homestead. The services at the house were conducted by the Rev. McCormack,
Congregational Minister, Speedside.
