Tag Archives: Smart

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Donald Taggart House (1950)

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Categories: 1950s, Tags: , , ,

141141 Division Street South

When J.H. Smart, with his partner Dr. S.A. King, divided the 44 acres on the east side of Division Street South into building lots, he left himself over 3 acres surrounding his house. Construction of Smart’s 2 1/2 storey home, made of “white brick” and building stone from Pelee Island, took two years and was completed in 1880. Seventy years later, the house was owned by Donald Taggart and was home to four families consisting of seventeen people. In February 1950, the house was destroyed by fire, started by outdated gas heating. Within two weeks of the fire, Taggart purchased a house on Chestnut Street and moved it in front of his ruined home. The house was purchased by Ewald and Frieda Erdmann in 1953, shortly after their immigration from Poland.

The schooner Active brought a load of building stone from Pelee Island, for JH Smart, on Saturday, the 13th.

Amherstburg Echo, April 26, 1878 p.6

Work on Mr. Smart’s residence is being rapidly pushed forward. There are 12 men working on it at the present time, two from Windsor, five from Detroit, and the remainder from Kingsville.

Amherstburg Echo, August 27, 1880 p.6

J.H. Smart dies at Bronte

James Haley Smart first Reeve of Kingsville and a resident of the town for 60 years, died in Bronte, 20 miles from Toronto last Friday after a lengthy illness. He was 93.

He first came to Kingsville in 1870 and bought out the general store business of James King, Jr. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster and was later magistrate of the town and police magistrate. In the year 1877 he built on the corner of Main and Division streets a large brick store, three stories high which he ran for years.

When Kingsville was incorporated he became its first reeve, remaining in that office for eight years. After many years as postmaster he was succeeded by E.A. Brown.

Mr. Smart operated a private bank in his store building as well as in the post office. He discontinued his banking work as well as the post office, sold out his store and entered the commission business handling all kinds of farm produce, until age led him to retire.

Mr. Smart was twice married, and both wives predeceased him. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Fred DeJean, of Bronte, and Mrs. Morley Williams, Ottawa.

The Kingsville Reporter, April 21, 1938 p.5

SPECTACULAR BLAZE LEAVES 17 HOMELESS

Four families consisting of 17 persons were left homeless when fire late Saturday night completely gutted the house owned by Donald Taggart on Division Street South.

The Kingsville Reporter, March 2, 1950 p.2

Don Taggart has begun work on his new home, on the lot just in front of his former home, having purchased the home formerly occupied by Clive Waterworth and family, now of Leamington.

The Kingsville Reporter, March 9, 1950 p.3

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Gordon P. & Nellie Fox House (1908)

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Categories: 1900s, Tags: , , ,

176 Division Street South

When Gordon Phillip Fox ran for Kingsville Town Council in 1910, he said “he had come to Kingsville with the intention of becoming a good citizen. He was proud of the town, its walks and shady streets. He was not here to criticize; did not think it took much of a man to do that. He was up for councillor and if elected would do his best in the town’s interest.” Gordon received the second most votes (222) in the election and at the end of his one-year term said he “was proud to say our town was clean and prosperous, and that there were no vacant houses.” At the time,  Gordon, his wife Nellie and their family were living in the house at 164 Division Street South. By 1919, all the Fox children had grown and moved on and Gordon and Nellie exchanged houses with George T. Hardie. It was in this home, which was built by William Fleming in 1908, that Gordon and Nellie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1936.

Mr. George Hardie, of Merlin, has purchased the brick dwelling of Mrs. Fleming, corner Division and McLean streets, and will move here in April. Mrs. Hardie is a daughter of Mrs. J.H. Smart.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 20, 1919 p.5

 W.C.T.U. HEARS KING’S LETTER

A letter received from the prime minster, Rt. Hon. W.L. MacKenzie King, was read at a meeting of the W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union], held at the home of Mrs. Gordon P. Fox, Division street south, on Friday. In this letter the prime minister stated that the representations from the W.C.T.U. as to forbidding liquor clearance would receive favorable consideration.

Favorable mention was also made in regard to the new mayor of Kingsville, George Hall, and the stand he had taken in working with Chief Philion for the best interests of the town.

The Kingsville Reporter, March 20, 1930 p.1

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr and Mrs Gordon P. Fox celebrated their golden wedding last Monday. After being at home to their friends in the afternoon, they, with their children and grandchildren (28 in all), had supper at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Homer Arner, No. 18 highway west. Later Mrs. Fox was presented with a Gruen wrist watch, and Mr. Fox with a smoking stand. The family also gave them a basekt (sic) of Ophelia roses. A bouquet of golden narcissus and mignonette was received from Mr and Mrs W.T. Conklin. Callers in the evening were Mr Wm. Conklin, Miss Nora Conklin, Mr and Mrs Manly Miner, and Mr and Mrs Warren Hendershot.

The Kingsville Report, January 2, 1936 p.1

Gordon P. Fox Laid to Rest Here Today

Gordon Philip Fox, a well known citizen of the district passed away at his home on Division Street, on Monday July 3, at the age of 81 years. Deceased had been in failing health for some time but was confined to his bed only a few days prior to his passing. He was the son of Mr and Mrs William Fox, and was born here and spent his entire life in or near Kingsville.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, the former Nellie Clifford, one son, David, of Walkerville, and five daughters, Flossie, of Detroit, Edna, of Hagersville, and Jennie, Mary and Margaret, all of Kingsville, and one sister, Mrs. Jessie Taylor, of Toronto. Mr. Fox was very proud of the fact that he had six grandchildren in the service, Henry Arnold, overseas; Mary Arnold, Ipperwash; James Wigle, overseas; Hazen Malott, Newfoundland; Gordon Fox, Trenton; and Hadley Arner, Ottawa.

Deceased was a member of Concord Lodge, A.F. and A.M., under whose auspices the funeral services are being conducted today at 2:30 p.m., the body lying in state at the United Church, of which Mr. Fox was an esteemed member is conducting the service. The bearers are W.H. Humphreys, Roy Scratch, J.P. Golden, Del. Quick, Kenneth Rae and Edward Lucas. During the service Mr and Mrs Russell Skitch are singing a duet with Mrs Laura Allen Coatsworth at the organ. Interment will be in Greenhill Cemetery.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 6, 1944 p.1

Mrs. Nellie Fox Passes.

Mrs. Nellie Fox, aged 81, of Kingsville, widow of Gordon P. Fox, died Saturday at her residence after one week’s illness.

Mrs. Fox lived in Kingsville 40 years, going there from Union, where she was born. She was a descendant of one of the oldest families of Union and was a member of Epworth United Church, Women’s Missionary Society and Women’s Association.

The Essex Free Press, December 10, 1948 p.3

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Green’s Tenement House (1891)

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Categories: 1890s, Tags: , , ,

205 Division Street South

George Warren Green and family moved to Kingsville from Greensville (near Hamilton) in 1885. Together with his nephew Robert Barber, G.W. purchased the Canfield lumber mill on Division Street South, near Mill Street East. Within a year, Green & Barber built a new larger lumber mill and a factory which manufactured “fork, pick and maul handles” and employed “13 hands.” Green started building employee housing on Myrtle Street in 1889, and had this “tenement house” constructed in 1891 on property he leased from J.H. Smart and Dr. S.A. King. G.W. finally purchased the lot in 1901 and this home remained in the Green family, as a rental property, until 1923 when it was sold to Bon Jasperson. Later owners include Isaac & Lulu Whittle and Charlotte Berry.

Green & Barber’s new saw mill is on the way. It is to be erected in the north east corner of their lot on Division street and will be of two or more stories, 60×36 feet, and will be fitted with the usual machinery of a saw mill with the latest improvements, which will be driven by a new 35-horse power engine, having a 45 horse power boiler.

Amherstburg Echo, December 5, 1885 p.6

During the year 1887, Green & Barber paid out in Kingsville, in cash, $5,374.65, and yet some people say these factories are no good to a village.

Amherstburg Echo, January 14, 1888 p.6

Green & Son have put into their factory a “blower” made by Curtis Joyce, of this village. The object of this is to carry away saw dust and shavings from all the machines in the entire mill and convey them to a building near the furnace to be used as fuel for running machinery in the factory.

Amherstburg Echo, April 6, 1888 p.6

Destructive Fire

G.W. Green & Son’s Saw Mill Consumed

Loss Over $2,000

On Tuesday morning at four o’clock, our citizens were aroused by the alarm of fire. The fire proved to be in Green’s saw mill, in rear of their large factory on Division St. When discovered the devouring element was under full head-way, and the roof had fallen in. The townspeople promptly responded to to (sic) the call and did what they could toward saving the lumber around the burning building, and in preventing the spread of the flames to the factory, a short distance away. There was a large pile of wood stacked between the two buildings, and a considerable portion of this had to be removed in order to clear a space between the mill and factory. The wood flew right and left for a time very lively, until danger from this direction was past, and then attention was turned to the fences and to the roof of the factory, which caught fire several times. and it was almost a miracle that the factory was saved from destruction. As we have no system of fire protection, all that could be done was to save what loose material there was in that yard, and keep the fire from spreading as much as possible.

The origin of the fire is a mystery. The mill had been running for a short time in the forenoon the day before, but as gas is used instead of wood for firing, and that was turned off at noon, it could not have caught from that source. There was only about $200 insurance on the mill and contents, which was valued at $2,500. The machinery is a total loss. Fortunately there was not much lumber in the yard, it having been shipped away some time since. There is in the yard probably 100,000 feet of logs, which will no doubt be cut at Smith’s mill.

Messrs. Green & Son will not rebuild this season, but will probably do so next season. We are pleased that it is their intention to rebuild, as the town can ill-afford to lose industries of this kind.

The Kingsville Reporter, August 18, 1893 p.1

G.W. Green & Son’s factory and mills have started and are running full blast.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 27, 1894 p.7

Green & Son’s factory will make 20,000 boxes for the canning factory this season.

The Kingsville Reporter, November 1, 1895 p.8

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Village of Kingsville

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Categories: Maps & Plans - 1870s, Tags:

H.F. Walling Map of Kingsville (1877)

“. . . villages are incorporated when a community within a township reaches a certain population density that justifies the creation of a separate administrative structure. Villages are governed by elected councils consisting of a Reeve, Deputy Reeves and a number of councillors based on the population of the village.”

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/guides/rg_209_municipal-records.aspx

Until 1877, Kingsville was a small hamlet within the Township of Gosfield. Kingsville was incorporated as a ‘Village’ in January 1878. James H. Smart was Kingville’s first Reeve.

“. . . After the meeting a large bonfire was lighted, in honor of the incorporation of the village, at the corner of Main and Division streets, and a quantity of fireworks were set off from the top of Smart’s block.”

Amherstburg Echo, January 18, 1878 p.6

“Our town seems alive with intellectual and musical entertainments. Our Gun Club, Cricket Club, Base Ball Club and Chess Club are flourishing. Houses have been in urgent demand since last fall – None to be had yet.”

Amherstburg Echo, April 19, 1878 p.6

“Since the beginning of the long period of business depression which has had the effect of bowling out so many, engaged in all branches of trade through-out the country, not one of our business men has been forced to hand over his affairs to the Official Assignee. Nothing could be more indicative of the correct principles of doing business adopted by them, nor could anything show more plainly that they possess the capital and credit necessary to success.”

Amherstburg Echo, April 19, 1878 p.6

“Building of all kinds seems to have taken hold of our citizens. Some of them are busily engaged with castles in the air, and have no time for ordinary structures.”

Amherstburg Echo, May 10, 1878 p.8

“Several of the trees on the East side of Division street, Kingsville, were cut into with an ax by some worthless scamp. A reward of five dollars is offered by the municipality to any person giving information which will lead to the conviction of the perpetrator of the act.”

Amherstburg Echo, May 31, 1878 p.6

“Division street is being gravelled from Main street to the lake. A much needed improvement.”

Amherstburg Echo, August 30, 1878 p.6

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Frank Herrington House (1884)

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Categories: 1880s, Tags: , , ,

 167 Division Street South

On April 17th, 1884, James H. Smart and Dr. Sidney A. King purchased the west half of John Herrington’s farm. They paid $4,000 for the 47 acres from Mill Street East to Lake Erie, Division Street South to Lansdowne Avenue. The 47 acres were divided into building lots and new streets were planned called Maple, Myrtle, Prospect, Erie and Park. On April 18th, 1884, John’s son Frank Herrington purchased 2 lots in the new King & Smart subdivision and built a frame house that summer. Perhaps Frank received a special deal, because his lots had a depth of 2.5 chains (165 feet) while all the other lots along Division were only 2 chains (132 feet). Frank sold this home the following year to John S. Middough for $800, and later owners were: Thomas Bruner, Reuben B. Perkins, Heenan Bruner and Peter Bussey.

Dr. King and J.H. Smart have purchased the west half of John Herrington’s farm. We believe it is the intention of these gentleman to lay the property out into building lots.

Amherstburg Echo,  April 25, 1884 p.6

Frank Herrington has sold his residence to Mr. [Middough]. He intends erecting a cottage on Mill Street, which will be more convenient for his farming.

Amherstburg Echo, August 14, 1885 p.6

NEW SUBDIVISION

Mr. W.J. Swallow on Monday evening last at the meeting of the town council, laid before the board, a roughsketch of a new town subdivision which he will shortly have surveyed and placed on the market. The plot is the Frank Herrington farm east side of Lansdowne Ave. There will be some 80 lots. Blue prints of the property will soon be prepared. The property is a valuable one and will give those desiring lots a chance to get one fairly close inside at very reasonable prices. The council accepted the plan and assured Mr. Swallow that they were in sympathy with the enterprise.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 9, 1922 p.1

Franklin Herrington

On Tuesday evening last, following a paralytic stroke of a few days previous, Franklin Herrington paased away in the 71st year of his age.

Mr. Herrington was born in the Kingsville on what was then the Herrington homestead at about the point where now stands the Mettawas Inn. He was the son of John and Sarah Herrington. He had followed farming all his life. Owing to the rapid expansion of Kingsville, the Herrington farm had been narrowed down to a few acres on Lansdowne avenue, which a few years ago was subdivided, leaving Mr. Herrington without a farm. Since then he and Mrs. Herrington have been living quietly at their home on Mill street east. He leaves a widow, one daughter, Mrs. Mervyn Swallow, Kingsville; on brother, Gordon, of Jacksonville, Fla., and one sister, Mrs. A.E. Malott, town.

The Kingsville Reporter, August 27, 1931 p.1