Henry Lang and His Lanark County Magic Barn?

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 29 Aug 1898, Mon, Page 7

So I read this assuming it was the old Caldwell Sawmill that used to be at Riverside Park. Never assume anything in history, especially the Caldwell’s as there was a sawmill in Almonte too. Those Caldwells were everywhere!! I found this out as I began to scour the old Almonte Gazette’s looking for information on Henry Lang.

Shipman’s lumber yard circa 1860, by site of Old Town Hall. Michael Dunn photo.Photo-The Millstone

Almonte Gazette July 22 1898—The old sawmill opposite “island” (save the mark !) at the N.L.A.S. grounds has been torn down and towed across the river to the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Lang, where the the bulk of the timbers, etc., will be used in the erection of a barn to replace the one destroyed by fire.

Almonte Gazette-August 26, 1898-Mr. Henry Lang has purchased from Mr. Gilbert Cannon (for $150) the old shingle mill on the shore of the Bay here, and this week the building is being down and conveyed to Mr. L .’s farm, where the fine timbers, etc., will be used in the barn now in process of erection

Almonte Gazette September 2, 1898–That barn of Mr. Henry Lang’s will be an interesting one from the fact that its material has been mostly furnished by two landmarks Mr Caldwell’s old sawmill and Mr. Cannnon’s shingle mill on the shore of the bay below the town—both, as well as the timber slides, having become relics and reminders to the present generation that in bygone years Almonte was a live lumbering centre.

So who was Henry Lang and why was the Almonte Gazette so interested in him?

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 20 Apr 1957, Sat, Page 34

Arthur Lang was one of the first settlers and emigrated here from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1811. He was also Almonte’s first school teacher. The first bold venture of Scottish settlers of Ramsay upon little-known local waterways was made in 1821 down the Clyde and Mississippi rivers from Lanark village to the falls at the site of Almonte.

“As recalled by Arthur Lang’s eldest son, William Lang (1811-1902), their craft were “rough boats build by the men. A good many portages had to be made and it took some days to complete the trip. When coming down Mississippi Lake they stopped at an island, and while preparing a meal a big Indian hove into sight. Fear filled every heart.

The late John Steele was equal to the occasion. He seized a huge loaf of bread and presented it to the Indian as an evidence of their friendly intentions. The peace offering was not accepted and the Indian passed by on his way to his camp on another part of the island, paying no attention to them. A night was spent on the north shore of the river above the falls at Carleton Place, beds being spread on the ground.” At the present location of the Almonte town hall shelters were made in wigwam style for use as a headquarters until all had completed the building of cabins on their lands.” Howard Morton Brown

The family had erected a barn which stood on the farm until it was burned when the fire caused so much damage to property in Almonte and along the river bank at Mr. Henry Lang’s and Mrs. D Miller’s. In 1898 Henry Lang decided to rebuild it. After those scant newspaper clippings I could find nothing else. But now we know some more of the story and how this barn was built with wood from Lanark County landmarks.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Jennifer Ferris sent this

Henry Lang’s barn, likely none existing now. According to McGill digital library maps from 1879ish, Lang farm was con 10, lot 14 east half. Snipped pic of map of Ramsay–

According to the settlers list from Granny’s Genealogy garden pages, an Arthur Lang was deeded con 10 lot 14 west on July 31 1821. Robert Wilson deeded the east half of the same, on Dec 8 1822.

Information from from Jennifer E Ferris. Thank you Jennifer!

New Saw Mill

1861 – A steam-powered sawmill was built in the area of the present Riverside Park on the south bank of the river. The old Muirhead sawmill, which was located near the present electric power plant, was leased and reopened by Robert Gray.

1867–A new sawmill was built by the Gillies & McLaren firm to employ up to a hundred men. At Arklan Island a smaller sawmill was built by William Bredin.

Caldwell Sawmill

1869 – This towns second large sawmill business was started by Boyd Caldwell (1818-1888) and managed by his son William Caldwell. It operated for twenty-two years on the site of the present Riverside Park.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)