HomeMy WebLinkAbout438"Article compiled by Mrs.Bella Brown, 3 pages, undated.
In trying to write a short, concise History of Brougham, lack of space makes
it necessary to omit many important and interesting events.
Early in the 19th century U. E. L. and settlers from the Old land,
with stout hearts and willing hands, began the stupendous task of
making homes for themselves in the midst of a primeval forest.
Some of those early settlers still have representatives on those hard bought
acres they wrested from nature's wilderness.
In it's early days this little settlement gave promise of becoming an important centre.
The Township Commissioners or later Council, held their meetings at Thompson's
Tavern, at Junction of Brock Road and 5th Concession, from 1835 until January 18th
1858, when the first meeting was held in the new Town Hall.
The first Post Office was under the direction of Henry Howell, just half a mile east
of the Village at Spring Creek Valley, but in 1835 William Bentley built store,
and the P.O. came into Village store, and was named Brougham,
name selected by H. Howell, an Irishman.
The Fifties began an era of progress in the community, the three hotels, three stores,
and the many trades represented, giving employment to over three score persons.
Mills, Tannery, Medicine factory all doing business successfully.
The Sons of Temperance Society was organized in 1850.
First hall erected 1853, burned and present building erected in 1880.
First vote on Temperance measure was taken
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"in 1864. Last and final vote on Local Option in 1906.
In 1850 the Agricultural Fair came into being. Hall and grounds bought in 1866,
and continued until 1889.
One of the most important things in any community history is it's educational
facilities. Brougham School dates back to the early date of the settlement.
Names of Teachers are available as far back as 1836. Several buildings,
on several sites, were in use before the present structure was built in 1959.
With the coming of settlers, Churches in the Old Land were not behind in sending
of their best, in mind, heart, and spirit, to labor in this new land.
The Christian Church was organized in 1824. Under the able leadership of Elder
Tatton, Church was built in 1859. The Presbyterian Church on 7th Concession
1840, in Village 1891. Methodist 1869. The three now forming the U. C. of Canada.
Brougham has sent out into the world Preachers, Lawyers, Doctors, Teachers,
Nurses, Manufacturers, and Business executives, and worthy men and women in
every walk of life. Brougham has a claim on Viscount Greenwood. His mother
born here, daughter of the Late Thomas Hubbard. The influence of hidden lives is
aptly described by George Elliot, thus. The growing good of the World is partly
dependent on unhistoric acts, and things are not so ill with you or me as they
might have been, is half owing to the number who have faithfully lived,
the Hidden Life, and lie in unvisited tombs.
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"The Women's Institute.
An organization that has been a beneficent influence in the community in this
20th century has been the Women's Institute, organized in, the late Mrs.
Dr. Neil McKinnon being it's first President, and from that date till the present
under the able Presidency of Mrs. Bert Harvey, with it's over 50 members,
it still leads in Philanthropic, and Progressive community life, being responsible
for many Public Utilities, Health and Educational projects, as well as contributing
financially in many ways, to benevolent and outside charities, such as crippled
children's fund.
Among the names of those who called Brougham home, we hold most sacred the
names of the Late John Dafoe, Arthur Little John, Thomas Foster and William
McLean, who today sleep under the poppies in Flanders Fields.
(Mrs.) Bella Brown.
Compiler
Undated
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