Other than the
Collver's, the Beemer's were quite numerous and closely related owing to
their intermarriages. Levi Beemer took Martha Collver to wife. She was
the eldest child of Grandpa Collver and lived with her husband on the
corner lot No. 1, the 14th concession of Townsend in a small frame house
on the hill only a few rods south of the Air Line Station, as it is now.
There my mother was born, also her sister, Eliza, and her brother,
George.
Their father died quite early in years, and their mother became
the wife of Joseph Woolley. Their farm was about half way between
Colborne and No. 4 school house. He was one of the pioneer preachers of
Norfolk, and was a power for good. A fine granite monument has been
recently erected over his grave in Old Windham -- purchased and paid for
by his youngest son, David, who died in June, 1908.
I
am not sure if Joseph Woolley was ordained or not, but he was a great
worker in the church and on the farm. His children were MacFarlane,
Hiram, Alvin, David, Peter, Sarah and Daniel.
Sarah
died at the early age of 11. She is remembered as the "child of
inspiration." There was no person of any age who had a brighter
experience or who could speak of the unseen with more eloquence than
she. Her name was a household word on this account. In the prayer
meeting or fellowship meeting she was the life and soul of the
exercises, and in the regular preaching service she was frequently
called upon by the ministers to open or close with prayer, and such
prayers as she offered were scarcely ever heard proceeding from mortal
lips. Surely it was not a misnomer to call her the Child of Inspiration.
Her
brothers , David and Peter, died quite young, I can hardly remember
David, but the others took wuch an interest in my father's family that
it would impossible to forget. Hiram was probably the best farmer in his
township, Charlotteville. In fact, it took the very best of farming to
bring the best crops out of the poorest soil. For many years he was one
of the firmest pillars in the Methodist church at Simcoe, and always
took a deep interest in educational matters. He was twice married, his
second wife surviving him many years. She was the daughter of the late
Peter Wyckoff, the man noted for having two voices on all subjects, but
not two votes. (My brother John, will explain this much than I can on
paper.)
Alvin Woolley lived all his married life on the second farm east of No.
4 School House, Townsend. Like his brother Hiram, he was a good farmer
and the leading member of Zion church. His children were three sons and
three daughters, now well scattered, William in Burford, Ansley in
Walsingham, Melissa in Townsend, Martha in Woodhouse, and Minnie in
Detroit.
Alvin
Woolley was one of the best conversationalists in the County. He was
posted on all popular subjects. It was a pleasure to talk to him. He
understood how to listen to others, as well as to do his share of the
talking.
I remember
going to visit him several times during his last decade, and if the day
was fair, he would say, "Now my boy, I know you have come to visit
your uncle, and we can have a ride and visit at the same time." A
horse and buggy would be readied, and we rode to Boston, Brantford,
Burford, or to Charlotteville where his brother Hiram resided, or to the
lake where lived Uncle David. Such visits we had in those days. I can't
think of anything relating to memory more precious.
One
thing more -- Uncle Alvin was the embodiment of carefulness. His farm
was neat and clean. No foul weeds were allowed, not ever in the fence
corners. And in his personal appearance, a stranger would take him for a
gentleman, and no mistake. That's what he was. He wanted a higher title
-- A Christian gentleman.
MacFarlane Woolley married Priscilla Sterling and lived on the farm
owned by his father. Only one child was born to him, the late Joseph H.
Woolley, who died in Colborne a few years ago.
I
remember one morning about 65 years ago, a man named Jim Dean came
running over the hill and shouted to my father and mother, "Come
quick, Mack's a dying." They answered by going at once, and arrived
before he breathed his last. He died a sacrifice to an old medical whim.
The plan of the old doctor was to purge the patient until he was quite
weak, then administer a powerful astringent, but in this case the
purging was carried so far that it could not be checked and he died.
A few years after the death of Mack Farlan Woolley, a gentleman came up
from Lake Ontario country and presented his claim for the widow. She
considered the claim good. He was a good looking man and a Christian,
just such a man as any good and virtuous woman would like. He was
accepted and Mrs. Woolley became Mrs. John B. Carpenter.
Then
Mr. Carpenter began to show the people that he know something about
farming. He was a success everywhere. Midas like, everything he
touched changed to gold. But he was not parsimonious, the very
opposite.
He
was generous to a fault. Look up the old missionary reports and see the
hundreds of dollars opposite Mr. Carpenter's name. Then call on the
Recording Stewart of the Simcoe Methodist church and get a look at the
building fund. Mr. Carpenter's name is there $1,000, as his share or
subscription. He gave that and much more before the building was
completed. This was the first brick edifice on the ground now occupied
by the second. He realized fully the truth of Solomon's proverb
"There is that scattereth and yet increaseth." I never knew
him to refuse to support any charity or benevolence. He was also a firm
friend of education.
It
will be remembered that Mr. Carpenter was the first in the province to
receive a prize offered by the government for good farming. He was the
most systematic farmer in Norfolk. As a farmer, a citizen and a
Christian gentleman, it is doubtful if the memory of any other Norfolk
man is treasured more deservedly than that of Mr. Carpenter.
I
am not certain as to Mr. Carpenter's family, but think there were eight
children, four of whom were boys, Edwin, Wellington, Albert and
William.
Wellington
is a farmer in Woodhouse and a man respected by all who know him.
Albert*
(I may be mistaken as to the name) married a daughter of the late James
McDowell but lived only a few years.
Edwin
was a member of the Ontario Parliament for several years, but was too
sociable and lost much respect. I am informed that he is now a teetotaler
and respected by all good people.
His
brother William was considered for some years the wealthiest man in
Townsend, but was too sure that riches could not take wings and fly
away. He lost everything through indiscreet speculation and allowing his
brain to be stolen away by that which never satisfied and which never
will.
His
mother, after living in affluence all her married life, finally died
intestate.
Her
three daughters are doing nicely. The eldest is the wife of a farmer in
Michigan, Genesee County. Her husband is a Westover, and I think the son
of Luther Westover, a banker at Bay City. I am not certain if he is
still living or not.
There
were several other Carpenters in the County, John A. and George --
cousins. George was one of the old style of local preachers. I can't
just remember his meetings. He had considerable talent and almost always
closed with the hymn "Blest be the dear uniting love." Both
brothers removed to Michigan many years ago and the writer does not know
their subsequent history.
