Results for ‘Businesses’
[Welland Tribune, 14 January 1898]
In accordance with a largely signed requisition, Mayor Hooker has called a public meeting of the ratepayers of the town of Welland, “to consider the advisability of taking active steps to secure water power from the canal for manufacturing purposes, and to adopt such measures as may be deemed advisable to advertise the advantages of the town for manufacturing purposes, and to take any action that may advance the interests of the town.” The meeting will be held in the town hall on Tuesday evening next, at 8 o’clock. The object of the meeting is good and its scope wide, and everyone interested in the town should turn out and see if something cannot be done to arouse our town from its somewhat lethargic condition, industrially speaking. Next Tuesday evening.
That there were no Fatalities was Due to the Fact that Accident took Place at Noon Hour
[Welland Telegraph, 8 June 1917]
At a quarter past twelve, noon, on Thursday, the rear end of the Arlington Hotel block, the portion now being converted into a theatre, collapsed and that there no loss of life is a miracle.
The section referred to had a width of about thirty-five feet. All of the ground floor construction had been taken out leaving the upper floor still occupied. Excavation was in progress, apparently weakening the security of the walls which were built of concrete blocks.
Had the wreck happened fifteen minutes earlier, it would have fallen on horses and workmen making the excavation. When it did happen, workmen were in the excavated portion eating their dinners, but they got out when the first crack was heard.
Occupants of the rooms upstairs were not so fortunate. One man and his wife were in one of the rear rooms and went down in the debris. The woman was slightly injured and suffered a severe nervous shock.
The White livery barn next door was dislocated in the disaster and the rear end of the building is now several feet out of plumb.
Welland County Man Who Went West in 1882 is Calling on Old Friends
[Welland Telegraph, 18 January 1916]
On Friday morning while the mercury was hovering around zero, a well built, well dressed and well preserved gentleman still looking young despite streaks of grey in his hair and his whiskers, called at the Telegraph office to pay his subscription.
“It is over fifty years since I began taking the Telegraph,” he explained, “and while I was not a subscriber from the very first I was on your list very soon after the paper started.”
The speaker was John Wright, former resident of Welland-how many of you old Wellanders remember him? He lived for a time in Humberstone and went west in 1882-why that is thirty-four years ago. Mr. Wright settled in Virden, Manitoba, which was then the jumping off place in the West. He prospered and for the last decade and a half has been living retired in what he calls the neatest, cleanest, prettiest town in the West.
Last year Mr. Wright lost his wife and thought he would relieve the monotony of the winter by visiting old scenes and seeing old faces in Welland county. He says he expects this to be his last visit to the East. Mr. Wright is 78 years of age but he doesn’t look it, not by a long chalk.
He has been reading The Telegraph for over half a century and is therefore almost a charter member. The Telegraph is now in its 53rd volume.
The Telegraph has a deep appreciation for these old friends.
[Welland Tribune, 18 May 1906]
The old Presbyterian manse has been cut in two, the sections being moved to vacant lots in the Third Ward, where they will be made into two dwellings. When the writer of this came to Welland, 42 years ago, the manse building was occupied by the late Wm. A. Bald, and its timbers today are as sound as they were then. The houses built 40 or 50 years ago were more substantial than the structures of today. A new manse will be erected on the site of the old one and until it is completed the pastor, Rev. Dr. Cunningham, will have to use other quarters in town.
[People's Press, 22 May 1906]
Three new business buildings are now in active course of erection on East Main street, all within a stone’s throw of each other, and another is about to be begun. It does not look as if the fears of some that the business portion of the town would follow the industrial works southward would be realized. The very fact that the industries are located in that section precludes the location as business centre. The two do not harmonize together. Aside from the fact that the surroundings of factories do not form a desirable environment for a mercantile section, business places always cluster together, and this cannot be done in a section where large blocks are taken by industrial plants. Besides this, a business centre once located, is very difficult to move. East Main street is all right, but it is not likely that business will extend further westward on West Main street than at present, unless the electric railway makes some changes.
[Welland Tribune, 9 June 1899]
W. G. Somerville will have his annual delivery of Massey-Harris farm machinery from the G.T.R. depot (Friday) forenoon. Two carloads of Massey-Harris implements, and one carload Canada Carriage Company’s carriages and buggies.
W.G Somerville’s Annual Implement Delivery
[People's Press, 13 June 1899]
Friday last was Agricultural implement day for Welland. Three carloads of the world-renowned Massey-Harris farm machinery, consisting of binders, reapers, mowers and rakes sent to W.G. Somerville, were delivered to the purchasers. This was Mr. Somerville’s 20th anniversary in the implant business here, and his continued and most gratifying success in the face of the most severe competition speaks louder than words not only of the merit of the articles dealt in, but as well of the fair, square and honorable dealing of the company.
Besides the Massey-Harris shipment, there was a carload of the Canada Carriage Co’s carriages and buggies, and a separate shipment of Rain wagons, all consigned to Mr. Somerville.
All Friday forenoon the farmers filed into town and loaded up their purchases, with which they were evidently well satisfied. ![Massey-Harris Day. [Photo credit: Welland Tribune]](http://events.wellandhistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/masseyharris-somerville.jpg "Massey-Harris Day. [Photo credit: Welland Tribune]")
They then proceeded to the Welland house to dinner on the invitation of the Massey-Harris Co. and their agent, after which they drew up in columns on North Main st., filling the wide thoroughfare from the iron bridge to West Main st. Facing them on the east side was Mr. Somerville’s warerooms and offices, which had been tastefully decorated with flags and bunting for the occasion. In this position Mr. Morden, the artist, took a “shot” at them from his camera located on the bridge, securing a handsome and comprehensive picture of an industrial exhibit of which Mr. Somerville and the companies interested may well be proud. In the foreground stood the representatives of the companies, including Jas. Henning, general agent at Hamilton of the Massey-Harris Co. who had general charge of the delivery; Robert Armitage, general agent, W. J. Wells, bicycle representative, James L. Henning of Hamilton branch and Herbert Baker-all Massey-Harris people; also John Bain, manager of the Rain Wagon works, D. McEwen of the Canada Carriage Co. and W.G. Somerville and Charles Trimble, respectively the Welland and Dunnville agents for the firms mentioned. Mrs. and Miss Somerville were also included in the picture.
A procession was then formed and paraded the principal streets, headed by Mr. Somerville. The wagons were labeled:
“PATRONIZE HOME INDUSTRY” AND “MASSEY-HARRIS”
attracting the attention and admiration of all. In passing the Mansion house, each occupant of a rig was handed a cigar by Landlord Ramey. There were nearly fifty wagons in the procession besides which a number of dignitaries were invited to take part in the function.
Mr. Somerville did a little business outside the delivery the same day, the carriage an extremely handsome two-seated surrey, going to Mr. W. Augustine of Humberstone, who intends to do a hack business at Port Colborne and vicinity.
Score another success for the Massey-Harris Co., and their genial local representative, Mr. Somerville—- long live he.
Event: 10 June 1899
[Welland Telegraph, 16 June 1899]
“Delivery Day” of Massey-Harris Farm Machinery on Friday Last.
On Friday last the town was filled with wagons, teams and farmers, besides the general routine tend of business. It was the occasion of the 2nd Massey-Harris delivery, and the 20th anniversary of Mr. W.G. Somerville’s business with the company. The delivery was made up of three car loads of machinery-binders, mowers and rakes. There were 69 machines comprising Mr. Somerville’s sales for the season, and they were all shipped in together, with the idea of having a grand delivery, which was carried out.
Starting early Friday morning the teams arrived in bunches and went to the G.T.R. station, where the machines were loaded into the wagons direct from the cars. By noon there were over 50 machines loaded and the teams were distributed around different parts of the town. It certainly gave the place a very business-like appearance, and was evidence that the farmers of Welland county believe in buying Canadian machinery for Canadians.
At noon all the buyers and their assistants dined at the Welland house as guests of Massey-Harris Co. and the company’s agent. After dinner the whole procession was lined up on North Main street, completely filling the street from the West Main street to the river bridge. Photographer Morden put his camera to work and got splendid photos of the whole street, jammed with wagons and new machinery, a reproduction of which is given above. Owing to the pressure of other business a number of purchasers of new machines were unable to be present, but it is estimated that over 50 wagons were lined up.
Among those present at the delivery were James H. Henning, general agent of the Massey-Harris Co.; H. Baker of the Toronto office; Robt. Armitage, general salesman; W.J. Wells of the bicycle department; John Bain, manager of the Bain Carriage Works; D. McEwen, travelling salesman of the Canada Carriage Co.; J.L. Henning of the Hamilton Massey-Harris agency; Chas. Trimble of the Dunnville agency, and a former partner of Mr. Somervilles.
During the day Mr. Somerville did a little business outside the delivery. He sold an elegant two-seated surrey to Mr. W. Augustine, Humberstone, to be used for hack purposes at Port Colborne and vicinity; also five buggies and a democrat wagon.
Mr. Somerville is to be congratulated on his 20th anniversary in the good old-town of Welland, and may each succeeding one be indicative of the growth and progress of the town. He has won his reputation by honest, upright business tactics, and that is the business that is sure to last.
[Welland Tribune, 7 June 1898]
Main street was blocked quarter of an hour on Friday by the conveyances of farmers taking home farm machinery sold by W.G. Somerville. Note-Under a Grit. Government too.
Event: 3 June 1898
[Welland Tribune, 10 June 1898]
Spring Delivery of their Celebrated Harvesting Machinery
The well-known Massey-Harris company are the largest makers of farm machinery under the British flag, and their delivery of implements at Welland last Friday was the largest in the county, comprising three full carloads. The sales were made by the popular local representative of the Massey-Harris firm. W.G. Somerville and the day was also a notable one to him as being the 19th anniversary of his advent in the machine business here.
The delivery comprised 75 orders, the machine filling three cars. A number of the purchasers could not come, but upward of sixty teams assembled at the G.T.R. station in the forenoon and took on their freight of machines and proceeded to North Main street, front of Mr. Somerville’s ware rooms where they camped, and at noon partook of the hospitality of the Massey-Harris Co. in the shape of a good substantial dinner at the Welland House, got up in mine host Angle’s best form.
After dinner the procession reformed and re-crossed the canal bridge, went eastward on Division street and doubled back on main street, the head of the parade stopping at the canal, and the teams forming three abreast on the street, when a fine photograph of them was taken by Mr. Morden. The scene was a splendid one, creditable alike to the enterprise of the Massey-Harris Co., and their managers and agents, and to the yeomen of our county, and the picture would make a filling one for an immigration pamphlet, illustrative of the facts that Canada manufactures the best agricultural machinery in the world today, as well as has the widest and richest fields to employ it upon.
The delivery was under the management of James Henning, general agent Massey-Harris Co. with Mr. Herbert Whittaker of Toronto, J.W. Harris of Brantford, all connected with the M.H. business and Agents Somerville and James Swayze of St. Catharines, all present and assisting.
Mr. Somerville’s continued success after a business career here of 19 years is proof of the fact that his courtesy and straightforward manner of doing business has won the confidence and goodwill of the community in an exceptionally high manner, and that he deals only in wares that will stand the tests of time and use.
Event: 3 June 1898
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