Tamworth is one of the largest and most thriving villages in the county of Addington. It is pleasantly situated on the banks of Salmon river – principally on the north side – and its good business blocks, its many handsome residences, surrounded by neat and attractive grounds, attest as to the prosperity of its people. It has a thrifty population of about 1,000 and lies midway between the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific Railways; thirty miles from the former at Napanee or Kingston and twenty from the latter at Tweed and is connected with both by the Kingston and North Western Railway, which gives it good railway accommodation. Early History – First Log Cabin The first house built upon the ground upon which Tamworth is located was the pioneer log cabin of Reuben Neilly, step-son of Calvin Wheeler, built in the woods sixty years ago. This was followed some five years after by the grist mill and saw mill and a year later the residence and store of Calvin Wheeler. With a few other buildings these comprised the settlement of Wheeler’s Mills and not much progress was made in its growth until within the last thirty years. Thirty-five years ago the land which now comprises Tamworth was a wilderness – and where a good portion of its handsome residences and business blocks now stand, twenty-five years ago was a field of stumps.
	Squire Calvin Wheeler A brief outline of the early business life of Calvin Wheeler, whose portrait we give, means the early history of the village of Tamworth. Mr. Wheeler was a U.E. Loyalist, coming to Canada in 1812, being then about twenty-six years of age. He settled in the front townships, and after a residence of twelve years near Bath, bought a small grist mill on the river half a mile above Tamworth. About an acre of clearance surrounded the mill and residence, the whole surrounding country being a forest. Mr. Wheeler lived at this place about twelve years, but it being difficult to dam the water back sufficiently on account of the shelly nature of the bottom of the river at this place at that time, he erected a new grist mill half a mile below stream on the opposite side of the river to where the present mill now stands, where he had better water privilege and which place is now the present site of Tamworth. The following year he erected a saw mill adjoining the grist mill, and a year after, 1838, erected a store and post office and a frame residence, the latter, a good substantial building, in good repair, is at present occupied by Mr. Wheeler’s son, John, now one of the oldest inhabitants of the place, aged 66 years. Mr. Wheeler was that year appointed postmaster, the first in this section, Camden East, being the nearest post office prior to that, and the village given its name, “Tamworth,” it being up to that time known by the name “Wheeler’s Mills.” This, then, fifty years ago, may be said to be the founding of the present village of
Tamworth. Six years afterwards, Mr. Wheeler erected the hotel where his son, Luke A., for a life time was “mine host” of the Wheeler House. Old Mr. Wheeler also carried on farming and lumbering extensively and was always an enterprising and leading citizen. He was the first councillor elected in the township in 1835 (when only one councillor represented the township) and held the position for years, seeing the township grow to be represented by two and then three councillors. He was a magistrate for trying division court suits; was captain in the militia and promoted to major. Mr. Wheeler built the first school house in the village at his own expense (still standing and used as a blacksmith shop); built two bridges across the river at his own expense and built the town hall, but after its erection was paid for it. He died in 1866, aged 80 years, having had an active and successful life. Tamworth’s Improvement The growth of the village we might say dates from the year 1861, since which time its improvement has been gradual and steady. For a few years previous to that date, a law suit had been going on in reference to the mills, they being on that account closed, and which had hung as a cloud over what then comprised Tamworth – a store, hotel, blacksmith shop, etc. That year the suit came to an end and the mill property was purchased by Charles Joyner of Sydenham. Immediately new life was imbued into the place and the village began to boom. Prior to this, the village of Croydon, seven miles south, with its mills and stores, had been the place of business of the back country and little did its people think that in a short time it would be eclipsed by insignificant Tamworth – but such proved to be the case, and Croydon from that time has stood as it was then. For a number of years thereafter the growth of Tamworth was rapid and substantial. Business men of various branches of trade soon after established themselves here and to-day many of the business men of the place are those who came to Tamworth in its early days, when young men, and have been in active business here since and have grown and prospered as the village grew in wealth and importance. For the last few years Tamworth has not gone ahead with the activity that marked its previous rapid growth. Tamworth’s Former Business Tamworth at one time was the busiest and liveliest place in the northern part of the counties. It was the supplying point for the large country lying north, comprising the townships of Kennebec, Olden, Barrie, Kaladar, etc. – shantymen and settlers for over fifty miles north came to Tamworth for their supplies. In those days the streets of the village thronged with teams and people from “way back,” who had come in for supplies of provisions, dry goods, hardware, etc. Present Business The business of the place is large and important, great quantities of grain and dairy and farm produce being disposed of here the entire year and the money derived therefrom expended in our midst in the purchase of the various commodities of life. Salmon River Tamworth is situated upon Salmon river, forty miles from its rise and thirty miles from its confluence with the Bay of Quinte at Shannonville. The river at Tamworth is rapid and the water clear as crystal. For ten miles above the village, the river is a succession of rapids and small falls, so that a fall of over fifty feet is obtained in reaching Tamworth. The water supply is abundant to run the year round, any amount of machinery. Salmon river is without doubt one of the --- rivers in Ontario and has been the source of more revenue and wealth than any river in Ontario. For years the amount of timber cut from the forests in the north and floated down this river has been enormous – no idea can be formed of the vast amount and its great value. Now the forests are nearly stripped and good farms and comfortable homes abound in their stead. The river takes its rise in the township of Barrie, forty miles from Tamworth, from a small lake at Cloyne and is made up of the following series of lakes; Big Gull, Ink, Hungry Bay, Cox, Cross, Crotch, Bull, Buck, Horse Shoe, Long and Beaver lakes, and is, in addition to this chain of fine lakes, fed by the waters of Big Clear, Fraser, Puzzle, Gall, Bear and White Lakes and these by innumerable small lakes emptying into them. After leaving Tamworth there are no other lakes and for thirty miles the river is a fine flowing stream, emptying into the Bay of Quinte at Shannonville. The river received its name, it is claimed, from the great abundance of salmon in its waters in its earlier days. Villages on the River The banks of this seventy miles of picturesque and beautiful river are dotted with pleasant villages, viz; Arden, Erinsville, Tamworth, Croydon, Roblin, Forest Mills, Kingsford, Lonsdale, Milltown and Shannonville. Industries on the River For a village making little pretension at manufacturing, we consider we have our share of industries. The first above the village on the river is…
The Phoenix Woolen Mills Owned by Mr. C.A. Jones. This is a substantial stone structure, four stories high, situated half a mile north of the village, the mill and the dam being built by Mr. Jones in 1886. There is a good supply f water to run the mill the entire year. The mill is what is termed at “two set mill,” comprising five carding machines, two spinning machines, six looms and twisting, finishing and other machinery. The mill does a large business and turns out for the wholesale trade large quantities of Canadian knitting yarn and blankets of different qualities and grades. Mr. Jones also does a large amount of custom work of every description. The goods manufactured by Mr. Jones are a superior class, and he sells them mostly wholesale. Cheese Factories Next comes the Sheffield Stock Company Cheese Factory, and near it the Tamworth Factory, owned by James Byrnes, Esq. Both these factories are provided with appliances for turning out cheese of a superior quality and being in charge of first class cheese makers, the out-put has been A1. About 12,000 lbs. of cheese was manufactured at each factory the past year and over $21,000 paid to the patrons of these two factories during the past season. Not a small amount to be paid for cheese in one locality.
Mace’s Mills Then comes the mill property of Mr. W.D. Mace, consisting of Roller Process Grist Mill, Saw Mill and Planing Mill. Tamworth Tannery The tannery at this place has had various owners. The first tannery in the village was started by Mr. Geo. Miller nearly forty years ago. The present proprietor of the tannery, Mr. James Elliott, formerly of Belleville, has now had it about two years, and the goods turned out by him cannot be surpassed. He has a process of tanning, all kinds of leather and leather with the fur on, that leaves the leather soft and pliable and does not harden by being wet. He is at present turning out a fine class of fur robes, from various kinds of skins and hides. Those he makes from deacon skins are very handsome and serviceable and reasonable in price. He makes large quantities of fur mittens and quantities from dog skin and an excellent line of calf skin mittens and warrants all his work to not harden from being wet. Lace leather and everything in the trade manufactured and kept for sale.
Sheffield Mills The grist mill known as the Sheffield Mill is a solid three story stone structure, in good repair and equipped for doing first-class work. This mill is owned and operated by Mr. Hiram Keech and does a large trade, principally local. Cheese Box Factory Next on the river is the Cheese Box Factory and Shingle Mill of Messrs. George Woods & Bro. This business was established by the present owners ten years ago, and this year turned out 30,000 cheese boxes, an increase of over 5,000 on last years’ business. They supply twenty factories, from Newburgh east, the factory at Roblin supplying for the factories west of Newburgh. In the winter and spring of each year the mill is run on the manufacture of shingles, turning out over 500,000 A1 cedar shingles. The shingles are sold at the mill for use at home. They have a turning lathe in connection with the mill. Milligan’s Saw Mill Near the Cheese Box Factory is the saw mill owned and operated by Mr. William Milligan and his four sons. A good business is done by these gentlemen each spring. The brothers comprising this family work together as a unit and are prospering. Brick Yard A great convenience to the people of the section is the brick yard of Messrs. Shields & Saul, who manufacture extensively a fine quality of red brick. They have a large supply on hand for the winter and spring demand and are getting out material this winter for a large out-put next season. Mining There is not the least doubt but in a few years Tamworth will be a leading centre for mining operations. Mineral deposits of phosphates, iron, lead, silver, gold and other minerals are in our immediate vicinity and the mines already opened only require working to bring out the vast mineral riches awaiting development. A mile and a half south east of the village is the Wager iron mine. This mine has recently been opened and a quantity of the ore smelted and tested and resulted in producing the best quality of hematite iron. A few miles north of the village, Mr. Wm. R. Bell has opened a phosphate mine and next season will operate it. The Kellar gold mine, owned by Mr. John Kellar, is situated about three miles south of the village. Mr. Kellar is pushing the sinking of a shaft at this mine with a determination to know how rich a gold deposit he has. Silver also exists in the samples of ore tested. Pleasure Resort The beautiful and picturesque Beaver Lake, half a mile wide and four miles long, a little over a mile from Tamworth, cannot be surpassed in attractions for the camper, sportsman or pleasure seeker. In this lake and all the lakes of Salmon river fish of various kinds are plentiful. It is not here as at the front, that for every fish there is an angler, but here they are in the waters in such abundance that genuine sport is to be had with rod and line, and to the sportsman with his rifle, large and small game is plentiful on land and water. Newspapers Tamworth enjoys the proud distinction of having had two newspapers published there. The first, the “Tamworth Echo,” was first issued Sept. 24 1879, published by Mr. Asa Cronk. This paper was published about five years and during that time paid well. The proprietor, however, had offered him what he considered a better opening west, and accepted it and removed his plant thither. The next newspaper venture was the “Tamworth News,” published by Messrs. Orr & Little; established in 1886; was published there six months, when what seemed better inducements, were offered at Tweed, and the paper was moved to that place. There is now a good opening for a local paper at Tamworth. The village is surrounded by a good settled country, which would give it a local circulation, and with the job and advertising patronage, the village would give a newspaper a good paying newspaper business could be done. Grain Production When it is borne in mind that grain is bought and shipped in large quantities from the villages at the stations three and six miles each side of Tamworth, 60,000 bushels of grain, principally peas, may be considered a good quantity to ship from here in the season. This was done last season and the money paid to the farmers for the same was $30,000. This season less grain was produced and with a falling off in price, about $20,000 will be the amount paid for grain. The grain buyers are Messrs L. Way, T.F. Hodge and John Harrison. There is a good grain elevator here built by Mr. Hodge, but sold by him last season to Mr. Harrison. Stage Lines Up to the time of getting the railway, the mode of reaching the outside world was by stage or other conveyance. For twenty years prior to railway communication, the late Henry Finkle, the veteran stage proprietor, ran daily stages to Napanee and Kingston. Other stages left for east, west and north, making Tamworth somewhat of a stage line centre. At the present time stages run daily south to Centreville and tri-weekly north-east to Arden. Postal The first postmaster appointed to Tamworth was Calvin Wheeler, fifty-five years ago, passing from him to Mr. Seldon, thence to Mr. Robert Herchimer, thence to Mr. Jas. Aylsworth, who held the position for 14 years, thence in 1879 to Mr. D.E. Rose, who now holds the position. In the early days the mail was carried on horseback from Kingston through Odessa, Camden East, and to this place as a terminus, and now it is an important distributing point for the mails of the adjacent country, mails coming from north and south by rail and are distributed from here. During the past year there have been over 3,000 registered letters pass through this office and 24,000 letters and 8,000 cards were mailed at this office. Methodist Church The two Methodist Churches of the village were built about thirty-five years ago, and when the union of Methodists came into effect, the Church that formerly belonged to the Wesleyans was sold and the former M.E. Church was overhauled and enlarged, new sheds erected and other improvements made and that church is at present used by the joint congregations. Rev. Wm. Jolliffe is pastor and is chairman of the Tamworth district. The officers of the church are: Jas. M. Smith, Recording Steward. Jas. Aylsworth, Sec’y Trustee Board. Trustees – Messrs. P.F. Carscallen, Jas. Aylsworth, J.M. Smith, J.R. Fraser, Chas. Shields, H. Keech, George Woods, J.W. Fuller, H.E. Thornton, D.E. Rose, Leonard Wager, John Jamieson, A.N. Carscallen, James Herchimer, Elias Woods, John Armstrong, John Wager, John Floyd, Geo. Mowbray, John A. Fraser and Joseph Kellar. Sunday School is held each Sunday, Mr. J.R. Fraser being the Superintendent. Church of England Christ Church, Tamworth, a substantial stone edifice, was built twenty-seven years ago, under the management of Rev. Mr. Smythe, costing over $3,000. Last season a tower was added to it and a bell put into it by the Ladies’ Guild of the congregation, at a cost of about $350. Rev. J.R. Serson, the minister in charge, has been here for the past ten years and is very popular with all classes of the community. The congregation has increased under his ministrations. The Church Wardens for the present year are Messrs. Gilbert Harkness and W.D. Mace. A very neat frame church, through Mr. Serson’s instrumentality, was recently built at Marlbank.
Presbyterian Church Through the energy of Rev. W.S. Smith, the Presbyterians of this section erected in 1889, a very handsome and substantial brick church on the south side of the river. Rev. Mr. Smith is the pastor in charge, with manse at Centreville. Services are held in the church every Sunday at 2.45 p.m. and Sabbath School at 2 o’clock. Mr. Smith Gilmore, being Superintendent of School. The Elders of the Church are Messrs. Smith Gilmore, Jr., Jas. Milligan, Adam Gilmore and C.A. Jones. Schools In the matter of schools, Tamworth always takes a leading place, invariably employing good teachers and in every way possible maintaining a high standard for its schools. The present teachers are Mr. W.R. Baker and Miss May Reid, who have taught here for the past year. The average attendance of pupils is over 100. The Trustees are Messrs. John A. Fraser, H.E. Thornton and Chas. Shields.
Lodges Tamworth has its quota of secret and benevolent societies. Lorne Lodge, No. 404 A.F. & A.M.; instituted June 1883; J. Aylsworth, W.M.; C.R. Jones, Sec. Meets Friday on or after every full moon. A.O.U.W., Tamworth Lodge, No. 181; instituted in 1882, W.M. , Dr. C.W. Day Clark; Recorder, J. Aylsworth. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays in each month. I.O.F. Tamworth Court, No. 392; instituted in 1889; John T. Hart, Chief Ranger; C.W. Day Clark, C.D., H.C.R.; H.C. Rose, Rec. Sec. Meets second and fourth Thursdays in each month. Tamworth Legion, No. 55, Select Knights of Canada; instituted in 1886. H. Keech, Commander; Jas. Aylsworth, Recorder. Meets second Tuesday in each month. L.O.L., No. 159, Tamworth; D.A. Huffman, W.M.; Henry Richardson, Rec. Sec. Meets first Tuesday in each month. There are several members of the I.O.O.F. residing in the village and it is their intention to start a lodge of this order in the village in a few months’ time. The Railway It is eleven years since the railway was completed to Tamworth and for eight years it was the terminus of the road. The extension of the line was then made north to Tweed, connecting with the C.P. Railway and south to Harrowsmith and Kingston, connecting with the K.& P. and G.T. Railways. This year a further extension will be completed east to Sydenham, work being already well under way for its construction. Bridges The river at this place is spanned by three bridges – two wooden ones, owned respectively by the Township and County, and the railway bridge, a handsome and substantial iron structure, built by the K.N.&W. Merchants at Tamworth About the year 1849, Messrs. Seldon & Gordon bought the mills and store property from Mr. Wheeler and ran the mill and store until 1861, when the mills were purchased by Mr. Charles Joyner of Sydenham, who built a new grist mill, where it at present stands and who ran the mill until he give it into possession of his sons, Henry and Gideon, about fifteen years ago. In 1883, Mr. W.D. Mace, of Sydenham, bought the mills from the Joyner estate and during each year of his ownership has made extensive improvements and additions to the mills. Upon Mr. Seldon’s discontinuing business over thirty years ago, Mr. John Sherman opened a store which he ran until his death three years ago, having had a successful business career of over twenty-five years. A few years after Mr. Joyner had got the mills and had them rebuilt and improved, and the village began to grow fast, Messrs. Downey & Bro., twenty-three years ago, opened up a general store and for eight years did a very extensive trade, the store being under the management of Mr. L. Way, the present owner. Messrs. Way & Keech then bought the Messrs. Downey out and a few years afterwards Mr. Way bought the whole business and has since successfully carried it on. The next store opened was that of Mr. Chas. Shields, over twenty years ago, who is still in business on the same premises he began in. He has a large stock of general dry goods and is doing a good business. Mr. Shields is much esteemed in the village, is one of the leading citizens, and has been successful in business. Then followed, shortly afterwards, Mr. H.E. Thornton, with a general store on the same premises he now owns. Mr. Thornton has a large general stock of goods and does an extensive business. He has just completed additional and improvements to his premises and now has a very convenient store. Then followed, twenty-one years ago, Mr. C.G. Coxall, who came from Kingston and opened a general store. Mr. Coxall is still in business with a large stock of goods usually kept in a general store. He has fine premises and warehouses and does a good business. Mr. Jas. R. Fraser, thirteen years ago, opened a flour and provision store, which he ran successfully for eleven years, having retired from business two years ago. Mr. Geo. S. Hinch, eleven years ago, opened a general store and has done a good business since. He has a neat stock of goods and gets a good share of trade. George is a popular citizen and is always ready to do what he can for the good of the village. Mr. John A. Fraser started a general store about eleven years ago and now has a choice stock of goods. He does a good trade and is one of the leading men of the village. Druggists Messrs. J.C. Huffman and James Aylsworth were the first to open a drug store here, over thirty years ago. After a few years, Mr. Aylsworth bought out Mr. Huffman and for years ran it. Four years ago Mr. Aylsworth sold out to Mr. C.R. Jones, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the latter has run it since. Twenty-five years ago, Messrs. W.A. & D.E. Rose opened a dry goods and drug business. This continued for about ten years, when Mr. W.A. Rose sold his interest to Mr. D.E. Rose and the latter discontinued the dry goods department and devoted himself exclusively thereafter to the drug business. Mr. Rose has for years done a large business, which is constantly increasing. Hardware Twenty years ago, Mr. J.W. Fuller started a hardware and tinware business in the stand at present occupied by him. He has done a steady and successful business since, and now has a well stocked store and warehouses of hardware, tinware, stoves, etc. Messrs. McKim & Noll last spring opened a hardware and tinware store and are working up a good trade. Furniture The first shop in the village was that started by Roderick Wheeler, twenty-five years ago, who ran it for ten years, when he moved to New York. The place was then taken by Mr. Benj. Smith, who ran it for several years and who now resides in Montana. He was succeeded about ten years ago by Messrs. Knight & Busby, who ran it until a few years ago. Messrs. Fuller & Co. now run the shop, under the management of Mr. J.H. Lowe, and besides manufacturing, keep a full line of furniture of all kinds. They also engage in the undertaking business and have one of the finest hearses in the counties. Mr. Elias McKim, Jr., has been in the furniture and undertaking business for some years. He has a very handsome hearse and outfit for funerals, and does a large business in undertaking. Shoe Business Mr. G.P. York is the oldest shoemaker in the village, having come here twenty-one years ago, and is still at it. He has made a success of it. Mr. John O’Brien opened a shoe store five years ago and is doing a good trade. Blacksmiths The pioneer blacksmiths of the place were Robert Helms, the first blacksmith fifty years ago, who ran his shop for twenty years. M.J. Wormworth opened the next blacksmith shop, forty years ago. Mr. Geo. Richardson started a blacksmith shop twenty-five years ago which he carried on for years, and his son, Henry, now carries on the business. Mr. Elias McKim, Sr., has been in the blacksmith and wood-working business here for twenty-five years and is still doing business. Mr. Robt. Penny has been in business for twenty years and his anvil still rings. Mr. Wm. Garrett has been in business here for five years; Mr. Jacob Mouck, in business five years; and Mr. Edward Dawson has been in business here for three years. Carriage Makers Mr. James Shields opened a shop here thirty-seven years ago and has carried on a business ever since. Mr. Sherman Martin started a business about thirty years ago, which he carried on until eighteen years ago, when he sold to Mr. Newton Carscallen, who has carried on the business since. Tailors Mr. John Floyd started a shop about twenty-five years ago and has done a good business since. Mr. Patrick Harvey started about the same time and he and his neighbor, Floyd, have supplied the villagers with outfits during that time. Both have made their little pile, but are still at it. Jewelry Mr. J.A. Floyd carries on a good jewelry store. Grocery Mr. Alex T. Rose last year purchased the grocery business of Mr. J.E. Perry, which he has until recently carried on in the stand so long occupied by Mr. Perry. About the first of the year he moved into the premises adjoining Roses’ drug store, where he carries a full and choice stock of groceries and provisions and deals in farm produce. Everything fresh and of the best. Telegraph and Telephone Mr. C. A. Jones is the active agent of the C.P.R. telegraph company and ticket agent. Mr. James E. Perry is agent of the G.N.W. telegraph company and ticket agent for the G.T.R. Mr. L. Way is agent for the Telephone company. Millinery Miss Goodwin carries on a millinery business in Mr. L. Way’s shop. Miss Thornton does a millinery business in connection with her father’s business. Dressmaking Miss Colter, Miss Kirk and Miss Annie York do the dressmaking business of the village. Hay Scales The hay scales of the town is owned and operated by Mr. D.E. Rose. Hotels The village has four commodious and well conducted hotels. The old reliable Wheeler House, under the management of Mr. T.W. Huffman, is well conducted, enjoys a good trade and is a favorite stopping place. The Douglas House, managed by Mr. S.A. Cornell, is conducted in first class style. As an all round stopping place the accommodation Charlie will lavish on you cannot be surpassed. The Albion Hotel, under the management of Mr. Wm. Dowling, is a popular house. Mr. D. understands running a hotel in A1 style. The Royal Hotel, owned by Mr. Sampson Shields, on the south side of the river is second to none. Mr. Shields is a popular hotel man and knows how to run a house. Livery Stables The village has two livery stables, which keep the best of turnouts. Mr. R.H. Caswell’s stable is on the premises east of the Douglas house, where the best of rigs are always to be had. Special attention paid to the commercial trade. Mr. Philip McKim, a resident of Tamworth for the past twenty-two years, keeps a livery on the premises west of the Douglas house, where a good turnout can always be relied upon. Mr. McKim also carries on the undertaking business at Enterprise. Butchering The business of butchering in this place has had various changes, and for the past season the town has been without a butcher until last month, when a first-class shop was opened by Mr. Jacob McCumber who keeps a good stock of meat and poultry of all kinds on hand. Harness Shops Mr. Ed Corran has been engaged in the harness business here for twelve years and is doing a good trade. Mr. Lester Wells has carried on a harness business for seven years. Barber Shop Mr. J. Fennell does a good trade in the barber business and is laying up the pennies for a rainy day. Cooper Shop The industries of the village would be incomplete without its cooper shop, which is run by Mr. Marius Storms. The Wheeler Hotel This old reliable hotel, for the past three years under the proprietorship of Mr. T.W. Huffman, a life long hotel man, is as popular with the public as in days past. All will remember Mr. Huffman’s father, the late Peter Huffman, who, at the time of his death, was the oldest hotel man in Canada, having taken out fifty-seven licenses during his life. The Wheeler House, under its present management, is one of the best conducted hotels in this section, the tables being provided with the best the market affords and everything in connection with the hotel second to none.

James Shields Mr. Shields is one of the oldest inhabitants of Tamworth. He was born in Camden, near Newburgh sixty years ago. He taught schools at Ernesttown and Enterprise for two years; he moved to Tamworth 37 years ago and started a carriage business, which he has since carried on. He was elected Councillor twenty-two years ago, holding the seat for one year, when he was appointed Clerk of the township, which position he held for nineteen years. He was candidate last year for Reeve and was defeated by three votes, and this year has been elected Reeve. In his carriage business he has done a steady and successful trade for the thirty-seven years, and this season moved his shop on to premises bought from the estate of the late Robert Lockridge, and gave the building a thorough overhauling. A few years ago he erected a very handsome brick residence on the north bank of the river.
Gorden P. York Is one of the pioneer settlers of this section, and one of the oldest inhabitants of the village. He was born in Ernesttown in 1825 and moved to Sheffield on a farm with his father when eight years old. When nineteen years of age, he came to Tamworth and went at the shoemaking trade and after serving his time at it started and carried on shoemaking in the York neighborhood for about twenty years. Twenty-two years ago he bought a farm near Tamworth, managed since then by his and he himself moved into the village and started shoemaking business, which he has since carried on. Mr. York is one of the leading citizens of the place and a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative. Though still engaged in business, its cares sit lightly upon him and he is taking the reclining years of his life quite leisurely. He lives in a handsome residence erected by him about four years ago.
James R. Fraser A pioneer and life long resident of the northern part of the counties, who went back into the back woods when it was new and sparsely settled, and has seen the heavily timbered country give up its wealth to the lumberman, and who is now enjoying a well earned rest in retirement from business and living in peaceful and pleasant Tamworth. Mr. Fraser was born in North Fredericksburgh in 1833 and “struck out” for himself when nineteen years of age, going to the United States, where he lived five years, and was in that time annexed to an American lady. He returned to Canada and settled in Napanee, where he lived a year. His wife was in delicate health and about this time went to her parents’ home in the U.S. and died. Mr. Fraser then began lumbering, engaging with the late Augustus Hooper and taking charge of a depot at Hinchinbrook. He was with Mr. Hooper for three years, when he went with Mr. F. McL. Detlor, who had taken a contract from the late H.B. Rathbun for getting out logs; was with Mr. Detlor for four years, when the contract closed. He then went in the employment of the late H.B. Rathbun and continued with him for nine years. He then retired from lumbering and bought a farm in Ernesttown, which he worked for six years. He then sold it and started a grocery and provision business in Tamworth twelve years ago, which he ran ten years when he sold it to his brother, John A. Fraser, and since then has lived, with his estimable wife, nee Miss Catherine Hawley, whom he married in 1863, a life of ease and comfort. During his time, Mr. Fraser has held various offices of trust, having been a member of the County Council of Frontenac for the years 1869, ’70 and ’71, representing the Township of Kennebec as its Reeve during those years, and was for nine years a Councillor of the Township of Kennebec. He was appointed by the Dominion Government on the Board of License Inspectors, and was for two years on the Board, when it went into the hands of the Ontario Government. He has held the office of Treasurer of the Township of Sheffield and has been President of the conservative Association of Addington for two years and has always taken a prominent part in politics, being a thoroughbred Conservative. He is one of the two veteran office holders of the village – the recent Township Clerk being one and he being a veteran Sabbath School superintendent of twenty years service, being now superintendent of the Sabbath School He is a prominent Methodist, being a Trustee and Steward of the Church.
John W. Fuller Was born in the city of Kingston fifty years ago. He clerked a few years with E.H. Hardy, dry goods, and S.P. White, tobacconist, when he went at the tinsmithing trade with the late H. Boyle at Bath, with whom he remained fifteen years at Bath and Napanee. In 1872 (twenty years ago) he came to Tamworth and bought out Boyle & Wright’s branch store here. Mr. Fuller is a respected citizen and filled many offices of trust. He was Sec’y.-Treas. of the School Board, which office he held for six years and is also Sec’y.-Treas. Of Lorne Lodge A.F. & A.M. Mr. Fuller carries on a good, well assorted hardware and tinware business, keeping a general line of hardware, tinware, agateware, stoves, paints, oils, glass, varnishes, agricultural implements, barrel churns, all kinds of washing machines, carpet sweepers, clothes wringers, etc. He is an agent for the repairs of the Massey-Harris Manufacturing Co., agent for Cosssitt Manufacturing Co. and Stickney repairs. He also, in partnership with Mr. James Herchimer carries on a furniture and undertaking business, keeping a full line of furniture and having one of the best hearses in the counties, with everything in the undertaking line kept constantly on hand.
James Aylsworth A resident of Tamworth for thirty-two years, was among the pioneers of this place, and has been associated with its growth almost from infancy to its present status. Mr. Aylsworth was born in Ernesttown in 1842, living there until ten years of age, then moving to Odessa, where he lived until fifteen years of age, when he went to Bradford and learned the druggists business and in 1861 cast his lot in Tamworth, establishing a drug business in partnership with J.C. Huffman. The partnership continued sixteen years, when Mr. Aylsworth purchased the interest of Mr. Huffman in the business and carried it on until 1887, when he sold to Mr. Jones, being twenty-six years in business. Mr. Aylsworth held the office of postmaster for fourteen years, being appointed to the position in 1867, upon the recommendation of the late J.N. Lapum, but had done the business of the office two years previous to his appointment. In 1873, he was appointed a J.P.; also Issuer of marriage Licenses and a Commissioner in B.R. He was one of the Board of License Commissioners for the bringing of the Crooks’ Act into operation, when he was appointed Inspector, and Mr. A. flatters himself that the duties of that office were for ten years well and truly performed – even unto to the entire satisfaction off the Mail’s Special Commissioner, who travelled the Province over, looking into the bad deeds of the License Commissioners, and who could say naught about the indefatigable Inspector for Addington – but did devote a half column in praise of his good works. In 1885 he resigned the office of Inspector, and upon the resignation of the Clerk of the Division Court, the late Thomas Miller, was appointed Clerk of the Division Court at Tamworth. Mr. Aylsworth was elected Councillor for the Township of Sheffield the years 1872 and 1873 and is and has been Clerk of the municipality for four years. He has been the active President of the Reform Association for the past three years; is W.M. of Lorne Lodge A.F. & A.M., and Grand Superintendent of Prince Edward District in Royal Arch Masonry; is Recorder and P.M. Workman of A.O.U.W.; Recorder of Tamworth Legion of Select Knights and D.D.G.C. of that order; is Sec’y.-Treas. of the Trustee Board and Board of Stewards of the Methodist Church. In looking back over his long residence in Tamworth, Mr. Aylsworth, in recalling the faces of those who were the men and women when he began business – he a mere boy – there are very few of them left – nearly all of them have passed over the river.
J.A. Floyd Is one of the popular young business men of the place – a native of the village, being born here in 1868. He learned the trade of watchmaking and jewelry at Wallaceburg and Detroit, and four year ago opened a business in Tamworth. He has prospered in business and has constantly added to his stock, and now has one of the best jewelry stores in the northern part of the country. He carries full lines of jewelry of all kinds, a great variety of watches, clocks, silverware, spectacles, etc. He pays special attention to repairing of watches.
Stewart B. Woods Junior member of the firm of Geo. Woods & Bro., has been in business with his brother for the past five years. When the Messrs. Woods came to Tamworth eleven years ago, five brothers came and all remained here for a year, when they divided, three now having the mill at Roblin and two at Tamworth. The mill at Tamworth supplies the boxes for the factories east and the Roblin mill for the factories west of Newburgh. From the mill at this place, 30,000 boxes were turned out last year, an increase of over 5,000 boxes over the previous year, showing the additional amount of cheese manufactured over the previous year and less ground was covered by this mill, three distant factories they supplied the previous year being given up by them. In winter and spring before beginning the manufacture of boxes, they prepare the heading for the boxes for the following season and manufacture shingles, turning out 500,000 of shingles each winter. The Messrs. Woods are pushing and go ahead business men.
George Woods The senior brother of the firm of Woods & Bro., cheese box manufacturers. Mr. Geo. Woods was born in the township of Camden in 1848 and lived in Roblin until eleven years ago, when he came to Tamworth and went into the cheese box business, and a year later went into the shingle business. Mr. Woods is an esteemed and popular citizen; he has been in the Sheffield Township Council for two year.
W.D. Mace The portrait is of one of the most enterprising men of the village. Mr. Mace was born in the village of Sydenham in 1847. He was in the mercantile business at that place and at Mississippi Station for ten years, and nine years ago he bought the mills from the Joyner estate and moved to Tamworth. While in business in Sydenham, Mr. Mace was also engaged in farming and was also one of the first to open up and operate the phosphate mines at that place. He ran the mines there for several years and bought and dealt in phosphate. He is largely interested in Manitoba property, owning quite a tract just outside the city of Winnipeg. Mr. Mace is a pushing man in all departments of his business, and does not allow the moss to grow under his feet. He is a member of the church of England and in politics is a free trader every time. Mace’s Mills Upon purchasing the mills from the Joyner estate, Mr. Mace immediately overhauled the grist and saw mills and converted the woolen mill into a planing mill. This year he has again given the grist mill a thorough overhauling; added a full roller process machinery with a capacity of seventy five barrels of flour a day. With the additions and repairs made to the mill and the machinery added, this is one of the finest mills of its kind in Canada and cannot do otherwise than produce the very best grades of flour. A full stock of feed, corn, meal, etc., always kept on hand. The mill is now running in full blast, ready for custom and other trade. Saw and Planing Mills In the saw mill department, Mr. Mace carries on a large and extensive custom and merchant trade. He always keeps on hand a large assortment of dressed and undressed lumber, house furnishings of every kind and shingles. He ships large quantities of lumber, furnishing the Gananoque and Brockville carriage works with a large amount. Carriages and Cutters Mr. Mace, besides his own business, keeps on hand a full line of Gananoque and Finkle carriages, cutters, etc., and is always ready to give good bargains in this line of goods. Trotting Stock Mr. Mace has always been a lover of a good horse and notwithstanding that he must have his time well occupied with business, he nevertheless devotes some of his attention to breeding roadster and trotting horses. He is a good hand with the ribbons and delights in handling his well-bred colts. He has always something choice in his barn, both in young and mature stock and on the road his flyers are second to none. For two years he owned the trotting stallion Mambrino Mitchell, record 2.35 and now has six of his colts, three and four years old and a choice lot of colts they are. They are handsome, strong, well-made colts, with good action, and some of them will be heard of in the future. Mr. M. has owned many a good horse and the one he takes his occasional spin behind now is “Royal Jim,” mile (ice) record 2.25, a five mile trotter he bought – which trotted second to Stadacona, champion five miler of Canada, at Ottawa last fall. “Jim” is a handsome large bay gelding and a “jim dandy “ of a driver.
D.E. Rose Was born in the Township of Richmond in 1848 and lived there until he moved to Tamworth and opened a drug business twenty-four years ago. Very few men are in business now who were in business when Mr. Rose came to Tamworth. Mr. Rose was appointed postmaster in 1879 and has since satisfactorily filled the office. Mr. Rose has been elected School Trustee several times; is a commissioner in H.R. and is agent of the Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Society. He has been Secretary of the Conservative Association of Addington for the past seven years. Mr. Rose keeps a general stock of drugs of all kinds, paints, oils, fancy goods, etc. He does a very extensive trade at Tamworth and for the past few years, to meet the requirements of his large and increasing trade, has had to rent the premises adjoining his own store and has that, with his own store, filled with goods from cellar to garret. He is proprietor of Rose’s Balsam of Aniseed (a cough remedy); Rose’s Dyspepsia Remedy; and of Rose’s Condition Powder, and has a large sale of all those articles. He also manufactures Rose’s Corn Cure and Rose’s Headache Powder. He has a branch store at Bancroft, under the management of Mr. Frank C. Humphries, which has been established four years and is doing a good trade. Mr. Rose is one of the successful and esteemed business men of the village; a leading member of the Methodist Church and a leading spirit in everything for the welfare of the place.
Geo. S. Hinch A progressive young business man of about 35 years of age, was born in the township of Camden, did business in the village of Centreville for a year prior to coming to Tamworth, under the firm of Hinch & Hinch, and when the iron horse steamed into Tamworth ten years ago, George came with it and opened business on his own account and notwithstanding that he had old established firms to compete with, he has held his own and now has a fine general store, stocked with choice goods in the several lines of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc. He keeps up with the times in everything in his lines and has a large patronage. We wish George success.
C.A. Jones Proprietor of the Phoenix Woolen Mills, was born at Bolton, Ont., about thirty-five years ago and moved from there twelve years ago to Cincinnati, where he lived until coming to Tamworth six years ago. He then bought the woolen mill and has successfully conducted that business. Mr. Jones is a pushing business man and has worked up a large trade in connection with his woolen mill business.
James M. Smith An esteemed resident of Tamworth, was born in the county of Prince Edward in 1841, where he lived until twenty-one years of age. He moved to Kaladar, where he lived for two years, taking up and clearing land. Being an active and energetic young man, pioneer life did not prove sufficiently attractive for him and he came to Sheffield and farmed for two years and afterwards – twenty-six years ago – moved to Tamworth and opened a photographic studio, which he conducted for about twelve years. He then retired from that and went into insurance and agricultural implement agency business, in which he has been very successful. Of insurance companies he represents the Royal, of England; Western, of Toronto; Travellers of Hartford and others and is agent for agricultural implements of every description. In March, 1887, he was appointed license inspector for Addington, the duties of which office he has capably discharged, making a very efficient officer. He recently purchased the homestead residence of the late Ebeneezer Perry, including an acre of ground and has made repairs and improvements to the house and premises and has a neat and comfortable home. Mr. Smith has always taken an active part in church matters, being one of the leading members of the Methodist church.
C. Day Clark, M.D. Dr. Clark was born in the township of Ernesttown in 1863; he attended Odessa and Sydenham schools and after teaching school a year attended the Royal College, Queen’s University, Kingston, for four years, graduating in 1885 with the degree of M.D., C.M. Immediately after graduating he went to Scotland and attended the hospitals at Edinburgh; thence to London, attending the St. Thomas hospital there and also attended hospitals in Bristol and Dublin and for a short time in France and Germany. He graduated in London in 1887, returned to Canada in 1888 and opened an office in Tamworth, where he has an extensive and increasing practice. The Dr. is high physician in the High Court of I.O. of Foresters of Ontario; is W.M. of the A.O.U.W., and has always taken an active interest in the various societies and anything for the good of the village.
C.A. Cornell The portrait is of Mr. C.A. Cornell, proprietor of the Douglas House in this place. Charlie’s boyhood days and most of his life were spent in Napanee. He is a hotel man from boyhood; his first experience in running a hotel on his own account was with the Queen’s hotel, Napanee, which he ran for four years; he then leased the Stevenson property in Napanee, and converted it into an hotel, the “Cornell House,” and ran it for eight years; he then took the Brisco House, Napanee and ran it for three years. He has had the Douglas House for a year and has made it one of the best conducted hotels in the northern part of the counties. It is well managed in all departments, the rooms being comfortable, the tables always laden with the best, the bar well supplied and good commercial rooms. Give Charlie a call when you come this way.
Hiram Keech Mr. Keech is one of our successful business men. He was born in Camden township in 1851; moved to Napanee and lived there for three years; and sixteen years ago came to Tamworth, buying, in conjunction with Mr. L. Way, the general store of Downey & Bro. This partnership was carried on until 1880, when Mr. Keech retired from the firm and purchased the Sheffield Mills, formerly owned by John Grange & Son. Mr. Keech was assessor of the township of Sheffield for three years and last year was Deputy-Reeve of the township. Sheffield Mill Upon the purchase of the mill twelve years ago by Mr. Keech, he gave it a thorough overhauling, putting in two new water wheels, new flume, purifier, centrifugal reel, etc. The mill, a large substantial stone building, is in good repair, and everything in connection with it in the best of order, and it is Mr. Keech’s intention at an early date to put in full roller process machinery, and making the mill second to none in this section. The mill does a large business in custom grinding, feed, corn meal, etc.
Charles R. Jones Is one of our most popular merchants. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., about twenty-seven years ago and twenty-two years ago moved to Cincinnati and living there fourteen years, came to Tamworth eight years ago and went in the employment of Mr. D.E. Rose. Five years ago he bought out the old established drug business of Mr. James Aylsworth and has conducted the same since. Mr. Jones is a graduate of the Ontario College of Pharmacy. He carries a large and first-class stock of drugs, fancy goods, school books, stationery, etc. Is the agent for the C.P. Railway and C.P. Telegraph Companies. Charlie does a good business, is a genial and whole-souled resident and esteemed by all the citizens.
Lawrence Way One of the oldest residents, was born in Sheffield in 1845 and moved to Tamworth 39 years ago, he being with but one exception the oldest resident of the place. When Messrs. Downey & Bro. opened their store her in 1869, Mr. Way went in their employment and two years afterwards took the maagement of the store, which position he continued for five years, when, in partnership with M. H. Keech, they purchased the store. This partnership continued for three years, when Mr. Way purchased Mr. Keech’s interest in the store and has since carried on the business. An idea may be formed of the amount of business done in Tamworth in days gone by, when we state that for years the business of Downey & Bro. at this place was $20,000 a year – not bad for what was then a small backwoods’ village. Mr. Way now carries on an extensive general business of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc. He also has in connection with his store, a millinery department, under the management of Miss Goodwin. He also sells all the coal that is used in the place and handles large quantities of salt. He has always bought and handled large quantities of grain of every description, and buys and sells all kinds of farm produce. Mr. Way is treasurer of Sheffield township, which office he has held for ten years. The changes in the village during Mr. Way’s business career have been many – it has grown from a settlement of a few buildings with its mills, store, blacksmith shop and hotel, to a flourishing village with fine business blocks and handsome residences.
Dr. H. W. Wilson Among the popular and respected citizens of the place may be mentioned Dr. Wilson, who was born in the county of Carleton and educated at the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, and an honor graduate of Trinity University, Toronto, 1n 1889, taking the Fulton Memorial Surgery Scholarship. After graduating, the Dr. located in Seattle, Washington for a few months, after which he came to Tamworth and settled. He is well liked and doing a good practice here.
Old Residents and Retired Gentlemen The village has as residents, a number of worthy gentlemen who have gained a competence and retired from active business life, many of them old settlers and others who have moved into the village to pass the reclining years of their lives. Mr. John Wheeler, son of the late Calvin Wheeler (the pioneer settler of the place) is the oldest resident of the village, having been born here nearly seventy years ago and always lived here. He and the family live in the old homestead erected by Mr. Wheeler fifty-five years ago. Mr. Simon Loyst is the second oldest resident of the place, having come here over forty years ago and has seen his three score years and ten. For a time Mr. Loyst carried on a store, but is now retired and is acting as agent of the Canada Land Company. Mr. James Herchimer has been a resident of Tamworth for thirty-five years. The first fifteen years he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery business and for the last twenty years has lived a retired life. Mr. H. is a highly respected citizen. Mr. Elias McKim, Sr., has been here for over thirty years, carrying on blacksmithing and wood-working business. Mr. McKim is still in business and is a respected and honoured citizen. Mr. Benjamin Detlor, until recent years engaged in farming near Tamworth, a few years ago moved into the village and has always been associated with the progress of the place. Mr. Leonard Wagar, residing near the village, has been a life long resident of the section. He has been ten years Township Councillor, and six years in the County Council. Mr. John Reid, for years shoemaker, now lives retired from active business, enjoying the nest egg laid up for old age. Messrs. John Matthews, Amos Frizzell, Benjamin Teskey and J.J. Barry, after active lives engaged in farming, are enjoying their old age in leisure and comfort.