Stewart McCurry

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-231046
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-88293
• Occupation: 1899, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper and "Typerator"
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Typewriter
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper, Office
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic

Henry married Amelia Fenwick 17 Apr 1899, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Amelia (daughter of James Fenwick and Susanna Maier) was born 6 Apr 1878, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Amelia McCurry
• Name: Melia Fenwick
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-88294
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-464118

Patrick — Emily Foley. Emily died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emily McCurry
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-464119

Other Events:

• Interesting: fire, life story
• Residence: 536 King St. E., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-351042
• Occupation: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Finisher
• Occupation: 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Machinist
• Occupation: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Machinist
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Public Service: 8 Nov 1892, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Preston Fire Brigade
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Machinist
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Machinist, Foundry
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Notes:

James Fenwick was born 26 Jun 1846 and took an active part in the affairs of Preston. A machinist by trade he worked for Clare Bros. Ltd. He served on Preston's Light and Water Commission. He raised the electric light wires in 1893 and in 1895 was awarded a 5 years contract to produce electricity for Preston street lights. He set up a water-powered generator in Blair to produce the electricity and was paid 17 cents for the power used each night.


Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]
_______________

BLAIR SUPPLIED PRESTON WITH HYDRO, ELECTRIC POWER

BY Nonie Beck Pryce

James Fenwick owned and operated the first electric light plant in Preston in 1891. Records in the Town Treasurer's office show that the first account in Preston's books was registered in 1891 when they paid $407,00 for street lighting. There were power shortages and the burden fell on the shoulders of the owner. Mr. Fenwick first operated his steam plant and dynamo in Harry Hamacher's Carriage Shop on King Street. The street lights were turned off at twelve o 'clock. I believe that on moonlight nights they did not come on.

A steam plant was expensive and waterpower was much cheaper so the plant was moved to Blair on the property of Charles Beck. There was a big stone building on this property which had first been a tannery, run by Bechtels, then a distillery owned by Thomas Reed.

Even in those days there were dry speels, and the water power had to be supplemented with steam generated power.

In winter storms raged bringing down poles and wires. A Privately owned plant had lots of trouble. Collections were made from customers every Monday morning. While in Blair an opposition plant was started by John Shearer, chiefly supplying light for homes.

After a number of years Mr. Fenwick moved back to Preston, renting a room and steam power from Clare Bros. In 1910 Preston built a municipal plant and agreed to take 600 horsepower from Hydro, Community" dances were blacked out at midnight unless arrangements were made to have the power left on, then a fee of a dollar an hour was charged.

Grand River Womens' Institute

Public Service:
From Minute Book of Preston Fire Brigade

James married Susanna Maier 8 Aug 1870, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susanna (daughter of John Meyer and Elizabeth) was born 13 May 1851, , Germany; died 10 Nov 1931, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 12 Nov 1931, Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susan Meyer
• Name: Susanna Fenwick
• Name: Susannah Meier
• Residence: 536 King St. E., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-351043
• Immigration: 1852, , Canada
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Notes:

WOMAN SUCCUMBS TO CAR INJURIES

Mrs. Suzanna C. Fenwick Injured Internally When Hit By Auto Saturday Night

INQUEST SET FOR NOV. 16

Kitchener Man, Driver Of Car, Tried To Avoid Accident. Police Declare

Injuries sustained when she was struck by an automobile Saturday night at the King and Wellington streets intersection in Preston proved fatal to Mrs. Susanna C. Fenwick, wife of the late James Fenwick, of Preston at three o'clock this morning. She was in her 81 year. Dr. Anthony Oaks, coroner, today ordered an inquest into the tragedy for this afternoon at two o'clock when the jury will view the remains. Adjournment will then be made until November 16 when evidence will be heard. The automobile which struck Mrs. Fenwick was driven by F. R. Entwistle, 121 King street west, Kitchener. From the police the Record learned that the driver did everything possible to avoid the accident. Other witnesses claim the aged lady walked back into the path of the car following which the driver stopped his vehicle with in three feet. Mrs. Fenwick sustained injuries and head wounds. A resident of Preston and community for 80 years, the deceased came to tbis country from Germany when one year of age. She was particularly well known having for years lived on King street in a home on the side of what is now known as the Blellor block. Her husband, who predeceased her some years ago, was also a well-known bustness man of the district having operated one of the few electrical plants in the town. The late Mrs. Fenwick was a member of St. Clement's church. Two daughters, Mrs. A. W. Angell, King street with whom she has made her home for a number of years and Mrs. H. J. McCurry of Toronto, survive. The funeral will take place Thursday morning from the residence of Mr. Angell where service will be held. Rev. Fr. Meyer will officiate. Later interment will be made in Preston cemetery.

Kitchener Daily Record 10 Nov 1931 pg 3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-129430

John — Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born 1812, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Meyer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-129429