Orangeville - A Beautiful Town of Homes

As published in the Orangeville Banner on 11-Dec-1913

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    If one were to search the Province of Ontario, east to west and north to south throughout its large are, he could probably not find a town more advantageously situated that Orangeville, from the viewpoint of a “home” town. Few things that life holds out for mortals, in a temporal sense, are more prized or sought after than health. To be healthy is in a large measure to be happy. Countless multitudes are daily and at great-cost seeking restoration of impaired heath. Now, it were ? to say that Orangeville that Orangeville has no sick people, but it may be said with candor that the situation and natural advantages of this town are of the very best, from a health standpoint. At an altitude of fifteen hundred feet, above Lake Ontario; built upon rolling or slightly hilly land, adorning the best possible drainage; with an abundance of water as pure as ever mowed from mother earth; an air clear and pure of bracing – these are our enviable possessions, of which we may be pardonably proud and modestly boast.
    Orangeville in the County Town of the large and prosperous County of Dufferin, and is located in the southern end of the county, so near the boundary that commercially it is the hub of a much larger territory. The County of Dufferin has a population, according to the 1912 year book, of 21,703 – a populous and prosperous county.
    In the business review of the town and some of its environs space will not permit of an extended history of the beginnings of things here. In the hundred and twenty-five sketches of manufacturers, merchants and professional men comprising this “industrial” number, much of a personally historic nature will be found. Much also may be gleaned by a careful perusal as to the changes in the personnel of the business community, as years have passed as well as facts regarding the educational and denominational progress of the community. But it may be permitted to refer briefly to some facts gleaned regarding the early days of the community.

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    Orange Lawrence, whose picture is shown here seems to have been the first permanent settler in what is now the town of Orangeville. He appears to have located here in 1844. Though he was the first permanent settler, he was by no means the first owner of property. The first patent for land was issued on August 7, 1820, to Ezekiel Benson, a land surveyor; the next patent was to Alan Robinette, in 1822. In 1823 Robinette sold to Seneca Ketchum his 200 acres, called lot 1, con. 1, lying west of Hurontario Street, Township of Mono. This was what is now the north side of the town. On the south side Robert Dodds took up the first land, a 200 acre free grant, on February 15, 1937. He sold the east 100 acres eight days later to Geo. W. Griggs, and a man named Hamilton purchased the west 100 acres. In 1841 Mr. Griggs sold to a Mr. James, who in 1844 sold to Orange Lawrence.
    The first plan of the infant village was made for Orange Lawrence by Chisholm Miller, in 1851, the area comprising the lower half of the south side of the present town. Orange Lawrence built a tavern and a store, and in 1857 sold the site of Watt’s flour mill to Thomas Jull and John W. Reid, who built the first flour mill – a very great boon in those days to the new and growing community.
In July, 1856, J. Staughton Dennis drew a plan of the north side for Jesse Ketchum. Jr., laying it out in lots and streets. This plan provided for the generously wide streets that make the north side of Orangeville so attractive to-day.
    This in brief, was the birth of urban life here, and by slow but steady stages the population increased until in the year 1863 the inhabitants of the village concluded they were numerous enough and independent enough to paddle their own canoe, applying for incorporation the village was incorporated, choosing as its name Orangeville, in honor of the first permanent settler.
    The first Councillors of the village were: -- F. C. Stewart, W. E. Thomson, W. S. Hewat, John May, Thos. Jull. The first meeting of Council was held January 18, 1864, when F. C. Stewart was appointed Reeve by resolution of Council. The second meeting was held at James Kelly’s hotel, when these appointments were made:
    Edward Morgan, Village Clerk.
    Guy Leslie, Treasurer.
    Isaac Nicholson, Collector.
    Jas. May, Inspector of Shop and Tavern Licenses

INCORPORATED AS A TOWN.

Orangeville attained the status of a town in 1873, and the first Town Council was elected in January 1874. Maitland McCarthy, who had been Reeve of the village for several years, was elected first Mayor. The Councillors were Benj. Fountain, John Flesher, F. C. Stewart, John Green, Wm. Campbell and James Henry. It will be interesting to note here the names of those who have filled the Mayor’s chair during the 44 years which have elapsed since then –

    1875-6 – J. S. Fead.
    1877-8 – Jos. Pattullo.
    1879-80 – D. L. Scott.
    1881-3 – Jas. Henry.
    1888-9 – John Gilchrist.
    1890-1 – W. L. Walsh.
    1892-3 – Johnston Lindsay.
    1894-5 – W. T. Bailey.
    1896 – H. Endacott.
    1897-8 – Thos. Stevenson.
    1899 – W. L. Walsh.
    1900-1 – Wm. Still.
    1902-3 – F. J. Marshall.
    1904-5 – W. Marshall Green.
    1906-7 – C. R. McKeown.
    1908-9 – A. D. McKitrick.
    1910-12 – W. H. Riddell.
    1913 – J. L. Island

ORANGEVILLE TO-DAY

What Orangeville is to-day its citizens past and present have made it. A debt of gratitude is due the late Jesse Ketchum, to whose generosity and wisdom we owe many of our wide streets. Our main business thoroughfare is one of the finest business streets in Ontario towns. One hundred feet wide, and built up with handsome business blocks on both sides, Broadway is a splendid street. Its chief fault is that in wet weather the roadway presents the appearance of a huge mud pie. Were this street paved, or even properly macadamized, it would have new equals in the towns of Canada. Many of the residential streets are extremely handsome, and Orangeville can boast of a larger number of beautiful homes that most towns of similar population. Indeed the large, handsome and costly residences bespeak a wealthy and prosperous community of people. Nor are the attractive sites for residences all taken up.    There is room in the 1732 acres within the corporation, and on splendid streets, for hundreds of homes. And why should not many of these sites be occupied? The attractions of Orangeville as a place of residence do not end with its beautiful streets, its rolling topography, its fine views and its pure air. To be sure, these are important, but when one adds to them the additional advantage of a reasonable tax rate; education facilities unsurpassed; religious denominations to suit almost every form of belief or religious practice; proximity to the capital city of the province, with quick and frequent train services; the seat of county government and law; miles of cement sidewalks; business enterprises of every sort and class; industries giving employment to artizans and laborers, with another large industry in course of erection – these advantages and privileges combine to make of Orangeville the ideal “town of homes.” Indeed, it might also venture to lay claim to being a summer resort town, for right at our door is the pretty Caledon Lake, a picture of which is reproduced herein, upon the shores of which summer homes are built, and upon the bosom of whose limpid waters is to be found infinite enjoyment in canoe and skin and launch.
    When one glances at a list of the town’s industries it is seen that not alone as a town of homes need we speak of Orangeville. Elsewhere will be found, sketches of the industries, but let us mention them here.
    The Superior Portland Cement Co.
    Orangeville Foundry Co.
    J. A. Matthews Planing Mill.
    Orangeville Novelty Works.
    The Dods Knitting Mill (in course of erection).
    The Pine River Light & Power Co.
    The Cataract Power Co.
The town has in the past held out an encouraging hand to industries, and is prepared to treat prospective manufacturers with generosity. Here they will be close to the great Provincial mart – Toronto – and have access in various directions to the world markets over the Canadian Pacific Railway. Manufacturers crowd to the cities where wages are at top notch and every cost of manufacture is at the maximum. In Orangeville homes can be procured at moderate prices for employees, wages are much lower than in cities, saving are effected by lower rents and land values; hydro power is available for energy, and both light and power rates are moderate. Why should not manufacturers locate their plants here where the advantages are so many and so important?
Orangeville is the meeting point or Junction of two important branches of the Canadian Pacific Railway The old Toronto Grey and Bruce Railway, now the Owen Sound line, runs from Toronto through a populous country tapping many towns and villages on its way to Owen Sound – its terminal on the Georgian Bay. Another branch – commonly called the Teeswater line – runs from Toronto through another section of country, touching Orangeville, and passing on to Teeswater and other Western towns. From various junction points other branches of the C.P.R. and main and branch lines of the G.T.R. are tapped, affording transportation communication with all parts of the Province.
    Orangeville has a population by the last assessment roll of 2,328. The taxable assessment last year was $946,670. The taxes collected last year amounted to $29,309.73, at a rate of 26 mills. The assessment by wards is as follows:
    North Ward - $274,609
    South Ward - $219,996
    West Ward - $195,420
    The town has a very light debenture debt, as compared with some municipalities, it being only $61, 142.26.
Amongst the town’s assets is a large and substantial town hall, which was erected in 1877, at a cost of $11,500. This year extensive alterations have been made to the interior of the building, aggregating in cost $3,000. This building is on Broadway near the eastern ed of the business section, with Alexandra Park in the rear, a glimpse of which is observed in the engraving in this number.
    In the year 1896 the town installed a splendid waterworks system, at an original cost of $45,000. Extensions made in 1900, and practically every year since, have increased the outlay to $52,819.22. The water system is a gravity system, water being obtained from springs located about 1 ½ miles west of the town, on almost the highest point of land between Lake Ontario and the Georgian Bay. The springs are fed by a drainage area of 10 ½ acres, of which the town owns three and a half acres. There are two reservoirs, one with a capacity of 66,000 gallons, the other 25,000. The ordinary water pressure in the town is from 20 to 60 pounds per square inch. There are nine miles of pipe in use in size from 1 ½ to 10 inches. In the fire hall on Broadway, shown in this paper, there is a splendid pump for fire purposes – an electric turbine, with a capacity of 500 gallons per minute. There are hose reels and wagons with adequate supply of hose. A very efficient volunteer brigade is organized, which gives prompt and loyal service whenever the fire fiend breaks forth. In case of fire, water is pumped directly into the mains, increasing the pressure to 100 lbs. per square foot. There are over fifty hydrants about town for fire purposes, so that the town is well served in this respect. For domestic use there are nearly a thousand taps in use – 956 to be exact, according to last report. It is encouraging to note that the statement of last year’s operations showed a surplus of receipts over operating expenses of $1,067.
    In 1881 Orangeville was made the County town of the newly formed Dufferin County, and the necessary municipal buildings were erected. The large illustration will show what a large building the Court House is, containing as it does offices for several of the County officials, large court room, barristers’ room, jury rooms, etc. There is also the County Registry office here and the gaol – all substantial buildings. It is noteworthy that the records of the registry office are being kept upon a new system recently worked out by Deputy Registrar Collier – a system which has been conceded to be the most perfect yet devised for this purpose.
    Orangeville being the County town, naturally a lot of business of a legal and municipal character is transacted within our borders, bringing to us a large number of people at various time. The Court House is very admirably situated on the rising ground to the west, on the north side of Zina street. Opposite it is the commodious public school, a picture of which is shown.
    Orangeville being the only large town in the midst of a vast agricultural district comprised in some half a dozen townships, a considerable volume of trade comes this way. This is one reason why so many large and splendidly-equipped stores are flourishing in the town. And the same conditions make possible and successful a monthly fair which is unequalled anywhere else in the Province. Started some years ago this has grown into a well-recognized and well-patronized institution. Immense quantities of poultry and dairy produce are brought in and exhibited in the town hall, or market building. Buyers come here from the cities and eagerly purchase the supplies offered, and at top notch prices. But perhaps the most outstanding and most valuable feature of this monthly fair is the horse market. Years ago, when horses were more plentiful than they are now, scores of horses would change hands on fair day. There are always out-of-town buyers who come to the fair, prepared to purchase at good prices.
    Such a success has the fair attained that, be the weather fair or foul, a large crowd is brought to town. Times have been when Broadway from the market to the Prince of Wales Road has been a dense throng of people, so much so that a pedestrian would have to shoulder his way through. And this was not on the sidewalks alone, but on the whole width of the one hundred foot street.
    Orangeville is not lacking in those Fraternal organizations which fill so large a place in the social life of a community. He who cannot find a society to his taste here must have a perverted taste. Here are a few:
    Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
    Canadian Order of Foresters.
    Independent Order of Oddfellows.
    Independent Order of Foresters.
    Sons of England.
    Sons of Scotland.
    Canadian Order Chosen Friends.
    Knights of Maccabees.
    Loyal Orange Lodge No. 635.
    Loyal Orange Lodge No. 427.
    Etc., etc., etc.
    The town is well served in its Municipal Council, its Board of Trade, its High School Board and its Public School Board.
It is also well served by its newspapers of which there are three – The Banner, the Sun, and the Dufferin Post. A community such as this owes much to its newspapers, and it is a pleasant thing to be able to say a word of praise for the Orangeville press. Week by week the things that make for the progress and prosperity of the town are promoted by the local press.
    The names of the Municipal Councillors, with their pictures, will be found on this page. The Board of Trade officers are – President – C. R. Wheelock; Secretary-Treasurer, J. J. Kelly. The local Board of Health is composed of a Medical Officer of Health Dr. T. H. Henry, Mayor Island and W. Marshall Green.
    We realize that this is but a fragmentary and somewhat imperfect attempt to picture Orangeville past and present, but if the following sketches are perused to the end a large volume of additional information will be found, which must prove interesting and instructive.
    Orangeville has the good fortune, a many think, to be a “dry,” or Local Option, town. This is an advantage in many respects. There can be no doubt that to persons who themselves do not use liquor, it is preferable to live in a prohibition community. Parents of children might well hail with pleasure the banishment of the bar, since it removes many temptations from the paths of youth. Orangeville is thriving under Local Option; the town is orderly and peaceable; business is good, debts are promptly met, hotels are used as houses of accommodation for the traveling public are giving excellent service, and are well conducted. Altogether Orangeville has not suffered, but rather greatly benefited by the introduction of the local option.

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ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Orangeville Presbyterians are a numerous and growing people. The church records for 1913 show a membership of 478, with bright prospects ahead for reaching the half thousand figure at an early date.
    Our information as to the beginning of this cause dates back to the year 1856, when Rev. W. E. McKay was the minister. The present splendid church building was erected in 1879. On August 26, 1908, the present minister, Rev. W. M. Morris, was inducted into the pastorate. Mr. Morris was born in Essa Township and received his the theological education in Knox College, from which he graduated in 1902. His first pastorate was at Bond Head, where he remained till he came to Orangeville.
    The photo herewith of Mr. Morris shows him to be of sturdy build and strong features. His strength of character in manifest in his leadership of his people. When he came to Orangeville the congregation numbered 333. In five years the gain has been 145. The membership embraces 213 families, 160 in the town, and 53 in the country. In 1908 the contributions to the general schemes of the church were $373; last year they amounted to $673. When the pastor came his stipend was $1100; it is now $1400.
    The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition also, having an enrolment of 200 scholars and 21 teachers and officers. Last year the school raised the sum of $207.
    Orangeville Presbyterians have cause, therefore, to be of good courage, and to press forward.

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HILL & CO.
General Merchants

The largest general store in Orangeville is that of Hill & Co., located on the south side of Broadway opposite Prince of Wales Street. The store building is a large three story structure 135 x 35 feet, owned by the Co. Behind this extensive business is a very complete and perfect merchandising organization, which works out to the great advantage of the buying public. Mr. F. T. Hill, the senior member of the firm, controls a syndicate of stores, with his headquarters at Markdale. Stores at Orangeville, Markdale, Alliston, Tara and Highgate sell an enormous quantity of goods, of which Mr. Hill does the purchasing. Buying in large quantities he secures most favorable prices.
Mr. A. Walker, the capable manager of the Orangeville store, learned the rudiments of the business in Mr. Hill’s store in Markdale, which was his home town. He went into partnership with Mr. Hill in the operation of a store in Deseronto in 1905, and a year later they removed to Orangeville, where the present big business was launched – a business which has been expanding with each succeeding year.
General dry goods, ladies’ wear, millinery, boots and shoes, men’s clothing and furnishings, groceries, crockery, house furnishings, glassware and millinery are all represented by departments under trained specialists, and the service given the public is one seldom excelled anywhere. A stock worth approximately $35,000 is carried, and each line is large as complete as in many exclusive stores. Customers come to this store from ten townships, and for a distance of twenty miles.
The millinery department is under the careful and skillful supervision of Miss McCarthy, and is well patronized by the ladies of town and country.
This store buys wool – which is something rather unusual – and handles from 20,000 to 25,000 lbs. annually, most of it being exported. Farmers receive the highest market prices here for produce of all kinds.
The store is well lighted, well heated, and, with its eleven obliging clerks, makes a most desirable place to shop, altogether apart from the large range of goods to select from.

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J. L. ISLAND
Barrister

The Chief Magistrate of Orangeville is Mr. J. L. Island. He is Mayor of a local option town, and may be said to be surrounded by water an and island should. The present Mayor opened his eyes to things temporal in the Tp. Of Mono. One of the first settlers in these parts was the great-grandfather of Mayor Island. Mr. Island graduated from Toronto University in 1893, and after attending the Toronto Law School and studying with A. A. Hughson, and F. J. Roach, Toronto, was called to the Bar in June, 1896. Mr. Island has had several years municipal experience. He was in the Town Council in 902-3-4, and 1912. In 1904 he was Warden of Dufferin County. This is his first year in the Mayor’s chair, but by reason of his legal experience and general knowledge he makes an excellent presiding officer. Mr. Island has a lucrative legal practice, and holds the position of solicitor for the Township of Mono. His engraving will be found with those of the Municipal Council of the first page of this paper.

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SAM MERLINA
Fruiterer

    The wholesale and retail store of Sam Merlina is on the north side of Broadway, nearly opposite the Dufferin House. Sam is a dealer in fruits, and he handles a good deal during the year. Every kind of native fruit in its season is sold here., besides all the imported kinds. Malaga grapes, of the very finest quality, bananas all year around, grape fruit and figs, oranges and lemons, nuts, and chocolates – all these are carried in stock. During the year he has imported five tons of Virgin Olive Oil from Luca, Italy. This oil has a tremendous sale. Mr. Merlina’s store is a wholesale house in fruit for dealers in town and villages surrounding. He purchased a carload of California oranges for the Xmas trade, and is therefore able to fill large orders for the holiday season.
    Mr. Merlina has been in business here for seven years, and twelve years in the fruit business, part of that time in Toronto.

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T. HEPTON
Implements

    Though in the implement business only one year, Mr. T. Hepton has done a remarkably large trade, much larger than he expected. His large shop is situated on Broadway, north side, and he is local representative for the McCormick and International Harvester Companies. Amongst the implements eh shows in his warerooms are binders, mowers, rakes, hay loaders, Oliver Plows, Lily Cream Separators, manure spreaders. He sells also the celebrated Gray carriages and cutters, also Chatham wagons and sleighs. A fine line of repairs for implements, harness, robes, whips, blankets and general stable sundries is always kept o hand. All sizes of I. H. Co. gasoline engines are sold by Mr. Hepton.
Mr. Hepton was for thirty years a farmer in Amaranth Township. He was a member of the Township Council for six years, and last year and this has been on the Orangeville Council Board.
Mr. George Hamilton is traveling man for Mr. Hepton, and is constantly on the go soliciting orders, and get gets lots of them too.

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CHARLES KING
Town Engineer

    Mr. King was born near Leicester, England, and served seven and a half years’ apprenticeship with Messrs. Appleby Bros. & Co., steam crane and general engineers, of Leicester and London, afterwards being employed by other large engineering firms throughout the country, in designing and working out inventions for hydraulic and other machinery, until he secured a position of engineer’s millwright with the Midland Railway Co., with which corporation he remained for 15 years.
    Previous to coming to this country he has had a varied and valuable experience extending over 25 years with stationary and gas engines, pumps, both reciprocating and centrifugal action, including various kinds of lifting and testing apparatus, electric and pneumatic.
    He came to this country in the early part of 1907, commencing to work with the C.P.R. Co., and making his home in Orangeville. The following year he was appointed to the position of Town Engineer, which he now holds, superintending the different departments controlled by the municipality.
    During the past 5 years there have been several important changes made in the waterworks system. The old elevator tank has been dispensed with, and a 50 h.p. electric turbine pump installed, and a waterworks Finance Department has been instituted.
    The new municipally owned system has been in operation since 1895. The supply is brought by gravity from underground springs, and is naturally filtered through sand and gravel beds, from a water-shed of 10 acres, 1 ½ miles from the business centre of the town. One collecting reservoir has a capacity of 68,000 imperial gallons, and one storage reservoir has a capacity of 26,000 gallons The system has a distribution main 9 miles in length.
    The fire protection water can be pumped from south to north main and reverse, also from the storage reservoir, so that the town has a four cycle system by altering the different valves. There is an electric fire alarm system, through call boxes at various points in the town, which ring a gong in the engine room and a large bell in the tower. It will thus be seen that Mr. King has put the town system into a thoroughly up-to-date condition.

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W. R. LIDDY, B.A.
Inspector of Public Schools, Dufferin

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THE BAPTIST CHURCH

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ST. MARK’S CHURCH

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DR. R. N. KYLES

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A. T. HOWARD
Collector of Customs

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W. H. BOWLES, D. D.S.

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