Those commercial centres, developed and fostered by the G. T. R., in building up St. Marys and Stratford, have absorbed the entire trade of this municipality.
Its facilities for shipping at these two points, and at Sebringville and St. Pauls, are not excelled by any township in this county.
In addition, Downie has splendid roads, rendering transportation of agricultural products a matter of no difficulty. With such favourable conditions for trade, it should not be a surprise if in so wealthy a township within its limits no villages of importance are to be found.
Sebringville, Ontario
Sebringville, partly in Ellice and partly in Downie, four miles west of Stratford, is the greatest. This village is a station on the B. & L. H. R., and has several excellent business places. Here are located one large general store, a drug store, tin, stove and hardware store, three hotels, flour mill, chopping and planing mills, two cider malls, one flax and two sawmills, furniture and undertaking establishment, two blacksmith and one wagon shop, jewelry store, harness shop, and two shoe stores.
Sebringville was named in honor of John Sebring, an American, who located here in 1834, and by erecting a sawmill thus became its founder. His son David was first storekeeper and postmaster, his place of business being erected on lot 18, con. 1, Ellice. The first hotel still stands, now known as the "Arlington" and was built by a Mr. Kinnaird. Another old settler, and prominent man in Sebringville, was Mr. Henry Scarth, now deceased.
Actual settlement first began in this neighborhood on lot 19, con. 1, now, and for many years, the property of Andrew Goetz, J.P. Other pioneer settlers were Michael Stoskopf, Anthony Goettler, Joseph Ackersviller and John Schweitzer. Of those old business men, only two are now remaining, Andrew Goetz and Ernest Schmidt.
In 1843, a school was erected on lot 12, con. l, Downie. This, as will be found elsewhere, was organized by J. C. W. Daly, in 1842, and was for several years the most westerly in Perth County. Its history is somewhat unique, having had two teachers, whose united period of service was 47 years. First of these was Hugh Hamilton, from 1843 till 1865, and Mr. George Hamilton, now county treasurer, who was incumbent from 1875 to 1900. Mr. Hugh Hamilton, now deceased, was a worthy man, and greatly respected during his long tenure of office.
Kastnerville, Ontario
Kastnerville, a short distance east of Sebringville, was founded by a family of Germans, named Kastner, also pioneer settlers in this district. This is a pleasant country village, although its commercial progress has not been so great as that in the west. Stratford, a few miles away, has absorbed all that trade which naturally would have centred in Kastnerville, thus retarding its advancement.
St. Paul's, Ontario
St. Paul's, or "St. Palls," as it was formerly known, is a station on the G.T.R., and contains a store and post office. In 1877, this point was chosen as the capital of Downie, and a township hall erected, where the municipal council meets for business. Considerable quantities of farm produce are shipped at this point.
Avonton, Ontario
Avonton is a pretty village on the Avon, about seven miles from Stratford, and an equal distance from St. Marys. This place was founded by Mr. Archibald Shiels, in 1852. Mr. Shiels was for several years clerk of Downie, and erected a store at this point, afterwards obtaining a post office. There is also a saw- mill, blacksmith shop and a neat Presbyterian church. This village, especially in summer, is very picturesque, nestling low down in the valley along the stream. Avonbank, a short distance further west, has a Presbyterian church, a large cheese factory, public hall and post office. In other sections of Downie are Conroy, Harmony, Fairview, and Wildwood, all post offices.
Sebringville, Ontario
Sebringville, partly in Ellice and partly in Downie, four miles west of Stratford, is the greatest. This village is a station on the B. & L. H. R., and has several excellent business places. Here are located one large general store, a drug store, tin, stove and hardware store, three hotels, flour mill, chopping and planing mills, two cider malls, one flax and two sawmills, furniture and undertaking establishment, two blacksmith and one wagon shop, jewelry store, harness shop, and two shoe stores.
Sebringville was named in honor of John Sebring, an American, who located here in 1834, and by erecting a sawmill thus became its founder. His son David was first storekeeper and postmaster, his place of business being erected on lot 18, con. 1, Ellice. The first hotel still stands, now known as the "Arlington" and was built by a Mr. Kinnaird. Another old settler, and prominent man in Sebringville, was Mr. Henry Scarth, now deceased.
Actual settlement first began in this neighborhood on lot 19, con. 1, now, and for many years, the property of Andrew Goetz, J.P. Other pioneer settlers were Michael Stoskopf, Anthony Goettler, Joseph Ackersviller and John Schweitzer. Of those old business men, only two are now remaining, Andrew Goetz and Ernest Schmidt.
In 1843, a school was erected on lot 12, con. l, Downie. This, as will be found elsewhere, was organized by J. C. W. Daly, in 1842, and was for several years the most westerly in Perth County. Its history is somewhat unique, having had two teachers, whose united period of service was 47 years. First of these was Hugh Hamilton, from 1843 till 1865, and Mr. George Hamilton, now county treasurer, who was incumbent from 1875 to 1900. Mr. Hugh Hamilton, now deceased, was a worthy man, and greatly respected during his long tenure of office.
Kastnerville, Ontario
Kastnerville, a short distance east of Sebringville, was founded by a family of Germans, named Kastner, also pioneer settlers in this district. This is a pleasant country village, although its commercial progress has not been so great as that in the west. Stratford, a few miles away, has absorbed all that trade which naturally would have centred in Kastnerville, thus retarding its advancement.
St. Paul's, Ontario
St. Paul's, or "St. Palls," as it was formerly known, is a station on the G.T.R., and contains a store and post office. In 1877, this point was chosen as the capital of Downie, and a township hall erected, where the municipal council meets for business. Considerable quantities of farm produce are shipped at this point.
Avonton, Ontario
Avonton is a pretty village on the Avon, about seven miles from Stratford, and an equal distance from St. Marys. This place was founded by Mr. Archibald Shiels, in 1852. Mr. Shiels was for several years clerk of Downie, and erected a store at this point, afterwards obtaining a post office. There is also a saw- mill, blacksmith shop and a neat Presbyterian church. This village, especially in summer, is very picturesque, nestling low down in the valley along the stream. Avonbank, a short distance further west, has a Presbyterian church, a large cheese factory, public hall and post office. In other sections of Downie are Conroy, Harmony, Fairview, and Wildwood, all post offices.
 |
Next Page Downie Churches |  |