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HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEPSTOW AND VICINITY
A TRIBUTE TO THE EARLY PIONEERS

By  Oliver F. Coumans

1937
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PREFACE

           To preserve the hitherto unwritten but oft-told folklore of the pioneers in the picturesque little village of Chepstow, makes the writing of this history of our village a task of pleasure.
          The fact that the story of Chepstow’s pioneer days shall not remain forever unwritten, creates a feeling of satisfaction, and in a small way pays homage to our ancestors who, through their untiring energy, were ever advancing toward definite achievement over Nature’s obstacles. To them, is this little history fondly dedicated. 

INDIAN TERRITORY

           Back in the early part of the 19^th century, this section of what was then referred to as Indian Territory, was entirely under the control of the Iroquois Indians. Naturally, it was not very stable control, as warring Indians were continually striving for its ownership. The Ojibways, who live to the north around the Sault, had clashed with the Iroquois several times on their way out to Quebec to sell the furs they had trapped. Ultimately this led to battle, one section of which was fiercely fought at the mouth of the Saugeen River and resulted in the triumph of the Ojibways. Then in 1836 the Treaty of Manitowaning was signed, and this Indian Territory became Crown Lands, commonly called the “Queen’s Bush.” This, then, was the picture a little over a century ago -- no white men -- no cultivation -- just a virgin bush country, sparsely settled by Indians who trapped and fished in its hills and streams. No doubt they found good trapping up the Yokassippi River, later known as the Mud River and now as our own Teeswater River. In tending these trap lines the Indians must have frequently passed the present site of our Village, little dreaming what change less than a century would make. 

CROWN LANDS

          Rapidly the status of these lands changed from Indian to Crown Lands, and as such were available for settlement and improvement. Immigration to Upper Canada, now the Province of Ontario, increased tremendously, especially from 1847 on, necessitating the opening of new lands. At this time the control of these lands was handled from Quebec City, and in 1848 the Honorable D.B. Papineau of Quebec ordered a survey to be made, by Surveyor A. P. Brough, of what is now known as the Durham Road, which led to the first white settlement in the Township of Greenock, near Riversdale, in 1849. It was not until 1852 that the rest of the Township was surveyed by Surveyor R. Walsh, whose party were the first white people to pass through our Village site.
          The lands thus surveyed were thrown open for sale by the Crown on September 27^th, 1854, at Southampton, excepting the free grant lots along the “Durham.” This sale had all the aspects of the later land rush to our Canadian Northwest, and many of our forefathers were present. There was a uniform charge of seven shillings six pence (roughly $1.85) per acre, with one tenth down and subject chiefly to the provision that the occupancy was to be immediate and continuous.
          The Map of the Township of Greenock, immediately surrounding Chepstow (printed herein) made in May 1855, purports to show the settlers who had taken up these Crown lands at this sale. Naturally there were many who were mere speculators and could not live up to the conditions just referred to, so that names sometimes appear on these Maps who did not actually reside thereon and therefore were not able to obtain the deed from the Crown.

 FOUNDING OF CHEPSTOW

          In the Spring of 1852, after settlers had come in on the surveyed land at Riversdale, the call of the wild had come to John Phelan, his wife Bridget, daughter Mary, and his elder brother Dennis. These, the first settlers in our Village, possessed intrepid courage and unbounding hospitality and their names are indelibly linked with those precarious early days. They came in along the Durham Road to Riversdale, where they engaged a gentleman named McDonald to take them down the Yokassippi River in a large canoe hollowed out of a pine log. Leaving early on a bright, May morning, the 17^th of the month, they left behind them the fringe of civilization to wind their way down the river through a land of primeval forest and jungle-like swamp on which, excepting the surveyor’s, no white man’s eyes had ever gazed. At dusk we find them at a spot some 500 feet west of the present North Line bridge, a spot no different from what they had been gazing all day, but with the shadows of darkness spreading, they decided to disembark. Here, under the sheltering branches of a huge hemlock tree, they spent their first night. In the morning they found a rude bark shanty that the surveyors had used, and this became their home until they had their log house built. This house, torn down in 1875, stood back from the north bank of the river, 500 feet west of the present north line road. John Phelan’s mother died in this house and lies buried in Chepstow. They squatted on Lots five and six in the 6^th Concession and Lots six and seven in the 7^th Concession, until they purchased them from the Crown on September 27^th, 1854.
          Life’s most urgent problem to them was to make a clearing, and this led them to contact their fist neighbor, William Fleming, father of William, Richard and John Fleming. They had heard the ring of his axe somewhere to the south, and one day in 1853 on following it up were surprised and delighted to meet Mr. Fleming.
          Another name blazoned with glory of pioneering was that of Campbell.  Alexander Campbell came directly from Scotland with his three sons and three daughters and in 1853 took up land on Lots three and four, Concession six and seven, followed by his brother Colin and son Alexander who later went to Bruce Mines. Colin’s eldest son also came from Scotland in 1856 and drove up from Guelph with a team of oxen as far as Andy Ditner’s corner, then Dougald McDonald’s, opposite Norman McAulay’s. they stopped overnight there and were forces to walk the rest of the way, crossing the creek and Mullin’s dam on a hemlock log and then up Drummond’s hill. Mrs. Alexander McKinnon, whom we are pleased to have with us still, recalls that this hill was so steep that the youngsters had to crawl up it. Duncan Campbell had taken Lot 4, Concession 7; his brother Donald Lot 3, Concession 7; and another brother Lot 4, Concession 6.
          Settlers were now occupying the land at so great a rate that we can only make brief mention of their names and locations. but [sic]  the all shared alike in the opening up of our community. In Angus McKinnon took up Lot 7, Concession 6, and his brother Niel Lot 7, Concession 6. Niel’s son Ken, later went to Alpena, Michigan. Angus McKinnon’s son Alexander was the husband of our present resident Mrs. McKinnon.
          In 1856 John Coumans, grandfather of John Coumans who later kept store in the Village from 1905 to 1920, came from Kincardine district with his three sons, John, Simon and Thomas.  and [sic] took up Lot 9, Concession 6. Simon later went to live near Bay City, Michigan, and Thomas near the Sault, Michigan where he is still living at the ripe age of 94 years. Thomas Inglesby located on Lot 7, Concession 6, with his sons John, Thomas, Philip, Simon and daughter Mary, later moving to the States where John, Thomas and Mary finally located in Chicago. A fine early settler, Mrs. Stapleton with her sons Thomas, John and James came in. Another well-known person in early business affairs was Patrick Toohey and his sons Patrick, John and Timothy, who later moved to Michigan and became prominent in steel construction work. The Drummonds and their three children, Peter, Patrick and Mary, were among the first to arrive, later moving to Michigan. John Fleming, Lot 7, Concession 5, later to Kansas, and Richard Fleming on Lot 6, Concession 5, did yeoman service in reclaiming this land from the wilderness. Other early settlers were Andy McDermott on the farm now owned by Jack Lacey, Hugh Leonard, the Thompson family, the Graffs, Donnelly’s [sic], Callaghans’s [sic] and Fritz’s [sic].  In 1870 John and Martin Oldheiser settled on Lot 9, Concession 7. Sandy and Rory McDonald settled on the 4^th Concession, but later went to Bruce Mines. Jim Lane also settled on the 4^th  and went later to the Sault. There was also Mr Gaulley on Lot 13, Concession 9. Tom Kenny on Lot 6, Concession 9, hauled out pine logs and floated them to Paisley where he sold them at 50¢ a standard, roughly $2.00 per M, in the year 1868.
          Many other settlers coming after 1860 could be mentioned -- the Deans on the 9^th, James Kelly, Keoughs (Martin and Miles), Ned Hennessey, the Lanes in 1867 and their sons John, Nicholas and Anthony who are fortunately still with us. Martin Kunkel, who later moved to Powassen, Ontario; Joseph Schurter; Joseph Massel; John Hogan, who came in 1873 on a sleigh hauling salt from Kincardine; Dan Mullins in 1867; Pat and Michael Connors on the 10^th Concession; Michael O’Rourke on the 9^th; Philip Oehring, Lot 5, on the 9^th; Michael Meagher on the 19^th; Joseph Fritz on the 7^th; Martin Doyle; Owen Durkin; Charles Madden; and Fred Kroepplin on the 5^th. Then there was William Thompson on the 5^th Concession and 15^th sideroad with his sons, Tom, Alex and Neil. The last three were grandsons of William Thompson who settled on the 4^th. Roger Clancy settled on the Townline, John Kloeppfer on the 6^th, Michael McNab, Sr. on the 8^th and later on the 5^th Concession, John Graf on the 5^th, Jacob Hauck on the 9^th, McCabes, Lot 12, Concession 6. Englebert Zettle came in 1860 and in 1869, Martin Miller arrived from Bridgeport. Pierce Lacey, grandfather of Jack Lacey, settled on the 8^th, Anthony Krtiz on the 4^th, Andy O’Brien on the 4^th, Jack O’Donnel on the 9^th, John and Michael Heeney on the 5^th, Stephen Wigess, who later kept the hotel at Lacey’s, afterwards went to Michigan near West Branch, Tom Kenney on the 8^th, Owen Kelly who settled on the 6^th and later went to the American Sault, John French on the Town Line, James Donnelly on the Town Line also. Bill and Dennis Donnelly on the 9^th, who later went to Barbeau, Michigan, near the Sault. Quite a prominent name in our early days was the Cassidy family. William Cassidy came from Ireland on a sailing vessel and it was noted that the compass was out of order. Mr.Cassidy, through his knowledge, was able to set it right with the north star as his guide. By his first wife he had two sons, Billy, who is still living near Riversdale, and Jim; also a daughter, Eliza (Mrs. Spears). By his second wife he had five sons, Jack, Joe, Edward, Tom and Jerome. Another early settler was Jim Kearney on Lot 13, Concession 5, who later went to Kansas; also Tom Leahy on the 8^th. Art Steagan on the 4^th, Peter Clarkson on the Town Line, Frank Albrcht, later of Karlsruhe, Joseph Wilhelm, later of Brant, Philip Ernewein, Jacob Bruder, Joseph Guilford, later of Mildmay, Adam Altman afterwards residing in Muskoka, Martin Lambrix on the 6^th, who later moved to Buffalo, John Wagner who came in 1869, Neil Leonard on Lot 6, Concession 9, Eugene O’Hagan on the 4^th, George Lippert and his sons Joseph and John, Lot 13, Concession 6,and George Schmidt and his sons John Mike, Ed and Simon on the 8^th.
          These early farmers have written their records in imperishable deeds, which are sufficient testimony to their indomitable courage and tenacity. About 75% of the early pioneers, after timbering days were numbered, betook themselves in many cases to northern Michigan, where the new land and lumbering appealed to them and enabled them to capitalize on the experience gained around Chepstow.
          We regret that many of their names have disappeared around Chepstow and too soon their descendants who left here in their youth will have passed on, but we shall always heartily welcome those who come later to see the homeland of their forefathers and the Village that met their daily needs.
          Unfortunately, names of settlers, many of whom played important parts in pioneer days, have been overlooked, even in such a short time as 75 years. If such there be, we deeply regret the omission and wish to couple their names with the others. 

EARLY EXPERIENCES 

          Try to visualize the task of clearing a land completely covered with heavy timber. There was none of the present stump pulling equipment, nor stumping powder available at that time, but these settlers had the necessary stamina to carry on. Apart from this, obstacles toward a comfortable living seemed insurmountable. There were no roads, no markets to create a purchasing power for themselves, no schools, no means of livelihood without an unceasing effort to create. And yet, from this crucible of scarcity and want, evolved a class of men and women with great creative genius, initiative and efficient management. It is these enduring qualities, which could only come from their successful battle against privation, that we inherit from them a heritage we treasure with greater respect than even the material gains they achieved for us.
          The work of clearing the land went on from 1852 to 1870, and in these years to the prospective purchaser of a farm lot it was not a question, as it is now, of how much bush there was, but instead, how much clearing was there. Wheat had to be hauled by oxen over bush and corduroy roads as far away as Kincardine.  Indeed, it was quite common for a man to pack a much needed bag of flour on his back from Durham to Phelan’s Settlement, as Chepstow was known as late as 1868, or, if he had means, with an ox team and jumper. This, with a barrel of salt pork and fish, formed the chief dish for these log chopping giants. Game was plentiful at first and down into the early 70’s there were, in season, flocks of wild pigeons that were literally slaughtered. At times they flew so thick they blotted out the sun. They could be killed with sticks from any high vantage point, but with such indiscriminate killing they became extinct in the 70’s.
          Of course, being Irish and of a very sociable disposition, a bit of whiskey was relished at times and at many a logging bee the flowing jug (whiskey being worth from 25¢ to 30¢ a gallon) added zest to the work. Taverns sprung up and became the social centres for these socially starved early pioneers. Many of these have since disappeared, but what tales they could tell of rollicking times, feats of strength, exploits of labour well done, tricks played on neighbors, or perhaps a bit of bravado so potently nurtured on these occasions. It might be well to point out that in all references to these early pioneers, it must be borne in mind that the women, with there perseverance, resoluteness and ability, deserve to rank equally with the men in all achievements accomplished. The following is a little anecdote to illustrate this statement. Mrs. John Phelan was alone in her cabin when suddenly an Indian came in demanding food. She gave it to him, but he became ferocious whereupon she seized a large horn and called. The Indian thought the men were close and fled. Another time, Mrs. John Coumans became lost in the woods and after going around in circles for hours finally heard a man chopping. Walking nearer, she called, asking the way to John Coumans’ cabin; when, to her astonishment, she heard her own husband answer. 

SAW MILLS

          It was quite a sight for the Villagers to gather in those early days to see Cargill’s logs floated down the River over Phelan’s dam, on their way to the mill at Cargill.
         One of the earliest commercial lumber deals involved Messrs. Toohey, Coumans, O’Rourke, and Dennis Phelan, who had the contract to supply the timber for the Goderich harbour in 1868. The timber was taken out of the swamp and floated down the Teeswater and Saugeen, and then was to be rafted to Goderich. However, a storm came up on the lake and a lot of the timber was lost. They were unable to fulfill their contract and in a court decision the contractor at Goderich collected damges [sic] from them.
         Next to roads and convenient markets, the crying need was for a saw mill, where the splendid timber, being cut down and wasted, could be used for better buildings. It was in 1859 that John Phelan built the first dam across the Mud River, the remains of which may still be seen. This was followed by the erection of a saw mill, which he rented to Black Bros. and later to Toohey and Coumans in 1865, and to Henry Cargill in 1872, who changed it from water power to steam. Then in a few years it went to Dennis Phelan who changed it back to water power. It was operated by John Phelan, whose preference for water power brought forth the saying “Plucky old Jack says, ‘Never quail, I’ll turn it with a crank if the water should fail!’” The dam was considered a hinderance to proper land drainage, and in 1887 it was acquired by the Township for $3,000 and destroyed.          An upright mill was built by Dennis Phelan where Mullin’s Mill now stands. It was later rented to Miller and Hartlieb, afterwards sold to John Coumans II, then to Joseph Graff who was the owner when it burned down. He then built a steam mill on the other side of the pond which he rented to Louis Yaeck and later on Thomas Mullin bought it and tore it down and thereupon built the splendid grist mill on the site of the old saw mill. 

FIRST  POSTOFFICE

           In 1858 Phelan’s Postoffice [sic] was opened and Mr. William Hennessey was the first postmaster. It was situated near Massel’s store, mail being received once a week. A petition was sent to the Postoffice [sic] Department to call the postoffice “Emmet,” after the great Irish patriot, but this request was not granted; instead it was named after Chepstow, a charming English town located on the River Wye in Gloucester, England, at the head of the Bristol Channel.

 EARLY DAYS IN THE VILLAGE

SOUTHERLY FROM THE S. W. CORNER

           Back in the 60’s and 70’s our village had not the trim appearance of to-day. Log buildings and sheds with stumps up to the doors predominated, but they were sufficient to the times. The road was much narrower than now and full of deep ruts.
          On the southwest corner of the Village, where Weiler’s store now stands, stood a log stable owned by Billy Welsh, who lived on Lot 7, Concession 8. He also owned the first hotel which is now used as a residence by Mr. J. J. Weiler, this hotel at the time being run by Wendel Anstett. It is the best preserved of all the older village buildings. Proceeding south from the hotel we find the first store built in the Village, owned by Wendel Messner, and constructed in 1863, remaining there for fifty years. South of this was a less pretentious store rented by Dows, then Francis Messner run by John Murhpy, later by William Lyn, and afterwards used as Chepstow’s first tailor shop under William Weber’s direction. In 1868, Michael McNab, Sr. bought out Messner’s store and in 1875 bought out Walsh and moved to the present store of J. J. Weiler from where Joseph Schutofski has his warehouse, to its present site on the corner. At this time Mr. McNab ran both the hotel and store. His son, J. W. McNab, who died in Toronto in 1936, ran the store from 1890 until 1905, then it was kept by Mr. John Coumans, afterwards by Mr. A. M. Boegel, who sold it to Mr. Buhlman, and then Mr. Weiler acquired it.  

WESTERLY FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER

           Going west from the log stable at the corner, which, by the way, was used as a shoe shop by Clifford, we find Hennessey’s blacksmith shop, later purchased by the present ownder [sic], Mr. Joseph Massell, who came in 1882. Adjoining was Hennessey’s log barn, then came Mosach’s wagon shop, now owned by Michael Schurter, whose father also had a blacksmith shop next to it. Murphy’s resided next to this in an old building that is now the late Frank Phelan’s garage. Proceeding west, the next building was a house owned by Toohey and Coumans. Then came the lane and the property of Daniel Mullins, great-grandfather of Frank Mullins, afterwards the Golden property, and now John Walter’s home. The only other building west of this was the frame church of St. John the Baptist, built in 1863 and situated to the east of the present church.

 WESTERLY FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER

          On the northwest corner of the Village stood Lawrence Hartlieb’s hotel, built in 1869, which has well weathered the intervening time, being still intact, and now operating under the name of the King Edward Hotel and owned by Mrs. James Fleming. West of this hotel was a store owned by Henry Cargill and run by Black Bros., afterwards by Trimble, then Harper and finally by Seitz of Formosa. It was this store that was later to become McNab’s store. Next to the store was the first log schoolhouse. It stood near Joseph Schutofski’s business place. It had desks along the sides only for older pupils, while the younger ones had to be content with just logs to sit on. Then came the cemetery, used from 1860 to 1868, with Frank’s harness shop next to it and then Joseph Graf’s [sic] building, still owned by Mollie Graf. West of the harness shop was Joseph Hunzieger’s [sic] wagon shop, the father of Councillor [sic] Walter Huntziger. [sic] Next came the short lane and on this lane the first home of John Coumans, now owned by Jack Stapleton. 

PHELAN’S DAM

           The contour of the land, west of this dam, was much different than it is now. For here was the hub and centre of activity of the Village, with Phelan’s dam and mill, a log house still standing where Patrick Toohey lived and another frame house, the home of John Phelan. This dam created quite a sizeable pond, which at the west end bridge measured some 300 feet in width, and it served excellently as the ‘old swimming hole’ of those times.  

EASTERLY FROM THE NORTHEAST CORNER

          On the northeast corner of the Village was Cashin’s shoe shop where in 1875 Toohey’s hotel was built practically as large as Hartlieb’s hotel, later owned and operated by John Lacey, father of Councillor Jack Lacey. It was burned in 1897, and never rebuilt. In 1879 Peter Graff built a brewery just east of the creek, but it also was burned with Lacey’s hotel. The building is now occupied and owned by John Zister. The only house east of the brewery was Michael Karner’s, who moved to Gagetown, Michigan, and it is now owned by John Siegel. Later on, of course, Peter Fischer and Mrs. Alex McKinnon had homes to the east.
          Opposite Karner’s house was a shack, where old John Keegan lived and died alone. Being without kith and kin, it became a problem to get someone to keep watch over the body. It was winter, and the body lay frozen in the bunk. Finally Harry McNab and Tom Fleming volunteered their services, after being given a bottle of whiskey to bolster their courage. They soon had a fire going, as well as the bottle, paying little attention to the corpse. But in the meantime the body began to thaw out, and suddenly it flopped over and dropped with a thud to the floor. Harry and Tom took one look and streaked out through the door, and ten bottles of whiskey would not bring them back. 

SOUTHERLY FROM THE SOUTHEAST CORNER

           At the southeast corner stood an old upright steam saw mill, the mill and dam being built by Dennis Phelan in 1865, later rented to Hartlieb and Miller and then sold to John Coumans, Joseph Graff, and finally to Thomas and now Frank Mullin, who has an up-to-date chopping mill on the site. On the corner of the land, where Andy Ditner lives, was the home of Simon Coumans. Along the next lane was the home of George Forwald, then Joseph Ansetett and then Dennis Donnelly later owned by Martin Oldheiser, the last house on the lane being owned by Pat Culliton. 

THE CHURCH 

          Our pioneers had a very deep respect and appreciation for their religion and consequently their lives were closely associated with the church. The first Mass was celebrated in Phelan’s old log house on the north side of the river, built in 1852. Later on, in 1859, Mr. Phelan built a log house on the south side, which became the first church and is still standing today, as is also the frame house which Mr. Phelan built in 1867. The first celebrant was the Rev. Caspar [sic] Matoga, who was born in Siepraw, Galicia, entered the Jesuit order, came to Guelph in 1852, and was appointed to officiate in the Counties of Wellington, Grey and Bruce, where he carried on his missionary work. He soon began his tedious trips on foot through the bush from Guelph, in the course of which he reached Phelan’s settlement very infrequently, but his career was cut short by hs untimely death in 1856 at the age of 33 years.
          Mrs. John Phelan had to put on an extra spurt on these occasions when the priest arrived, getting the house prepared and then preparing a meal, in a large sugar kettle, for all the neighbors who had footed it through the woods to be present. After Father Matoga’s death, Rev. J. Blaettner, S.J., Who was stationed at Formosa, attended this section for a few years, and then for a very short time Rev. Father Laufhuber, S.J., also from Formosa.
          Father Laufhuber was succeeded by Rev. Father Macog, who was rumored to be half Indian and half French.  He came occasionally to attend the spiritual wants of the Catholic people in Phelan’s settlement, accompanied by an Indian boy, both riding Indian ponies. In 1861, Father J. St. Aubin, who had been born in France, became the first resident priest in Riversdale. He had a boat built and came down the river to what was called the “burnt place” near John Durkin’s farm and here he disembarked and made his way to Martin Doyle’s home, where Mass was said for worshippers in that section. He belonged to the Basilian Order with headquarters at Owen Sound. They ministered to the people in our district from 1860 to 1864, and besides Father St. Aubin they included Fathers Fortin, Bardou and Grenier. In 1863, the first part of the old frame church was built. It was called St. John the Baptist and was situated between the present church and the rectory. Mr. Wendel Messner donated the bell. It was set up in the old school and each child was allowed to ring it twice. As the congregation increased an addition was built by Messrs. Toohy and Coumans with a second addition following later.
          In 1863, Bishop Farrel, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton, administered confirmation. From 1864 on, secular clergy attended to Chepstow’s spiritual needs, the first priests being Fathers Joseph J. Schmidt, Hugh J. Kelly, F. X. Rassaerts, J. Keogh, and Father Madigan. In 1878 Rev. S. E. Waddel was appointed first resident priest and it was he who, in 1880, built the second addition to the old frame church. His fine picnics and the turtle soup served on these occasions are well remembered by many to this day.  Because of ill health he retired in the fall of 1900, and the present pastor, Rev. Dean Zettler assumed charge. During his pastorate the parish has made splendid progress, and the good works he has wrought will always remain as a monument to him.
          As the old church no longer sufficed to accommodate the congregation, it was decided to build a new one west of the old site. The first sod was turned on June 7, 1902, the contractor being Henry Kunkel. The cornerstone was laid by Rt. Rev. T. J. Dowling, Bishop of Hamilton, on May 24, 1903, in the presence of a large number of clergy. The rectory was built in 1911. 

CEMETERY 

        The first cemetery was on the property now owned by Mrs. Hartlieb, Miss Graff and the High School playground. The first person buried in it was Mr. Tyrell in the year 1860. Eight years later the cemetery was moved to its position back of the church. A working bee was organized to assist in this work. Miss Rose Kelly was the first one to be buried in this cemetery. However, years later this cemetery became so crowded and the drainage was bad, so Dean Zettler purchased a new site east of the Village in 1930. The first person buried in this new cemetery was Mrs. Stapleton. No doubt most of the burials from now on will take place here, excepting those who have plots in the older one. 

SCHOOL 

         The first school in Chepstow was a log building built in 1858, situated on Mr. Schutofski’s lot. The first teacher was Wm. Cassidy, who had previously taught for four years in Riversdale. In 1875 a new frame school was built a little north of the old one. It had two rooms and the last teachers in this school were Mr. Leyes and Miss McGillicuddy. The building was later moved up to the road and is now the warehouse of Joseph Schutofski. Since the great majority of people were Catholic, a separate school was built opposite the church in 1892. The school section had long anticipated securing religious teachers for the separate school. This was finally realized when four Sisters of Notre Dame were heartily welcomed to Chepstow in 1926. These first Sisters were Sister Edwardine, Sister Mary Pius, Sister Daniela and Sister Tarcisia. The Hartleib residence was transformed into a convent with two rooms remodeled to serve as a school for a Continuation Class. Twenty-eight pupils were enrolled in this class on September 13, 1926.
          It might be appropriate here to mention most of the teachers who succeeded Mr. Cassidy, such as John Kennedy, Daniel Higgins, Mr. Kenny (who had a shack between Concession 5 and 6 on Lot 6), Miss Hughes, Miss O’Reilly, Kate Strong (later Mrs. McIntyre of Toronto), Mrs. McGilly, Paddy Boyle, Joe Armstrong, John Donnelly (later Mons. Donnelly of Denver, Colorado), George Gfroerer, George Leyes, Emma Miller, Bridget Donnelly, Lillian Casserly, Miss L. Cogan, Arthur McAulay, Wilf. Herringer, John Kellan, Miss Fitzpatrick, Val Schurter, Mary Kenny, Miss Meagher, and Miss McGinnis. These names call up varying emotions in the minds of our present citizens as they well remember some of the wielders of the rod in bygone days.

FIRST BUGGY

           The first buggy, costing $125.00 came into the Village in 1880, owned by Peter Fritz, followed by one for Joseph Fritz, the John Lippert and Joseph Oldheiser. Rapidly after this the buggy age came into its own here. The first cutter was owned by John Coumans. 

FIRST AUTOMOBILE

           The first automobile used in Chepstow was a second-hand Overland bought in London in 1912 by John Coumans. All the repair parts, and there were many of them, had to be brought in from Toledo, Ohio. A few months after, Rev. Dean Zettler bought and Oakland car and Roger Clancy a Ford.  

FIRST TELEPHONE

           Before the days of the telephone, a telegraph instrument was operated in McNab’s store, and provided for the needs of quick communication. In 1908 the first telephone line was built into the Village and soon many business places and homes had phones installed and this did away with the telegraph service.  

FIRST ELECTRIC LIGHTS

           Candles and somewhat sparingly used coal oil lamps provided light up until the year 1928, when an electric power line was run into Chepstow from the Walkerton system. A few years before, Delco lights had been put in the church and J. J. Weiler’s store. It was rather a fortuitous circumstance that gave that gave Chepstow her electricity. The Foshay Co. of Minneapolis had been promoting power utility systems in different parts of the States and Canada, in the course of which they bought out the Walkerton plant and immediately extended it to include Chepstow without any cost or obligations  on the part of the Villagers. The company lasted just long enough to get this work done, when they went into receivership and Ontario Hydro Power Commission bought them out.  

CONCRETE WORK

           In 1908, the old wooden bridge at Frank Mullin’s was replaced by a reinforced concrete arch, the contract being carried out by John Coumans. In 1927, Thomas Mullin replaced the old dam at his mill by a modern concrete structure.
          In 1913 concrete sidewalks were built in the Village through the co-operation of the residents, headed by Rev. Father Zettler. Another civic improvement was the laying of a concrete floor on the North Line bridge in 1906. 

FIRST RAILROAD

           The first railroad engine came into Paisley on June 8, 1872.  It had come as far as Walkerton November 30, 1871. The Railway was known as the Wellington Grey and Bruce Line, and the company owning it had received a bonus of $250,000 from the county for putting this line through the county to Southampton. It was later acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway and then by the Canadian National Railways.

FIRST RADIO

          In 1922 the first radio, a large size cabinet, DeForrest - Crossley make, was bought by A. M. Boegel, general merchant.

 GREENOCK SWAMP

          The early surveyors made unfavourable reports on what was to them waste land, now know as the Greenock Swamp. For 50 years it was a barrier to the building of an east-west road through the Township, and it was not until 1871, when the swamp lands were publicly sold and acquired within a few years by  Henry Cargill, who constructed some ditches to aid in getting out the valuable pine timber, that road building was made feasible. In 1901 roads were opened through on the 6^th and the 10^th Concessions. It is now interesting to note the County Valuators’ report on these swamp lands, issued in 1879. They say “Greenock Township value.” This latter prediction has failed to materialize, as Mr. Cargill not only took out the pine, but a lot of other timber as well, and his son, Wm. Cargill, continued the lumbering operations. He has since sold the largest part of the swamp to Senator J. J. Donnelly, who, with his son Clare, opened up a sawmill in Chepstow in 1925 and they estimate a sufficient supply of timber on the swamp lands to run the mill indefinitely. Besides its timber value it provides a reservoir for holding rainfall and preventing floods, so that what appeared in the early years to be a liability, to the Township is now a definite asset.
          The years from 1872 on, when Mr. Cargill operated a lumber camp in the swamp, had an enormous influence on the economic life of the Chepstow district. Some 75 from the vicinity here, worked in the shanties with Patrick Murray, the father of Peter and Frank Murray, as shanty boss. Probably the last of these early lumberjacks to pass away were John Hogan of the Village and Ed. Kelly’s son.
          Complete drainage of the swamp would appear to be undesirable, and while the dredging of the river in 1926 and 1927, at a cost of $80,000, partially affected the swamp, it has been of much more value to agricultural lands.
         Deer have been increasing in the swamp of late years, and in 1935 and 1937 a week was allotted to deer hunting when a number were shot by Village residents. 

ASSESSMENT VALUES

           As an indication of how settlement in Greenock advanced in the first few years, a glance at the following assessment values in the Township will be of interest:

1851 $9500,
1852 $9500,
1853 $17,500,
1854 $41,180
1855 $123, 540
1856 $183,360
1857 $220,000

          This shows quite an influx of settlers in the first five years of our history, but it pales into insignificance with the 1936 assessed value of $1,783,770. 

MUNICIPAL LIFE OF GREENOCK

          The first election was held in 1854 when George Cromar was chosen for Reeve and Messrs. H. Hawthorne, Luke Chartreau, H. Pinkerton and L. Kenny were the Councillors. The Township Clerk was James Cromar, the Treasurer John McGregor, Assessor James Mahon and the collector William Fleming. These officials carried on until 1858.
          Since the first election the following have served the Township:

1859 - Reeve, John Valentine; Councillors, D. Pinkerton,
           John Phelan [,] George Cromar, J. B. Ritchie

1860-61 The same except J. Blackhall instead of George Cromar.

1862 - The same except L. Chartreau for J. Blackhall and
             D. Phelan for J. Phelan.

1863 - R. Pinkerton, Reeve; Councillors, J. Valentine, D. Phelan,
           Wm. Bowes, Geo. Brockie 

1864- Reeve, R. Pinkerton; Councillors, T. Corrigan, J. Phlan,
           Wm. Bowes, Geo Brockie 

1865 -  Reeve, J. Valentine; Councillors, T. Corrigan, R. Pinkerton,
             J. Phelan, W. Bradley 

1866 - Reeve, R. Pinkerton; Councillors, T. Corrigan, Jas. Mair,
           J. Phelan, Wm. Bowes 

1867 - Reeve, R. Pinkerton; Councillors, M. Pinkerton, Jas. Mair,
            P. Toohey, A. Symon 

1868 - Reeve, Jas. Mair; Councillors, H. Montgomery, R. Young,
            P. Toohey, A. Symon 

Year               Reeve                        Councillors                      

1869                R. Pinkerton                 Same as in 1868

1870                R. Pinkerton                 J. Cameron, R. Garland,
                                                            P. Toohey, A. Symon

1871                R. Pinkerton                 J. Cameron, J. Waechter,
                                                            P. Toohey, A. Symon

1872                Jas. Mair                      J. Millar, D. McKinnon,
                                                            J. Wilson, R. Garland

1873                Jas. Mair                      P. Toohey, D. McKinnon,
                                                            A. Symon, L. Lamb

1874                John Millar                   P. Toohey, J. Pinkerton,
                                                           A. Symon, L. Lamb

1875                Wm. Bradley                P. Toohey, R. Garland,
                                                            W.A. Reid, L. Spitzig

1876                Wm. Bradley                J. Coumans, R. Garland,
                                                            A. Symon, L. Spitzig

1877                Wm. Bradley                J. Phelan, R. Garland,
                                                            L. Lamb, W.A. Reid

1878                Wm. Bradley                T. Pickard, L. Lamb,
                                                            A. McDonald, W.A. Reid

1879                Wm. Bradley                S. Hawthorne, R. Garland,
                                                            A. McDonald, W.A. Reid

1880                Wm. Bradley                W.A. Reid, A. Symon,
                                                             R. Garland, A. McDonald

1881                Wm. Bradley                C. Ross, A. Symon,
                                                            S. Hawthorne, A. McDonald

1882                Wm. Bradley               R. Russell, A. Symon,
                                                           S. Hawthorne, J. Coumans II

1883                Wm. Bradley               J. McKee, A. Symon,
                                                           S. Hawthorne, J. Coumans II

1884                W.A. Reid                   J. McKee, A. Cameron,
                                                           S. Hawthorne, J. Coumans II

1885                Hy. Cargill                   Wm. Fischer, L. Parkinson,
                                                           S. Hawthorne, J. Coumans,II

1886                Hy. Cargill                    R. Keyes, J. McKee,
                                                            J. Lochart, J. Davie

1887                Hy. Cargill                    R. Keyes, J. McKee,
                                                            S. Hawthorne, J. Davie

1888                John Coumans              D. Pinkerton, J. McKee,
                                                            S. Hawthorne, J. Davie

1889                John Coumans              D. Pinkerton, J. McKee,
                                                            S. Hawthorne, Jas. Daniels

1890                John Coumans              D. Pinkerton, S. Hawthorne,
                                                            J. Daniel, D.B. McKinnon
 
1891                John Coumans             D. Pinkerton, S. Hawthorne,
                                                           J. Daniel, D.B. McKinnon

1892                Wm. Bradley                L. Yaeck, S. Hawthorne,
                                                            J. Daniel, Wm. Fischer

1893                Alex Symon                  L. Yaeck, S. Hawthorne,
                                                             J. Daniel, Wm. Fischer

1894                Alex Symon                  L. Yaeck, J.J. Donnelly,
                                                             J. Daniel, H. McAfee

1895                Alex Symon                  L. Yaeck, J.J. Donnelly,
                                                             J. Daniel, J.B. Campbell

1896                John McKee                L. Parkinson, J.J. Donnelly,
                                                            J. Daniel, J.B. Campbell

1897                J.J. Donnelly                 W. J. McKeeman,
                                                            W. Coumans,
                                                            M.M. Schurter, W. Stewart

1898                J.J. Donnelly                 W. J. McKeenan,
                                                            W. Coumans, J. Halliday,
                                                            W. Stewart

1899                W.J. McKeeman          J. Daniel, S. Garland,
                                                            Jas. Halliday, T. Symons

1900                John McKee                J. Daniel, S. Garland,
                                                            N. Lang, J. Meagher

1901                John McKee                J. Daniel, S. Garland,
                                                            J. Halliday, J. Meagher

1902                Jas. Daniel                    T. Fullerton, S. Garland,
                                                            J. Halliday, A.E. McKee

1903                J. Meagher                   T. Fullerton,
                                                            Michael McNab II, A. Reid,
                                                            G. Alexander   

1904                J. Meagher                   T. Fullerton,
                                                            Michael McNab II, A. Reid,
                                                            A.E. McKee

1905                T. Fullerton                   D. Phelan, M. McNab, II,
                                                            A. Reid, A.E. McKee

1906                M. McNab II               D. Phelan, C. Webb,
                                                            J. Halliday, A.E. McKee

1907                Alex McKee                D. Phelan, J. Hogan,
                                                            J. Mutrie, F. Caskanette

1908                Alex McKee                T. Fullerton, J. Hogan,
                                                            J. Mutrie, F. Caskanette

1909                Alex McKee                T. Fullerton, J. Halliday,
                                                            J. Mutrie, H. Clark

1910                Dennis Phelan               Wm. Oehring, B. Wells,
                                                             J. Mutrie, H. Clark

1911                Dennis Phelan               Wm. Oehring, B. Wells,
                                                            J. Mutrie, H. Clark     

1912                Dennis Phelan               Wm. Oehring, B. Wells,
                                                             J.D. Campbell, T. Hay

1913                Dennis Phelan               Wm. Oehring, J. Collison,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, T. Hay

1914                Dennis Phelan               N. McKinnon, J. Collison,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, T. Hay

1915                Dennis Phelan               N. McKinnon, J. Collison,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, T. Hay

1916                Dennis Phelan               T. Symon, T. Sawyer,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, Hy. Kreoplin

1917                Dennis Phelan               T. Symon, T. Sawyer,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, G. Gilchrist

1918                Dennis Phelan               T. Symon, T. Sawyer,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, G. Gilchrist

1919                M. McNab II               T. Symon, J.G. Carter,
                                                            J.D. Campbell, G. Gilchrist

1920                M. McNab II               T. Desmond, A. Ditner,
                                                            G. Gilchrist, J.G. Carter

1921                M. McNab II               T. Sawyer, H. Spitzig,
                                                            H. Clark, J.G. Carter

1922                M. McNab II               T. Sawyer, H. Spitzig,
                                                            H. Clark, A. Ditner

1923                Jos. Carter                   T. Sawyer, H. Spitzig,
                                                            H. Clark, A. Ditner

1924                Jos. Carter                   R. Teeple, T. Houston,
                                                            L. Bester, A. Ditner

1925                Jos. Carter                   R. Teeple, T. Houston,
                                                            J. Fisk, A. Ditner

1926                Andr. Ditner                 P. Dales, D. Phelan,
                                                            G. Gilchrist, R. Wilson

1927                Andr. Ditner                 P. Dales, D. Phelan,
                                                            G. Gilchrist, J. Brindley

1928                Andr. Ditner                 P. Dales, J. Brindley,
                                                            D. Phelan, G. Gilchrist

1929                Andr. Ditner                 E. Reid, J. Brindley,
                                                            D. Phelan, R. Teeple

1930                Peter Dales                   E. Reid, G. Gilchrist,
                                                            W. Huntziger, N. O’Hagan

1931                Peter Dales                   E. Reis, G. Gilchrist,
                                                            W. Huntziger, N. O’Hagan

1932                Peter Dales                   C. Fitzsimmons,
                                                             G. Golchrist, W. Huntziger,
                                                             N. O’Hagan

1933                Peter Dales                   C. Fitzsimmons,
                                                             C. Donnelly, W. Huntziger,
                                                             N. O’Hagan

1934                Peter Dales                   C. Fitzsimmons,
                                                            C. Donnelly, W. Huntziger,
                                                            N. O’Hagan

1935                Clare Donnelly              A. McTavish, J. Lacey,
                                                            W. Huntziger, A. Hedley

1936-37                       The same Council

          In 1928 a new position, viz., that of Road Superintendent, was created, and Wm. Coumans became the appointee and is still still [sic] serving in 1937. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS

           1854-68, James Cromar; 1868-1881, Wm. Clark; 1881-83, John Millar; 1883-1903, J.W. McNab; 1903-08, J.J. Donnelly; 1908-29, Thomas Purdy, and his son followed from 1929 until the present. 

TOWNSHIP TREASURERS

           1856-58, James Cromar; 1859-60, Hugh Montgomery; 1861-1905, Wm. Clark; 1905-present, M.M. Schurter.

FINAL

           There is always something about a small place, removed some-what from the busy highways of Life, whether it be in Spain, England or Canada, that seems to retain the original character and activities of the old settlers. This character gives the inhabitants a detached, simpler view of life which comes to the surface so frequently that the stranger is quick to note the frank and sincere friendliness of an unsophisticated community. Modern conveniences and modes of living tend to dim this phase of our culture, but in Chepstow this natural charm of the people stands out and assures all its sons and daughters a cordial and hearty welcome home at all times. 

                        “Though Chepstow is a little town,
                        We are proud to call it ‘Home.’
                        When we are grown into manhood days,
                        And ‘round the world we roam,
                        Our thoughts shall turn from time to time
                        To the folks we left behind.
                        And when weary of the din and strife,
                        And the cares of a busy life,
                        Our steps shall wend to a little town,
                        To Chepstow, our ‘Home, Sweet Home.’”

 

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Carissa Thomas ~  [email protected]

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