“Personal – Widower, over 60, without family, with moderate means and education,…
Valuing Our History
Stovel brothers of Mount Forest prospered in Winnipeg
From time to time this column carries the stories of Wellington County natives who have prospered…
Fergus witnessed a religious battle and debate in 1886
During the 1880s, the churches of Wellington County occupied a place in daily life that is…
Maltreatment of immigrant child caused sensation in 1876
From the 1870s until well into the 20th century, several organizations sent orphaned and destitute…
Brother of railway mogul from area lived quietly in Fergus
The career of James J. Hill, the noted railway mogul who was born in Eramosa Township, has…
Illicit affair led to the death of a mother and child
Under the headline A Sad Tale, the Guelph Weekly Mercury reported the death of Mrs. Benjamin…
Definition of “cow” led to 1890 court case in Guelph
James McQueen ranks as one of the most prominent farmers in the latter decades of 19th century…
Smoking in bed claimed Mount Forest veteran in 1920
The Mount Forest cemetery contains a section reserved for World War I veterans. The…
Guelph businessmen failed to support their own railway
Back in 1999, this column described the events that led to the opening of the Guelph Junction…
Child went to new home in messy 1892 domestic dispute
The abduction of a child is a fear of many parents, even though the vast majority of such cases are…
Telephone operator was frightened to death in 1933
One of the more bizarre and tragic deaths in Wellington County’s history occurred in Arthur…
Bank failure led to suicide of West Luther farmer
Over the years, this column has covered the history of some of the private banks that did business…
Hillsburgh men passed counterfeit money in 1864
Only the very oldest readers of this column will remember the time when the Canadian chartered…
Statistical records can be useful to historians
A continuing argument among professional historians concerns the value and place of statistical…
1905 accidental electrical death was costly for Palmerston
Electrical generating plants began operation in most of Wellington County’s towns during the…