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Biggar 1908
In 1920, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Ormrod recalled for The Independent newspaper what it was like here when they first settled on the site that was to become Biggar. The following is copied from the newspaper.
Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Ormrod give some interesting data of Early Biggar Life.
It may be of interest to some of the readers of your paper to know what Biggar was like in 1908.
We, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Ormrod were the first people to locate on the town site of Biggar, and the present site was then unbroken prairie. It was really veritable wilderness. We secured a tent, camped until they erected the building which now stands on 1st Ave. It was six weeks before we received mail. The engineer on a freight had thrown a package on the siding and when we got it, it was a bundle of unlimited correspondence. I read them again and again. Soon the three storey building 25 x 58 was erected. We sold groceries, confectionaries and cigars. Mr. Woolhouse of Saskatoon had a jewellery store in front room. In the adjoining room the Merchants Bank opened a branch. Mr. Snail, local manager made the preliminary arrangements. Second floor was public hall where the Board of Trade held their meetings. Sleeping rooms on the third floor. English Church services were conducted in the hall by Rev. Mr. Stacey, Mr. J.G. Ormrod and Mr. F. Hopkins were elected first church wardens for Biggar. Mr. Ormrod was a member of the Board of Trade and secretary of the school committee. Husband intended opening a piano and musical instrument business in the near future, but I said, it was absolutely intolerable for me to stay here. Well, I have one of the best husbands living on earth, he told me to pack up all my accouterments and he would move me back to Saskatoon. In the first issue of "The Biggar World" the Editor said "Mrs. Ormrod was the first lady to honor Biggar with her presence". While a citizen of Saskatoon, Mr. Ormrod was a salesman in the Great Western Furniture store in the Musical Instruments department. Husband was also a dealer in the Raymond Sewing Machines in the city. While so, he attended a banquet in Prince Albert given by various representatives of the Raymond Man. Co. He was a member of St. John’s Choir in Saskatoon. Mr. Ormrod was formerly a resident of Sarnia, Ontario of long standing, fourteen years. He was a salesman in Patterson Company, piano and music store. Mr. Ormrod was an ardent churchman and was widely interested in church work, he was a member of the English Church choir, superintendent of the Sunday School and a S.S. teacher. Aside from this he conducted on some occasions the services in Point Edward and Perth Churches.
My former home was Watford. I studied two years in the Art Studio. Miss Jones of Helmuth College being my teacher. In my early girlhood I united with the Watford Methodist Church. I was christened in the church by Rev. Mr. Salton, pastor, a member of the Epworth League and a pupil of S.S.
We were married in the Trinity Church, Watford. The impressive marriage ceremony of the Church of England was preformed by Rev. Canon Downie, B.D.. Rev. Mr. Snell formerly of Sarnia being appointed groomsman. It was confirmed by Rev. David Williams, Bishop of Huron, in the St. George’s Church of Sarnia, to be admitted into the Holy Communion.
Source: The Independent, Biggar, Saskatchewan, March 18, 1920, page 5.
Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Ormrod give some interesting data of Early Biggar Life.
It may be of interest to some of the readers of your paper to know what Biggar was like in 1908.
We, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Ormrod were the first people to locate on the town site of Biggar, and the present site was then unbroken prairie. It was really veritable wilderness. We secured a tent, camped until they erected the building which now stands on 1st Ave. It was six weeks before we received mail. The engineer on a freight had thrown a package on the siding and when we got it, it was a bundle of unlimited correspondence. I read them again and again. Soon the three storey building 25 x 58 was erected. We sold groceries, confectionaries and cigars. Mr. Woolhouse of Saskatoon had a jewellery store in front room. In the adjoining room the Merchants Bank opened a branch. Mr. Snail, local manager made the preliminary arrangements. Second floor was public hall where the Board of Trade held their meetings. Sleeping rooms on the third floor. English Church services were conducted in the hall by Rev. Mr. Stacey, Mr. J.G. Ormrod and Mr. F. Hopkins were elected first church wardens for Biggar. Mr. Ormrod was a member of the Board of Trade and secretary of the school committee. Husband intended opening a piano and musical instrument business in the near future, but I said, it was absolutely intolerable for me to stay here. Well, I have one of the best husbands living on earth, he told me to pack up all my accouterments and he would move me back to Saskatoon. In the first issue of "The Biggar World" the Editor said "Mrs. Ormrod was the first lady to honor Biggar with her presence". While a citizen of Saskatoon, Mr. Ormrod was a salesman in the Great Western Furniture store in the Musical Instruments department. Husband was also a dealer in the Raymond Sewing Machines in the city. While so, he attended a banquet in Prince Albert given by various representatives of the Raymond Man. Co. He was a member of St. John’s Choir in Saskatoon. Mr. Ormrod was formerly a resident of Sarnia, Ontario of long standing, fourteen years. He was a salesman in Patterson Company, piano and music store. Mr. Ormrod was an ardent churchman and was widely interested in church work, he was a member of the English Church choir, superintendent of the Sunday School and a S.S. teacher. Aside from this he conducted on some occasions the services in Point Edward and Perth Churches.
My former home was Watford. I studied two years in the Art Studio. Miss Jones of Helmuth College being my teacher. In my early girlhood I united with the Watford Methodist Church. I was christened in the church by Rev. Mr. Salton, pastor, a member of the Epworth League and a pupil of S.S.
We were married in the Trinity Church, Watford. The impressive marriage ceremony of the Church of England was preformed by Rev. Canon Downie, B.D.. Rev. Mr. Snell formerly of Sarnia being appointed groomsman. It was confirmed by Rev. David Williams, Bishop of Huron, in the St. George’s Church of Sarnia, to be admitted into the Holy Communion.
Source: The Independent, Biggar, Saskatchewan, March 18, 1920, page 5.
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