from the Evening Guide Tuesday January 10, 1928
Fifty years ago (1878)
Port Hope in the Early Days - A Glimpse into Town's Past

The Twine Factory
Consumers Cordage Co Ltd which has its head office at Montreal and factories at Montreal, Toronto, Brantford, LaChute, Quebec, St John and Halifax. The situation that this factory occupies is one of the most eligible and convenient in the town, being situated along side of the harbour and having a siding of the Mildand railway past its door, enables them to get in their supplies by boat and rail, and ship their manufactured goods with a minimum of labour. The machinery is designed exclusively for the manufacture of binder twine, and is of the latest, most improved pattern. Two boilers of 250 hp each supply steam to a 400 hp engine. The factory is equipped with an electric plant which is run by a high speed engine. This .factory was specially built for the manufacture of binder twine and when run to its full capacity is capable of supplying nearly half the twine required for domestic use. It .gives employment to over 100 hands. Besides the factory there are two large storehouses for holding the raw and finished goods.
Mr W H Brown is the manager of this branch.

Wm Craig & Son, Tanners
This very important industry was started in 1852 by the late Wm Craig and in 1865 Wm Craig Jr was admitted into the firm, under Wm Craig & Son which has continued to be the name, although since his father died William has become the sole proprietor. They manufacture fine leathers, coloured sheep skin linings for shoe work, bookbinders' leather, calfskin, Russia calf, etc.
They give employment to 40 hands the year round. Their extensive premises enable them to execute a much larger proportion of work than is usual, making it one of the most successful businesses of the kind in Canada.
The late Wm Craig was so immediately identified with Port Hope's history that a few words about him in connection with a description of the town, would not be out of place.
He was always ready to lend his assistance to anything which he thought would advance the interests of the town. He occupied the position of Mayor of the Town several times, was President of the Midland Loan & Savings Co, Chairman of the High School Board and a member of the Harbour Board. He was a prominent member of the Baptist Church and it was through his liberality that the present edifice was built. He was largely instrumental in organizing the benevolent society which has done so much good in the town and occupied the position of Sunday School superintendent for 21 years. He was a personal friend of the late Sir John A MacDonald and a life-long Conservative.
The late Col William's, MP, was among his personal friends, and the untimely death of this gallant soldier was most deeply regretted by him. His many acts of kindness will ever keep his memory green in the town and among many of these was the erection of a drinking fountain in the Market Square and presentation of it to the town.
His mantle has fallen on his son William, who takes an equal interest in the town, but his large business prevents him from taking the active interest in public affairs that his friends would like. He is a member of the High School Board and was instrumental in organizing the YMCA and although he does not take an active interest in the management, yet he is one of its mainstays. He is superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school and was induced to be a member of the Town Council for two years.
T Dixon Craig, MP, the present member for the county is a brother and was at one time a member of the firm, but sold out his interests and removed to California, where he resided for a number of years.

Dominion Lace Factory
Jas Buckle & Sons
This industry was started in 1885 and has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in Canada. They manufacture horse-hide, porpoise, kip and calf leather shoe laces and leather horse fly nets.
They employ 35 hands the year round, and their goods find sale in the United States and every part of Canada.
G H and J W Buckle have invented and perfected a machine for rolling the laces which is a great improvement over the old way and a great labour saver. The business was established by James Buckle who still takes an active interest in it, but the active management devolves upon the younger members of the firm who are thorough practical men. This factory occupies a good site on one of the many little streams which run through the ravines and its surroundings are picturesque.

Midland Loan and Savings Co
The monetary institutions of any community are the pulse by which the prosperity is measured. This company was established 21 years ago by a few private citizens for a specific purpose, but the success attending the enterprise and confidence created by the careful and judicious management of its affairs led the depositors to urge the directorate to continue its operations and in compliance with this request, they have become a chartered company by Acts of the Ontario Parliament.

'Wildwood'
This eligible property, the residence of Mr John D Smith, consisting of 65 2/3 acres, is situated on the Lake Shore Road, in view of Lake Ontario, just west of the corporation limits of the Town of Port Hope, within 20 minutes walk of the Post Office.
On the property is a handsome, well built villa, comprising eight rooms. The residence and out-buildings stand in the midst of a nice lawn, good garden and orchard of upwards of 100 fruit trees, apples and pears, all bearing. The garden is. stocked with grape vines, raspberry and currant bushes, and a large asparagus bed. There is also a fair-sized brick gate lodge. The whole 65 2/3 acres is fairly well-fenced, and watered by a living stream sufficient in all seasons for as many head of cattle and horses as can be pastured therein. About 20 acres are tillable. The remaining 40 acres are in forest trees, maple, oak, and pine, of splendid growth and size, without undergrowth and free from fallen timber.
This property being situated in the Township of Hope, taxes are almost nominal and it is for sale at a reasonable figure, and to a satisfactory purchaser extremely liberal terms and conditions will be given by applying, by letter or otherwise, to the proprietor.

'Idalia'
This beautiful property, the residence of Mrs Seymour, is situated on a high plateau over-looking the lake and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The house is of Italian architecture and with its surroundings gives it a very imposing appearance, and can be seen for a long distance on the lake or out in the country.
The grounds contain eighteen acres, about two acres of which are well laid out with ornamental trees, shrubbery, flower gardens, tennis lawns, etc, all in excellent order; also good garden and fruit trees. The rest of the land is beautiful, natural scenery, and contains a large trout-pond, well stocked.,

'Hillcrest'
This house, the residence of the late David Smart, was built regardless of cost and is not only beautifully situated, but the house and outbuildings carefully planned and have every convenience for comfort. The grounds consist of about 1 1/2 acres of garden, fruit, etc, and about three acres of well-timbered land, which, with other lands adjoining, form very pleasing landscape. The house is situated on high land, with a beautiful view of the lake and the coast between Cobourg.

'Penstowe' Residence of T Wickett
Mr T Wickett is a member of the firm J & T Wickett, proprietors of the 'London House', the leading dry goods house of Port Hope. Mr Wickett is a native of England, where he served his time as a draper. The business of the firm has steadily grown since it was started 13 years ago, and they have secured the confidence of the public by their business methods. Mr T Wickett is a prominent worker in the Methodist Church and Sabbath School and an excellent musician, being one of the Jackson Quartette Club, and is also an active worker in temperance circles. He is very much attached to his adopted home and thinks like all the other good citizens of the town that it is the prettiest town in Canada, and he has certainly shown his faith in the future by erecting such a handsome and substantial residence, which he has called 'Penstowe,' and it is to be hoped he and his partner in life may live long and thoroughly enjoy it.

from the Evening Guide  January 1928
Fifty Years Ago
Our review of the times when The Evening Guide was started has interested many of our readers as the following letter would indicate:
Omaha, Nebraska, Jan 9, 1928
Port Hope Daily Guide
Port Hope, Canada:
Dear Guide:
This week's issue of the Guide is the most interesting one to me in the 38 years that I have been away from the 'Prettiest Town in Canada' as it brings back the very familiar names and events of bye gone days when the writer was in the Grand Trunk (now Canadian National) freight office and while time has dealt very kindly to me since leaving Port Hope, some of the happiest years of my life were spent there and the contact with the Business men and others will always be a 'bright spot' on the Horizon of Life.
The old Town had at that time a wonderful lot of fine Business men with whom it was a pleasure to be associated. Another lot of fine fellows were the modest local 'transportation men,' better known in the old days as 'Carters.' Among them Edward Martin, Pat Curran, Edward Boyle, Charley Adamson, Frank McAvoy, Bill McConnell, Silas Winters, and others whose names have been forgotten. The writer was in daily contact for years with the men and I always found them good fellows and 'square shooters.' My connection with the Grand Trunk men of those days is a wonderful memory for they were also good fellows. W J Whiley, Tom Bell, Alf Mercer, H V Fairbairn, Billy Coulter, Ernie Billingsley, John Anker, Jack Driscoll, John McMullen and others come to my mind; as well as many others all of whom were considered as friends.
Have noted the nominations for the Town Council of 1878, among them Mr Gothwaite (my stepfather) one of the most conscientious men I ever knew, in fact, too honest to ever accumulate anything for old age, rainy days, etc. Well remember his action at that time in refraining from voting for himself for the Council, the consequence, he and Dr Corbett were tied for the office, and the Returning Officer cast the deciding vote for Dr Corbett. They have both long ago gone to the 'Great Beyond' and I trust are now in the 'Big Council.'
There are volumes that could be written about the days you speak of, but space in your paper forbids any more elaboration. You carry every week a short sketch of what happened 20 years ago and I have often been tempted to write and ask you, once in a while at least, to go back 40 years and reminisce for the edification of the 'Old Timers,' many of whom have been away a life time and many of them in the United States who I am sure would appreciate same very much.
Wishing the Guide, Port Hope and its Citizenship continued Prosperity and Happiness, I am,
Very sincerely,
WALTER J COLVIN.
PS - 'The Daily Guide' could add much to its 'Jubilee' by sponsoring another 'Old Boys' reunion such as the one of 30 years ago, so successfully handled under the direction of our old and departed friend, Joseph Hooper.

from the Evening Guide Tuesday January 29, 1929
Dr D J Goggin, Pioneer Of Western Normal School Movement
Dr D J Goggin, at one time principal of the Port Hope Public School, now of Toronto, has been a centre of interest in the Anniversary Celebration to Northern Light Masonic Lodge in Winnipeg. Dr Goggin is known, respected and loved by Port Hopers in many parts of the world as pupils of his in the local schools are to be found everywhere.
Dr D J Goggin of Toronto, leading pioneer educationist of the west, arrived in Winnipeg to take part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Northern Light Masonic Lodge, which took place during the week. He was greeted opon his arrival by brother Masons, many of whom were former pupils. A famous figure for more than twenty years of the early life in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, where he was successfully principal of the Normal school and superintendent of education. Dr Goggin, at eighty years of age, looked no older than some of the men who had gone to school to him forty years ago. Asked if the journey from Toronto had tired him he smiled at the question and shook his head.
"Not as much as my first trip out here did," he said. "Now its nothing but a comfortable, lazy day on a good train. When I came out in 84 you had to go around by way of Chicago and St Paul, and the trains were not what they are today, particularly the sleeping cars."
Dr Goggin recalled his first arrival in Winnipeg, where he had been summoned from Port Hope to help to lay the foundations of the public school system, and told of the probems and difficulties he had to contend with.
"When I arrived in Winnipeg in '84," he said, "I brought the Normal school in my bag with me, and there it had to remain for some years. In the winter time it was possible to set it up in rooms lent by the board of education, but in the summer I had to put it back in the bag take it around the country. In those days the teachers couldn't come to the Normal school, so like Mohammed, the Normal school had to go to the teachers.
"The organization of the public school system was in embryo. school system was in embryo. There were few regulations and few set qualifications. In the outlying parts of the province, much closer then than now in point of distance, and infinitely farther away in point of convenience, schools were springing up. It was my duty to go to these scattered communities, satisfy myself that the teachers had the qualifications necessary to teach a class of six or seven small children, and spread the propaganda of schools among the people.
"Travel in the Spring and fall was difficult, and I could tell some stories about the kind of stopping houses I ran into," he went on. "A forty or fifty mile journey across country in a lurching buckboard was no uncommon thing in going to some isolated settlement where the people were crying out for a school. 
"Besides the educational work, and because of it, I also became a kind of amateur matrimonial bureau," Dr Goggin said. "You see, we were desperately in need of teachers, and, by offering attractive salaries we induced young women from Ontario and Nova Scotia to come out to us; but they never remained teachers long. In a year or two some young farmer won them for the home.
"But they were great days. The settlers were starving for advantages for their children, and we all realized that a great country was in the making. Life was not as primitive as peope are apt to think of it now, and there was good fellowship wherever one went."
After nine years in Manitoba, where his work was highly successful, Dr Goggin left to become superintendent of education in the Northwest Territories, where many of his experiences were repeated. His task completed he returned in 1902 to Ontario, where he became engaged in editorial work.
Throughout the west he is regarded with the utmost affection by hundreds of men and women who remember him as a great teacher.
"Nothing gives me greater pleasure he said, than to have one of my old students come and speak to me and recall just when and where it was we knew each other. Wherever I go I find some of them, and here in Winnipeg, of course, there are scores of them."
As a past grand master of Manitoba he was the guest of honour of the Northern Light Lodge: He delivered an address before the brethren and he also spoke at a public function. A number of old students planned a round of entertainment for him before he returns.


 
 
 

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