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~ Port Perry the Beautiful A Prosperous Town R.J. BRUCE Hardware Merchant Mr. Bruce is a. native of Cartwright township. He learned the art of storekeep- ing in stores in town, and his first business experience for himself was in Cannington, where he bought out a store and ran it for some time. In 1893 Mr. Bruce removed to Port Perry, and found a store where the Observer now is. In 1895 he erected the building he now occupies, and took posses- sion. The space at his disposal is 28 x 75 feet, and two storeys, and his building is one of the substantial business blocks of the town. Mr. Bruce does a general hardware businéss, and carries a complete stock of everything in hardware, as well as stoves, furnaces, binder twine, wall paper, tin- ware, graniteware. A splendid line of ranges and heaters is handled by this store. There is Buck's Happy Thought, the Imperial Oxford and Welcome, the National and Classis, the Lauren, Art Garland and Crown Brilliant, and many others. The Sunshine and Hecia furnaces are sold by Mr. Bruce, and he has placed furnaces in the Bank of Commerce build- 'ing, the High and Public school building, the Myrtle Hotel, the School in Cartwright township, the Western Bank, Cannington, and many of the best residences in town. The store enjoys a large country and town trade in eavetroughing and in metal- lic roofing and ceiling supplies, also in felt roofs of all descriptions. The Sherwin-Wil- -liams paints are sold, and are in big demand. The upstairs floor is devoted to the tinware and repair department. Altogether six practical men are em- ployed by Mr. Bruce in this business, which is in every way a prosperous one. The store furnishes ample room, and yet it is filled in every part with the heavy stock * carried. } r. Bruce has served in the town Council for two years - 1903-4. He was on the Board when the municipal water and light systems were inaugurated, and in 1905 he was a member of the water and light commission. Mr. Bruce is a prominent Mason, Workman, Oddfellow and Independent Forester. He has a comfortable home on Mary street. Mr. Bruce is yet a young man, and is one of the men of whom the citizens will doubtless expect, and receive, much useful service as a citizen and business man. : A. BONGARD Drover Few men are better known throughout the country surrounding Port Perry than Mr. A. Bongard, drover, of Prince Albert. For over half-a century Mr. Bongard has lived at Prince Albert as boy and man. He was born in Prince Edward country, and removed to the village where he now lives in 1855. For 40 years, Mr. Bongard has been going up and down the concessions and sidelines of Reach, Scugog Island, Whitby and Cartwright townships, buying stock of all kinds from the farmers. He is the veteran drover of the district, and there are none better than he. His long experience has eminently fitted him for his -work, and he practically knows all that is to be known about his business. He is a splendid judge of the weight of an animal. Up to two years ago Mr. Bongard exported to the Old Country, but this he does not follow now. His turnover during the year would aggregate $50,000. Mr. Bongard has a beautiful home at Prince Albert, and a small farm of 12 acres, where he lives happily with his * family. He has served on the School Board of his Section, and in other ways has proven his interest in the affairs of the community in which he lives. J. HH. DOUBT Boot and Shoe Maker Mr. J. H. Doubt is a Devonshire man, 36 years in Canada. On coming to these shores he first settled at Columbus, then he went to Myrtle, and came to Port Perry in 1873. Mr. Doubt had leaned his trade before coming to Canada, and has prac- tised it continuously, His present shop is on the south side of Queen street, opposite Dr. Graham's office, in the building erected by Mr. Rolph after the big fire. Mr. Doubt makes boots to order, though his work is largely repairing. He employs a man to help kim. Mr. Doubt owns a home on Caleb street. He is a member of the local lodge of the 1.0.0.F. Beam C.C.KELLETT Nurseryman Within the corporation of Port Perry, and adjoining the old fair grounds, may be found the home and fruit farm of Mr. C. C. Kellett. Mr. Kellett's farm consists of 15 acres, on which he has a considerable orchard, and where he grows immense" quantities of the luscious strawberry. At one time - or 40 years ago - Mr. Kellett conducted a thriving nursery business on these premises, but 30 years ago he began growing strawberries, which now form the largest part of his crop, and of which he had 6% acres last year. Mr. Kellett has a splendid brick house and good outbuild- ings. Mr. Kellett has taken some part in public life, and was a member of the town Council for two years. 3 . LOOKING NORTH 3424 FROM CORT FERRV---SCLCO6L LAKE AND Ixy ax DOUBT & SON Gents' Furnishings, Hats, Boots and Shoes, etc. The firm of Doubt & Son is one of the youngest business firms in Port Perry, having been just one year in business on February 1. Mr. H. Doubt, the senior partner, has a quarter century's business experience behind him in this town, and is one of the well-known and respected business men of the community. He is a native of the "tight little isle", and came to Canada 30 years ago. ~ He began the tailoring business in this town 25 years ago, and carried on a very successful business up to two years ago. Infact it was the largest tailoring business in town, as many as eight hands being employed. On Feb. 1, 1905, Mr. Doubt being joined by his son, Mr. A. Doubt, purchased the "business conducted by Mr. A. F. Carnegie. The premises occupied are on the south side of Queen street, near Perry street. The stock consists of gents' furnishings, hats, boots and shoes, furs and clothing. The boot and shoe department is the largest, and the stock includes the Geo, A. -- Slater make for men and the Queen Quality for women; also the Kant Krack and Dainty Mode rubbers. In clothing the firm handles the "Fit Rite" and C.M. & R. brands and find that they give satisfaction. In hats the "King" and "Borsalino" are the best sellers, and in caps the manufacture of the F.C. Fraser & Co., London. The gents' furnishing department is well stocked, specialities being the W. G. & R. collars, and Tookes' shirts, collars, cuffs and neckwear. This young firm are free users of printers' ink, and advertise extensively and judiciously, and they are enjoying a fair share of patronage. + G. A. ROSE Life Insurance It is not given to every man to become a successful insurance agent, and of those who try that vocation nine out of ten soon drop out of the ranks. Mr. G. A. Rose of this town is one of those whom Nature seems to have intended for this special work, and since he began to sell insurance about three years ago his success has been .astonishing. Mr. Rose's first knowledge of this strenuous world was obtained in Reach " township, where his family resided. He received his education at the Public and High schools of Port Perry, and then went back to the farm in Reach township. For some years he farmed, and then became a citizen of Brock Township, where he owned one of the nicest farms to be found there. Here he stayed for sixteen years, and came to Port Perry four years ago, upon retiring from agricultural pursuits. It was almost by accident that Mr. Rose began writing insurance, but he quickly learned that he had the aptitude for that work, and he kept at it, and was so successful that his company soon appoint ed him General Agent for the county. Mr. Rose represents the Mutual Life Assur- ance Co. of Canada, a company with a - splendid record. The company has at its head some very able men. The head office is in Waterloo, Ont. Last year the company's gain in insurance was greater than that of any other Canadian company. Mr, Rose owns a beautiful home on Queen street, just west of the fire hall, where with his family he lives a comfort- able and happy life. While not taking any active part in public affairs, Mr. 'is yet a most useful and respected citizen, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. and its Environs --A Charming Counfry Reprinted from the North Ontario Observer - February 22, 1906 SWAN BROS. Carriage Makers and Blacksmiths Messrs. John and James, Jr., compose the firm of Swan Bros., who carry on a brisk business as carriage makers and general blacksmiths on Perry street, south of Queen street. This business was, established forty years ago by Mr. Jas. Swan, Sr., father of the present owners. At that time, the shop was in Borelia, but was later moved down to John street, across from the Williams foundry. For fifteen years that was the location, and four years ago a move was made to the present premises, which the firm had purchased. This building was erected by Johnston & Hobbs, and was occupied by the Ontario Carriage Co. ( While carriage building is nqt now what it was in olden times, and very Rttle is done in small shops as a rule, yet the{Swan Bros. turn out many vehicles each year. They, of course, purchase many of the parts from large factories, but they] also make portions of the carriages, and, having assembled various parts, |put them together, paint them, etc., |and place thereon their own name plate . In the blacksmithing department a big trade is done in general wgrk and in horseshoeing. All kinds of iron and wood repairing is done. The equipment of the premises is first class. The firm have machines for lightening and making easy the heavier work of the shop. which has revolutionized tire setting is the Henderson Hand Power Tire Setter, which sets the tires in a cold state without removal from the wheels. The first year the firm had this machine they set 800 tires. This has cheapened and quickened the work to a wonderful degree. There are five hands in all engaged at this shop, and they are kept busy, the business being an extensive one. The building is ample in size for the requirements of a very large trade. The brick structure of two stories is 40 x 90 feet, with sheds 15 x 90 feet. The paint shop is upstairs, the entire size of the building, while the show room is on the ground floor in the south-western corner. Some very fine carriages were on hand when the reporter visited the premises recently. JAS. GRAHAM Mr. Graham first saw the sunlight in Reachin 1863. He now owns lot 10, con. 14, a farm of-120 acres. On the farm is a frame house, barn 60 x 78 feet, good orchard, and a fine farm it is generally. Mr. Graham like several of his brothers, and his father (the late Jas. Graham) before him is a lover of good stock, and has 41 cattle and 5 horses. He owns a splendid Shorthorn bull, Moneyfuffle Knight. Mr. Graham is a Presbyterian, a Workman, has been a School Trustee for six years, sec. treas. of the School Board for 12 years, and this is his second year in Council. He has a happy family of eight children - four of each sex. Saintfield is Mr. Graham's post office. We hope that our readers have enjoyed this nostalgia feature from the history of Port Perry and area. invention - le RR Re A FAN 3 pd! i AL: TL EE EE TE CI SI IEE ESSE PROP SESESURS SR SE pws