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Presented by the Beckwith Heritage Committee in partnership with Lanark County Genealogical Society.

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The Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) functioned as a fraternal group in the United States and Canada, providing social and financial support after the American Civil War. It introduced the idea of “fraternal benefit societies”, which included insurance for sickness, accidents, death, and burial expenses.

The order was founded by John Jordan Upchurch, a mechanic who was unhappy with the League of Friendship, Mechanical Order of the Sun. In 1868, he established a lodge in Meadville, primarily consisting of railroad workers. However, a tax disagreement resulted in the group disbanding on October 27, 1868.

The AOUW initially allowed only white members and focused on uniting capital and labor interests. It later shifted to improving working conditions and establishing an insurance fund, with new members required to contribute for a $2,000 death benefit. The system involved replenishing the fund with contributions from members. Non-paying members and lodges failing to forward money were expelled.

In 1885, the AOUW emerged as the largest fraternal benefit organization in the United States. The following year, they organized a conference involving sixteen comparable groups, paving the way for the formation of the National Fraternal Congress, which is still active today as the National Fraternal Congress of America. From August 1, 1893, the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption would result in expulsion from the order, consequently forfeiting the $2,000 death benefit.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada was founded in 1792 under the Grand Lodge of England, appointing William Jarvis as the inaugural Provincial Grand Master. In contrast to the Provincial Grand Master of Lower Canada, Jarvis lacked the authority to grant warrants for new lodges. The Grand Lodge of Ontario separated from its American counterpart quite early on, holding its 20th annual session as early as 1898. Genealogist Alice Hughes, in her research, references the Rideau Recorder-Recorder News November 1, 1888 edition, revealing that the Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW), Smiths Falls Lodge, was commemorating its 20th Anniversary.

Initially, membership within the organization was limited to Caucasians, but this restriction was later lifted. In 1932, the religious aspects of the ceremony in the Order were removed. Upchurch, a freemason, integrated various freemasonry traditions such as local “lodges,” regalia, and initiation rituals. The Ancient Order of United Workmen in North Dakota transformed into the Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Company, which eventually merged with the American United Life Insurance Company and is currently a part of the OneAmerica group.

Additionally, in Canada, John Milne, a banker and former mayor of Essex, Ontario, established lodges for the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The Independent Order of Foresters assumed control of the assets and activities of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Ontario in 1926.

William Clyde.Caldwell, Member for N. Lanark, Ontario Legislative Assembly.

b. 14 May 1843 in Lanark, Upper Canada, son of Alexander Caldwell and Mary Ann Maxwell; m. first 1868 Ida Virginia Caldwell, his second cousin (d. 1869); m. secondly 1871 Katherine Smith Falconer, and they had three sons and four daughters; d. 7 Jan. 1905 in Lanark.

In 1821, William Caldwell’s grandparents relocated from Renfrewshire, Scotland, to the Lanark settlement in eastern Upper Canada. William’s father and uncle, Boyd Alexander Conyngham Caldwell, were engaged in the square-timber trade in the Ottawa Valley from a young age. After going their separate ways in the 1850s, they gradually involved their eldest son in the business. William helped manage his father’s lumber operations and later became a partner in A. Caldwell and Son. The company held timber rights on the Clyde River in Lanark County and in Pontiac County, Lower Canada. Unlike his father, who had practical experience on the river and in the wilderness, William also pursued a university education, graduating from Queen’s College, Kingston, in 1866.

In 1872, William inherited the company and various mills in Lanark village. To distinguish himself from other William Caldwells, including relatives, he adopted a middle name. He also began expanding his business ventures. Between 1870 and 1877, he collaborated with Horace Brown in a gristmill business called Brown and Caldwell in Carleton Place. A. Caldwell and Son expanded by adding another sawmill in Almonte. By 1882, Caldwell was establishing a sawmill and shingle mill at Clyde Forks in Lavant Township, near the emerging Kingston and Pembroke Railway. Shortly after the mill’s opening, a fire struck Clyde Forks, prompting him to sell his Clyde properties to Calvin and Son from Kingston.

In 1883, Caldwell moved to Kingston and reduced his business commitments to concentrate on overseeing the Clyde Roller Mills (which manufactured flour and oatmeal) and the Aberdeen Woollen Mills in Lanark village. However, his interest was piqued by prospecting, leading him to invest in iron-ore locations in the Lanark-Renfrew area, Gunflint Bay in the border region of northwestern Ontario, and north of Temagami. He supplied several mineral samples for Ontario’s exhibition at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Caldwell’s lifelong dedication to politics impacted his ability to fully concentrate on his business ventures. Engaging in various political roles, such as township councillor, school trustee, and reeve of Lanark, he was actively involved in public service. In 1872, Caldwell ran as a Reformer in the provincial by-election for Lanark North and triumphed over Bennett Rosamond. He served as the riding’s representative for a total of 23 years out of 33 (1872–75, 1879–86, 1888–94, 1898–1905), mainly under Premier Oliver Mowat. Although he devoted much of his career to the Liberal party and contributed to committees like railways and as a house committee chairman, he never held a cabinet position. Described as courteous and accommodating in local newspapers, his independent thinking and direct approach may have hindered his progression to higher political roles. Due to conflicts of interest with his lumbering operations and a legal dispute involving his family’s company, B. Caldwell and Company, Caldwell refrained from voting on the Rivers and Streams Bill on multiple occasions, resulting in its rejection by the federal government three times.

Although Caldwell moved to Kingston and frequently visited Toronto as an MPP, he continued to own an estate and farm in Lanark. He actively participated in the village’s horticultural society and was a member of St. Andrew’s Church (Presbyterian). As a Freemason, he engaged in local chapters of the Sons of Scotland, the Order of United Workmen, and the Independent Order of Foresters. In 1899, while serving as an MPP, he oversaw the passing of a bill to incorporate the North Lanark Railway Company. In Kingston, he served as a trustee at Queen’s College from 1883 to 1904 and played a key role in establishing a school of mining there between 1891 and 1893, likely influenced by his involvement in mining and legislative networks in Ontario. His love for recreational canoeing stemmed from his interest in prospecting. In 1895, he journeyed with his sons to Mazinaw Lake via the Mississippi River in Lanark County and in 1901 to James Bay. He also combined business with pleasure on trips to the Temagami lakes in 1902 and 1903. During the latter outing, where he kept a diary, he was described by the Perth Courier as “one of the most cheerful and engaging hosts.” Diaries also exist for his travels in Britain and Europe in 1874 and in Manitoba in 1878.

In business, politics, and secondary manufacturing, W. C. Caldwell, a Canadian lumberman, demonstrated exceptional skill. Although he had a significant political following in his region, he never attained a cabinet position, which could be attributed to his independent character or the town’s limited importance. W. C. Caldwell passed away in Lanark in 1905.

History | Clyde Hall B&B

Source: Summarized from the Wednesday, March 14, 2024, newspaper Eganville Leader section 13th Annual Irish Edition article by Barry Conway, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

When the doors of Saint James Roman Catholic Church, opened on April 20th, 1927, to welcome Father Dowdall’s casket, it marked the end of an era. Father Dowdall had been Eganville’s 71-year-old parish priest for almost 24 years, and this event made headlines across Canada*.

Reverend Patrick Sylvester Dowdall was not only esteemed as Eganville’s finest priest but was hailed by the Ottawa Journal as Ontario’s greatest priest.

Described as six feet 2 1/2 inches tall, robust like Hercules, with piercing eyes, dark hair, and a charismatic personality, Father Dowdall left an unforgettable impression. His profound theological understanding, flawless command of the English language, and deep empathy for the human heart elevated his sermons to the heights of Christian heroism.

Despite his exceptional qualities, many pondered why Father Dowdall chose the humble life of a parish priest and declined numerous opportunities for advancement. He could have easily become a bishop, if not an Archbishop.

Some individuals questioned why, despite holding a seldom-mentioned Doctorate in Divinity, Patrick S. Dowdall declined a professorship at Saint Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. Even after transitioning to a humble parish priest, Father Dowdall continued to administer final exams for Philosophy undergraduates at the University of Toronto.

The reasons behind Patrick S. Dowdall’s life choices may never be fully revealed, but much of his inspiration can be traced back to his Irish heritage. His grandfather, Patrick Dowdall, born in County Meath in 1794, near Dublin in a town called Killeen, was a notable educator in Dublin. At 21, he wed Johanna Keating before relocating to Canada in 1819.

The Dowdall family settled near present-day Perth in Lanark County, where Patrick Sr. became a respected magistrate and Deputy Reeves of Drummond Township. He passed away contentedly in March 1871. However, a few months later, on July 13th, a crucial event occurred that altered his grandson’s path forever.

Patrick Sylvester Dowdall Jr., born on December 13th, 1855, was just 15 years old at the time, the eldest child of John and Catherine Dowdall.

On that peculiar night in 1871, Patrick Jr.’s father John found himself in a drunken altercation with his brother-in-law, Tom McGarry, resulting in McGarry’s untimely death and John Dowdall being charged with manslaughter.

According to the Bathurst Courier, the day started with the pair in Perth after delivering produce. Tensions rose at the hotel and continued on the way home with heated exchanges from their wagons. John Dowdall attempted to pass Tom McGarry, leading to a struggle where McGarry tragically fell onto his wagon’s blade, resulting in a fatal injury. John Dowdall faced murder charges but was later acquitted.

In a twist of fate, years later, Dowdall’s son became a prominent priest advocating total abstinence, while McGarry’s son Thomas pursued a career in law and politics, eventually becoming the Provincial Treasurer of Ontario. Despite their fathers’ history, a peculiar bond formed between them.

This strange narrative sheds light on Father Dowdall, who, despite his past, displayed a remarkable ability to navigate challenging situations, showing compassion and understanding towards human flaws.

Ordained in 1883, Father Dowdall’s impactful sermons quickly gained attention, addressing social injustices and poverty in Ottawa, and earning him admiration within the Irish Catholic community.

Despite his success, Father Dowdall chose a humble path, becoming the Parish Priest of Mount Saint Patrick, a move that puzzled many given his capabilities. He spent years serving his parish, including remote locations, demonstrating his dedication and humility.

Father Dowdall’s commitment to his calling was exemplified by his willingness to go the extra mile, even walking 58 miles across the rugged terrain that would later become part of Algonquin Park, showcasing his unwavering devotion to his parishioners.

There is a fascinating tale about Father Dowdall’s interaction with Paddy Garvey, a prominent figure from the Killaloe region. The priest asked Garvey to remove some stubborn tree stumps to pave the way for the construction of a chapel near Whitney. During the task, Garvey’s colourful language unintentionally reached the priest’s ears, leading Father Dowdall to quietly step away, offering to hear Garvey’s confession once the stump removal was completed.

In August 1891, after serving at Mount Saint Patrick, Father Dowdall was reassigned to lead the parish of Saint James the Less in Eganville. He wasted no time in constructing a remarkable new stone church, replacing the original wooden structure from 1854. The church was completed and consecrated in the summer of 1897, earning praise from Paddy McHugh, the editor of The Eganville Star, who described it as the grandest religious building in the Ottawa Valley, unrivalled in the Diocese. McHugh’s admiration might have been influenced by personal reasons, as he later married Father Dowdall’s youngest sister, Bernadette, who resided in the priest’s house at that time.

Around that period, Father Dowdall initiated popular summer picnics, leveraging the new CPR and OA & PS Railroads’ arrival in Eganville. These picnics attracted thousands of visitors annually, contributing to the fundraising efforts for the new $50,000 church. The events featured imported sports teams from Perth and entertainment, including indigenous dancers from nearby Golden Lake, where Father Dowdall also served as a pastor.

By the turn of the century, Father Dowdall’s Eganville parishioners, along with many non-Catholics in the local community, had a clear understanding of the priest’s character. An anecdote frequently recounted is the “Battle of Eganville Bridge,” a story capturing the essence of Father Dowdall, as detailed in Joan Finnegan’s Tell Me Another Story (McGraw Hill, 1988).

This version is told by Arman Denison. The Orangemen were all gathered for the 12th of July parade, with many Fighting Dennisons in attendance, loyal to the cause from beginning to end. Billy King rode on his white horse, banners flying high, while the fife and drums played a familiar tune.

As they reached the Eganville Bridge leading to the Catholic side, the Catholics blocked their path, even bringing cannons onto the bridge, sparking a confrontation. However, old Father Dowdall intervened, urging everyone to cease the commotion. His words carried weight, being a respected figure in the community.

When not mediating the town’s religious divides on July 12th, Father Dowdall was known for his involvement in the temperance movement, taking a clear stance in the debates of the era. Contrary to popular belief, he did not support the local push for a complete liquor ban in Eganville.

As reported by The Shawville Equity on January 7th, 1897, Father Dowdall, once a fervent prohibitionist, reconsidered his position, acknowledging that prohibition could infringe on people’s liberties. Instead, he advocated for moral persuasion to guide responsible liquor consumption.

Father Dowdall, though not entirely in favour of prohibition, had a nuanced perspective, advocating for responsible and respectful alcohol consumption within the community. An anecdote from Joan Finnegan’s book “Laughing All the Way Home” sheds light on Father Dowdall’s seemingly conflicting stance. It recounts an incident in Killaloe where, after Mass, parishioners gathered to drink in a stable, only to be discovered by Father Dowdall, who chased them out. Amid the chaos, one man, Jim Doherty, got stuck in a hole and humorously pleaded with Father Dowdall not to hit him as he was Protestant.

While Father Dowdall didn’t outright support a liquor ban, he would sometimes urge politicians to limit alcohol consumption to prevent street violence, a call respected by both Protestants and Catholics. He was also a staunch advocate of the Dominion Alliance, striving to regulate the liquor trade without total prohibition.

Beyond these controversies, Father Dowdall was deeply committed to Catholic education, constructing a notable school in Eganville and later overseeing Catholic education for the county. His dedication earned Eganville recognition as a key hub for Roman Catholic education in Ontario.

Despite his contributions, Father Dowdall’s health declined, leading to his passing on April 18, 1927, at the age of 72 due to stomach cancer. In his Irish humility, he requested a simple tombstone engraved with a humble request: “Say a little prayer for Father Dowdall.”

Information extracted from the obituary – The Ottawa Journal, April 8, 1937, page

Rev. Patrick Sylvester Dowdall, D.D., in his 72nd year, died in Pembroke Hospital. He was rector of St. Columbus’ Cathedral. He was a Roman Catholic priest for 44 years.

He was the son of John Dowdall, who was born in Canada and laboured as a farmer. The Rev. Dowdall’s grandfather was Patrick Dowdall, who was a teacher in Ireland before immigrating to Upper Canada. He was a pioneer settler in the parish of Perth.

The Rev. Dowdall studied as a young student in Pakenham with the parish priest, Father Lavin. In 1872, he attended St. Michael’s College in Toronto and then the Grand Seminary in Montréal. He was ordained priest there in 1883.

He is survived by four brothers, Edward of Winnipeg, John of Cobalt and Peter and James Dowdall of Perth; two sisters, Mrs. Bernard Rodden of Toronto and Mrs. P. McHugh of Eganville; a nephew, Rev. Edmund Byrne, parish priest of Morrisburg; a cousin, Mrs. Joseph P. Dunne, of 27 Melgund Avenue, Ottawa.

Obituary May 06, 1927, page 4 – The North Shore Press at Newspapers.com (the left pictorial form)

BURIAL
Saint James the Less R.C. Cemetery
Eganville, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188147516/patrick_sylvester-dowdall

For the last 44 years, every December, the Lanark County Genealogical Society has launched its Annual Membership Drive, and this year is no exception. The 2025 membership fees are $35 for individuals and $45 for families. Membership is valid for the entire calendar year.

My name is Jayne Munro-Ouimet, and I serve as the Chair of the Lanark County Genealogical Society. Founded in 1981, our society operates as a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the family histories of the people from Lanark County. We employ various methods to achieve this goal.

• We provide numerous opportunities for learning, connecting with members, volunteering to share your expertise, and preserving as well as making family history resources accessible.
• Our monthly meetings take place from February to June and then from September to December.
• In the summer, we actively promote our organization by participating in local events. Some of which are: Beckwith Lilac Festival; Heritage Day, Lanark County Plowing Match, Mississippi Mills Seniors Expo, Lanark County Harvest Festival, Smiths Falls Heritage Symposium and others
• We conduct hybrid meetings using Zoom Workplace, which enables us to connect with members from Canada, the US, and beyond.
• Our meetings feature speakers who share their expertise in local history and family genealogies.
• Additionally, we have published a series of books focused on local historical topics and assist individuals with inquiries about their specific Lanark County families.

The Lanark County Genealogical Society is proud to feature a Genealogy Resource Library, which has been housed in the Heritage House Museum for the last 24 years. This valuable resource is open to the public during museum hours. By becoming a member of our Society, you’ll enjoy extra perks such as access to Ancestry.ca, Newspaper.com, the historical Perth Courier, and the current Lanark Era. Additionally, we are actively digitizing records for researchers, which will be available through our “Members Only” link on our website.

Reasons to Join a Genealogy Society

• Joining a Genealogy Society provides opportunities to learn, connect with members, volunteer skills, and help preserve family history.
• Access to resources motivates many family historians. Some societies offer dedicated library sections or entire libraries, along with members-only databases that simplify research for family researchers.
• Becoming a member offers networking opportunities with other researchers, enhancing the research experience and providing valuable learning opportunities. Additionally, it provides a cost-free support system for assistance.
• Joining a genealogy society keeps you updated on new publications, journals, and upcoming conferences and workshops.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join our society and am confident the members will be pleased to have you on board. I am hopeful that you will be pleased with the benefits our society has to offer. Join as a volunteer to enhance our genealogy community and support family history research.

For more information, visit our website at www.lanarkgenealogy.com under “Membership” to join, or call 613-257-9482 if you lack computer access.

LCGS expects to take delivery before month end November 2023 of our new publication Lanark County Routes Vol. 3 East and Vol. 4 West.

This sequel is a follow-up to Vol. 1 East and Vol. 2 West of the same title published in 2021. These farm history books are a great source of information regarding ownership of rural properties since the time of settlement. Many have detailed information regarding the people who lived on the farms in the past. In some cases, the land records may be the only place where a person’s ancestors are found since they did not all remain in Lanark County.

We have taken the information found in the local Tweedsmuir histories and tried to update it if the information was available. Several families have participated in sharing their farm stories.

Each book is again in the 12″ x 12″ format so that the maps included are readable. Both books are more than 200 pages each.

The books have an index of names. The West volume has about 2,800 names and the East volume about 3,000.

The books also include the 1890 Farmer’s Directories for each township in that book. (These names are not in the index.) The directories tell the Lot and Concession for each person, what their post office was, and whether they owned the land or were a tenant. The books include the 1863 Walling Maps for each Township, maps of the cemeteries in each township, as well as a modern map showing the location of each lot. There are also a few bonus maps in the West book, designed by one of our members.

Plans are underway for a book launch at the Almonte Public Library. Details will be shared when we know them. They will again be available locally and by post from the Society. The price will be $65 each. Shipping costs are extra.

Pre-Order Yours

Article writer – Amy Gilpin

They often came from poor families or orphanages. Some were in poor health; others were in trouble with the law. Some had no living family and were orphans in the truest sense of the word. Beginning in 1869 and continuing through 1948, over 100,000 children were shipped from the United Kingdom to Canada as part of the British Child Emigration Movement. The vast majority were hosted by farm families, where the children were put to work performing farm labour or domestic duties.

Many were moved from family to family, place to place. Others were lucky enough to end up with families that treated them well and gave them the love and care they needed. Most were ignored by the placement society and in too many cases abuse and neglect went unreported. Some grew up to live happy, productive lives. Some ran away and were never heard from again. Sadly, some died.

On September 28th each year, we remember them. We honour and respect them. It is estimated that about 10% of Canadians descend from one or more British Home Children. For more information, please reach out to British Home Children/Home Child Canada, a charity established in 2012 that is dedicated to preserving their memory. www.britishhomechildren.com

Copyright © 2025

an LCGS volunteer group-researched document led by Kirsten

In 2022, the state of the bridge over the Mississippi River at Blakeney was a hot topic within the county. Like several in Eastern Ontario, this bridge needs occasional closing in the spring during the high water levels period. Engineers throughout the area were busy inspecting and confirming the continued use of bridges affected. After years of rushing spring waters, wear and tear it was agreed the bridge requires replacement.

The photo on the left is the bridge as it was built in 1915. It consists of three structures as shown in this painting by Doris Comba (1968) of Almonte of the earliest bridge whose parts were removed or replaced to become the current bridge. Mrs. Comba, wife of Murray Comba painted this from a photo card. The paint is displayed at the home of Mrs. Munro in Almonte. Until the Producers dairy was built in Almonte her husband, Bill, drove across the bridge with his team of horses to bring milk and cream to the cheese factory on the north side of the bridge. The photo on the right is the bridge as of 2022.

Source Lanark County: “In 2000, the County undertook a major rehabilitation of the Blakeney Bridge in order to extend the life of the structure by 25 years.  The rehabilitation included replacing the railings with a new thrie beam guiderail and handrail and repairing the substructure and superstructure, which involved removal and replacement of sections of the deck and wingwalls and the entire ballast wall at all abutments.  New approach guiderail systems were also installed at this time. The rehabilitated structure remained at a load posting of 12 tonnes.

 When building a new bridge many rules and regulations come into place and after the cultural heritage evaluation report and heritage impact assessment was completed as per a regulation of the Ontario Heritage Act, it’s been deemed of cultural heritage significance.

LCGS, Kristen lead the group in researching the history of the Cheese Factory “Blakeney Cheese Factory” at the north end of the bridge.

On Tue, Jun 27, 2023, at 10:33 AM Kirsten wrote:
Good morning

In researching the Blakeney and Waba cheese factories, I have come across the following articles/information that lead me to believe that the Blakeney Cheese factory was once the Glasgow cheese factory and neither that of Waba nor Pakenham.
Article 1 – The Arnprior Chronicle – 12 May 1932 p4 – Glasgow is losing cheese factory
Article 2 – Almonte Gazette – 27 May 1932 p5 Cox of Pakenham building Cheese Factory in Blakeney
Article 3 (obit) – The Ottawa Journal – 23 May 1952 p32 – Cheese Manufacturer James P Cox Dies
Article 4 – Almonte Gazette – 19 May 1933 p5 – Blakeney – cheese factory opened under mgmt of Mr Cox of Pakenham
Article 5 – Almonte Gazette – 19 May 1933 p5 – Pakenham Cheese commenced ops Mr John Redmond manufacturing
Also, I compiled information from a few editions of the “List of Cheese Factories and Creameries in Canada” published by the Department of Agriculture. The 1928 edition includes Glasgow, Pakenham, Rosebank (owner J.B. Wylie), and Waba. While the 1932 edition includes ‘Pakenham Cheese and Butter Company’ and ‘Snedden Cheese Factory and Creamery’ – Glasgow, Rosebank and Waba no longer appear. Note that Glasgow’s 1928 registration number was reassigned to the Snedden factory in 1932; see two attached docs. (Note also that the Waba 1928 registration number was reassigned to the new Appleton cheese factory in 1932; the previous Appleton factory was destroyed by fire in 1931.)

The “transcribed” (edited) version of Mrs. Ringereide’s article. Please note, under Rosedale Cheese Factory, I change the name of Mrs. MacIntosh to McIntosh (Mc instead of Mac), as I believe I identified her in the Middleville museum’s ancestry tree:

The specific cheese factories mentioned in her article are Appleton, Rosedale, Tennyson, and Balderson. I found the attached picture of Rosedale c.1910 that you may wish to use. It was attached to one of Linda Seccaspina’s blog posts. The attached picture of the Balderson factory comes from the Perth Remembered website; page on Rural Life – on which there are many other cheese factory pictures.

Her article also includes the Mammoth Cheese created at Perth. Here is a link to a photo in the LAC collection of the “World’s largest cheese, 22,000 lbs., loaded on C.P.R. (Canadian Pacific Railway) flat cars in Perth, Ont., Sept. 1892” and of “Poster advertising the Mammoth Cheese made at the Dominion Experimental Dairy Station, Perth, for display at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago”.

Stately standing since 1850 in its beautiful spot along the Mississippi River at Appleton, the Appleton General Store was one of the oldest commercial buildings in the village.

The Village of Appleton, located west of Ottawa, was without power since the ice storm swept across much of Lanark County on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023. Residents said the power came back on Friday morning, just before the fire started in the historic building.

The Store, built by Thomas Arthur, as a two-and-a-half-storey brick building was among the few remaining examples of commercial brick architecture in the village. The general store was once the hub of the village having also been a post office, a gas station and a home over the years.

The building recently purchased by young entrepreneurs in Almonte was undergoing renovations to turn it into a café/bakery and Airbnb. The store was a historic landmark of Lanark County and no fire marshal investigation will take place.

Submitted by Marilyn Snedden

This organization was founded in 1897 by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless with the help of Erland Lee (since back then a woman alone would have trouble getting recognition). Her son had died from drinking contaminated milk and she formed a group of her neighbours in the Stony Creek area of Ontario to improve the education of rural women about health & sanitation. Within a few years the motto “For Home & Country” was approved along with an oval royal blue & gold pin bearing the slogan.

In most rural communities it was the only group that all women could join, regardless of politics or religion. In the beginning, the women joined as a break from the drudgery at home and a social outing where they could learn from each other or a speaker. Over the years branches were formed in most communities and the organization grew to have a District level (usually a County), an Area level, Provincial, Canadian, and finally the ACWW (Associated Countrywomen of the World). Queen Elizabeth was a member in England.

The Department of Agriculture supported the W.I. with a Home Economist in each county who conducted workshops for leaders sent by local branches to learn crafts such as bread making or quilting. The leaders then returned to share the info with all their members. The 4-H Clubs also gained leaders from the W.I. who were trained by the Home Economists. Unfortunately, the Ontario Government cut out these programs some decades ago which was a great loss to rural people. Over the years many resolutions have been sent through the levels supporting worthy projects or seeking changes in many items affecting rural life.

Agriculture in the Classroom is an Ontario-wide project widely supported by the W.I. As few teachers have an agricultural background, children were missing this part of their education.

Preserving history became a major focus when in the late 1940’s Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of the Governor General, was afraid rural history was being lost. She sponsored a competition for the best community history across Canada and this became a focus of each branch with curators appointed who created Tweedsmuir History Books to preserve photos and stories.

Many of these are available online since the FWIO (Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario) obtained a large grant to digitize many of the books. Online you go to FWIO, then to the History Tab, then Digitized Histories and then click the “Virtual archives” link to take you to a page where you enter the name of the branch you are searching.

When the FWIO celebrated their 100th Anniversary in 1997, there were 16,000 members but that number has declined greatly since so many women are working out of the home and information on homemaking skills is quite available online. Many members kept on with their rural branches when they retired to town so that a survey back then showed 1/3 lived on a farm,1/3 lived in a rural area and 1/3 had retired to town.

In Lanark County, we had 11 branches in the north and 17 in the south but now only have 2 and 3-a drastic change. Archives Lanark is striving to store the Tweedsmuir Histories and Minute Books of the disbanded branches and has scanned most of what is stored there. These books are a great source of old photos and farm histories recorded over the years so many people have been excited to find a photo of what their farmhouse looked like decades ago or photos of their ancestors.

The histories of the W.I. are especially useful for finding stories on female ancestors since there was a competition in 1997 for the best collection of autobiographies so detailed stories of women were documented then along with photos and stories of their work in the W.I. They also contain newspaper stories collected over the years.

Resources: Tweedsmuir Histories: FWIO Digital Collections

Archives Lanark

Some of the W.I. branches that Archives Lanark have books for are Appleton, Beckwith, Cedar Hill, Clayton, Pine Grove, Rocky Ridge, Rosetta, Union Hall from the North and Balderson, Fallbrook, Ferguson Falls, Franktown, Rosedale, Snow Road, Otty Lake, Second Line of Drummond

Archives Lanark is open Fridays from 10-3 at 1920 Concession 7 Road (Drummond Center) or by appointment on Saturdays. The website is http://www.archiveslanark.ca or you can get information at info@archiveslanark.ca

Home (archiveslanark.ca)

My great-great-great-grandparents Alexander Park, Mary McDonald, Thomas Easton, and Mary McDonald Chambers came to Lanark in 1820 onboard the Prompt. My great-great-grandfather Daniel Harper came a few years later and his son Samuel Knowles Harper married Lillian Easton. My grandmother Rosemary Harper was born in 1876 in Lanark. I have a few old pictures of the property and people that I am prepared to share with you.