Harriston Historical Society

08/22/2024

Only one more week to view the summer display - 50th Anniversary of the Grey-Wellington Theatre Guild

07/08/2024

07/05/2024

Cutting the ribbon in celebration of 's past & feeding Minto's future! ✂️🎀

On July 13th, in conjunction with the , we will be officially honouring the following:

🎀10AM: New Community Pantry in Clifford Rotary Celebration Square. This intiative is a collaboration between , , and Minto's DEI Community to help with food insecurity in our area.

🎀10:30AM: Brown Cemetery will be officially honoured as a historically significant with a new bench & plaque.

Stop by both to join the celebrations!
Learn more about the Carnival on https://www.cliffordconnects.ca/clifford-connects-carnival-celebration

06/11/2024

Entry Form
8Th Annual Headstone Hunt
Presented by the Harriston Historical Society
Name: ________________________________ Phone: _____________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________
Information:
Contest Dates: June 10 -August 7 2024 Prizes: lst-$150. 2nd-$100. 3rd-$50.
Draw Date: August 10th @ during Harriston Street Days Celebration at the Cenotaph

Entry forms available on the Harriston Historical Society website OR pickup at the John Webb Room, 3rd floor Harriston Library, Leslie Motors, Harriston Home Hardware, Harry Stone's, Harriston Royal Bank, Clifford County Store, Red Express, Palmerston Home Hardware, and Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum, Palmerston Public Library.

Submit completed forms before August 7/24 and return to Harriston Historical Society, 3rd floor of the Harriston Library OR Email to: [email protected]
Our donation box is in the John Webb Room 3rd floor Library. Much appreciated.

ENJOY YOUR HUNT – All individuals listed in the hunt are historically significant to Minto! Stop by the Harriston Historical Society’s John Webb Room to learn more.

Clifford Cemetery - 91035 W Heritage St, Clifford (can enter from Elora St)
Section A (west side) – Francis Brown was the first settler of Clifford. Where was Brown originally from? ______________________________

Section A – Robert Wightman’s headstone indicates something important about his achievements. What does the inscription below his name read? _______________________________________________________________

Section A – Arnold Nay Darroch was an important political figure for the community of Clifford and was its first reeve before being elected to parliament.
What year did he die? _____
Section A – Clayton G. McPhail built McPhail’s Garage, which was an early automobile repair shop for the area. What year was he born? ______

Section C (north of where Pioneer & Chapel Lane meet) – Clifford’s Rotary Centennial Park is named after a local man – John Hobelman. What phrase is inscribed on the bible in the bottom left corner of his headstone? __________________________

Section C – The land that the Clifford Cemetery sits on was purchased from James Mathewson. James’ father is buried with him. What’s his father’s name? ________

Salem Methodist Cemetery - 5807 Minto Normanby Townline, Clifford
Main Section/cairn - Matthew Burnett is recorded as one of Minto’s earliest pioneers. He first immigrated to the US but later settled in what is now called Clifford. What was his wife’s name? __________

Main Section/cairn - The land that this cemetery exists on was originally owned by an Irish settler named James Cochrane. He sold it so that Salem North Methodist Church and Cemetery could be built there. What year did he die? _______

A cenotaph to what World War sits on the property of the cemetery? ___________

Minto Roman Catholic Cemetery - 6549 12th Line Road, East of #89, Minto
Main Section/cairn - Jeremiah Burke donated half of the land that the former Catholic Church, which doubled a school, was built on. What does the inscription at the bottom of his headstone read? _________________________________

Main Section/cairn - John Connolly and his wife Margaret were early settlers to the area in 1851 and owned a local farm. What country does their headstone say the Connolly’s are from? _________

What year was the Minto Roman Catholic Pioneer cemetery established? ______
(Hint: Check stone in back left corner of lawn)

Harriston Cemetery – at end of Jessie St, Harriston
Section C – John and Margaret Webb were the first settlers in what would come to be known as Harriston. How old was Margaret when she died? ____

Section C - A pyramid-shape monument made of stones sits behind a cairn of pioneer headstones. It reads ‘In memory of the pioneers of _______________ and the tp. of ___________’

Section D – John ‘Jack’ Ward Foster of Harriston holds the record for most goals scored in a period in the O.C.S.H. League. He was also a WWII veteran. What does inscription at the bottom of the headstone read? __________________

Section SG (south side of cemetery) – Theodore ‘Ted’ Zimmer was the police chief of Harriston for 30 years. What is the shape of his headstone? ___________

Section R – Hugh Murray was a member of the Murray family which owned & operated the Crystal Dairy in Harriston. What’s the name of his brother who is buried with him? _________

Section CC (center circle/middle of cemetery) - Alexander Meiklejohn was the first reeve of the village of Harriston. Where was he born? __________________

Section CC (center circle/middle of cemetery) – John Livingston was one of the early settlers of Harriston. He was an avid supporter of quality education for every child. How many people, including John, are buried in this family plot? ___

Section M - Dr. Carol Homuth was extremely involved in his community, working as an optometrist and volunteering his time as a scout leader and as a member of the Harriston public school board. What image is at the end of “HOMUTH” at the top of the stone? ________________

South Salem Pioneer Cemetery – 5275 3rd Line, Minto (Palmerston)
East side – Sarah Holgate Lee, along with her husband, were among the first settlers to the area in 1854. Sarah’s husband provided the land for the Salem church as well as the cemetery for its first burial - Sarah. What is the name of Sarah’s husband? __________

East side - Private Elgin R. Lee died while serving in WWI. He is not buried at this location, making this grave a cenotaph. In what country did he die? ___________
What year was the South Salem Pioneer cemetery established? _____
(Hint: Check stone at entrance)

Palmerston Cemetery – 5240, Hwy 23 Minto (Palmerston)
Section M – J.R. Hamilton was the first clerk & treasurer of Palmerston. Where was he originally from? ____________________________

Section M - Hugh D. Wilford died at a hospital in England while serving overseas in WWI. His case is unique as not all those who perish are able to be brought home for burial. What was his military rank? __________

Section O – Peter Robertson was the grandson of Thomas McDowell. McDowell is often called the ‘father of Palmerston’. It is speculated that he may be buried directly left of Peter. Assuming this is true, what do you notice about McDowell’s headstone? ____________________________

Section L – Dr. Alexander Stewart was the founder of the first location in Ontario to produce a smallpox vaccine. How many of Stewart’s children share a headstone with him? ___

Section L – William Barnes was an engineer for the Wellington, Grey & Bruce Railway and drove the first train through Palmerston to Harriston in 1871. How old was he when he passed? _____

Section E – Walter White was the highest-ranked Grand Trunk & CNR official to live in Palmerston. He was also mayor and White’s Road’s namesake.
What year was he born? ______

Section Y – Arthur ‘Art’ Carr was the owner of the Palmerston Observer for nearly 40 years. What does the inscription under his name read? _____________________________

Harriston Historical Society/Minto Township
Including this year, how many Headstone Hunts has the Harriston Historical Society hosted? ____

This year, in 2024, Minto is celebrating _____ years since Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston amalgamated to create Minto Township in 1999

09/15/2023

Coming up soon - Save the date

07/06/2023

Seven years ago John McVicar from Superior Monuments, with assistance from the Historical Society, orchestrated the first Headstone Hunt.
Last year the society added questions about the historical plaques and the Hunt included Palmerston and Clifford as well as Harriston.
Many out-of-towners pick up forms and play the game and unfortunately there were complaints of too much running around.

For 2023 the Headstone & Historical Plaque Hunt is once again just Harriston - the other towns will be added in succession.

The questionnaire is here and may be printed, or you can pick up a copy at Leslie Motors, Home Hardware, Harry Stone's, the library, or the Royal Bank.

Complete the form and return to the Historical Society, 3rd floor of the Carnegie Library. The door to the historical room has a mail slot if not open. Or your completed form may be emailed to [email protected].

Return the form by Wednesday, August 9th

A draw will be made from fully completed and correct forms. There are three prizes to be drawn at 12:30 p.m. August 12th during Street Days. There are three prizes $150. $100. $50. Draw will be made at the cenotaph beside the old Town Hall (where the society will be conducting a BBQ)

05/03/2023

The Wellington County Historical Society invites you to join us in celebrating the launch of the long anticipated book The Model Village and the Struggle for Success: A History of Elora, Ontario by Stephen Thorning.
Monday May 8th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the Elora Centre for the Arts, 75 Melville Street, Elora.
Opening remarks will be held at 7:00 pm
Well-known for his decades of work in the field of local history, the late Stephen Thorning is Wellington County’s most prolific local historian and this book represents his first foray into the field in the early 1980s. Updated and illustrated, it touches on many aspects of village life while offering a detailed account of the political machinations and industrial aspirations that shaped Elora during its first century of existence.

This hardcover, well-illustrated history has a comprehensive index and retails for $65 plus GST. Payment at the launch may be made by credit card (Visa/Mastercard), debit, cash, or cheque made payable to Magic Pebble Books. Copies that have been pre-ordered will also be available that evening for pick up.

For more information, please contact Society treasurer Kathy Bouma by responding to this e-mail: [email protected] or at 519.843.7703.

We hope you will join us on May 8th to celebrate this wonderful addition to our area’s local history!

-- The Wellington County Historical Society

11/12/2022

from Jane Murphy Thomas, Vancouver
[email protected]

On Remembrance Day 2022 in Harriston, it's especially fitting to remember some of the home town soldiers who served in the First World War. As I am fortunate to have these original photos, I want to share them here with anyone interested in Harriston history.
1. This winter photo shows Harriston men who enlisted in 1915, in the 153rd Battalion (Guelph). Among these men is my Great Uncle Alex Whitten (featured below). Harriston people will recognize this location, just outside the Post Office.
2. This photo (not dated), shows some of the same men again, different season, location unknown to me. If you zoom in you can see the names of the soldiers written on the bottom (if not clear, I can provide a better photo, if requested).
3. This is a close up of #2 above, getting a more clear picture of the men's faces.
4. This is Alex Whitten, my Great Uncle (in photo 3, middle row, 2nd from left). He was born in Minto township in 1890, and in 1899 with his parents Tom and Marion Whitten and siblings, Tom Jr., Will, Bert, and Tot, moved into Harriston where the children grew up, went to school and in the case of Tom Whitten (Jr.) lived there until he died in 1960. I grew up around Madoc, Ontario where my grandmother Tot (Whitten) Tate, often talked about Harriston and saved hundreds of old photos from there.

I don't know any of the history of the other Harriston soldiers, but as mentioned, for the First World War they enlisted in 1915 as part of the 153 Battalion from Guelph in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, the collective name for Canadian military who went overseas. Great Uncle Alex Whitten (featured) was 25 when he joined up. He served in France and Belgium where he was dispatch rider, one of the most dangerous jobs being highly exposed on a motorcycle or bicycle to carry messages between commanding authorities (as radio contact was not secure). He was seriously wounded at Mons, Belgium in 1918 and after several months in different hospitals in France and England, he was discharged back to Canada, then recovered, lived and worked to the age of 70 when he died suddenly in 1960. I have recently placed his information online at Find A Grave, Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough, Ontario, #245107676.

I hope others with military service in their family history also post about it. Anywhere in town is there a collection of photos, research or other memorabilia of the town's veteran's? To encourage such acknowledgement and preservation of history, please download and pass these photos on to anyone who might be interested.

I'd be glad to hear from anyone with questions, suggestions, etc.

Jane Murphy Thomas (Vancouver)

08/18/2022

If you didn't stay up Tuesday night at that ungodly hour of 11:30 to see the Wightman Channel 6 TV program........I have good news for you.
Mark your calendars - the video showcases the exhibit "OUR CHAMPIONS IN SPORTS". This time it will be at the convenient time of 7:00 p.m., Monday August 22nd.
Following that (7:30) will be the highlights of the display the Historical Society had celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Harriston/Minto Fall Fair
Watch local Content
p.s. The actual Sports Display will only be in the Arts Gallery till the end of August.

08/15/2022

For anyone who is interested - the first airing of the video interview with Mark MacKenzie and Ron Gilbert about the display "Our Champions in Sports" will air on Channel 6, Wightman TV on Tuesday, August 16th at 11:30 p.m.
Although it's late evening that was the first it could get on as there was a lot going on this week. The show will be on again several times in the coming week - you'll just have to watch for it.

08/15/2022

In the post below are the answers to the recent "Headstone Hunt"

Winners were: 1st Mary McMahon - New Hamburg
2nd Murray MacRitchie - Palmerston
3rd Rick Winkler - Harriston
4th Gerry Blank - Harriston

08/15/2022

ENTRY FORM

Name .....................................................................Phone .................................

Address ..............................................................................................................

email ..................................................................................................................

CONTEST QUESTIONAIRE

Drew Pioneer Cemetery - 6109 - 16th line Minto

– William J. Nixon, what age did he die ......18........
– Robert Bell, Prop., Brickyard, where was he born ..Armagh,Ireland
– Robert Bell, what was his wife's name ...Catherine Culp

North Salem Methodist Pioneer Cemetery – 5807 Normanby/Minto Townline,
Ayton Road
- when did the Cemetery close ...1968
– Elizabeth Hahn Moon, how old when died ...40 yrs 7mos
– Robert Vance, how long did he live ...5mos.4days
– James & Elizabeth Ewens, what is the bottom line on the marker
...EWENS – Native of Ireland

Palmerston Cemetery - 5240, Hwy 23 Minto.

Section I, Margaret Crozier Skelton, what is sitting on top of the stone immediately to the left ......Urn/Vase
Section I, Edward Taylor, what stands on both sides of the stone
...trees/shrubs - 8'
Section H, Margaret Stirling, what is engraved on the back of the marker ... Shamrocks...CtT or (ClT) or C
Section R, Marjorie Wilding, name 2 emblems etched on the back of the stone .......dancers, pool player, scissors, house scene
Section R, Gordon Locke, what sits on top of the stone immediately to the right ......Cross

Palmerston Plaques

– Main Street, Norsco Sports,
what was the occupation of Francis Carter ... merchant
– CNR Pedestrian Bridge (plaque @ William Street access)
how many acres was the rail yard ...23
– Lions Heritage Park Entrance – “Old 81 Steam Engine”
what code is written under the 81 on the side ..E-10-A 26%
– Lions Heritage Park Walkway, 1920 Employee Plaque, who is the last employee named on the plaque ...Billy Fair

Clifford Cemetery - 91035 West Heritage Rd. Hwy 9
(enter Main Gate on Hwy.9 - Prospect Road)

– southside Pioneer Road, Samuel Sugg, wife's name ..Ellen Morrell
– southside Pioneer Road, Edward Butchart, name of the monument works on the bottom right corner ...W.Welch, Harriston
– northside Pioneer Road, Peter S. Milligan, how many pioneer headstones are in a row directly behind this headstone ...6
– northside Pioneer Road, Ben Tuck, what object sits on top of this marker
.......Bible/Book
– northside Chapel Dr. - John Wolfe, what ornament sits on top of the headstone directly to the right ...Cross +


Clifford Plaques:

– Rotary Park (Elora & Park Street)
first owner of the Clifford Grist Mill ...George McDonald
– 32 Elora Street, James Bear, pump maker.
what year was the house built ...1866
– 9 Elora Street, Wm. Ford,
what was his occupation ..Shoemaker

Harriston Cemetery - Jessie Street

- Section W – William Dewberry, what is carved in the book on the top ...Family member names
– Section CC – Robert Cochrane, what is etched on the back of the stone
..Cochrane
– Section S – Allan & Pat Lee, what is on the back of the marker
....Funeral Home Scene
– Section M – Fred Homuth, what is part of the border on the back
... flowers
– Section M – Mildred Innanen, what is the emblem on the stone
...Poppy

Harriston Plaques:

– Old Post Office,
where was the tower clock made ..England
– Harry Stone's,
what was the name of the Hotel in 1877 ... Collison House
– Old Town Hall,
how many town halls were built on this site ...3
– 4 Elora Street, Alex McCready,
what was his occupation ...Postmaster / Merchant

08/09/2022

The new summer display for the Harriston Historical Society.
This isn't just regular "sports" but highlights individuals who have gone 'above and beyond'. The three towns in Minto may be looked upon as small rural villages, but all three have produced champions who have gone to the majors, and some even achieving "World Status".
Come and see who they are

02/06/2022

01/18/2022

11/01/2021

This is the poster with the revised time (it's 7:30 p.m.)
The link to click in to join remains the same: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84614070971?pwd=Rkd0d2UzUWZXVkk2RzFVNjJMcitMUT09

11/01/2021

Your mother may have been an Ontario Farmerette, or maybe your sister or grandmother - find out about them and how they helped the agriculture food chain during the war years.
Or "Peach Fuzz and Onion Skins" may even be a book you might wish to give as a Christmas present.
See and hear more as the Harriston Historical Society brings an event with Bonnie Sitter and Shirley English right to your computer on Monday, November 8th.
Please note that the time is 7:30 p.m. and the link to click in is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84614070971?pwd=Rkd0d2UzUWZXVkk2RzFVNjJMcitMUT09

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09/17/2021

Only 'you' could make a barn quilt with an historical theme, think about it - then try it

08/28/2021

The Mapleton Historical Society would like to invite you to come for a walk/tour of the Glen Allan Cemetery on September the 18th at 1:30. The tour/walk is a great way to connect with your neighbors, learn about history that has shaped your communities today and explore lessons you might learn from the people who have gone before us.

The cemetery is located at 7829 Line 3, Wellington Road 45, Glen Allan (Mapleton Township).

COVID protocols will be followed

07/17/2021

Did you know this!? Love it!

02/01/2021

My First Nineteen: Memories of Growing up on an Ontario Livestock Farm During the Great Depression is a recently published book by author Angus Hamilton. It covers the years of 1922-1941 growing up in Mapleton Township near Moorefield, Drayton and later as a bank clerk living in Elmira. The book provides great insight as to what it was like growing up as a child in that time, what it was like going to school, what his life was like on the farm during chores and what the community life entailed. When one reads this book, you can see how the community and its people, neighbours and friends, supported and encouraged each other through some very difficult times and shared in the fun that was to be had as well.
If you are interested in getting a copy of this book, please contact Liz Samis at [email protected] or 519-669-9209. We have limited copies available for a cost of $20.00 and if the demand is great, we can create a waiting list and have some more books published. Copies are available at the Heritage Funeral Home, Drayton with contact Mary Thompson.