2003 – 2004 Speaker Series: Presentation Summaries

Listed alphabetically by speaker.

Ray Hobbs: Things Are Going On Very Badly—The Head of the Lake and the War of 1812

15 October, 2003

Mr. Hobbs, a retired McMaster University professor is, "in another life", commanding officer of the 41st Regiment of Foot. The British militia unit, stationed at Fort George, distinguished themselves at the Battle of Lundy's Lane, the Battle of Queenston Heights and the Battle at Fort Detroit. In his presentation he will recreate the life of a typical soldier during the War of 1812.

Margaret Houghton: Rest In Peace—Cemeteries and Funerals in Hamilton

21 January, 2004

Margaret Houghton, Special Collections archivist at the Hamilton Public Library, will tell us the history of several Hamilton cemeteries and give a brief background on some of the interesting people buried in them. Ms. Houghton is the author of several books: Hamilton: Panorama of Our Past and Downtown Hamilton: The Heart Of It All. In her recently published book, The Hamiltonians, Ms. Houghton has assembled fascinating stories from some of the city's most expert writers, including several from Dundas.

Nothing illustrates the rich variety of Hamilton's history better than the lives of some of those who made the city their home. Many Hamiltonians have learned about their city's past through visits to local cemeteries in the company of a knowledgeable local historian. Among the people we will learn more about are Bessie Starkman, partner of Rocco Perri, King of the Bootleggers, killed in a gangland-style slaying, whose funeral attracted 25,000 spectators in 1930, and Isabella Hyde Whyte, long thought by Hamiltonians to be the illegitimate offspring of Edward, Duke of Kent, Queen Victoria's Father.

A 1974 Magna Cum Laude graduate in Honours English and History from McMaster University, and 1976 B.Ed. graduate from Hamilton Teachers' College, Ms. Houghton is president of the Head of the Lake Historical Society and the Players Guild of Hamilton, the oldest continuously operating little theatre group in North America, having started in 1875. Margaret Houghton speaks about various aspects of local history to many community groups. Her presentation promises to be a fascinating journey through the lives of many of Hamilton's former citizens.

Gerard Middleton: The Spencers of Dundas

21 April, 2004

A retired Professor of Geology at McMaster University, Gerard Middleton will speak on the celebrated Canadian geologist Joseph Winthrop Spencer. Born and educated in Dundas, Joseph Spencer received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Honours Geology and Mineralogy at Montreal's McGill University in 1874. During his illustrious career, he taught chemistry, geology, and mineralogy at King's College, Nova Scotia, the University of Missouri and Georgia State University. Locally, he is best known for his research in the development of hydroelectric power on the Niagara River. In 1834, Spencer's father, Joseph Spencer, built the Gore Grist Mill in Dundas. It is generally believed that Spencer Creek was named after him. Two of his uncles, James and Benjamin Spencer, were actively engaged in the good works of the Methodist Church—James as a Methodist circuit rider and Benjamin as the first Sunday School superintendent of the original Methodist church in Dundas, then located on Ogilvie Street, where the Dundas Public Library is presently located.

David Moore: A Pilgrimage to Dieppe and Vimy

19 November, 2003

In January, 2003, an enthusiastic audience delighted in David Moore's talk "A Question of Loyalty". For his second appearance in our Speaker Series, Mr. Moore's talk will cover the 60th anniversary ceremonies for the Battle of Dieppe, the D-day invasion of Normandy, and a visit to the battle sites at Vimy Ridge, Somme, and the grave of Dr. John McCrae of "Flanders Fields" fame.

Catherine Slaney: The Man Who Knew Lincoln

18 February, 2004

In February (Black History Month), Catherine Slaney will speak about the life of her great grandfather, Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott. In 1863, Dr. Abbott became the first black man to graduate in medicine in Canada. While serving with the Union Army during the American Civil War, Dr. Abbott and United States president Abraham Lincoln became great friends. From 1881 to 1889 Dr. Abbott and his family lived in Dundas. During his tenure in the Valley Town, Dr. Abbott was chairman of the Internal Management Committee of the Board of Education, chairman of the Library Board and Church Warden at St. James Anglican Church. Please note that this presentation will take place at St. James Anglican Church, 137 Melville St., Dundas.

Gordon Thede: Dundas—The Early Years

17 September, 2003

In his illustrated slide presentation, Mr. Thede will speak on the town's rich heritage and cover aspects of our pioneer settlers, roads, streets and residences and the impact the building of the Desjardins Canal had on the industrial, commercial and agricultural success of Dundas. A long time Dundas resident, Mr. Thede was chairman of the History Committee during the 1997 Dundas Sesquicentennial celebrations.