The Early History of Elora and Vicinity

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS TO THE READER: A few years ago my old friend and teacher, Mr. David Boyle, Secretary of the Ontario Historical Society and Curator of the Ontario Provincial Museum in Toronto, was visiting in Elora. He took the first opportunity of lecturing me, in his own peculiar way, for having made no effort to preserve the early history of this locality. After hearing what he had to say, I brought out a collection of old books, newspapers, memorandum books and slips of paper on which I had written many stories of the early days, which were told to me by old friends who now occupy their long, last resting place upon the hill. Mr. Boyle kindly said that he was agreeably surprised, and advised me to arrange this material in such a way that it might be of some benefit to others. This I have endeavored to do, and in the following pages will relate something of what I have learned of the early settlement of Elora, including also an account of the first settlers in the townships of Woolwich, Pilkington and Nichol. Elora, January 3rd, 1906. JOHN R. CONNON. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS TO TIl E READER: A few years ago myoid friend and teacher, Mr. David Boyle, Secretary af the Ontario Historical Society and Curator of the Ontario Provincial Museum .in Toronto, was visiting in Elora. He took the first opportunity of lecturing me, in his own peculiar way, for having made no effort to preserve the early history of this locality. After hearing what he had to say, I brought out a collection of old books, newspapers, memorandum books and slips of paper on which I had written many stories of the ~arly days, which were told to me by old friends who now occupy their lon~, last resting place upon the hill. Mr. Boyle kindly said that he was agreeably surprised, and advised me to arrange this material in such a way that it might be of some benefit to others. This I have endeavored to do, and in the following pages will relate something of what I have learned of the early settlement of Elora, including also an account of the first settlers in the townships of Woolwich, Pilkington and Nichol. Elora, January 3rd, 1~06. JOHN R. CONNON. ELORA FALLS Photographed in 1899 ELORA FALLS photographed in 1899 ...