Weldon Armour- One of Carleton Place’s Cool Kids

This cool group took over the steps of the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1959!
Pictured are Blaine Cornell, Gary McLellan, Weldon Armour seated, Dave Gordon, Dale Costello, Bob Bigras, Gerald Griffith, Ray Paquette and Gordon Bassett.- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

 

Today in my story about the John Street home in Carleton Place two of these young lads in the photo above helped me out with the story. Each time I look at this photo I truly believe that this has to be the ultimate photo of Carleton Place. I wonder what happened to Weldon Armour and why he was in a wheel chair. Today I found two stories in the newspaper archives and going to document them here for safe keeping.

You are part of  history now Weldon.

 

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  31 Aug 1963, Sat,  Page 34

 

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  01 Mar 1979, Thu,  REVISION,  Page 2

 

“John Armour also mentioned that his uncle Weldon Armour had two of them” in a story I wrote.  Wow–  John Armour? Related to Weldon? Everyone is really related to everyone in Lanark County:)

What did Weldon have two off? Click here–Do You Remember? Memories of the Pengor Penguin

 

Dale Costello– It was a privilege and honour to have counted Weldon “Woggi” Armour as one of my CP buds. We often joined in in keeping the parking meters intact and upright.  Spent many a day with Weldon, one of my valued CP buds. Always one for a laugh, his spirit was never broken and still lives within me. We ran the social activities from the steps of the Bank of Nova Scotia every week and many a young lady received close scrutiny from the boys. Weldon had a car with hand controls, and we would cruise all over town on $1 worth of gas those days.

Marilyn White– How true. They used to stand him at the meters and remove his wheelchair. He would often ask us as we walked by to give him his chair. He was so much a part of our town.

 

Linda SeccaspinaGroup Admin– Where was the location of the office?

 

Dale Costello– Off of the side street, not facing Emily Street.

Ray Paquette– Actually, it was a brick extension to the Armour home on the east side. Weldon’s desk was in front of a large picture window facing Emily Street so that he could watch the passing traffic during slow periods in the office. The entrance to the office was off Charles Street…
Ray Paquette– I stand corrected! I just checked Google Street View and the Armour home at 98 Emily shows the office extension with a ramp leading to an entrance. If memory serves me, when Weldon was first the MTO agent for license renewal, he worked out of a makeshift office in the kitchen (where I bought my Ontario plate in 1971 on return from NS on posting to Ottawa). When the word got out among the RCMP community in Ottawa that Weldon was operating the license bureau, they would form groups with one member designated to drive to CP to get the license renewal for everyone. The exponential increase in business lead to the need for the extension and a dedicated office

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)

 

Related reading

 

So are the High School Cool Kids still Cool?

 

The House at 180 Henry Street Carleton Place – John Armour

 

A little Carleton Place history. Life in early 20th century was not easy and filled with disappointments. This is one example. Two out of six children survived to an old age.

This house today is located at 180 Henry Street in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada. This is history of just one family of occupants.

 

On June 26, 1890, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 30 year old Robert Armour (b. August 17, 1860 Edenvale, County Antrim, Ireland – d. 1945, Carleton Place) married Jessie McNeely (b. Circa 1854 Lanark, Ontario – d. 1950 Carleton Place). They resided at this house. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad shops in Carleton Place.

 

 

Their household children were:

William “Willie” John Armour (b. August 21, 1890 – d. August 12, 1911) Died as a result of an accident, age 20 – photo holding axe and death certificate.

Robert “Robbie” Armour (b. April 25, 1893 – d. November 7, 1914) – Tuberculosis death age 21 (young child photo)

Walter Armour (b. May 1, 1895 – d. May 15, 1980)

Charles James Armour (b. May 26, 1898 – d. May 20, 1975)

Jessie Armour (b. November 26, 1901 – d. November 26, 1901)
Mary Ellen Armour (b. November 26, 1901 – d. November 29, 1901)

Births and funerals were most commonly carried out at home. The deaths (4 total – 2 boys and twin infant girls) would have been “waked” probably in the front parlour of the house (see death certificate for William).

They are all buried in Pine Grove/United Cemeteries, Carleton Place.

 

Thank you John Armour for all you do — you are amazing!

 

 

There is nothing like logging into Facebook and seeing someone has sent photos. Thanks Justin McNeely– Couple of old photos of the house at 180 Henry Street.

 

 

 

Related reading

Walter and John Armour and A Findlay Stove

The Photos of John Armour

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 3

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 1 and 2

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

 

 

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 3

The McNeely Saga thanks to John Armour for sharing. It’s only through sharing that we share history.

Notes regarding on section of the Clan who emigrated to Canada were compiled by Elizabeth McNeely, the eldest living descendant of Brice McNeely, the son of Brice McNeely, who was born in Ireland in 1794 and came to Canada with his father in 1820.

It is not known when the spelling was changed from MacNeill to its present form but it would seem that there were several branches in Scotland and in Ireland and presumably all were descended from the House of Niall of the ancient Royal Line in Ireland. This is part 3

Arklan Farm Sept 1892 Photos-Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

James, m. Margaret Edwards, lived on Arklan Farm, part of original grant. (Arklan) Brice, m. Margaret Elizabeth Lynch On Burgess farm, on Lake Avenue. John J., (Ashton) Arnold W. (Taxi Driver) Willard Mrs. Wm.Simpson Mrs. Ray Kennedy Mrs. Horace Coleman Mrs. Jack Yeaman (Faye) Mrs. Robert Service Brice,m. Frank, m. Jessie Boale Isabel,m. Wm.Pierce Arthur,d.,m. Margaret Erena James Kathleen,m. Barry Fraser Norman Helen,m. Eugene Bezak Mildred, m. J.A. Lynch Margaret J., m. Mr. Price Eliza Anne, m. Mr. Ramsbottom Daughter went to St. Hilda’s.m. Rev. Grant Sparling Also adopted son. Nathaniel D. Moore, Blacksmith in Carleton Place–Family now in Washington State, USA Seven Children

 

Photo from the John Armour photo collection

John Armour–This is a picture of Abner Nichols, (very early 1900’s) from my late Grandfather Walter Armour’s collection. Abner Nichols married Eliza McNeely (daughter of 2nd generation James McNeely). My Great Grandfather, Robert Armour married Jessie McNeely (daughter of 2nd generation McNeely, Thomas Moore)

 

Eliza, m. Abner Nichols

Wm. A. Nichols

Thomas E.

 

William A. Nichols – 1870/1933

Mayor of Carleton Place – 1902 – Planning & Sawmill Owner.

 

William Thomas Doris (Mrs. Paynter)

Pamela (Mrs. P. O’Reilly)

Velma (Mrs. Neil McGregor)

 

 

Thomas, m. Susan Donnelly

Charlotte, at Everett, USA

Nathaniel (Thanie)

James Catharine Albert–drowned when young

Brice–died young

Joan, m. Mr. Jergenson

 

Eva Jergenson, Everett High School

Gladys Jergenson, m.

 

 

Stay tuned!!!

The McNeely Family Saga– Part 1 and 2

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

Related reading:

An Amusing Abner Nichols and His Boat

Before and After at Centennial Park

Splinters of Sinders Nichols and Brides

Dim All The Lights — The Troubled Times of the Abner Nichols Home on Bridge Street

The World of William Abner Nichols

Another Episode in Spinsterdom–The Armour Sisters of Perth

 

The years under Queen Victoria’s reign (from 1837 to 1901) saw fewer marriages arranged by families, and more romance between couples. Young people from both upper and lower classes had opportunities to mingle in a supposedly safe environment with members of the opposite sex. For upper class people that might mean the opera and coming out balls, for lower class members of society there would be dances put on by churches. You’d probably be chaperoned through all of these activities, which is kind of a downer, at least until you were engaged.

The bad stuff came after you got married, especially because, at least as far as women were concerned, you were stuck in it. So, you had to make really good decisions about who you were going to marry. And you’d have to make them early, because most women married between 18 and 23 and waiting longer might make you a spinster.

Elizabeth Drexel, an American heiress, married Harry Lehr in 1901. He was supposedly fun and charming and they had a great courtship. He proposed to her by saying, “You must have guessed I have been in love with you ever since that first evening. I know you don’t love me, but you are lonely, you need someone to take care of you.” So everything was fine until they were married, at which point he promptly announced to Elizabeth, “I married you because the only person on earth I love is my mother. I want above everything else to keep her in comfort. Your father’s fortune will enable me to do so. But there is a limit to sacrifice. I cannot condemn myself to the misery of playing the role of adoring lover for the rest of my life…. for God’s sake leave me alone. Do not come near me except when we are in public, or you will force me to repeat to you the brutal truth that you are actually repulsive to me.” She never divorced him, and lived with him, unsatisfied, for the next 28 years.

So I have written about the Schwerdtfeger spinster sisters from Carleton Place, and now I have found another set called The Armour Sisters of Perth. In the early 1900s they lived at 60 Drummond Street that is now apartments?. They were the daughters of Dr. John Armour an early Glen Tay Line settler. If you have any information about them please email me: sav_77@yahoo.com

 

 

1911 Census of Canada
Home / 1911 / Ontario / Lanark South / 27 Perth / page 9 split view
Transcribed by: Bea Gosselin

10 101 Armour Mary F Head S Aug 1846 64
11 101 Armour Beatrice F Sister S Jul 1856 54
12 101 Armour Martha F Niece S Mar 1884 27

Armour—Died, at Perth on Sunday, Aug. 20,  1899 John Armour, aged 85–Perth Courier

 

On Sunday last, 20th inst., about midnight, death came to the family residence of John Armour, Sr., of this town and claimed as his own the honored head of the house at the ripe old age of 86 years.  The deceased had always been a man of robust constitution and only latterly felt that the four score years and more upon his head were giving warnings that the end was not far off.  Mr. Armour was born in Linnwood(?), Renfrewshire, Scotland on the 10th December, 1813 and came with his parents to this country in 1821 being then not 8 years old.  The family settled on the 3rd Concession Dalhousie near Lanark where they lived for many years and where his mother died, her last resting place being in the Lanark Village cemetery.  

The deceased was married to Miss Catharine McFarlane of Rosetta and settled on the 9th Line of North Burgess where he lived until he came to town to reside some ten years ago.  He was a man of sterling character and strict honesty and during his whole life he endeavored to succeed in doing to every man what he would like every man to do to him.  He inherited a large legacy left to him by a deceased relative in Scotland some years ago and his contribution to all religious, educational and charitable institutions were very liberal.  Nothing deserving of aid was ever passed by him when he was appealed to.  His widow and family of five sons and three daughters survive to mourn the loss of a kind and generous father and husband.  He had but one sister the late Mrs. George Richmond of Drummond.  The funeral on Wednesday was a very large one many from a distance coming in to attend the last rites of an old and respected friend.

 

Want to see more? Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News

Bertha Schwerdtfeger — Mother of the Carleton Place Schwerdtfeger Sisters

So was there Money Hidden in the Schwerdtfeger House?

 

P.C.I GYPSY CHOIR 1908. Sitting, left to right; Elanor Crosbie, Ronald Scott, Annie McNee, J. Campbell, Gertie Frizell, Coral Topping, H. Dowson, Mabel Lyon, Bill Topping, Arthena Spalding. Standing, left to right; Ed Code, Ethel Armour, W. Ewart, Minnie Balderson, Jack Hope, Annie Wilson, Harold Stone, Hattie Cameron. Perth Remembered

Walter and John Armour and A Findlay Stove

 

 

 

Walter in 1977 and Grandson John in 2004 at homestead of Walter’s Father, Robert Armour (Turloughstown/Kells, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland)– All Photos property John Armour

 

John Armour has sent me many important local pictures, and last week he sent me a link to  photos from a vintage hardware store in Gananoque that he visited.

There, prominently displayed, were two Findlay Oval stoves, in mint condition. His Grandfather, Walter Armour, was a Master Moulder for 60 years at Findlay’s, so he was looking at these beautiful stoves in the store knowing his Grandfather had a hand in building them.

 

 

All Photos property John Armour

 

Thank you John for these photos, and remember to drop into the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum— to see the silent Findlay Foundry Film.

 

Related Reading

The Photos of John Armour

An Amusing Abner Nichols and His Boat

 

Lyle was singing this song during the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum’s display of  Bertha Schwerdtfeger’s Hats “Brimful Full of Memories”

 

 

 

The Photos of John Armour

These are from the collection of John Armour- 1977 CPHS graduate- Thank you John!

From the early 1900’s — Carleton Place, Ontario

The is Central School (demolished in 1963 – site of current CP Post Office) Circa 1912 – Principle far right is R. J. Robertson Principal.

 

Photo of young Mabel Hooper (circa 1908) who was a McNeely and married Wm. H. Hooper (photographer in CP and former military POW in WWI). She is buried at Pine Grove United Cemetery. From the Jessie and Robert Armour collection as given and told to John by his Grandfather, Walter Armour (1895-1980)

 

 

 

“Captain William Hooper and his wife Mabel at “Raloo Cottage”. Mabel (1879 – 1952) was the daughter of Brice McNeely Jr. and Mary MacDowell. They were married in 1905.”He became a noted early professional photographer in the 1900’s Carleton Place and were a respected couple.

Photo- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

WW1 broke out and within two weeks, the town’s first dozen volunteers under Captain William H. Hooper left Carleton Place. Major W. H. Hooper, husband of Mabel Hooper –home after four years’ service in the first world war including two years as a prisoner in Germany, was welcomed in a reception held outdoors.  Indoor meetings had been banned by reason of deaths from a world influenza epidemic.

R.J. Robertson- Principal Central School

In 1910 Carleton Place appointed a new public school principal to teach the senior class and supervise the operation of two schools and the work of thirteen other teachers.  The opening salary was $800.  Teachers were: Misses McCallum, Shaw, Burke, Anderson, O’Donnell, Caswell, Sturgeon, Sinclair, McLaren, Fife, Flegg, Morris, Cornell, and Mr. R. J. Robertson, principal.