Glammis Then and Now
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Glammis Then and Now Compiled and published by Glamis Historical Researchers Glammis Then and Now Compiled and published by Glamis Historical Researchers edited by John Kaminski This electronic version includes corrections from the errata sheet, minor corrections, and enhancements on page 279 & 280 up to 2017-09-19. John Kaminski Front cover: Glammis Main Street looking east from near the old Cunningham store in 1914 photo taken and categorized by Laura and Lila Cunningham Back cover: Glammis Main Street from same location as above, 99 years later in 2013 © 2014 Glamis Historical Researchers Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Glamis Historical Researchers, compiler Glammis then and now / compiled and published by Glamis Historical Researchers ; edited by John Kaminski. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-9812322-8-7 (pbk.) 1. Glammis (Ont.) – History. 2. Bruce (Ont. : Township) – History, Local. 3. Kincardine (Ont. : Township)–History, Local. 4. Greenock (Ont. : Township) – History, Local. 5. Real property – Ontario –Glammis – Maps. 6. Business enterprises – Ontario – Glammis –Maps. I. Kaminski, John, 1951-, editor II. Title. FC3095.B78G63 2014 971.3’21 C2014-901385-X Printed and bound by C&I Graphics, Kincardine, Ontario We gratefully acknowledge a grant from the Municipality of Kincardine to help us get this book published. – 2 – Foreword: One “ m” or Two? For the casual reader, it may seem somewhat puzzling that so much time and effort was put into the production of this book. At first glance, the community of Glammis would not appear to be so very different from other communities that sprang up in the “Queen’s Bush” during the mid-1800s, after the land surrender treaty was obtained with the Ojibway in 1836. Nor is it so very different in respect to the attainment of Crown Deeds, through the time-limited clearing and settlement of land. Similarly, Glammis is just another one of many communities that secured a foothold along the edges of the Greenock Swamp, the largest natural wetland in Southern Ontario that provided an ideal habitat for vast domains of both flora and fauna. At closer inspection though, Glammis is unique on many fronts. The settlement itself was established a few years after many of the neighbouring communities. This is likely due to both local geography and governmental decisions. Glammis is neither on the Lake Huron shoreline nor on a waterway, such as the Saugeen, Teeswater or Penetangore Rivers. Glammis was not on the Durham Road, a major route for the early pioneers, which ran from the mouth of the Penetangore River, at what is now called Kincardine, through to Simcoe County. Simply put, it took the settlers longer to move inland and begin clearing the land around what would become Glammis. Once the community was established, Glammis grew by leaps and bounds in the late 1800s, when other communities around it did not. In all likelihood the huge lumber resource of the Greenock Swamp and the entrepreneurial spirit of some Glammisites were major contributing factors to the economy and success of the hamlet. From the perspective of historical researchers, Glammis was, and still is, a community in threat of losing its recorded history. It sits at the juncture of three of the original townships of the County of Bruce– Kincardine, Bruce and Greenock. Consolidated records do not exist. Until now, there existed only a splintered history of what was once a tightly-knit and thriving community. On a lighter note, Glammis is certainly distinctive on at least one account. How many other communities are still embroiled in a controversy over the spelling of its name? In our case, some residents still proclaim the right to the one “m” version, while others insist on – 3 – the double “m”. No one knows with any certainty the reason for the assignment of the double “m” spelling by the Postal authorities in 1860. There does exist a more westerly community—Glamis with one “m”— in Saskatchewan which, interestingly enough, has also been given the controversial designation of a ghost town. But no matter how you spell it, one “m” or two, Glammis is worthy of having its history recorded as the unique community it once was, still is and, hopefully, will continue to be. Adele Kaminski Looking south �rom the intersection in 1910 – 4 – Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................... 6 The Authors ..............................................................................6 The Process ...............................................................................7 How to use this book ................................................................9 Suggested Reading ....................................................................9 Acknowledgements .................................................................10 2. Maps...............................................................................................12 Aerial Picture �rom 2010 .......................................................12 Glammis in 1902 ....................................................................14 Glammis in 2012 ....................................................................16 Farms around Glammis.........................................................18 3. History of Glammis 1850–2013 .................................................20 Glammis History Timeline 1850 - 2013 ................................22 4. Properties in Civic Address Order – East to West ...................52 5. Properties in Civic Address Order – South to North ............194 6. The 1901 Census.........................................................................229 7. Military Veterans ........................................................................244 World War I Veterans ..........................................................245 World War II Veterans.........................................................250 8. Businesses....................................................................................256 9. Sources of Glammis Research...................................................267 10. Surname Index............................................................................272 11. Errata............................................................................................279 – 5 – 1. Introduction The Authors The Glamis Historical Researchers began their work in 2007. Throughout the next seven years the researchers and their respective roles were as follows: Bob Wrightson (Chairman, G3036) initiated the project by personally recording the history of Glammis over many years. Born and raised in the village, he was a great resource for materials and stories. Joan (Calver) Ferris (Social Secretary, G1343) hosted most of our meetings. As well as contacting many people, Joan found additional sources of information for our project. Her association with both of the current churches in the village, her submissions of the “Glammis News” section to the local newspapers, and her 50 years of residing in Glammis provided her with a wealth of information needed for the many property stories that she authored. Margaret (Scott) Benvenuto (Member, G1337) spent many hours of research, often accompanied by Bob Wrightson, at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre archives and local libraries. She authored the section “History of Glammis 1850-2013”. Mary (Kennedy Worthington (Member, G1337) resided and attended school in Glammis in the 1930s, and her excellent memory added much insight for those years. Glamis Historical Researchers in 2013. Eileen (Thompson) Back: Mary (Kennedy) Worthington, Morris (Member, John Kaminski, Eileen (Thompson) Morris, K1381) was born and Bob Wrightson, Margaret (Scott) Benvenuto. Front: Joan (Calver) Ferris, raised just outside Ken Robinson, Marianne (Begg) Greer. – 6 – Glammis, taught school in Glammis in the 1950s and contributed to accounts of the school and the war years. Marianne (Begg) Greer (Treasurer, K1377) recalled people and events from the many years when she and her husband, Ernie Greer, operated the general store in the village. Ken Robinson (Member, K1399), another resource for information, lived in Glammis, farmed nearby, and was employed by Hutton Transport. In the later months of the book project, he often arranged a meeting place for the researchers. John Kaminski (Editor, B1408) was the never tiring webmaster, book co-ordinator, editor, and general “gofer”, ferreting out information from the internet, archives and people. He kept all the other researchers on track and focused, while, most importantly, keeping the group on the publication timeline. The Process The initial intention of the group was to gather information about the community of Glammis before memories and data sources were lost. It was neither our intention nor desire to write a book. We truly believed, at that time, that we did not have access to or would not be able to gather sufficient, complete, and correct information regarding the earlier residents and properties. Our concern was that there would be many mistakes and missing bits. This is still true. But we soon realized that if we waited until the book was perfect, there would be no one with fond memories of Glammis alive to read and enjoy it! So, after much debate and contemplation, we decided to rise to the challenge and publish something that, at a minimum, could be a starting point for future researchers. Our first challenge was to decide on the spelling