The following description of Thorold Township and its villages is quoted from The History of the County of Welland, Ontario, Its Past and Present. Welland Tribune Printing House, 1887.

This township, which is one of the northern municipalities of the county, is bounded on the north by the township of Grantham, of Lincoln County; on the east by the township of Stamford; on the south and southeast by the Welland River, which separates it from Crowland Township; on the west by the township of Pelham. Originally Thorold Township contained upwards of thirty-five thousand acres, but the territory now occupied by the Welland Canal, by the corporation of the Town of Thorold, and by a part of the Town of Welland, reduces its acreage to about twenty-five thousand. The soil in the northern and eastern portions of the township is a rich clay. Along the bank of the Welland River clay also predominates; while other portions are made up of clayey or sandy loam. The eastern portion nearly level, while to the west there is a gradual ascent; the northwestern portion is very hilly, the “short hills,” a brief description of which appears in our Pelham history, extending into the township. The north is traversed by that range of rocky heights, known as the “Mountain,” which extend from the Niagara, at Queenston to Burlington Bay on Lake Ontario. From the brown of the Mountain, at the northern limit of the township, the traveller can feast his eyes on one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Below him lie the village of Merriton and the city of St. Catharines, beyond which may be seen the blue waters of Lake Ontario, with the white sails and clouds of steam of the various schooners and steamers that navigate those inland seas of Canada, on commerce or pleasure intent.

The Pioneers

The pioneers began to settle this township immediately after the close of the American Revolutionary war. In fact, a few families left their homes in the United States and became residents of Thorold while the war was still in progress. The Overhold family, among the earliest to come into the township, settled in the neighborhood of the Short Hills along the line between Thorold and Pelham. John Kelly left his home in New Jersey about the year 1780, and settled on lots 48 and 49, in the neighborhood of the Beaverdams. His son, Isaac, was born in 1787. This is the earliest record we have of the birth of a white child in Thorold Township. Isaac Kelly grew up to the estate of manhood and served in the war of 1812. He died in 1874 at the advanced age of eighty-seven. The Kelly homestead, which was one of the very first farms cleared in the township, was purchased by the Dominion Government from John Kelly, Esq., a grandson of the pioneer, and is now traversed by the enlarged Welland Canal. Immediately after the close of the war, or about the year 1784, U. E. Loyalists began to come into the township in large numbers. Israel Swayze settled on four hundred acres in the Beaverdams neighborhood. Most of the land is still occupied by his grandsons, Messrs. John R. and Hiram P. Swayze. Robert Wilkerson settled on the lands in the northeastern portion of the township still owned by his descendants. Henry Damude, so many of whose descendants are now residents of the township, came in at about the close of the war. His son, Mr. David Damude is still living in Fonthill hale and hearty in his eighty-first year. Leonard Misener was the first to settle on lands bordering on Welland River. The log house which he built there in 1789 is still standing: it is one of those few ancient landmarks which remind the passer-by of the early settlers. By the beginning of the present century the township had received a large number of settlers, including the families of Andrew Hansel, Jonathan Hagar, John Decow, John Wilson, George Couke, George Bowman, Jacob Upper, John Hill, John Watterhouse, Andrew Dennis, Garret Vanderburgh, Jacob Keefer, Jacob Hall, Blanchley Robins, the Hixons, the Summers, the Shotwells, the Craffords, the Hoovers, the Shriners, and others.

The hardships endured by the early settlers of Thorold were very great. They experienced all the difficulties of clearing the land of its forest trees, of erecting their rude log houses, of taking their corn to the mill on horseback long distances through the woods, or still harder—before the erection of the mills—of pounding the grain in the hollowed end of a log until it was ready for cooking. Those who had come in previous to 1789 suffered the most. The summer of that year was characterized by heavy frosts, which destroyed the crops of the settlers and made provisions so scarce that it has since been known as the “year of the famine.” Vegetations was so completely destroyed in the clearings that many settlers were obliged to subsist on green herbs which grew in the bush, and in some cases on the leaves and bark of trees. Some were guided in judging which herbs were not poisonous by watching the cattle grazing. Brute instinct prevented the animals from eating anything of a hurtful nature, and the people, by avoiding the weeds which the cattle refused to eat, were enabled to select the herbs which would make wholesome diet. One incident concerning the famine may be of interest: A family of nine had erected their log cabin and become settled the year before the famine, but had not accumulated any provisions when their crops were blighted by the frost. They managed to subsist on roots and herbage out of the woods for some time, and when winter set in were tempted to kill the oxen. Fearing that the food would not last them until spring, and also realizing the the difficulty which they would experience in putting in the next season’s crop without a team, they hit upon a plan of bleeding the animals and making a dish which they called “blood pudding.” A couple of those people, on one occasion, went to a settler in Stamford township who had on had some grain which he had raised previous to the famine. He gave them two ears of corn. Meagre as the allowance appears to us in these days of plenty, it saved the lives of the family. They carefully ground the grain into a meal in the usual way, on top of a stump, and used a small portion of it daily in connection with the blood which they took from their oxen. Towards spring they occasionally securied a pigeon in a trap—they had no ammunition with which to shoot game—and thus these people kept alive until spring opened so that they could get roots, fish, and other means of subsistence. Of course many difficulties were even then encountered. Their oxen, whose only means of subsistence during the winter had been the brouse, were emaciated by the loss of the blood which had kept their owners from starving.

Two or three years of good harvests followed the famine, but in 1792 the few settlers of the central portion of the township were visited by a terrible hurricane or cyclone, which passed through the township on the first day of July of that year. It did considerable damage to the settlers’ effects. It, however, assisted them in clearing some of the land. It levelled every tree that came in its way to the ground, so that all that was necessary to make a road in its track was to remove the debris and level the ground. This was the origin of what is still known as the “Hurricane Road,” which lies between Fonthill and Port Robinson.

Hardships such as we have just endeavored to describe illustrate the statement made in a previous chapter, that the backwoods age was not a golden age. Although the famine, the hurrican, and the hardships generally would have discouraged a less resolute people than the pioneers of Thorold—the work of clearing the land progressed rapidly and the people were beginning to become comfortable in their rude homes when the war of 1812 broke out. Most of the early settlers took part in this war, when, the English troops being engaged in European warfare, the brunt of the contest had to be sustained by the brave farmers of Canada, and well did the men of Thorold respond to the call of patriotic duty! Of course the plough, with which the men who had shown such bravery in defence of the British flag, hastened to convert the howling wilderness of a few years before into a fine agricultural district.

By 1817 the population had increased to eight hundred and thirty, and a small village had been started in the northwest corner of the township where water power, furnished by a never falling stream which flows through the “Short Hills,” led to the erection of a saw mill and a grist mill. No schools yet existed in the township.

The Building of the Canal

The building of the canal, which traverses the township from south to north, had the effect of bringing in a great many immigrants between the years 1824 and 1830, and of starting the villages of Port Robinson and Allanburgh, one at each end of the “Deep Cut,” the most difficult section of the work. Such a large influx of laborers had the effect of making a good market for farm produce; this encouraged the settlers to clear more land, till more soil, and, in consequence, produced prosperity in the township.

The Rebellion of 1837-8

The Rebellion of 1837-8, when political passions were so heated throughout the country, did not fail to produce discord among the people of Thorold in common with those of other parts of the district. When men either accused or secretly suspected their neighbors of being rebels, when the whole community was thrown into turmoil of political bickerings and strife, the progress of the township was naturally retarded. But, soon after peremptory orders from England had recalled Sir Francis Bond Head in disgrace, those people who had been apparently ready and willing to hang a good many of their neighbors, began to show them unfailing kindness. For the Roman poet said truly,

Tempora mutantur nos, et mutamur in illis,

“Tho times are changed, and we are changed with them.”

Since the Rebellion the progress of the township has been unimpeded. Every year the people have become more prosperous, their farms have become more valuable, until to-day Thorold is one of the finest agricultural municipalities in the county. The traveller driving through Thorold sees on every hand well tilled and productive farms, substantial, and, in many cases, elegant farm buildings, with here and there a comfortable school or a handsome church. The village of Port Robinson and Allanburgh are wholly within the municipality, while St. John’s and Fonthill are partially in Pelham. Fonthill has been described in our history of Pelham, and we will here proceed to give a brief sketch of the other three, beginning with

St. John’s

St. John’s which is the oldest village in the township. Although the village is picturesquely situated among the “Short Hills,” and is surrounded by such fine scenery as to make the adjective “pretty” too tame a word with which to describe it, the visitor is at first sight impressed with the idea that St. John’s has seen better days. The old wooden buildings, many of which are in the last stages of decay, the quiet which pervades the deserted street, all indicate that the village is an old one; while the relics of mills and factories, that have existed in days gone by, make it apparent that the place has once been of much more importance. “Yes,” said a gentleman, whose advanced years places within the scope of his memory the rise and progress of the place as well as the reaction, “it was once one of the smartest little towns between the two lakes.” Previous to 1817, John Street began to untilize the water power of this branch of Twelve Mile Creek, by erecting a grist mill at St. John’s. In 1826 another mill was erected by John C. Davis. Other mills were built soon after, and the progress of the place still further enhanced by the advent of a very enterprising gentleman named Russell Rich, who conducted a foundry in which stoves were manufactured. Mr. Rich also had a machine shop and a saw mill. He manufactured, among other things, machinery for [……..] and ploughs. In those days St. John’s had large stores and shops of various kinds, and would no doubt have been still one of the important business centres of the county, had not the construction of the various railways taken the trade into other channels. The water power furnished by the Welland Canal, and the railway facilities of the towns and villages along its banks, caused them to outrival the little inland village of St. John’s. The water power is still utilized to a certain extent, however. There are two grist mills and a woollen factory, the latter in a building erected by Hancy & Brooks, in the village proper, while a short distance west are other mills and factories, of which mention is made in our Pelham history. There are two Methodist churches in St. John’s, one having been built by the Wesleyans, more than thirty years ago, and the other more recently by the Episcopal Methodists. Since the union of the different branches of Methodists, the united congregations have used the Wesleyan Church. It belongs to the Fonthill circuit. The school house is a handsome structure, and was built in 1879. The old village school house, one of a very primitive style of architecture, has been for some time back occupied as a blacksmith’s shop, the forging of the crude metal into implements of industry not unsuggestive of the moulding of the young minds into channels of learning—from the from the dominic with spectacles on nose, looking for

“The whining schoolboy, with his matched

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwilling to school.”

To—

“The smith, a mighty man is he

With large and sinewy hands;

And the muscles on his brawny arms

Are strong as iron bands.”

The village at present contains a post office, a couple of stores, and such other shops as are usually found in a small village.

Port Robinson

This village, which is situated along the line of the Welland Canal and the Welland Division of the Grant Trunk Railway, at present contains four stores, three hotels, a post office, a telegraph office, a custom house, a dry dock, a flour mill and the various shops usually found in a village. The present appearance of Port Robinson indicates that it is a pleasant place doing a nice, quiet trade. There are some indications, however, that it has seen better days, and such is the case. At a time when the Town of Welland was unthought of, Port Robinson surpassed St. Catharines as a centre of trade. The land on which the village stands was settled in 1790 by John Carl, who received his patent from the Crown in 1796. He cleared some land and erected a house. No village was started, however, until the time of the construction of the canal. At this place it was found necessary to dig a side cut from the main channel of the canal to form a junction with the Welland River, which was navigable for large boats to the Niagara River. The height of water of the canal above the river necessitated the building of locks. When navigation was commenced a port of entry was established here, as was also a post office. Both offices were filled by Duncan McFarland. The village at that time was known as Port Beverly in honor of William Beverly Robinson, a member of the Canal Company. The name was afterwards changed to Port Robinson, taking the surname of the gentleman for whom it was named. When the Government assumed control of the canal, extensive improvements followed. The Deep Cut, which lies between Port Robinson and Allanburgh, had to be widened and deepened. The art of removing the earth by dredges was unknown, and the work had to be performed by means of wheelbarrows, shovels and picks. This necessitated the employment of very large forces of men. A feud existed between two sections of the laborers known as the Corkonians and the Connaught men. Riots were imminent at all times, and the Government, to quell disturbance, stationed a body of mounted police along the works. To effectually maintain law and order they also stationed a company of one hundred colored men, under Captain Macdonald, at Port Robinson, where were constructed barracks, ball alley and black hole. This colored corps was intensely hated by the laborers. In 1849 a faction uprising occurred. The rabble marched through Thorold and Allanburgh without opposition, and came along the bank of the Deep Cut. Captain Macdonald had his men served with ball cartridges and marched towards the rioters to stay the tide of revolt. The captain halted his men on the bank on the bank, and as the roughs approached he informed them that if they advanced he would curse them with the curse of the church. This had the effect of quelling the riot; the participators dispersed in all directions, some to resume work and others to leave for other ports. All this time the village was in a flourishing condition and trade was good in all its branches. A line of steamers ran between Buffalo and this place, via Chippawa, connecting with other lines for passengers and freight. A line of packet boats, which plied daily between here and Dunnville, was the mail and passenger route west, connecting with the four horse stage coach from Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara. This place was also, and until recent date, the centre of mail distribution for Fonthill and the west, St. John’s, Chippawa, Port Colborne and intermediate points.

In 1848 the village was the scene of a terrible tragedy. An estimable lady, the wife of Mr. John Bell, was cruelly murdered while her husband was away from home, by a Negro who had been engaged in cutting wood for the family. The murderer secured some valuables belonging to the family and fled. As soon as the terrible crime was discovered the citizens were up in arms, the military were called out, the country was searched, and finally the villain was captured and taken to gaol at Niagara, where he expiated his crime on the gallows.

The completion of the canal, the construction of the Buffalo, Brantford and Goderich Railway—now a branch of the Grand Trunk—and the building of the Great Western Railway, all had the effect of diverting traffic from Port Robinson, and the prosperity of the place began to decline. A large saw mill, that had once been one of the principle industries, was burned to the ground one night, and was not rebuilt. For a number of years shipbuilding continued in full blast, and the dry dock did a large business under J. P. and J. S. Abbey, but in 1876 the least was closed by the Government in the furtherance of the work of canal enlargement. A second dry dock was constructed, and is now in operation by the Messrs. Andrews.

In the autumn of 1854 a foul murder was committed on the verandah of the British Hotel. Bill Townsend, a notorious desperado, who had a hort time previously murdered Mr. Nelles, a resident of Haldimand County, came this way with a comrade. A reward of one thousand dollars had been offered for his capture, dead or alive. Constable C. Ritchie, of Port Robinson, having been notified that the murderer was at the hotel taking his supper, went thither to arrest him. Townsend came out of the hotel, and Ritchie, who was unfortunately unarmed, told him he was a prisoner. Townsend in reply threatened to shoot Ritchie if he did not take his hands off him. The constable paid no attention to his words, whereupon Townsend put his threat into execution by shooting him through the head. The wound was a mortal one, and the brave constable ceased to breathe about four hours after the shot was fired. Although the citizens armed themselves and instituted a thorough search, the murder and his accomplice escaped.

Port Robinson Churches

The Presbyterian Church was erected about 1824, and is still standing on the same foundation, although the superstructure has been altered and improved. For a long time the congregation was connected with the one of the Town of Thorold. That connection has been severed, however, and now the minister of the Merritton church fills the pulpit in his place.

St. Paul’s Church (Episcopal) was built in 1844 and 1845. The Rev. Thomas Brock Fuller, late Bishop of the Diocese, at that time clerk in holy orders, was the first rector of Thorold and Port Robinson. Previous to the building of the church, service was held in the dining room of Mr. Dilly Coleman’s hotel, a large room, capable of seating two hundred people. The present rector is the Rev. P. L. Spencer, of Thorold.

The Methodist Church, a brick structure, was erected in 1850. The present minister is the Rev. D. Ecker.

The Roman Catholic Church was built here in 1878. The Rev. T. J. Sullivan, the parish priest of Thorold, is the pastor.

Lodges

Myrtle Lodge of A. F. and A. M., No. 337, G. R. C., received its dispensation in 1875, and its charter in 1876. At the present time it numbers 35 members. Its present officers are: P. W. M. Thos. Sowersby; W. M., C. R. Bennett; S. W., Andrew Hamilton; J. W., Jno. McMillan; Chap. P. S. Mussen, a mason of sixty-six years standing, he having been made a member of the craft before leaving Ireland; Tyler, R. Stevenson; Sec. W. H. Andrews; Treas., Geo. Ross; I. G., W. Kemp; Stewards, E. Shainholds, E. Andrews; D. of C., W. Cook; S. D., J. Stark; J. D., Geo. A. Thomas.

Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 519, was organized over thirty-five years ago. Like other lodges it has had its ups and downs, but at the present time isin fair working order. It numbers twenty-five members. The W. M. is Wm. Booth, and Edward Cook is Secretary.

A division of the Sons of Temperance was instituted here about forty years ago, through the instrumentality of Robert Coulter and other active temperance workers. It has kept its charter ever since the time of organization, and is at present in a flourishing condition with a membership of about sixty. Among its early members who are still office bearers are David Misener and T. Sowersby.

Port Robinson was in its palmy days at the time of the separation of Lincoln and Welland. It was to have been the county town, but the site of the court house was changed to Merritsville, now the Town of Welland. The present postmaster and collector of customs is James McCoppen. Robert Coulter is the collector of canal tolls. The present population is about four hundred and thirty, but very few of its early residents remain to tell of its glories, its progress and the re-action.

Allanburgh

Allanburgh is situated about two miles north of Port Robinson, at the lower end of the “Deep Cut.” Like the other villages we have described, Allenburgh is not the same thriving business place it once was. It sprang into existence at the time of the construction of the canal and flourished for a number of years. A fall in the canal at this point necessitated the building of a lock here. In 1850 the place contained about three hundred inhabitants, and boasted of two grist mills, two saw mills, two woollen factories and a tannery. All these industries have ceased to exist. There are now in Allanburgh three stores, a post office, an office of the Great Northern Western Telegraph Company, and a number of shops. There are two hotels, one in the village proper, and the other, which is known as the Black Horse, is situated nearly a mile west, on the road leading to the Town of Thorold.

Churches

In addition to the churches mentioned in the various villages of the township there are three Methodist churches and one belonging to the Second Advent denomination in the rural sections. One of the first churches erected in the township was along the Beaverdams Creek. This was about the year 1824. The graveyard adjoining it contains the last remains of several of the early pioneers. A church was erected shortly after, along the Welland River, by the Presbyterians. The Episcopalians erected their first church a short distance east of what is called the Town of Thorold. The Rev. T. B. Fuller, afterwards Bishop of Niagara, was the first rector. This church was used until 1856, when it was permanently closed in consequence of the building a new church within the town (then village) of Thorold. In the very early days, among the men who preached the gospel to the settlers were the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, of the Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Mr. Russell, a Presbyterian, while the parish priest of Niagara visited the Roman Catholic families throughout the district. In the southern portion of the township is a “Quaker” settlement, one of the concessions having had so many residents along it who were adherents of that faith, that it took the name of “Quaker Road.” The Friends worship in the meeting house in Pelham.

Schools

There are seven school sections in the township, in addition to six union sections with other townships of the county, and one union with the Township of Louth, of the County of Lincoln. The old log school house has long been a thing of the past, and most of the sections now have substantial brick school buildings, in which the pupils are taught by efficient teachers. The following gentlemen were local superintendents of schools for the years that that office existed: 1856, Capt. Radcliffe; 1857, S. W. Pritchard; 1858 to 1866, Rev. Chas. Walker; 1866. Rev. T. B. Robarts; 1867, I. P. Willson; 1868, 1869, 1870, Henry Mussen.

Roads

The roads are nearly all ordinary turnpikes, and are kept in repair by the annual statute labor. A macadamized road was constructed from the Town of Thorold southward, through the Village of Allanburgh to the Welland River at Port Robinson, completed in 1856. The enterprise was that of a company, known as the “Port Robinson and Thorold Macadamized Road Company,” in which the municipalities of Thorold Town and Thorold Township were the principal shareholders. This company also built the bridge across the Welland River at the southern extremity of the road. The revenue the company derived was from the toll gates along the roads. The travelling public, however, preferred the clay roads during the summer months, and only used the macadamized one during the the wet and muddy weather of spring and autumn. Only one dividend was ever paid to the stockholders, and that was a very small one. After twenty-six years of unprofitable operation the tolls were thrown off, and the road became free. It is now kept in repair by statute labor, and the bridge at its southern terminus is under the jurisdiction of the County Council. The Beaverdans Macadamized Road, which leads west from Thorold, has also been abandoned by its owners, and the toll gates are no longer kept up on it.

Statistics

In the early days of the township wild land could be bought for seven pence per acre. In 1817 the population was eight hundred and thirty, and land had risen in value to fifty shillings an acre. In 1848 the township contained three thousand six hundred and ninety-five inhabitants. Wild land then sold for thirty shillings per acre, and improved farms for about five pounds, ten shillings per acre. There were then in the township seven hundred and nine horses, and one thousand one hundred and sixty-once cattle, while the total value of ratable property was fifty-two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight pounds. Since the last date given above, the territory occupied by the incorporated Town of Thorold, and a portion of the territory occupied by the Town of Welland, has been taken from the township, and in 1885 the remaining portion of the township contained eight hundred and sixteen horses, and one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven cattle, while the value of ratable property was not much less than one million five hundred thousand dollars.

Municipal Government

The settlers of Thorold Township began to arrange the machinery which had been provided for the management of their municipal affairs as early as 1799. On the first Monday in January of that year a town meeting was held, at which the following officers were elected: Clerk, John Watterhouse; Assessors, Andrew Hansel and John Hagar; Collector, John DeCew; Poundkeepers, John Wilson, Sr., and Leonard Misener; Town Wardens, Robert Wilkerson and George Clarke; Road Masters, George Bowman, Jacob Upper, John Hill, Jr., Henry Damude and Alex. Brown. For a number of years the annual meeting was held at the houses of various settlers, and officials were elected by the popular vote of the people to fill their respective positions. It seems that in those days the legislation was in the hands of the ratepayers themselves, and the officers elected were simply to do the executive part of the municipal work. Business which under the present system, is left to be transacted by the councillors elected by the people, was then largely voted on by the ratepayers direct. For instance, at the annual meeting in 1801, the “Inhabitants of Thorold Township unanimously resolved the fences to be five feet high, and that there shall not be any holes exceeding four inches below the fourth rail from the bottom and above a reasonable distance, and all creatures shall run at large.” The meeting for 1802 was held at the house of Israel Swayze. At that meeting the fence question was further legislated upon, and provision was made for settling disputes between residents by means of arbitration. The war of 1812, for two or three years, lessened the interest in municipal affairs, many of the male inhabitants having abandoned the axe and other tools useful in converting the forest into a fine agricultural county, and taken up the implements of war. When the war was over, these farmers who returned to their homes and to the affairs of the township, lacked the assistance of some of their brave comrades who had died on the battlefield. Prominent among the settlers of Thorold who lost their lives in the war was Captain George Turney, who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Lundy’s Lane. His abilities as a municipal officer had made him useful to his fellow settlers before the war. The original survey of the township by which it was laid out in concessions running from east to west was found to be very imperfect, and a new survey was made, abandoning the numbering of the concessions, and numbering the lots from one upward instead. The requirements of the municipality in those days must have been very simple, for we find that no longer ago than 1836 the total sum collected for municipal purposes was but £6.19s.10-½d., or less than half what is usually paid for the collecting of the taxes. In 1841 the District Council at Niagara was organized, and the following year Duncan McFarland and Robert Hobson were elected as representative os Thorold Township in that body. In 1843, 1844 and 1845 the same gentlemen were re-elected. In 1846 the representatives were Duncan McFarland and George Keefer. In 1847 Mr. Hobson was again elected. In 1848 Mr. McFarland’s colleague was Wm. Bradley Hendershot, a resident of Thorold village, which was at that time a part of the township. In 1849 Dilly Coleman of Port Robison was elected to the office of District Councillor along with Duncan McFarland. The latter gentleman, who was, as it may be seen by the above, one of the longest holding representatives of the District Council as long as that body existed, is now living at a very advanced age, in the Township of Niagara. For a great many years he was one of the most prominent men in Thorold Township, and at one time represented the County of Welland in the old Parliament of Canada. When a young lad he was active in the service in the war with the United States, and in 1837 he was captain of a troop of cavalry. The separation of the counties in 1850 did away with the office of District Councillor and that of Reeve took its place. The first gentleman to fill this position was John Radcliffe, who had formerly been a captain in the Royal Navy. Ever since 1850 the residents of the township have manifested a lively interest in municipal affairs, the annual elections usually being quite spirited. A list of those who have filled the offices of Reeve and Deputy-Reeve may be found elsewhere in this work. John Rannie occupied the position of Treasurer from 1850 to 1874. Upon that gentleman’s removal to Toronto in the latter year, Baruch Tucker, Sr., was appointed to the vacant Treasurership. He was succeeded in the following year by Wallace Upper, who has held the position ever since. The office of clerk has been filled by various gentlemen. In 1865 we find the name of Isaac P. Willson, and in 1867 that of P. S. Mussen. In 1868 C. H. Bennett was appointed, but was succeeded before the close of the year by Robert Spencer, Esq., who held the office until 1873, when Henry Mussen was appointed to the position, and retained it until 1879, when he was succeeded by his father, P. S. Mussen, who has been Clerk ever since.

Town of Thorold

That “necessity is the mother of invention” is illustrated by the history of the Welland Canal. Mr. Merritt’s mill required more water than the stream along which it was situated would provide. In looking for a remedy for the defect he conceived the idea of digging a channel that would supply the required ower. From this it may be inferred that the early promoters of the Welland Canal were as much actuated by a desire to establish an inexhaustible supply of water power as they were to provide a great highway for marine craft. Both objects have been accomplished. The commerce of the continent has felt the influence of the Welland Canal, through whose waters have passed ships laden with the merchandise of the world to the value of untold millions; and while the canal has been of so much service to the carrying trade of this whole continent, it has called into existence busy towns in the locality through which it passes, by supplying valuable waterpowers. The slope of the “mountain” along which the canal is located, admits easiest access to these privileges, and here varied industries have been established. The Town of Thorold is situated at the top of this slope and within its borders begins the wealth of waterpower caused by the descent of the canal. Beyond it lie the Village of Merriton and the City of St. Catharines, both of which places also enjoy waterpower, but as neither of them come within the scope of our history we may safely style Thorold the Manchester of Welland County. The town also possesses great quarries of best quality limestone giving rise to quarrying industries and manufactures of lime and cement, which have always been an important factor in its progress and prosperity. Having said that Thorold sprang into existence in consequence of having water power, and that it is now a manufacturing town, it is unnecessary to add that it is a busy place. It, however, possesses an attraction that is lacking in many busy places—its prettiness. Situated, as it is, at the edge of the “mountain,” it commands a magnificent view of the valley below, beyond which may be seen the blue waters of Lake Ontario. The visitor, after enjoying the beautiful panorama of nature, is reminded by a glance over the town, that art, to has done much to enhance the beauty of the place. Front street is lined with handsome business blocks. The old canal is studded with substantial buildings, the industrious hives of the town; the new canal runs through Thorold’s eastern outskirts, and a walk to its banks from Front street—the principal business throughfare—takes us past two beautiful churches, one belonging to the Presbyterian congregation, and the other to the Episcopalians. West of the old canal, which divides the town in about the centre, may be seen the tower of the Roman Catholic Church, and the pinnacle of the Methodist Temple; father north, on the same side of the canal, rises another hill on the top of which is the classic mansion of Mr. John Keefer. In every part of the town the beautiful villa residences of Thorold’s “solid” men render the place attractive.

First Settlement

Among the first who settled on the site of the present town, was George Keefer, whose son, Mr. John Keefer, is one of the oldest residents of the place. As early as 1790, Mr. Keefer and one or two other pioneers commenced to convert the forest in the north-eastern corner of Thorold Township into farms. So little progress was made in clearing the land, however, that when a small collection of rude houses had sprung up in consequence of the building of the canal, the place took the name of

Stump Town,

An appellation that clung to the village for some time. The old name was eventually dropped, and the present one substituted, a change, no doubt, agreeable to many English immigrants of that time, who were pleased to find in the new world both a township and a village perpetuating a name familiar to their native Lincolnshire. In 1827 the first mill was built in the village by Mr. George Keefer, and as soon as the canal was ready for the passage of boats, in 1829, the place began to grow rapidly, and the population to consist of a more permanent and desirable class of citizens, than the canal laborers, who were the first sojourners in the village. At the above date, however, the village was in so incipient a state that had one of its residents fallen asleep—Rip Van Winkle like—and no awakened until to-day, he would have rubbed his eyes with wonder as he gazed at the large buildings, tall chimnies, the street cars, the telegraph, and telephone wires and various other reminders of the progress of modern times, and have concluded that he was in some other world. . There were then no churches in the village proper. The Methodists had erected a place of worship at the Beaverdams, a mile or two distant, and the Episcopalians had built a church east of where the present town stands, but the four splendid churches of solid stone that now adorn the town were yet to come. When the Government assumed control of the canal in 1842, the population began to increase rapidly, and the improved hydraulic powers of the enlarged canal to be extensively utilized by enterprising men. A writer, in speaking of the village in 1850, said, “The hydraulic powers of the canal have here been taken advantage of to a considerable extent, and five grist mills have been erected, having an aggregate of fifteen rune of stones; also a saw mill, containing one upright and two circular saws, and two planing machines. There are also attached to the establishment a machine shop and carding machine. A cotton factory was in operation here for some time, but has ceased working, and the establishment with the machinery, etc., is for sale. Thorold also contains a tannery, broom factory, soap and candle factory, and two potteries; and three churches, Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic. Half a mile from the village is a plaster mill, and in its immediate neighborhood extensive quarries of both gray and white limestone, and hydraulic cement are worked.”

Incorporation

In the year 1850 the village was incorporated, and began to do business on its own account as the “Municipality of the Village of Thorold.” W. B. Hendershot was elected Reeve and the first municipal election held in the village. He had previously served for one year as representative of the township in the old Niagara District Council. Mr. Hendershot was one of the earliest merchants of Thorold, having begun business thre in a small grocery, when the village was very small. As Thorold grew, his business expanded to very large dimensions, embracing not only one of the most extensive general stores in the Niagara District, but also large milling interests. At the time of his death, in 1873, he had a large fortune, after having been identified with the rise and progress of Thorold for nearly half a century. The construction of the Great Western Railway in 1854, and of the Welland Railway a few years later, gave additional impetus to the village. Since that time the shipping facilities have been excellent, and Thorold has ever since enjoyed those two great promoters of prosperity which should go hand in hand to build up a town—hydraulic power for manufactures, and means of transporting the manufacturer’s products to the distant consumer.

The census of 1871 show the extent of the place at that date as follows:

Areas, Dwellings, etc.—Acres, 1020. Houses inhabited 307; uninhabited, 3; being built, 5. Families, 312. Total population, 1635. Sexes—Males, 821; females, 814. Married—Males 259; females, 261; total, 520. Widowed—males, 25; females, 261; total, 520. Widowed—Males, 25; females, 48; total 73. Children and unmarried—Males, 537; females 505; total, 1042.

Religions—Adventists, 3; Baptists, 4; Freewill Baptists, 1; Christian Brethren, 5; Catholics, 447; Christian Conference, 1; Church of England, 465; Wesleyan Methodists, 432; Presbyterians, 10; Canada Presbyterians, 261; Quakers 1; not given, 9.

Origins—English 446; French, 19; German, 77; Irish, 805; Scandinavian, 1; Scotch, 273; Swiss, 4; Welsh, 10.

Birth Places—England and Wales, 94; Ireland, 272; Scotland, 102; New Brunswick, 1; Nova Scotia, 1; Ontario, 1063; Quebec, 14; other British Possessions, 1; France, 5; Germany, 10; Sweden, etc., 1; United States, 70; other countries, 1.

The New Canal

On Saturday, the 2nd of August, 1873, the first sod was turned on the new canal, which runs through the eastern outskirts of the town. The work which followed gave employment to a large number of men, and greatly increased the population of Thorold. The huge channel is one of the finest ship-canals in the world, and the locks in the vicinity of Thorold, where the descent of the land is comparatively abrupt, are among the engineering triumphs of the present age.

The Governor’s Visit

On Saturday, the 29th August, 1874, Thorold received a visit from that most popular of all Canada’s Governors, Lord Dufferin. Only once before in the history of the village had the people been called upon to entertain vice-royalty—Lord Elgin, accompanied by the members of the Canadian Parliament, visited Thorold on a tour of inspection of the canal in 1850. The large party on that occasion crossed the lake in the steamer “Chief Justice Robinson,” and proceeded to Thorold in carriages, where they embarked on the steamer “Brittania,” and proceeded up the canal to view the aqueduct at Merrittsville and the harbor at Port Colborne. At the time of Lord Dufferin’s visit, in 1874, the village had grown greatly, both in size and importance, and the citizens determined to receive their distinguished visitor in a fitting manner. Front street was made gay with arches, flags and bunting. The scene was the most enlivening and picturesque ever witnessed withing the memory of the “oldest inhabitant.” About noon the Governor-General arrived by carriage from St. Catharines, via Merritton. There was a guard of honor from the 44th Battalion, together with a band and the firemen of the town in near uniform. The streets were nicely decorated. The following is a copy of the address which was presented to his Excellency by the Reeve, John McDonagh, Esq.:

To His Excellency the Right Honorable the Earl of Dufferin, K. P., K. C. B., Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, &c., &c.

We, the Reeve and Council of the Thorold, on behalf of the inhabitants, beg leave to approach Your Excellency with assurances of loyalty and devotion to the person of Her Majesty the Queen. We also take this opportunity of expressing our respect and esteem for yourself both personally and as Her Majesty’s representative, and of welcoming you and the Countess of Dufferin to the Niagara Peninsula.

Your Excellency, during the visit you are about to make to the public works now in course of construction in this place, will behold an undertaking creditable to the energy and enterprise of the Dominion, and destined, we believe, to be the great highway of the immense carrying trade between the great West and Europe, and to advance the interests and prosperity not only of this part of the country, but the whole of Canada. We have no doubt that Your Excellency will appreciate the importance to the general interest of the country, of manufactories and other industrial establishments on the line of the Welland Canal.

While knowing that your extended tour through the Province of Ontario will be taken advantage of by you to increase your knowledge of the country and its people, we trust it will also be productive of pleasure to you, Lady Dufferin, and the members of your family.

W. T. Fish, Clerk John McDonagh, Reeve

His Excellency, in reply, expressed the pleasure it gave him to receive an address from the inhabitants of Thorold—a place to which, by its connection with the Welland Canal, considerable attention was at the present time directed, not only from all parts of the Dominion, but from the United States. It was impossible to overrate the importance of those works now in progress, whose magnitude was a measure of the advancement which had taken place in the aspirations of the Government and of the people of Canada since the present Welland Canal was constructed. During his present tour he had visited the distant waters of Lake Superior, and he had arrived at the conclusion that no reasonable man could doubt but that within a few years the industry and energy of the Canadian people would have conducted the waterways of the Atlantic to the head of Lake Superior. (Applause). Neither was it possible to overrate the consequences which would flow from these great works. No one could look upon the navigation of the northern parts of North America without perceiving that the River St. Lawrence and the chain of lakes which empty their waters into it, are destined to be the highroad along which all the productions not only of the Canadian Northwest, but also of the northern valleys of the Mississippi and its tributaries, would pass. (Cheers). It must necessarily follow that a community located upon that great thoroughfare would immensely profit by the stream of commerce which would flow beside them, and he (Lord Dufferin) sincerely trusted that a great deal of the advantage to which he referred would stick to the fingers of the people of Thorold. (Cheers). In conclusion, he thanked them for the kind expressions in their address with regard to himself and Lady Dufferin, and assured them that he would always watch with great interest what he trusted would result in a rapid improvement in their circumstances.

The usual cheers were given, after which a number of citizens were introduced to His Excellency, including members of the council, the Rev. Father Sullivan and the Rev. Mr. Frazer. Colonel Clement, a U. E. Loyalist, and a veteran of the war of 1812, was also introduced, and with him Lord Dufferin conversed for a short time, during which some interesting anecdotes of the battle of Chippawa were related. Leaving the main street of Thorold, the vice-regal party drove to the cutting which was then being made for the new canal, and arriving there inspected it at a couple of points. Along the works, at frequent intervals, the men employed on them had flags flying. Having thus spent a short time, the party drove directly back to Merriton, and there got on board the train on which Lady Dufferin and the rest of the party were awaiting them.

Thorold A Town

By a special act, Thorold was incorporated as a town, and elected its first Mayor in January, 1875. George Baxter, Esq., the present County Judge, had the honor of being elected Mayor on that occasion. Mr. Baxter also filled the Mayor’s chair for the year 1876. In 1877 Dr. Palmer was Mayor. He was succeeded in 1878 by Dr. Lemon. Mr. Jno. Grenville filled the position in 1879 and 1880. Jno. McDonagh, Esq. was first elected Mayor in 1881, and re-elected in 1882, 1883 and 1884. Mr. Alexander Fraser was Mayor in 1885 and 1886, and Mr. William McCleary succeeded to that honor in 1887.

Industries

As intimated in the preceding chapter, Thorold owes its very existence to the wealth of hydraulic power that has fostered its manufacturing interests, and when we say that the manufacturing interests have been fostered, it is unnecessary to add that a solid foundation has been prepared upon which a populous city will probably some day stand. Of all the businesses in which men can engage, that of the manufacturer ranks second in importance. The agriculturalist is an indispensable member of the human race; without his productions the rest of mankind could not exist.

“If the ploughman does not plough,

Then the poet cannot write.”

We must therefore place the business of the farmer first in importance. Next to it ranks that of the manufacturer, who converts the raw production of the farm, the forest, or of the mine, into commodities that are useful—that have, in fact, become necessaries—to the human race. The mercantile interests, the carrying trade on both land and water, the learned professions, are all simply auxiliaries to the important occupation of farmer and manufacturer. We would not deprecate the merchants. They establish at our very doors markets in which we buy the productions of our own and foreign lands, and no doubt the pioneer merchants of Thorold Township were recognized by their fellow-settlers as public benefactors. Much more, however, those settlers appreciate the efforts of the men who established mills in their midst. They could dispense with the tea, coffee, sugar, and other goods of the merchant, but the old fashioned way of pounding grain on top of a stump to get it ready for making bread was one of their hardships, and they therefore hailed the establishment of grist mills with delight. The manufacturer not only creates a good market for the farm productions, but also gives employment to skilled artizans; and the farmer and the artizan spend the price of their produce and their labor respectively with the merchant whose wares they require—and all prosper. Thorold’s principal industries are of the kind that benefit the rural population of Welland County as well as the town itself. Grain and wool, two of the staple productions of the farm, are here made ready for the consumers of eastern counties, as well as of the distant parts of Canada.

Spink Bros’ Flouring Mills—This important industrial establishment is one of the oldest in the town, having been built as early as 1827 by Mr. George Keefer. That gentleman, whose name is associated with the building of the canal, had completed the mill before the canal was navigable. He and his descendants continued to run it for a great many years. Mr. Jas. Lawson conducted it from about 1868 until recently, and had it thoroughly overhauled and refitted. The burr stones have been replaced by rollers or roller brakes, much superior to stones and capable of producing a finer grade of flour. The business of this mill amounts to about sixty-five thousand barrels annually.

Welland Mills—This very extensive establishment was built in 1846, by the late Jacob Keefer, whose father built the first mill in the place. It was conducted for a great many years by the firm of Howland & Spink, of which Sir W. P. Howland, the Lieut.-Governor of Ontario, was the senior member. Mr. Spink retired from the firm a few years ago, and became a partner of Mr. Lawson. The Welland Mills are at present owned by the firm of Howland, Jones & Co. Mr. Jones is himself an inventor of mill machinery. The mill is fitted with the most improved rollers, and has received a diploma for being the best equipped in Ontario. Its capacity is five hundred barrels per day.

The Ontario Silver Company is the name of a business at present owned by George Hendrick, of Springfield, Mass. The establishment was first opened in October, 1884, by the Ontario Silver Company, Limited. In 1886 the original company was succeeded by the present firm. About thirty-five hands are employed in the manufacture of spoons, forks, and other kinds of silverware, which are exclusively sold to the wholesale hardware and jewelry trade. The factory itself and the water privilege are the property of John McDonagh, Esq., a gentleman who has done much towards building up the town.

Thorold Foundry and Machine Shop, of which Messrs. Dobbie & Stuart are the proprietors, was established by Mr. Archibald Dobbie in 1859. The original shop was some distance south of the present premises, and was destroyed by fire. The business was opened, in the buildings at present occupied, in 1865. Mr. John Start became a member of the firm in 1881. In the establishment are manufactured all kinds of mill gearing, shafting, and general machinery, while a specialty is made of contractors’ plant. The average number of hands employed is twenty-five.

Thorold Woolen and Cotton Manufacturing Company, of which the late R. B. McPherson was the senior member, established its extensive factory in 1882. This establishment, which is well equipped and has a capacity for completing about one hundred thousand dollars worth of goods annually, is one of the largest of its kind in Ontario. Employment is given to a number of operatives.

Thorold Hydraulic Cement Works—This industry was started by the late Jno. Brown, the well known contractor, who was its owner until the time of his death. The executors of Mr. Brown’s estate sold the business to Messrs. Fraser & Battle. After these two gentlemen had conducted it one year, Mr. Battle purchased his partner’s interest and admitted his sons to partnership, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of John Battle & Sons. The cement manufactured in the establishment was used for the new aqueduct and other great works on the canal, and has gained for the firm a wide and good reputation. The works give employment to a large number of men and have a capacity for manufacturing about two hundred barrels of cement daily.

Battle & Smith is the style of a firm, the senior member of which is a son of Mr. Jno. Battle of the Cement Works. Battle & Smith manufacture on an extensive scale, paints and shoe blacking. Although a comparatively new industry in the town, it is and important and growing one.

John Band’s Flouring Mill was built by its present owner in 1862, on a site which he purchased from the late John Brown. The mill has a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day.

The Thorold Gristing Mills, in which Messrs. J. C. Jones & Co. carry on business, were first built by the firm of McPherson & Weir. After the death of Mr. Weir his surviving partner sold the property to D. Cooper & Son, in 1880. The Messrs. Cooper still own the mill, which they lease to the present occupants. The mill is fitted with rollers, and commands a good gristing business.

Churches

A careful examination of Thorold satisfies one that the place is well described by the word “substantial.” Not only are most of the buildings in the town of a substantial character, but the business enterprises are nearly all established on a sure footing, and Thorold can number among its residents as many “solid men as any other town of its size in Ontario. To no other component part of the town can the word “substantial” be more appropriately applied than to its churches. Although there are many other towns and villages in which a greater number of churches exist, we question whether any other town in the Province possess more substantial church edifices than does the town of Thorold, or whether their internal economy is in so sound a financial condition.

When the village was still small, and better known by the name of “Stumptown” than by its present dignified title, an acre of land was donated by the late George Keefer to the Methodist denomination as a site for a church. The deed is dated October 14th, 1833, and by it the lot on Pine Street, which is west of the canal, was conveyed to the trustees, who were James Brown, H. Swayze, William McClellan, J. Rattray, J. Ker, L. Parsons, and F. Hutt. The church, which was erected at that time, was a small wooden building, which was used as a place of worship for a number of years. In 1845, the requirements of the growing congregation led to the construction of the present church. The building committee consisted of Jno. Vanderburgh, John Ker, William Beatty, Peter Keefer, and Jacob Keefer. Among those who contributed to the funds, was Lord Metcalf, at that time Governor, who gave £10. The church is of stone and was originally 38x54 feet. Although steps were taken in the direction of building in 1845, the church was not completed until 1849. On January 21st of the latter year, the dedicatory sermon was preached by the late Rev. Egerton Ryerson. In 1870 the building was enlarged by an addition, which now makes it eighty-six feet in length. In 1882 it was refitted throughout, new pews took the place of the old ones, new carpets and upholstering made the comfort and refinement of the interior correspond with the handsome and substantial edifice itself. Among the ministers who have been pastors of the Thorold church, are some of the most prominent Methodist divines in Canada. The following are the names of those who have been stationed here during the last thirty years: The Reverends Land, Dr. Ross, A. Sutherland, Dr. Potts, J. Wakefield, J. H. Starr, J. S. Clarke, L. Warner, James Preston, James Slater, Dr. Parker, Jno. Kay, and J. F. Lancelay. The last named gentleman is the present pastor.

During the early years of Thorold Village, the Episcopalians worshipped in the church known as St. Peters, mention of which is made in our history of Thorold Township. It was situated a short distance east of the village, although the land on which it stood is within the corporation limits of the present town, and was bought by the Government at the time of constructing the new line of canal. The first rector was the Rev. Thomas Brock Fuller, the late Bishop of Niagara. In 1856, the present beautiful and commodious church was erected in the village. It is situated at the corner of Carlton and Claremont streets, on a site given to it by Dr. Rolls, and is a massive stone structure, whose lofty spire, rising high above the town, may be seen at a long distance. The present rector of St. John’s Church—as it is called—is the Rev. F. L. Spencer.

The Presbyterians in Thorold have recently erected a very handsome stone church, delightfully situated at the corner of Claremont and Ormond Streets. The old Presbyterian Church was built in 1860. Previous to that date the congregation held their services in the town hall and the school house. The first minister who officiated for the denomination in the place was the Rev. Colin McIntosh, the pioneer of Presbyterianism in the Niagara District. The present pastor is the Rev. C. D. Macdonald.

The Church of the Holy Rosary, Roman Catholic, has the largest congregation of any of the Thorold churches. Of all the fine church edifices in the town, this church is also the most beautiful and costly. The first Roman Catholic Church in this place was built on the site of the present one—west of the old canal, at the corner of Queen and Mill streets, about the year 1837. The building committee consisted of John O’Brien, William Hannan, James Boyle, and A. Schwaller. The Rev. T. J. Sullivan has been the pastor since 1871, and it is largely owing to his work that the recently erected church exists. The reverend gentleman raised not less than thirty-five thousand dollars of the money required for its construction. The congregation numbers about eight hundred, and has in connection with the church a separate school, in which about one hundred and ninety children are being educated. In this school four permanent teachers are employed.

Thorold High School

This institution was founded as Thorold Grammar School in 1851, and it may be said owes its origin to the founder of the Mechanics’ Institute, the late Bishop Fuller. It was formed on the closing of a private school conducted by the Rev. Mr. Dickson, for the higher education of the young of Thorold and the surrounding country. The Rev. Mr. Dawson, B. A., was the first head-master and the school was conducted above the brick building now known as the Thorold market. It was then removed to Pine St., to rooms in the building now known as the west side public school. The second head master was the Rev. Donald McLeod, B. A., son-in-law of Bishop Fuller, who was succeeded by John McNeely, M. A., and excellent scholar and good teacher, who did much to advance the cause of higher education. After his death, the school was conducted by J. H. Ball, M. A., the present, county inspector, until the appointment of a head-master in the person of Wm. Houghton, M. A., who taught in a building on Mill St., now the site of Mr. Schwaller’s residence. Mr. Houghton was succeeded by Mr. Cruikshank, B. A., who was followed by the Rev. Nelson Burns, M. A. , the school at this time having been removed to what is now known as the McKeague building, on Pine St. A fine building was then erected on Ormond St., valued at, including grounds, $10,000. Mr. Burns having resigned, the first head-master in the new school building was James Johnston, B. A., who was succeeded after one year, by the present head-master, Andrew McCullough, M. A., who has held the position for ten years. The school ranks now as one of the best two-master schools in the Province, and will now no doubt retain its position so long as it remains under its present regime. The main work of the school is the preparation of teachers and the education of the young for the different professions and for entrance to Universities. The success of the institution is due in great measure to the continuous exertions of R. J. Johnston, M. D., who has been for many years chairman of the board, which now consists of the following gentlemen—Chairman, R. J. Johnston, M. D.; Secretary and Treasurer, Rev. C. D. McDonald, M. A., B. D.; Trustees, William McCleary, Thomas Conton, Andrew Hardie, William McCartney.

Thorold Mechanics’ Institute

This Institute was founded about the year 1852, and owes its origin to the late Bishop Fuller, then rector of Thorold, who was the first president. The nucleus of the library, about two volumes, was obtained by subscription. After an existence of several years, it was for some reason closed and remained closed for some years, when a literary society, then in operation, took charge of the books, and elected as president R. J. Johnston, M. D., who was succeeded as president by James H. Beatty. Judge Baxter was then made president, a position he has held for more than twenty years, and to him is due, in a great measure, its present usefulness, as by his untiring and well directed exertions the library at the present time consists of between three and four thousand volumes, carefully selected and well preserved. During the summer the institute is open two evenings in the week, and as a rule three evenings in the week during the winter. On its tables are to be found the leading newspapers, illustrated papers, periodicals of all kinds, and magazines. The fee is one dollar per year, payable in advance, and the conditions are that all books must be returned within a certain time or the reader be subject to a fine, and that all books lost, destroyed or defaced, must be made good. The officers for 1886-7 were—President, Judge Baxter; Vice-President, James Dale; Secretary and Treasurer, Andrew McCulloguh, M. A.; Committee, R. B. McPherson, William Blackstock, M. D., Alexander Fraser, James Fish, T. E. Simson; Librarians, Frank Simson, Hugh Minhinnick.

Lodges

Mountain Lodge, No. 221, A. F. & A. M., was instituted in 1870. The first W. M. was John Dale. The present membership is about seventy. In 1886 the W. M. was John Dale and the Secretary was W. T. Fish.

Livingston Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F.—This lodge was instituted in March 1873, by Harper Wilson. There were fourteen charter members. At present there are about sixty members in good standing. The following are the prominent officers: S. G., James Magill; V. G., Charles Howell; Treas., Alex. McClenchy; Chap., Wm. McCreary; Warden, E. R. Price; Con., Peter Steep; Sec., Jno. Howell.

Livingston Encampment, No. 29, I. O. O. F.—This encampment was instituted in 1878 with nineteen charter members. Among its charter members were Wm. McCreary, C. H. Bridger, W. Williams, Wm. Force, Evan McPherson, P. Steep and Thos. Reid. There are at present about thirty members.

Summit Lodge, No. 41, A. O. U. W., was started by Grand Organizer Pennington with fourteen charter members. The lodge has flourished since its inception and now numbers about eighty. Peter Meadow is W. M. and T. Brown, Secretary.

Select Knight os A. O. U. W.—This lodge was organized in 1882 with ten charter members. The commander is B. F. Morley.

Thorold, Division, No. 90, Sons of Temperance, has been in existence about fourteen years. It was organized by Rev. W. R. Parker. A. Hardie and J. H. Wilson, who were charter members, are still earnest supporters of the division. There are at present about thirty members. A. Hardie is W. P.; J. H. Thompson, Treas.; Miss Rosa Dale, Secretary.

The Orange Order—There are three lodges of Orangemen and one of Orange Young Britons in the town. Victoria I. O. L., No. 204, is in a flourishing condition with about seventy-five members. L. O. L., No. 130, has a membership of about forty-two. It was instituted about 1870. The officers are W. M., W. Hansel; D. M., J. Weldon; Treas. T. Madill; Sec. G. McLean; Chap. C. Darker; G. T., R. Sharpe. There is also a branch of the Royal Black Preceptory, known as Zoab Lodge. King William Lodge, No. 16, O. Y. B., has about one hundred members.

In addition to the lodges mentioned above there is in Thorold a Council of the Royal Templars of Temperance, and a Circle of the Order of Canadian Home Circles, both of which are flourishing institutions, and an assembly of the Knights of Labor with a large membership.