George
When my brother George was born in 1916, he was given the name George after his great grandfather and Newton after his uncle, who was killed at age 19 in the first world war. He was two years younger than Ray, and that made them the best of pals growing up.
In the 40's, George joined the army and served in Canada in the Service Corps, which provides transportation to the other corps, and after the war went across Canada setting up auctions for army vehicles. Many a farmer bought a used army truck or jeep for use on the farm. The picture of George in front of his car is most apt, since he went into the automobile retail business in Toronto and Montreal after the war.
His partner on that cross Canada tour was James Cook, who later became his partner in the imported car business in Toronto. Eventually George started Cook-Toledo Motors in Montreal on St. Catharines Street just a little east of the Forum. He bought this business from Cook, importing British cars: Morris, MG and Jaguar. He sold many a car from there including a bright red MG with chrome wire wheels to me.
He later changed to Ford when the British cars became uncompetitive and then GM when he moved the business to Verdun. Every Christmas he would organize a party for all the employees and their families. At first it was held in the show room with Santa and presents for each child of each family. Later he would rent a hall and do it up with decorations and food. There wasn’t a snow storm that would stop the celebration.
He finally sold the business and retired to the Eastern Townships in Knowlton near Lac Brome where he and Barbara had owned a farm for some time.
George and Barbara had four children, compared to Ray’s five and my three –Linda, Elizabeth, Teddy and Judy. In his retirement, he and Barbara have kept fit by playing golf in the summer and curling in the winter.
George has always been a great family man. He came back to the farm where he was born often and, as a successful businessman, delighted in assisting his parents. He also helped me find a job off the farm when I was 18 and later by selling me cars, at the family discount I am sure. He has displayed his generous nature over the years.
When my brother George was born in 1916, he was given the name George after his great grandfather and Newton after his uncle, who was killed at age 19 in the first world war. He was two years younger than Ray, and that made them the best of pals growing up.
In the 40's, George joined the army and served in Canada in the Service Corps, which provides transportation to the other corps, and after the war went across Canada setting up auctions for army vehicles. Many a farmer bought a used army truck or jeep for use on the farm. The picture of George in front of his car is most apt, since he went into the automobile retail business in Toronto and Montreal after the war.
His partner on that cross Canada tour was James Cook, who later became his partner in the imported car business in Toronto. Eventually George started Cook-Toledo Motors in Montreal on St. Catharines Street just a little east of the Forum. He bought this business from Cook, importing British cars: Morris, MG and Jaguar. He sold many a car from there including a bright red MG with chrome wire wheels to me.
He later changed to Ford when the British cars became uncompetitive and then GM when he moved the business to Verdun. Every Christmas he would organize a party for all the employees and their families. At first it was held in the show room with Santa and presents for each child of each family. Later he would rent a hall and do it up with decorations and food. There wasn’t a snow storm that would stop the celebration.
He finally sold the business and retired to the Eastern Townships in Knowlton near Lac Brome where he and Barbara had owned a farm for some time.
George and Barbara had four children, compared to Ray’s five and my three –Linda, Elizabeth, Teddy and Judy. In his retirement, he and Barbara have kept fit by playing golf in the summer and curling in the winter.
George has always been a great family man. He came back to the farm where he was born often and, as a successful businessman, delighted in assisting his parents. He also helped me find a job off the farm when I was 18 and later by selling me cars, at the family discount I am sure. He has displayed his generous nature over the years.
The Wedding of George and Barbara
George and Barbara were married in Oakville on September 17, 1949. In attendance were George’s mother and father, William and Margaret Henderson, as well as Barbara’s parents, Ivan and Jessica Spencer.
George’s best man was James L. Cooke, his business partner in Cooke Toledo Motors. Other members of the wedding party include Jim Perry standing second from the left and Joan McCullogh, Maid of Honour, then Dorothia Henderson and John Bancroft, husband of Mary, Barbara’s sister on the right.
George
During the second World War, George served from 1940-46 in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps ending up as a Regimental Sergeant Major, W.O. 1. When the war was over, he and Captain James L. Cooke went across Canada selling surplus army vehicles. Many a prairie farmer bought a used Jeep or army truck to help on the farm.
From 1946-48, he worked for Barrington Rubber and Plastics, Company in Oakville, but joined James Cooke in 1949 at James L. Cooke Motors, Ltd. in Toronto. When the company bought Toledo Motors in Montreal, George moved in as Manager of Cooke-Toledo Motors and became sole owner in 1960. He sold the business and retired to the farm in the Eastern Townships of Quebec near Brome.
While in Montreal, George sold English cars for Jaguar and Leyland Motors. Jim and Madeline bought a Morris Minor convertible from him and Cooke-Toledo was the source of the red MGA that I drove until my family outgrew it –that is, until there were more than two of us.
 |
| Sign for Cooke Toledo Motors in Verdun |
George's Letter
Some time ago, George mailed me a letter containing some legal documents related to the farm, including the deed. It is an historical document covering the period when our father and mother bought the farm from Adam Henderson, our grandfather, to when they sold it. George makes several comments in his letter which are well worth reading.
George writes: Enclosed are a sack of legal documents pertaining to the farm. Some of these documents go back to 1910. They tell of a very tough struggle for our father and mother to go through to try paying for the farm and raise a hungry gang of six, and to hang in there and keep on going. I think they had a lot more courage and stamina than today’s citizens.
The Farm:This is somewhat of a puzzle, but the way I read it is that Thomas Baker died in October 1903 and left his will giving Minor Baker, his son, part of the farm provided he support Mary Baker, his widow, for life, and Amanda Baker until marriage or death, if she did not marry.
It was also in his will that the other part of the farm was to be sold to Adam Henderson for $600 with the money going to Minor Baker, and that they must turn over the land part described in the will to Adam without any fuss.
It looks as if Thomas left the part of the farm to Adam and Adam took possession on Thomas’ death. Now Adam owned all of the farm.
Adam sold the farm to our father for $2000 and took back a mortgage of $1000. But our father didn’t have the $1000, so he took out another mortgage of $1000, which adds up, eh? This sounds easy, but this mortgage was with John Jennings who was one of two brothers who lived a concession north of Groveton about two miles away. I can remember him pestering my father regularly. He ran a shoemaker shop in Spencerville and drove a horse and buggy going right past our house every day.
How convenient to stop in and say, "Hello. Oh, by the way, Bill..." "Sorry, no. I don’t have that much, but maybe next week."
Adam, of course, became very ill and died at our house where mother had cared for him for some time. In his will he gave everything to our father. That was in 1924.
He had a horse and buggy, and before he became too ill, he would drive Ray and I to the ball games. We would be about 4 and 6 years old at that time.
He was separated from his wife who lived in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan –about the right distance my father used to say. She was sister of Albert McQuade and not very popular as I understand.
Our father was a kind and great man and a hard worker. It took our mother to provide the glue that held things together. They both deserved Gold Medals to provide for a family of six.
God bless them. I think of them often.
George and Barbara's Family
Living in Dorval, George and Barbara raised four children. Judy is sitting on Linda’s lap. Edward (Teddie) looks very happy to have his picture taken, and that is Elizabeth on the right with her perennial smile.
Judy and Marty
Judy and Marty and Leah and Riley
by Judy Henderson
In 1985, my father sold the farm in Brome. This was the Henderson’s country get away since 1966. I actually feel that I grew up at the farm. It had all the things I loved: Skiing, Horses, Farming, Friends. Country life was something I grew to love and while growing up in Brome I knew I would always live in the area.
Eventually my love for horses lead me to college for equine studies and for some time I worked as a horse trainer and became a riding instructor. When my father sold the farm, it was heart breaking for me. When we left there, I was sure I would never go back, it would be too difficult. It was like leaving a good friend. Anyway, I moved on and found a new place to keep my horses and a few years later I rented my own little place on Brome Lake.
In 1991, I started a new job working in sales in transportation and customs brokerage and spent time with horses and gave riding lessons to various people as a side line. In August 1993 a student who I had taught for some time over the years, but then lost touch with, called me. Stephanie asked me if I could meet her, and evaluate her and her new horse. She wanted to go in a horse show, but was not sure she would have time to prepare. She wanted me to help get her ready. I agreed to meet her. Stephanie then gave me the address. It was our old farm! I was shocked and quite hesitant at first. Then with something stuck in my throat I told her I would be there. Ouch!
The day came and I drove down that driveway with such apprehension. I arrived at the barn with my little dog, " Prancy" in the back wagging her tail whining with excitement. Of course ! She was elated to be back. This was her home too! I walked into the barn, looking for my student. This was hard because everything was the same as it was. My old stable! I then met up with Stephanie’s boy friend, Mike. Mike told me to go out to the riding ring and I would find her there. So, I went out to my old riding ring where I had taught so many lessons and trained many horses. There at ring side, stood a very handsome young guy, Marty! Well, that is when I met Marty.
My student then, Stephanie, is now a very close friend who has two horses in my stable in Fulford. Her daughter Allison is very good friends with our daughter, Leah. Allison is like Leah’s big sister. They ride together and share in their love of horses.
We look back on that day and remember the farm and not only did my friend Stephanie bring Marty and I together, but my old farm was the place we met!
Marty and I soon moved in together and then we bought our small house in Fulford in October of 1995 . I became pregnant in 1997 and Leah Renee Lavoie was born Sept 18, 1997. Because I would be 40 in 2001, I wanted to have our second child soon. I did not want to wait So I became pregnant in 1999 and Riley Andrew Lavoie was born Feb 7th 2000.
They are both is school at Knowlton Academy, which is an English School but progressing to be a Bilingual School. They do many subjects in French. They are both fluent in French as Marty speaks French to them, and I speak English.
They do well is school and have a lot of friends.
Riley has become quite the little hockey player. He and his father enjoy this sport together. Marty is on the team of coaches and they travel around to tournaments. They watch the Montreal Canadians with passion, and whenever possible Marty takes Riley to a game in Montreal. Riley is a very good soccer player as well. It is a lot of fun to watch.
Leah’s big passion in life is Gymnastics. She started this when she was in grade 1 and since then, she has excelled in the sport. She does 7 hours of practice in a week. She is a member at a local Gymnastics Club in Granby and she participates in competition and has many medals hanging in her room.
Leah and I enjoy the horses together. Leah has a horse too. She competes as well and really loves it.
George's 90th Birthday
George on his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
George's interment on May 1, 2010 in the cemetery in Spencerville
Enid, Clare, Madeline, Mac Simpson and Joan May 1, 2010
Grave marker with George and Barbara included
