Milverton, Perth County, Ontario1852 - 1902 |
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Origin and Names
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Milverton, Ontario with a population of about 800 souls, is an incorporated village and place of considerable trade. It is surrounded by a fine section of agricultural land, and its appearance on the summit of an elevation of some height is very commanding, indeed. It is unfortunate that its railway station is so far distant from the business section. The fable of a certain old man and his quadruped would seem applicable to the promoters of this road through Mornington. Of course, they could not please all, but endeavouring to do so have pleased none, and lost a goodly portion of trade that would have centred at some points into the bargain. It missed Millbank, and has not been of such advantage to Milverton as it might have been. In its route from Stratford to Listowel - much of it a splendid agricultural country - Newton and Milverton are places of greatest importance. It was several years subsequent to settlement near Millbank before the pioneer reached that point where Milverton now stands. In 1852, Mr. Andrew West erected a hotel, which was the first building in the village. This hostelry was built north from the present business portion, and was for many years know as "West's Corners." At this period, a general store was erected by Valentine Kertcher, on the northwest corner of Main Street and the Mill road. This building was a pretentious one, indeed, for that time, and is still used for a general store. Prominent amongst the old pioneers in this section were Michael Attridge, John Torrance, Richard Bennett, Henry Trim, William Orr, John Edwards, James McCloy, and the families of Hamilton, Coulter, Niblock, Tennant, Fox, Kertcher, Pierson, and John Weir, who was first magistrate who presided at the seat of the blind goddess. As usual, when a new village was founded, a school was the first public building to demand attention. Milverton was no exception to this rule. A log school house was constructed on what was afterwards found to be the principal square in the village. In architectural design, it was considered imposing. It was a square structure with a cottage roof, from whose apex extended a clat and clay chimney, built in true orthodox backwoods style. From a distance, this looked like the cupola of a coastguard lighthouse. A lighthouse it certainly was. Within its rude walls, a knight of the birch from the old land bore full sway. Clad in home-spun, and on state occasions in a blue-black claw-hammer coat, punctuated at intervals with brass buttons, he shed the light of his knowledge on those mischievous boys in and around West's Corners. Here sat on its rough benches, wrestling with the rule of three, or those more abstruse doctrinal points of the shorter catechism, some who are now prominent men in Milverton and the township of Mornington. Here several of those now dignified, erudite village fathers sat watching the pedagogic eye, and pinching with their hands all the other boys within reach. In the old days retributive justice followed close in the wake of offence, and eternal vigilance seemed to be an important attribute of the old teachers. No Nabob ever wielded his power with more sublime dignity than an old backwoods dominie. His orders were emphatic, and a prompt response was necessary to prevent a supplemental admonition by the rod in support of his just and unquestionable authority. Amongst these old teachers were John Philips, Archie Keller, John Finnerty, and William Alexander, who afterwards became first school inspector of this county, in 1871. This log building of pioneer days has long since disappeared, and a fine structure of white brick has been erected, at a cost of $5,000. In this seminary, three teachers are employed, it having an average attendance of about 120 pupils. In Milverton are several brick blocks, two first-class hotels, and a number of general stores, where goods of the latest styles of manufacture can be found on their shelves. Many of the benevolent societies are represented, also, helping on that great work which will inevitably bring that period when, "Man to man the world o'er shall brithers be an' a' that." The village has also a mechanics' institute library, containing over 2,000 volumes. No adequate conception of the wealth and refinement of the citizens of Milverton can be formed without having first seen its private residences. These are on a scale of greater opulence than might be expected in so small a centre of population. We consider it a noble characteristic of any people who make provision for the comfort and happiness of those dependent on them, and who create an environment refined and elevating that will impress young minds with a home influence, permeated with the good, the beautiful, and the true. This principle appears to have been carried out in Milverton to its fullest extent, indicating a commendable liberality in her people. Of manufacturing establishments, there is a tannery, a grist mill, two planing malls, a sawmill, cheese factory, blacksmith shop, with several of the smaller industries. There is also a private bank, kept by Mr. Ranney, treasurer of the village. The legal profession is unrepresented, while Dr. William Egbert and Dr A. D. Nasmith represent the medical. Milverton has one weekly newspaper, the Sun, founded by Mr. Whalley - its first issue appearing on December 17th, 1891, as an advocate of local interests. In 1893, it became the property of Mr. Malcolm MacBeth, its present editor and proprietor. The aim of its present management is to fully report local news, and advance the interest of the village and county generally, not by installing its own political views on public questions, but by a persistent advocacy of the rights of all the people, irrespective of party. Also see: 19th Century Mornington, Perth County, Ontario and Millbank, Perth County, Ontario Link: Anglicans in 19th Century Milverton, Ontario |