Origin of Perth County, Ontario Place Names

Tavistock - Woodham

SOURCE:
History of Perth County
1825-1902 Chapter IX

by William Johnston

printed in 1903 by
W. M. O'Beirne at the
Beacon Office, Stratford

Tavistock, Ontario

On the boundary line between South Easthope in Perth County and Zorra in the County of Oxford, was named in honor of a place of that name in England. This office was opened by John Voelcker in 1856.

Topping, Ontario

On the boundary line between North Easthope and Mornington, is supposed to be named in honor of a place on the borders of Devon and Somersetshires, in England, and the birthplace of Mr. Coulton, an old settler in that section. This office was opened in 1865, with S. Crozier as first postmaster.

Trowbridge, Ontario

In Elma, was opened in 1854 as Elma postoffice, but was subsequently changed in 1858 to Trowbridge. The first postmaster in 1854 was George Code.

Trecastle, Ontario

In Wallace, was named in honor of a town in Ireland, by a number of Irish settlers in its vicinity. This office was opened in 1856 by Mr. Freeborn Kee as first postmaster.

Wallace, Ontario

In the township of Wallace, was named in honor of the municipality, and that, we are informed was named after Baron Wallace, Vice-president of the Board of Trade under Lord Goderich. This office was opened in 1854, with Charles Burrows as first postmaster.

Wartburg, Ontario

In Ellice, was named after a town in Germany. The settlers in this vicinity were Lutherans, and the Rev. Mr. Schaffarnock, their minister, named the new place after Wartburg in Germany, where Martin Luther lay in prison for ten months, and employed his time in translating the Bible. This office was first opened in 1863 as Totness, G. T. Dennstett, first postmaster. Subsequently the name was changed to Wartburg in 1869, with E. Frommhagen as first postmaster.

Whalen, Ontario

On the boundary line between Biddulph and Blanshard, was named after Michael Whalen, a pioneer settler, who kept a log tavern at this point in the early days. This office was opened in 1871, with J. H. Milson, as first postmaster.

Wildwood, Ontario

In the township of Downie, was named by Mr. William Laing, first postmaster, after a place in Florida, where friends were residing. This office was opened in 1896.

Woodham, Ontario

In Blanshard, was named by Mr. Jonathan Shier, a resident, and Mr. Walker Unwin, who was first postmaster, on a chance suggestion by one of the parties. This office was opened in 1865.