Margaret Frenette (née Fleming) was born in Windsor, Ontario, in 1941 to Gordon and Gloria Fleming. She graduated from London Teacher's College in 1961 and accepted a position with Armstong Public School in Northwestern Ontario. Margaret was manager, administrator, fundraiser, and voluntary board member for several arts and heritage organizations in the area including: Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay Regional Arts Council, Thunder Bay Jazz Society, and the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society. She worked several years in for city in the Planning Department and as an instructor at Confederation College in the Arts Administration program. Frenette returned to school at the age of 40, and received her Master's Degree in Canadian History in 1996. She wrote numerous local history articles published by both the TBHMS and the Lakehead Social Planning Council. She also co-wrote with Dusty Miller, the Arts Voices column for the Chronicle Journal. Before retiring at the age of 70, Frenette spent her last working years with the St. Joseph's Foundation. Frenette died on Jan. 3 2022.
Eleanor Joan (Dusty) Miller was born and raised in Fort William, Ontario on Aug. 3 1929. She moved to away to teach in Southern Ontario, and lived in England briefly before returning to the Lakehead region in 1954. She became involved in community development and specifically the local theatre community. She served as Artistic Director for Cambrian Players (then the Port Arthur Community Players) for nine years, having directed 26 plays and 9 musicals. She assisted Burton Lancaster in setting up Magnus Theatre, and taught theatre and television arts at local high schools. In the late 1960s, Miller studied at Lakehead University, earning the Chancellor's Medal for the highest standing achieved by a part-time student. Miller was later invited to co-direct the university's drama program of the Fine Arts division, and also taught courses in the Performing Arts Management Program at Confederation College. She was a founding member of Theatre Ontario, and assisted as part of the group that established the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. At the same time, with her advocacy for the arts, Miller was elected to city council in 1974. By 1978, Miller became the first elected female mayor of Thunder Bay post amalgamation, serving until 1980. Miller briefly left politics when she was defeated in 1980 but returned in 1985 as a City Councillor, a position she kept until 1991. Miller died on Feb. 14 2012 in Thunder Bay.
Paul Lavoie of Port Arthur, Ontario, was a member of the Ontario Liberal Association and of the Port Arthur Young Liberal Association.
Donald McDonald Hogarth was born on June 15 1879 in Osceola, Ontario to William David Hogarth and Jane McDonald. After completing high school, Hogarth began working in real estate. Hogarth enlisted as a private in WWI and was wounded in France in 1917. He ended the war with the rank of Brigadier General and Canadian quartermaster, overseeing supply and transport activities for the war effort. He resigned in 1919 with the rank of Major Generald, earning several service medals, and returned to Port Arthur where he focused on mining and lumber. Hogarth also led a successful political career and was elected as Conservative M.P. for the Port Arthur riding in 1911 serving until 1923. And re-entered politics again as an Independent Conservative in 1926 serving until 1934. Hogarth acted closely with local businessman and lumberman James A. Little of Port Arthur, with whom he had a close friendship and professional relationship. Little handled Hogarth's financial affairs and acted as a clearing agent for Hogarth's Port Arthur correspondence. Hogarth married Margaret Paterson in 1917, the couple had 2 children. Hogarth died on June 27 1950.
James Arthur Little was born Jan. 17 1868 in Trenton, Ontario to George Little and Mary E. Foster. After finishing school, Little entered employment with Molsons Bank and in 1903 agreed to relocate to Northern Ontario to manage the bank's Port Arthur branch. Whilst still working at the bank in 1905, Little assisted Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Charles Norval Laurie in establishing the 96th (Lake Superior) Regiment and Little himself was commissioned with the rank of major. After Laurie's retirement, Little was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and put in command of the detachment where he would remain until 1921. Little was also a member of the alleged "Tory Timber Ring" and was among those condemned by the Timber Commission in 1921. He acted closely with Donald McDonald Hogarth a Conservative politician in Port Arthur. Little handled Hogarth's financial affairs and acted as a clearing agent for Hogarth's Port Arthur correspondence. Little married Ethel Marguerite Wardrope in Belleville, Ontario on Nov. 16 1910 with whom he had 2 children. Little died in Port Arthur on June 17 1931.
Elinor Barr, born in 1933, is a Thunder Bay writer of regional history who specializes in the study of the Town of Ignace, White Otter Castle, Silver Islet, Scandinavians in Canada, and the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railway. She is also involved in the publishing and distribution of books related to Northwestern Ontario.
John Cousins served as police magistrate and Custom's officer in Port Arthur, Ontario in the 1860s to the 1880s.
Jim Farrell is a writer, amateur historian, taxi driver, and radio broadcaster with CBQT Radio in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Sgt. William James Thompson was born on October 9 1899 in Bruce County, Ontario but was orphaned and sent to with family in Fort William. He attempted to enlist in Fort William but his uncle and his uncle's brother-in-law future Mayor Joe Crawford quickly had Thompson discharged. Thompson managed to run away to Alberta and joined with the 82nd Battalion on Sept. 16 1915 in Calgary. He served for about 2 years before being wounded at Vimy Ridge on April 14 1917. During and after his recovery he was employed at a laboratory at Bramshot Hospital, England for the rest of the war. After the war Thompson came to Fort William where he found work as a lab technician under Dr. N.O. Thomas. On July 1 1932 Thompson married Florence Sheils. Later in life both he and his wife were active in Wesley Church and in the Thunder Bay Naturalist Club.
Athalinda May Fitzpatrick was born on July 20 1907 to Mary Margaret Irwin and Watson Henry Fitzpatrick of Meldrum Bay, Manitoulin Island. The same year, the family relocated to Fort William, Ontario. She attended kindergarten at Francis Street School in 1912 to 1913 at the age of 5.
Alma Eldon Henry was born on Oct 29 1902 in Kintore, Ontario. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, she taught English and History at Fort Frances High School from 1931 to 1960. She married Delbert Henry, owner of a car dealership, who predeceased her in 1972. She was a well respected community leader, and her deep interest in the area and its history is reflected in her paper and manuscripts. Alma died in Fort Frances on May 27 1995.
Melville James Aris was born in Fort William, Ontario on Sept. 2 1924 to Isabell and Ed Aris. In 1943 Jim joined with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served with the 410 Squadron in France and Belgium. Following the war, Jim married Mary Patricia Parliament on May 19 1951, the couple had 2 children. Jim worked for the Canadian Grain Commission for 38 years and during that time transferred from Fort William to Winnipeg in 1974 before later retiring in 1981. Aris was Drum Major of The Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay for over 30 years, a Trustee for the Lakehead Board of Education, and a board member of Parks and Recreation. In Winnipeg he was a member of the Parish of St. Bede's/St. Stephen's and was a lay reader for over 40 years and choir member. Jim was also a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Winnipeg South Osborne Branch, No. 252. Jim passed away on Feb. 8 2009 in Winnipeg.
A.J. Boreham was born Dec. 29 1859 in Surrey, England. Boreham first came to Canada in 1885, making his home in Winnipeg. In the spring of 1888 he returned to England where he married Lucy Ellen Berridge before making his way back to Canada. Borehamd joined the passenger department of the Canadian Pacific Railway and was transferred to Fort William where he remained as city passenger agent until his retirement in 1929. While living in Winnipeg he was active in musical circles and a member of Grace Church choir. He took an active interest in the affairs of the Anglican Church in Fort William and was one of the original members of the group who worked on the construction of St. Paul's Church on Ridgeway Street. He served as both the rector's warden and the people's warden of the church with a keen interest in all branches of the church. Prior to retirement Boreham was also a member of the Board of Trade. Boreham died on June 17 1939.
William Russell Brown, was born on July 26 1881 in Collingwood, Ontario to George Wesley Brown and Georgia Elizabeth Brown (née Smith). The family relocated to Prince Arthur's Landing in 1883 spurring Brown's early interest in nautical industries through family connections to the shipping industry. After attending college Brown returned to Port Arthur to manage Gordon, Ironside and Fares Wholesale Meats, and rose to general manager before leaving to open his own retail meat business in 1908. His business expaned to encompass four locations from 1908 to 1914 before he was hired by the federal government as the Indian Agent for Port Arthur, a position he held until 1923. He started a car dealership, Durant Cars, in 1923 which he later sold in 1934 before entering into municipal politics in 1938 as an alderman and remaining in local government until 1952. From 1944 to 1949 he was a special officer aboard the S.S. Noronic. He also held lay offices in St. Paul's United Church parish, active membership in the Progressive Conservative Party, and over 60 years of membership in the Kiwanis Club (25 as an honourary member). He was Port Arthur's first Honourary Citizen in 1967 and after amalgamation became Thunder Bay's first Honourary Citizen. Brown was also a pioneer philatelist in Canada, and held the position of Vice President of the League of Canadian Philatelists from 1899 to 1901, and Exchange Superintendent of the Dominion Philatelic Association from 1900 to 1901. Brown died at St. Joseph's Heritage Nursing Home on Oct. 5 1985 at 104 years old.
Joseph Redden was an author for the Port Arhur Board of Trade.
Selena Trenks was the editor and promoter of the Lakehead Centennial and Jubilee Book. The book originated with Ethel Johnson and was put together as a Canadian centennial project by a group associated with the Senior Citizens' Day Centre of Port Arthur. Its aim was to honour the region's pioneers and to keep their memories alive. The editor tired to acquire written accounts of the lives of pioneers. Alderman Bill Morgan proof-rad submissions, and these paper probably came from his files as they have his marks on them. The book was likely never published.
Robert Stevely Piper was born on Dec. 15 1872 in Wardsville, Ontario. Piper came to Fort William, Ontario in 1885 and began working at his brother William's hardware store after completing school. He married Eva Kirkup on March 24 1897, and continued working with his brother until 1900. In 1900 he opened his own grocery and hardware store on Brown Street, in Westfort with W.F. Hogarth, and T.M. Piper as partners. Piper eventually left the grocery business to stick strictly to wholesale and retail hardware, and his former grocery department employees left open their own grocery store. Piper also owned a men's clothing store on West Frederica Street which he later sold to Clem Chapple, who opened the first Chapple's Store location. Behind Piper's clothing store he also owned a printing press which was used to publish his small format paper The Westforter only known to have circulated in 1908. Piper served as an Alderman in 1916 and 1917, and was reeve of Neebing Township. He owned a section of land in Neebing off Rosslyn Road which he subdivided into streets and a park. The park was later sold to the township of Neebing in 1915. Piper was also an elder of the 1st Presbyterian Church. He died in Fort William at the age of 76 on April 14 1946.
Kathleen Margaret Heller (née Morrison) was born in Toronto in 1956 to Kenneth Lloyd Morrison and Jean Morrison (née Case). She attended public school in Ottawa and later when the family moved to Port Arthur in 1966 attended Central Public School in its closing year. She went to Hillcrest High School where she and friends initiated causes such as Thunder Bay's first anti-pollution committee. Peggy received her BA from Lakehead University, studied piano with Doug Dahlgren, cello with Joseph Shufro, and played cello with the Thunder Bay Youth and Symphony Orchestras. Peggy met her husband Michael Heller in 1976 and the two relocated to Halifax where she received yet another BA and her MA at Dalhousie University. In 2007, she earned her PhD from Union Institute & University in Ohio. Peggy began teaching at the University of King's College in 1982 first in the Foundation Year Programme (FYP) and later in Contemporary Studies. She was made the FYP Director twice, and was considered an academic pillar at the Atlantic School of Theology and the Association of Core Texts and Courses. Peggy was a team member of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Political Though and Conceptual Change, and frequently taught and lectured abroad in Finland. She regularly played cello with the Edward Street String Quartet and Nova Sinfonia, and at the Crousetown Festival. Peggy died at home in Halifax on June 20 2011.
Iain Francis Angus, M.P. was born on June 1 1947 in Fort William, Ontario. Angus began his career as an employee with the City of Thunder Bay in community development and parks. Angus entered electorial politics in 1975 for the provincial election as the Ontario New Democratic Party candidate in Fort William. He served until 1977 when he was defeated by Mickey Hennessy and returned to work for the city. Angus was unsuccessful in the 1979 and 1980 elections for the NDP federal candidate in the electoral district of Thunder Bay-Atikokan. However, on his third election campain in 1984 he was successful and served the M.P. for Thunder Bay-Atikokan until 1993 when he was defeated by Liberal Party candidate Stan Dromisky. Angus launched his own business as a consultant and was later elected to the Thunder Bay City Council in 2003 to 2018. However, he was unsuccessful in the 2018 mayor election. Angus also served as Vice President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and is Executive Director of Common Voice Northwest where he is also chair of the organization's Energy Task Force. Angus is married to Marlene Sylvia Lindsay with whom he has two children.
Benson Edward Nichol Wright was born in Brantford on July 16 1936 to Dr. Edward Nichol Wright and Elizabeth Gertrude Wright (née Campbell). The family moved to Port Arthur in 1940. Wright attended Upper Canada College and later the University of Toronto with a degree in Political Science. On Aug. 20 1966 he married Sylvia Wilson in London, Ontario and had three children. He worked as an Employment Counsellor with Canada Employment Centre for 28 years and was genuinely interested in assisting others. Ben spent much of his time at the family camp at Amethyst harbour and enjoyed playing piano, hockey, badminton, and soccer. He volunteered with the Anglican Church, served on the boards of the YMCA, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Amethyst Harbour Campers' Association. He was heavily involved in the Thunder Bay community, especially the Grandview Hockey League, Fraser Girls' Pipe Bane, and MacGillivray Pipe Band. Wright died in Thunder Bay on July 8 2016.