They Call Me James — James Warren of Carleton Place

This home was once located at the south east corner of Edmund and William Streets, and faced Edmund. At the time the photo was taken it was the home of George Warren. After being converted to a duplex, later families to live here included the Bakers, Drummonds, Taylors, and Lays.
Next door was the big Baden woodshop and second hand furniture shop. Prior to that, the big building housed Charles Whicher’s sign painting business.
St. James Anglican Parish Hall is now on this site.

Karen Robertson
George Warren was an uncle to my mom Isobel Warren. He use to have the license place at his house (not this house). I remember it was when everyone had to get their license on the same day not like today when it is on your birthday. My mom use to help him on that day.

CLIPPED FROM
**THE OTTAWA CITIZEN**
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
12 Jul 1910, Tue • Page 4
**Municipal Affairs, 1887**
The incorporation of Carleton Place as a village took place in October, 1870, with a population of 1,226. We now have about a thousand more people than most towns in the Dominion had when they designated themselves as towns by acts of incorporation. Our civic affairs are entrusted to a reeve, deputy reeve and three councillors. These at present are Reeve William Pattie (building contractor) Deputy Reeve, William Kelly, (retired hotel keeper), and Councillors James Warren (blacksmith), Alex Steele, (tinsmith and stove merchant) and Abner Nichols (planing mill owner). The clerk of the Council is A. R. G. Peden.

Photo-Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Years ago where the new St. James Church addition is at the corner of William. It sits, more or less, on the footprint of this big frame building from long ago. It housed James Warren’s blacksmith shop, and later, C.R. Whicher (???), House Signs and Carriage Painter. Image taken from a postcard circa. 1915.

Photograph courtesy of Carol Nicholson. Circa 1910.

Roy’s father had the first hydroelectric dam and generating station built in 1910 to provide the electricity to power his flour mill, which was located directly across the river from it. It continued to provide power to the town of Carleton Place until the 1970s, when it was demolished.

1929, Friday January 11, The Almonte Gazette front page
Wm. J. Warren of Carleton Pl. Dead
Well known Sportsman Passes After Brief Illness of Pneumonia
William J. Warren died on Monday at his home in Carleton Place after being ill only a few days. He had been under the doctor’s care for some weeks but his case was not considered serious and a rapid recovery was looked forward to. However, a few days ago he caught a cold that is so prevalent and when he developed pneumonia his strength failed him and he gradually grew weaker until he passed away. He was the son of the late James and Mrs Warren and was born in Carleton Place in 1883. He was one of the best known sportsman in the Ottawa Valley and his keenest delight was in horse racing. During the Old Home Week in Carleton Place in 1924 he was placed in charge of horse racing and it was due to his untiring efforts and his keen wisdom and fairness that the event was such a huge success. He was a familiar figure in baseball and hockey and dearly loved both games. For any years he was a member of the executive of both these branches of sport and during all the years he was a member he never missed a meeting, unless unavoidably absent from town. For many years he was the representative for the Mount Forest Carriage Company and in the performance of his duties he travelled from coast to coast. Of a very jovial disposition he had a host of friends both at home and abroad and it has been said that he one of the best known and most popular travellers on the road. In politics he was an ardent supporter of the Liberal-Conservative party and he will be greatly missed the local councils. In religion he was a devout member of Memorial Park Church and was always active in church work. In the political sphere, in sports, in fraternal circles and in all things pertaining to the welfare of the town, his death had made a void that will be hard to fill. He leaves to mourn his widow, three sons and one daughter, a little boy was accidentally drowned in the Mississippi river a few years ago. Also surviving are on brother George M. of Carleton Place, one sister Mrs W.H. Woods of Ottawa. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon. Rev J. Osrhout of Memorial Park Church conducted the funeral services at the home and the remains were placed in St. James’ Vault. Mrs Warren nee Isabel C. Snedden, is a daughter of Mrs D. E. Snedden, of Almonte.