Tag Archives: Oxley

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Thomas J. Salmoni House (1920)

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Categories: 1920s, Tags: ,

9191 Division Street South

Thomas J. Salmoni moved from Amherstburg to Kingsville in 1896 and purchased the grocery business of W.H. Nelson. At the time, he was described as having “energy and push combined
with years of experience” that would “ensure him a good share of public patronage.” T.J. operated his grocery store for 57 years in the Grenville Block (south side of Main St. W.), which he purchased in 1906, and he built a warehouse on the corner of Main and Chestnut in 1918. Salmoni and his family lived at 68 Division Street South from 1903 until 1919 and the following year they moved into their newly-built brick home. In addition to his successful business, T.J. was also a member of Town Council, Chairman of the High School Board and Mayor of Kingsville for four years.

Ex-Mayor Salmoni’s new home begins to assume tangible shape. It gives every promise of being the finest home ever erected in town. Oxley Bros., the contractors, are pushing along the frame work at a rapid pace. Woodiwiss Bros. are doing the mason and brick work.

The Kingsville Reporter, September 4, 1919 p.5

Salmoni is moving into his new home on Division street this week. He has just had completed a cement driveway to his garage which is the finest in town.

The Kingsville Reporter, October 28, 1920 p.5

Pioneer Merchant Passes at 85

Funeral services for the late Thomas John Salmoni, 85, who passed away at his late residence on Wednesday, following a few months illness, will be held from the Ferguson Funeral Home on Friday, 2:30 p.m. with Rev. J. T. P. Nichols officiating, interment Greenhill Cemetery.

Deceased was born in Amherstburg, September 15th, 1869, son of the late Mark and Jennie Salmoni. He came to Kingsville in 1895 and opened the busines (sic) known as T.J. Salmoni and Sons.

He was prominent in the life of the community having served as Chairman of the High School Board, a member of the Town Council in 1916 and Mayor in 1917 and 1918 and re-elected in 1921 and 1922. In 1923 and 1924 he was re-elected councillor. It was during his term of office that the original Kingsville High School was built and the town saw paved streets and sewerage.

He was a member of the Epworth United Church, having served as treasurer for 25 years and an elder for 25 years.

He was a member of St. George’s Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 41, Kingsville. For over 60 years he was a member of the Masonic Order having received his 60-year jewel in 1952. When 50 years a Mason, he was conferred the degree of Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. He was also Past Master of Thistle Masonic Lodge in Amherstburg.

Ill health forced his retirement from business life last May.

Surviving are his wife, formerly Edna Royce of Guelph; two daughters, Helen (Mrs. E.H. Riggs) of London; Jean (Mrs. G.W. Trevethick) St. Thomas; two sons, Mark and Reford Salmoni of Kingsville; seven grandchildren, and one brother Frank of Detroit.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 4, 1954 p.1

Crawford & Son Funeral Home is Sold

The Crawford & Son Funeral Home and undertaking business has been sold to John Ferguson of London, who will take possession in a few weeks.

Well over half a century ago Richard Gregory owned and operated a fine furniture store and funeral business on the vacant lot north of where Everton Bertrand’s shop now stands. Robert Healey worked with mr. Gregory for over 10 years. Fire destroyed this building and Mr. Gregory retired.

In 1905, Mr. Healey and Fred Crawford joined partnership and opened a furniture store and funeral business where Kenneth Rae now has his hardware business. In 1906 they moved into the building which is still occupied by Fred Crawford & Son Furniture and House Furnishings.

In September 1945, Mr. Healey retired and since that time the business has been carried on by Fred Crawford and son, Don. Ill health forced Mr. Crawford to retire some months ago.

The Kingsville Reporter, March 29, 1951 p.1

ANNOUNCING
The Purchase of the
JOHN B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME
By
Stuart Sykes
AS OF SEPTEMBER 22
The Business in Future Will Be Know As
Ferguson – Sykes Funeral Home
91 Division St. S.

The Kingsville Reporter, October 5, 1972 p.3

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Carnegie Library (1913)

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Categories: 1910s, Tags: , , ,

28 Division Street South

Designated in 1988

When American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie retired from active business in 1901, he devoted the rest of his years to philanthropy. In his lifetime, he donated $56 million to build 2,509 libraries throughout the world. Of the 125 Carnegie libraries built in Canada, 111 were built in Ontario. Kingsville was offered funding and a library by-law was voted upon during the 1911 Municipal Election, which passed 235-34. By-law No. 222 authorized the purchase of a library site (not to exceed $800) and annual maintenance of “an amount equal to ten per cent of the cost of erection thereof,” in order to qualify for the $5,000 Carnegie Library grant. Windsor architects Crane & Pennington designed the library, and Kingsville Council had to approve an additional $2,000 to add to Carnegie’s donation to cover the building costs. The Woodiwiss Brothers were masons for the project and the Oxley Brothers the contractors.

Established first in England during the 1820s, Mechanics’ Institutes began as voluntary associations of working men seeking self-improvement through education. The community-based institutes offered evening lectures, lending libraries and periodical reading rooms. Members were supposed to learn the underlying scientific principles of their work as well as the general value of “rational information.” The concept spread quickly elsewhere, including British N America where the Montreal Mechanics’ Institute opened in 1828 and the York Mechanics’ Institute in 1830. Other institutes followed, especially in Ontario but also in NS and BC. In 1895 Ontario included 311 institutes with a total of 31,195 members.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/mechanics-institutes

Mechanics’ Institute

There has been an Act passed at the last sitting of the Legislature regarding the changing of Mechanic’s institutes into Free Libraries, and making it possible to maintain such by direct taxation. This would increase the usefulness of the institute and the cost of sustaining it would be much greater. The matter will be presented to the council at their next meeting.

The government grant towards pub. libtaries (sic) is $250, of which $150 is to be spent in books, $50 in papers and magazines, and $50 towards maintenance of library.

The Kingsville Reporter, May 3, 1895 p.8

The Mechanics’ Institute people have labored hard to make a public library to give to this town some of the intellectual privileges that only the more wealthy can afford. The town council have decided not to take over the institute this year. The managers in consequence have decided to give a local entertainment in the town hall. Musical and literary upstairs and ice cream and cake downstairs. All the friends are asked to help the funds up a little by attending this fine entertainment. Admission only 10 cents. June 25th is the date set.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 14, 1895 p.4

VILLAGE COUNCIL

[. . .] Dr. Wigle and the other directors of the Mechanic’s Institute petitioned the council asking them to take over the Institute and make a public library of it and appoint a board of directors of their own. The petition was accepted and the Institute taken over, and the following board of directors appointed: F.A. Wigle, Howard Scratch, Owen Harris, C.J. Ballard, and the present council board.

The Kingsville Reporter, September 11, 1896 p.1

The public library is open and free to everybody in Kingsville and South Gosfield. All that is necessary in order to get books is to register by name. Applicants must be fourteen years of age or over.

The Kingsville Reporter, October 23, 1896 p.5

Librarian Wanted.

Applications for the position of Librarian for Kingsville Public Library may be made to the secretary, Fred. Forster, until Saturday, April 26th. Salary, $1.50 per week. Hours, from 1.30 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

By order of the Board. Dr. Allworth. Chairman.

The Kingsville Reporter, April 18, 1902 p.5

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Frank R. & Julia Webb House (1909)

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Categories: 1900s, Tags: , , , ,

59 Division Street South

Charles Warren Hendershot moved from Petrolia to Kingsville in 1896 with his new wife, Katherine Webb, to open up a “Dry Goods, Gents’ Furnishings” store in the Grenville Block. Within a year, he purchased the house at 53 Division Street South from Dr. Andrew Wigle and opened another branch of his store in the Wigle Block. In 1909 Katherine’s parents, Frank R. and Julia Webb, returned to Kingsville from Blenheim and had this house built by the Oxley Bros. on a lot purchased from the Hendershots. Charles also sold Frank his Wigle Block business, which Webb ran until his death in 1922. Martha, the widow of George A. Grenville, purchased this home in 1913 and she lived there for 25 years until it was sold to Fred O. Graham.

Mr. F.R. Webb has sold his store business in Blenheim and will remove here as soon as his new house is ready for occupation. We welcome him back to our town and hope that in the future he will not make the mistake of trying to find a better town to live in, because such a town is not yet in existence.

The Kingsville Reporter, October 1, 1908 p.5

Mr. F.R. Webb has purchased the C. Hendershot & Co.’s stock of clothing and furnishings and took possession on Saturday last. He is inaugurating a clearing sale at which people may depend on getting good value for their money. In another column will be found Mr. Webb’s announcement for this week. His terms are cash and one price to all and money back if purchase not satisfactory.

The Kingsville Reporter, 28 October 1909 p.5

Mrs. Grenville moved last week to her home opposite the Methodist parsonage which she purchased from Mr. F.R. Webb. She has some improvements put on the house in the form of a fine verandah at the rear, and has now one of the most cozy and comfortable homes in Kingsville.

The Kingsville Reporter, May 22, 1913 p.5

Barrister W.A. Smith and family will occupy Mrs. Grenville’s home on Division street south for the winter months taking possession January 1st.

The Kingsville Reporter, December 19, 1918 p.5

Mr. Lockwood and his bride, are occupying the Mrs. Grenville home, Division street south, for a few weeks.

The Kingsville Reporter, April 29, 1920 p.5

W.T. Conklin has rented Mrs. Grenville’s home on Division St. south and moved into same on Thursday last. Mrs. Grenville will spend the winter in St. Petersburg, Fla., leaving here shortly after Christmas.

The Kingsville Reporter, November 3, 1921 p.5

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William Davey Block (1908)

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Categories: 1900s, Tags: , ,

16-18 Division Street South

William Melord Davey was born in Lockport, New York in 1859. His parents came to Canada and settled in Colchester when he was three years old to take up farming. William left the farm at the age of 11 or 12 and came to Kingsville to learn the trade of bricklaying. In May of 1880, he married Osea Wright and together they raised three sons and three daughters in Kingsville. A successful mason for many years, William changed careers in 1908 when he built this “brick block” and opened a restaurant with lodging rooms on the second floor. After William’s death in 1913, the restaurant had a series of managers including Robert Lamarsh, Maria Sherman, John Kinnee and Laura Longland. The building was converted into a garage in 1918 which was occupied first by the Fox Bros. and later the Cox Bros. Bon Jasperson purchased the garage in 1930, hired the Oxley Bros. to renovate the building and The Maple Sweet Shop moved in, offering to “Serve Meals to the General Public with the usual courtesy.”

Wm Davey has opened up a restaurant in his new building which he erected on Division st south. It is well lighted and heated and has a very commodius dining room, about 25 feet wide by 30 long. Everything is neatly arranged and comfortable. Upstairs has a hall extending the full length of the building and there are 7 or 8 bedrooms, bathrooms and snug little sitting room at the front. The rooms are all well lighted and airy. We understand he intends to take boarders as soon as he has everything in shape. He furnishes meals and lunches at all times.

The Kingsville Reporter, December 24, 1908 p.5

The Queen’s Hotel Kingsville

MRS. LONGLAND

Who wouldn’t enjoy one of those well cooked and fastidious meals at the new Queen’s Hotel, Kingsville. The boys on the road that know quality and taste and when the palate is appealed to said it was “queenish.” They said, “Now we will call it the Queen’s Hotel.” Mrs. Longland is known as the Queenish dish server of dainty things. She just knows how to take care of wedding parties in a delightful way. We owe the Queen’s Hotel the right hand flourish in Kingsville.

The Kingsville Reporter, June 14, 1917 p.1

To Rent

FLAT – nine rooms, in good condition, central location. Apply Cox Bros., Division St South

The Kingsville Reporter, November 1, 1923 p.1

Oxley Bros., contractors, have charge of the work of rebuilding the block on the west side of Division St. that Mr. Bon Jasperson bought from Cox Bros. The building is cement block, but a fine red brick front is being put on and the downstairs will be used for two stores and the upstairs for offices.

The Kingsville Reporter, April 10, 1930 p.5

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Albert & Hannah Malott House (1900)

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Categories: 1900s, Tags: , , , ,

231 Division Street South

Albert (son of Capt. William J. Malott) married Hannah (daughter of John Herrington) in 1887 and they built a home (which no longer stands) on the corner of Division Street South and Erie Street the following year. Following in his father’s footsteps, Albert was a “wharfinger” and later became the lighthouse keeper for Kingsville. In 1900, Albert and Hannah purchased a vacant lot on the corner of Division Street South and Prospect for $125 and built a cottage in a style that was popular at the time. Two years later, the Malotts moved to Mill Street West and Albert pursued a career in carpentry. Later owners include George Henry and Martha Grenville. When Albert Lainchbury purchased the home in 1914, he hired the Oxley Brothers to convert the cottage into a two-storey house, and the “large veranda” was added in 1916.

Our Growing Time

Fifty Thousand Dollars Worth Of Residences Being Built

To give some idea of the building operations in Kingsville, for this year, we have interviewed the various contractors, and the following are the various contracts which they have underway [. . .]

Oxley Bros., Contractors [. . .]

Mr. Lainchbury, Division st. south, making cottage into two story house, $1,000

The Kingsville Reporter, May 21, 1914 p.1

Mr. Lainchbury is making a very great improvement to his home on Division St. south, by adding on the north and west sides a large veranda. One would scarcely credit what an addition it makes in the appearance of the house.

The Kingsville Reporter, September 21, 1916 p.5

On Christmas day, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lainchbury was the scene of a very pretty wedding, when their youngest daughter, Florence, was united in marriage to Dr. Ardell P. Morris, of Toronto, son of Dr. and Mrs. Morris, of Mt. Elgin.

At high noon, the bride entered the drawing room on the arm of her father to the strains of Lohengrin’s wedding march, played by her cousin, Miss Fern Jeffery, who was prettily dressed in green satin. The bride was attired in a beautiful gown of flesh color crepe de chene with pearl trimming, wearing a veil caught by orange blossoms and carrying a bridal boquet [sic] of roses and valley lilies. The Rev. J.E.J. Millyard officiated. The only attendant was Baby Jean, niece of the bride, wearing a pretty little dress of pale blue crepe de chine and carrying the ring in a basket of freesias. After congratualtions, the guests retired to the dining room, where a delicious wedding repast was served by Misses Eula Wigle, attired in white silk, and Madeline Bennett, dressed in pink silk, both wearing a corsage boquet [sic]. Many beautiful and useful presents were received, among them being handsome cheques from the fathers of the bride and groom.

The Kingsville Reporter, December 26, 1918 p.1

INTERESTING OLD DOCUMENTS

Parchment Deeds From the Crown 108 Years Ago

Mr. Albert Malott laid on our table yesterday some ancient documents in the form of title deeds from the Crown, which were in the possession of his father-in-law, the late Mr. John Herrington. While somewhat greyed with age they are in a good state of preservation and the print and signatures to the deeds are distinct and perfectly legible. The deed is of parchment and was made to John Tofflemire on the 21st of February, 1824, a part of which lot is now occupied by the town park; the other was a grant to John Wigle of 200 acres, being lot No. 3 in the Second Concession, West Division, Gosfield South.

The transfer was given under the great seal of the Province of Upper Canada and D. Cameron was registrar at the time. The “great seal” was indeed “great.” It measured 4 1/2 incles across and was 1/4 of an inch thick. It was made of wax – probably a mixture of beeswax and resin – and either side was covered with paper and the seal had been placed in the press containing the dies and stamped. The design on the stamp in the center was a wreath through which were an anchor and a sword crossed; at the bottom of this design are two cornucopias (horns of plenty) and the whole is surmounted by the British crown. Lettering around the outer edge of the seal is not legible. The reverse side is stamped with the British Coat-of-Arms, and also lettered at the outer edge. The seal is fastened to the document with a piece of linen tape pressed in the wax and attached to the parchment in such a way that the seal sould not be detached without cutting the tape, tearing the parchment or destroying the seal.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 21, 1932 p.5

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