By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.

I have been so accustomed to writing the words Cornwall and Devonshire, when calling up memories of people from the misty part, it is a relief to know some that came from other parts of the Isle so well symbolized by the rose, some of whom contributed to our population aiding in its progress and wealth; If the analogy holds good that there is some resemblance between bulding a house and a town it follows that more than the foundation is necessary. I am now inclined to allude to a very few of the many who took part in construction the first story which is composed of such a variety of material and requiring different kinds of workmen to complete it, and to make it not only useful but sightly. Among the many who either laid a brick, carried a hod or put in doors and windows, and who deserved for their fidelity and good workmanship a notice in these pages. I must take them as they come up in the brain cells without being invidious.

The Brittain’s followed Charles Young. They all came from the county of Lincoln. The first business concern into which they went was Waler, Brittain and young. Mr. William Brittain being the partner and the shop was on the property of W. H. Dustan in the South Ward. They dealt also in meat, having a stall in the market place. This would indicate that it must have been soon after the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway. I do not know how long they continued together, but I am told made money rapidly. Mr. Young was continuously engaged in trade of some kind from the time he first breathed the pure healthy air of Bowmanville till he was laid at rest a few weeks ago at the mature age of 75. During all the mutations of time and the vast variety of people he had to do with, I never heard him charged with any unfairness or meanness in his dealings with the public. He looked after his own affairs closely and let that of others alone. His manners were gracious and he had a great deal of dry humor. He did not take any prominent part in things pertaining to the community at large. The home and church occupied most of his attention outside of the different commercial pursuits he followed. In his own sphere he was influential and much liked. The children who grew up in Bowmanville were three daughters. Miss Young and the widow are still residents, as also Mrs. Haddy, wife of our good citizen Fred A. Haddy, who is prosecuting the business left by the father-in-law and Mrs. Norman Tilley wife of that rising Barrister in Toronto. William Brittain after remaining here a few years went back to England, afterwards returning to Bowmanville, from where he went to Toronto where he now resides. His sons have all done well, Joseph Brittain, a brother, thought he would follow and try a tilt with the other fighters in the tournament then being carried on with so much zeal by the competitors, being determined to take no secon d place, and it by honest efforts, to come out victorious. At that time Canada was not as well known in England as it is now, being generally looked upon in its climatic conditions as worse than Russia. Having once made up his mind, no fears could baffle his purpose; he is not gotten up that way. A darky women who once lost her husband, went into mourning. She dressed in black from the skin outwards declaring that when she mourned she mourned through and through; and when Joseph makes up his mind on any question, be his conclusion right or wrong, you know exactly where to find him. With men of his determination, we can say, as it is generally said of Scotchmen you must get them on the right track young, as if you don’t you can never get them off the rails. You might, under certain circumstances, break his heart, but I don’t think you ever could change his will. He has spent the greater part of his life with us and it has been a busy eventful one. With ability to plan and execute a business prob lem, there could be little doubt of his eventually reaching up, if not to the top, still not far from it in a business pint of view. I may get a little mixed, but I think Mr. Young and he united forces and for some time supplied the town with meat; but he saw a much wider outlet on the same line and combined with his brother, Benjamin,who had in the meantime erected a Tabernacle here they, with Richard Reed, a son of one of the oldest pioneers, Richard senior.

And here I would digress for a moment. This family, of whom he was the head, should have a more extended notice than I am able to give here for I am sure that my opinion will be endorsed by everyone who knew him, when I say that he bore he white flower of a busy blameless life. I am pleased to know that the daughters who spent a happy girlhood, admired for their looks and disposition, are still enjoying what can be got out of this life. Mrs. (Dr.) Sylvester and Mrs. Climie, in Toronto, and Louisa, Mrs. Lewis, in Montreal.

When this union was formed, it was a pretty strong team, and they drew a big load; branching out into buying, curing and shipping large quantities of pork, which found ready sale in Liverpool at remunerative prices. Through this channel large quantities of the precious metals found its way into the capacious pockets of our well-to do farmers. This in the estimation of the parties concerned, was only a gold bug in the state of chrysallis and it was bound soon to burst through its shell and fly to the far richer and unbounded region of Iowa, the metropo is of the pork world. The trio augmented their powers by the acquisition of Mr. Thomas Bassett who brought much additional brain capital with him into the firm. They had previous to this been importing large numbers of those animals from the State which were slaughtered here and were by them transferred into bacon ready for the English consumer; but owing to the difficulties that arose in connection with the Customs Department they found that their profits were viably diminishing and so they determined to follow up the stream and transfer their operations to the fountain head. The removal of the factory to Marshalltown had quite a detrimental effect upon this business interests of the town and was much bewailed by those in trade who were depending on the general growth of this and similar enterprises for a living. I well remember how much we felt the change. The result of the move showed their foresight. They struck a silver mine and began to dig up the precious stuff in large quantities and rapidly waxed fat; so much so, that like the animal mentioned in Scripture, some of them began to kick and changes in the personnel took place. Mr. Joseph Brittain withdrew his pile, and came back to Bowmanville in 1884. He received the appointment of Landing Walter in Her Majesty’s Customs here, succeeding his father-in-law, who was superannuated and has since been faithful in looking after the interests of the Government in connectio n with that branch of the public service. I know what I am talking about when I say that if the duties of the Custom Houses in Canada general ly are as well performed as they are by the present collector and his deputy in Bowmanville, the revenues will not suffer. The following year he commenced to build and put up "Hughenden" his present residence. He showed admirable taste not only in its construction and the choice of grounds but in the charming graceful way in which they were laid out. The view of the surrounding country from it is delightful. The undulating hills of Clarke in their varied outlines, so often covered with the changing colors of the sky, bathing them in gold, purple and blue, is an endless charm. I sometimes wonder why no poet has arisen among us to sing its praises. Sometimes at evening when the glorious sun is just disappearing beyond the horizon in the west, its departing rays are thrown over the valleys or upon the beauteous hills which transforms them into fairy palace s, the windows shining like thousands of electric lights. It must not be wondered at that the walk on the street is a favorite resort for pleasure seekers and many loving pairs are often seen enjoying together its delights. He has paid unremitting attention to the garden. It abounds with all varieties of fruits, shrubs and vies. On the whole I think it, in this respect the show-spot of Bowmanville. I fancy his affections are so much entwined about its plant and flowers that he’ll never be induced to leave it. I have understood at times that he has talked of selling it. Like the rest of us unfortunate mortals he has had his share of thorns with which every rose is accompanied. He married Esther, the oldest daughter of the late James McClellan. They only trod the path together for a short distance. She was called to the home on high, leaving two sons without mothers care. A few years afterward he remarried in England, Miss Wilson a member of a well-to do and conspicuous family an d she came to grace the Canadian home ans was in every sense a true stepmother. The boys have shown the results of good training and have done honor to the town that gave them birth. They are now numbered, among those who in the future will occupy prominent positions in San Fransisco. The only child of the second marriage is Mrs. Alexander, wife of J. W. Alexander, Esq., president of the Dominion Organ & Piano Company. Benjamin severed his connection so far for good with the town when he left. He married a daughter of the late Jospeph McClellan, also a well known respected citizen of which family, one daughter became the wife of Robert Fielding, another of Wm. Caun, and the youngest Miss McClellan is now the sole representative left in this town where for so long they held a good position. The mother who was a Miss Porter was a gifted woman, intellectually strong, looked up to and held in high estimation by those who knew her. Benjamin resides in Stratford and is actively engaged in a large packing establishment and in which he is financially interested. They have a family of three sons and two daughters. The eldest boy, Joseph H., is married and living in Iowa. He has the appearance and business ability of his father and is doing well. The others are at home. Mr. Richard Reed is vegetating in luxurious sunlit atmosphere of Southern California. May his shadow never grow less.

Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 40

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