Glossville – A Forgotten Hamlet in Elizabethtown

Glossville

The motorist passes through the former hamlet of Glossville so fast that they don’t realize that they just passed through a bit of Elizabethtown history.

Probably 100 to 125 years ago, Glossville was in its glory. But when the oldest residents of the area were in their childhood, the name of Glossville was already beginning to fade. Just what caused Glossville to be forgotten is unknown.

Perhaps it was because the cheese factory was the only thing that the community had going for it. The first factory burned down and was replaced by another on the same spot that was eventually turned into a home. When the factory fell on evil days and business started going down the drain, Glossville began to lose its glamour. When the factory closed probably 100 years ago, this hamlet died with it. The last cheese maker was a Ben Scott and it’s probable that he made his last cheese in the factory during the years of the First Great War 1914-18. Afterwards he was cheese maker at the Addison plant which later closed in 1942.

The Halls moved into the old cheese factory and set up a small confectionery and grocery store in one of the front rooms.

It may be hard to believe, but this tiny lost hamlet once boasted a newspaper. Oldtimers say stories handed down by their families tell of a weekly newspaper, the Glossford Review, which was once printed here.

There was a school in Glossville called “Hawke’s School. The school was so named because there were two group of Hawke’s children who attended the school in it’s early years. One Hawke farm was located north of the school the other farm to the south of the school. The school was sandwiched between the two farm families and filled with Hawke children. It was here that Glossville children were educated. The community sent its children to the old brick school long after people stopped using the name Glossville. After Hawke’s closed the children were bussed to Frankville or to Addison. Land for the school was donated to the area school board in 1857 by John Hawke, and it is probable that the stone building was erected within the following three years. Hawke’s School closed in 1962. The school was located at the junction of Hwy 29 and the Lake Eloida Road.

Around 1850, a tavern was reputed to have done a thriving business at the junction of the Rocksprings Road and Hwy 29, but today there is no trace of a building there.

Glossville was located north of Addison on Hwy 29 between the intersection of the Rocksprings Rd. and the dirt road leading to Lake Eloida.     ^{(Recorder and Times c1980, Darling Scrapbook No 3)}

The Athens Reporter and County of Leeds Advertiser

Excerpts have been taken from this paper referencing the following hamlet for the years 1889, 1894 and 1895

 Glossville Jan 8, 1889, reporter writes:

December- On Tuesday, the 11^th, Miss Hattie Mott, near Frankville was married to Mr. Richard Latimer, near Elbe Mills, at the residence of the bride’s mother, Mrs. Mott. There were about 60 guests present at the nuptial ceremony. The presents were valuable and numerous. The happy pair departed for Toronto and the west to spend a few days.

There are some score of other marriages under way, which will come off in rapid and happy succession, for there never was a time when there were so many strangers wandering about enquiring there way home, bewildered by the charms of the girls who adorn this neighbourhood

The Athens Reporter and County of Leeds Advertiser

 Nov 18, 1894 issue-

Addison, Saturday Nov.10-

Mr. Robert Barlow of Glossville has leased his farm to a very extensive farmer of Kitley and will live a retired life for a few years to come.

Dr. Brown of Mt. Pleasant has disposed of his celebrated bay, Boston, to Mr. Richard Cardiff of Glossville who intends fitting it up for spring races.

Nov 18, 1894 issue-

Glossville, Nov. 10-

The butter factory has commenced operations again under the management of Messrs. McKee and Elliott.

Mrs. Henry Davis, of Jellyby, is a guest at Mrs. R. Barlow’s

Grey horses were son numerous last week that if such is to be continued we advise the construction of a new bridge at their headquarters or accept the sage [sic] suggestion- i.e., take the ditch for it

Mr. Levi Church spent Sunday with his parents.

Mrs. R. Barlow is slowly recovering from her severe illness

Mrs. Giles of Montreal is a guest at her daughter’s, Mrs. Sheldon Holmes of Sunny View.

Mr. Madden Hewitt will soon move to his winter residence in the west end. Miss. Anna and Adella Scott spent Sunday at their home in Valleyville.

Suggestion: “Ships that pass in the night” should employ better pilots.

Tuesday Nov 20, 1894 issue-   (date show is the date on the paper, not the correct date)

Glen Buell, Nov 26-

Some time ago Ethiopean John, while rusticating in the woods back of Glossville, came across a very large black bear. Having no weapon and lacking sufficient courage to attack him single handed, he retreated to the house of his host, the well known steam threshing machine man, where be succeeded in getting a gun and the assistance of ‘Forgie’ to help slay the dangerous animal. Throwing off the governor belt they soon arrived at the scene of his bearship, but, lo ! to their amazement, the bear turned out to be a large black cat. Score one for John who says that his eyes must have magnified that cat.

Tuesday Dec. 4, 1894 issue-

Glossville– Friday, Nov. 30-

Mr. and Mrs. J. Best have returned from their honey moon trip to Ottawa and have settled in our midst.

Miss. Davis of Fairfield and Mr. Ed. Lyons of Smith’s Falls spent Sunday at Barlowville.

Glossville was represented at all the surrounding entertainments on Friday night, some at Athens, Saginaw and Glen Buell. All report a very enjoyable time.

Mr. C. Hawks has returned from the north where he held an agency for the Rochester nurseries.

Mr. and Mrs. G. Booth of Browntown are visiting friends in Carleton Place.

Mr. R. Love who has been suffering for some time from effects of a cancer is slowly recovering under the treatment of Dr. Dixon of Frankville.

Tuesday Nov 20, 1894 issue-   (date show is the date on the paper, not the correct date)

Addison, Saturday Nov. 24-

Wedding bells have again pealed forth their melodies in our midst’s, it being the marriage of Mr. John Best, of Glossville to Hanna, daughter of Mr. James Brown of the same place on the 21^st inst. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Knox in the presence of about 100 invited guests, after which all partook of a sumptuous repast provided for the occasion. The presents were costly and numerous, showing the very high esteem in which the young couple were held in the community. The orchestra from Addison and vicinity assembled about 10:45 o’clock and discoursed some excellent music. The bride and groom left on the 2 p.m. train for Ottawa on a short honeymoon trip, taking with them the best wishes of  all that theirs may be a long and happy life.

Tuesday Jan. 8, 1895 issue-

Mr. Peter Baker of Cornwall, is spending a few days with friends in Glossville and vicinity.

Tuesday March 5, 1895 issue–

Mrs. James Brown of Glossville is on the sick list. We hope it will not prove serious.

 Tuesday March 19, 1895 issue–

Mr. Franklin Wiltse and son of Silver Brook, champion  sawers of this section, cut nearly 100 cords of stove wood in one day recently for Mr. Selah Hawks of Glossville. Any one wanting wood cut on short notice should give them a call.

Mr. A. Church of Mt. Pleasant has moved to Glossville which leaves a first class blacksmith stand to lease for the present.

Tuesday Oct 8, 1895 issue

Addison, Saturday, Oct. 5, –

Wedding bells will soon ring out at Glossville

Tuesday Oct 15, 1895 issue

Addison, Monday Oct. 7, –

Mr. James Hall of Glossville met with quite a serious accident last week by getting struck on the hand as he was moving the thresher in the barn, which dislocated his thumb and bruised his hand to quite an extent. Mr. Thomas Whitford is engaged as foreman for the present.

Tuesday Oct 29, 1895 issue

Glossville Floral Wedding

The happy event which excited so much pleased interest at Glossville has come and gone, namely the marriage of Miss Addie Barlow to Mr John M. Percival of Forthton. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride’s father, Robert Barlow, Esq., Glossville, on the 23^rd inst. The house was beautifully fitted for the occasion, being tastefully decorated throughout with evergreens, flowers, and mottoes the whole suitably trimmed white. The decorating and illuminating were more than a success.

The bride wore a lovely cream satin beautifully trimmed with white, and was assisted by six of her cousins who acted as maids of honor. At eight o’clock p.m. when every person was quite, unexpectedly the six maids of honor in a procession two deep, in a tandem satin belt, advanced into the large and well filled parlor of the fine residence. The bride and her father followed to the tune of the wedding march which was played by Miss Davis of Brockville. The happy couple were joined together by the Rev Rural Dean Grout of Lyn under a beautifully executed flora design.  The congratulations being over the dining room was next of interest and thither the over one hundred guests wended their way. It was magnificently laid out with a substantial and elegant repast. After the tempting ????  had received all due attention and many entertaining remarks, conversation and friendly greetings, the happy couple left for Montreal and other eastern points. The presents were pronounced ‘lovely’ as well as being numerous and valuable. Our best wishes go with them (this article was blurred and difficult to read, there may be some mistakes)

Tuesday Dec 10, 1895 issue

Glossville, Monday Dec 8, –

The milk meeting was held last Wednesday evening in Glossville school house was largely attended.

Mr.Levi Church lost a valuable horse last week

Glossville butter factory is running full blast. We are sure people are pleased with the returns as milk is drawn from Easton’s Corners and other distant points.

Miss Elva Pepper who has been in ill health for the last two years, is gradually sinking. Slight hopes are entertained of her recovery.

The young people of this section are making great preparations for the concert which is to be held in Ashwood Hall, Addison, on the evening of Dec. 20^th. As no pains are being spared, it will doubtlessly be the event of the season.

Rumor says wedding bells are soon to ring again.

Mrs. Oliver Bishop of Oswego is visiting friends in Glossville and vicinity for a few weeks.