The reproduction [right] is a characteristic
portrait of Mr. Henry Carter, who has been in business in Simcoe longer
that any other merchant.
Mr. Carter was born
in Tiverton, Devonshire, England, seventy-nine years last June 18th.
When
a young man of twenty-three years of age he established himself as a
merchant in this town, purchasing the boot and shoe business of Mr. Alex
Murphy.
At that time, David Abel and William J. Harris, father of Mr. W.
A. Harris, were the only other shoe dealers in Simcoe. The trade depended
greatly upon the lumber conditions prevailing from time to time, the town
being then a centre of that industry.
Since the inception
of Mr. Carter's business in 1832, he has seen many changes in the town.
The Empire Block was then the premiere business block; on the site of the
building which the Bank of Commerce occupies, Ritchie, Ford & Co. had
their general store.
Upon the ground where the Molson's Bank stands was a
livery and office of stage routes, because in that remote day there were
no railways to facilitate travel and transportation; and where Stevenson's
store of present stands Cook's tin shop was located.
Then too, there was
only one house south of the Methodist church, the site of all buildings
standing in that section now being then a part of the Welsh farm.
When
Mr. Carter entered into business his first stand was on Peel street on the
site now occupied by
Mr.
S. L. King.
After remaining there for some years he made a number of
changes from one location to another. He removed to a little frame
building then standing immediately north of the present W. A. Harris
store, later he carried on his occupation in the Mulkins Blok [sic]
where now stands the store in which Mr.
Richard Edmonds has his grocery.
Mr. Carter's next removal was into
the Sovereen Block, were Mr. H. H. Schuyler's store is situated, and the
last change was made 17 years ago into the building in which the Checkered
Front Shoe Store is to be found.
Now,
at last, after a long business career extending over 54 years, Mr. Carter
has retired from active life, and his three sons, H.
A. Carter, A. F. Carter and
E.
E. Carter, who will in future do business under the firm name Carter
Bros., have taken over their father's business.
Fifty-six
years ago Mr. Carter began business, now his sons, in taking over his
interest, assume control of three large modern stores, the Checkered Front
Shoe Store, the Robinson st. store, which has hereinfore been the property
of H. A. Carter, and an additional business stand in Dunnville, recently
purchased from Mr. J. J. Asher.
The firm expects in the near future to
establish a branch in a thriving town in the Niagara district, upon the
consumption of which purpose one of the Simcoe stores will be closed.
Mr.
Carter has had a long business life, and has watched the Simcoe of today
emerge from the village of fifty years ago. During his residence here he
has been a public-spirited citizen, and has always done what he could to
further the interests of the town. By his acumen and knowledge he has
built up a large business, and now that he has retired from active life,
may the days remaining to him be full of peace and happiness.
