Event Date : Wednesday, May 01, 1940
Event Type : Marriage

Description : The wedding took place at the Ansnorveld Christian Reformed Church where the Rev. William Meyer officiated the ceremony.Nelly is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Rupke of Ansnorveld. Peter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Verkaik of Chatham. Following the honeymoon, the couple will reside in Tottenham.

Event Date : Friday, April 02, 1954
Event Type : Marriage

Description : Anne, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Maan, of Springdale, to Anthony, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Verkaik of Springdale. The wedding took place at Springdale Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Ralph Wildschut officiated.The bride had five attendants. Her three sisters, Misses Jeanne, Jane and Irene Maan, were maid of honour and bridesmaids, while two young nieces of the groom, Whnda Verkaik and Leona Van Dyke, were the flower girls. Mr. Peter Verkaik was his brother's groomsman and two of his other brothers, Messrs. Harry and George Verkaik, were the ushers. Mr. and Mrs. Verkaik will reside in Springdale.

Event Date : Thursday, July 22, 1954
Event Type : Death

Description : Although in failing health in recent years, Mrs. Westlake was about as usual last Thursday and early on Thursday evening made a call on a neighbour. Shortly after she returned to her room, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Saxon, a sound from the room attracted Mr. Saxon's attention. He called Mrs. Saxon from the garden but Mrs. Westlake passed away within a few minutes. Born near Islington, Mrs. Westlake's maiden name was Annie May Morrison. She grew up there and married Henry J. Westlake, also of that district. The older members of their family were born there. About forty-seven years ago they purchased the farm in the Scotch Settlement, now the home of their son, Robert, and for over thirty years resided there. Sixteen years ago Mr. Westlake died and when their son married, Mrs.Westlake moved to Bradford, occupying rooms in several houses here during the years. Over a year ago she was seriously ill and for a time was at Inniswood Lodge, near Barrie, but returned to her home with Mr. and Mrs. Saxon about a year ago. During her years in the Settlement she was a member of the Scotch Settlement Presbyterian Church and of its W.M.S. and since coming to Bradford her church as been the United Church, where she was a regular attender and among whose church people she made many friends. Mrs. Westlake is survived by three sons and three daughters, namely, Mrs. Frank Hurd (Ethel) of Orangeville; Ernest of Toronto; Mrs. Walter Edney (Lillian) of Bradford; Roy of Brampton; Robert of the Scotch Settlement; and Mrs. Clarence Kneeshaw (Ruth) of Bradford. The funeral was held on Sunday from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, with interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Rev. F. G. MacTavish of the United Church conducted the service. The pallbearers were three of her neighbours when she lived in the Scotch Settlement, namely, Whitfield Jessop, now of Alliston, Herbert West, and Robert Sinclair, now of Churchill; a grandson, Murray Gould of Niagara Falls; a nephew, Garnet Westlake of Beeton; and Mr. Ray Saxon of Bradford.

Event Date : Thursday, August 17, 1978
Event Type : Death

Description : One of Bradford's most active and well known women, Dorothy "Dode" Marks died August 17 in York County Hospital in Newmarket. She was 68. Mrs. Marks was born in the home she lived in most of her life the daughter of Walter Reeves, a Bradford police officer for 20 years, and Sadie Saint. She was educated in Bradford attending both Bradford Public School and Bradford High School after which she worked for a short time in the Stein Furniture Factory which stood on the property now occupied by Toby's Restaurant. In 1930 she married Harvey Marks and spent the next few years raising three children Noreen (Hodgson), Beverley (Sanders), and Bill. She also had seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. An active woman Mrs. Marks was a member of the Women's Institute and also enjoyed bowling tennis badminton and baseball. She worked off and on for The Witness for 25 years often working well into the night organizing subscriptions. A tireless worker she was never heard to complain according to co-workers. Mrs. Marks was a member of the community centre board from its inception in 1956 until 1974 running for no wage the concession booth. According to former board member and co-worker Joe Magani, "Dode and Ted Dow ran that thing all year and the only compensation they got was a steak dinner once a year. For almost 20 years they kept that arena out of the red and that's a fact. Our expenses for running the arena were paid by the proceeds of that booth." A descendant of Bradford's pioneer families Mrs. Marks had a thorough knowledge of the history of the area and provided The Witness with many of the historical photos used in the Yesterdays column. Many of those same photos were used in the Bradford Centennial Book of 1957. Funeral service was held Saturday August 19 in the chapel Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Pallbearers were James Church, Jack Church, Gordon Church, Robert Watson, Kenneth Saint, and Bill Enwright. Burial took place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Tuesday, November 19, 1901
Event Type : Birth

Description : A son to Mr. & Mrs. E. Garrett.

Event Date : Monday, June 19, 1905
Event Type : Death

Description : On Monday evening, June 19th, as the shade of night fell upon our town, a darker shadow fell upon the well-known home of one of Bradford's oldest residents, as Mr. Andrew Thompson passed from this life to be no longer here. For some time past the question of Mr. Thompson's health has been uppermost in the minds of his family and friends as it was discovered that serious heart trouble existed. Despite the fact that the deceased regained sufficient strength to appear in his place of business last week, it was only that and nothing more. All the while his critical condition prevailed. On Friday last a form of intestinal trouble loomed unexpectedly up, and at once the original trouble was aggravated, causing a serious complication which medical skill was unable to cope with, and after a brief but trying illness of a few days Mr. Thompson was no more. Only some four years ago the younger son in the same home-Climie-was, by an acute disease, snapped away as it were, and it is well-remembered that his last words, "You'll not be long after me father" have come strikingly true. Serious family illness has also in the interval intervening rested heavily upon the members of the now sorely afflicted home making a seemingly double portion of sorrow to bear. In all of this the sympathy of the whole town goes out in large measure to the grief-stricken wife and children who survive. Norman who for some time past has been in the Sovereign Bank at Stouffville was able to reach home ere his father had passed away Monday night whilst the Misses Beatrice and Gertie were as ever brave and supporting to their heart-broken mother.

Deceased was born in the Township of Innisfil on the 17th of January 1841 and had resided in this neighbourhood all his life. He learned his trade of tinsmithing with Mr. Geo. Mortimore of Newmarket and shortly after commenced business in this village. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Jane Williamson of this village who survives him. He was an affectionate husband and father and enjoyed exceptionally good health scarcely knowing what a day's sickness meant. For over 35 years the name of Andrew Thompson has as a businessman been before the public as a hardware merchant and tinsmith. First in partnership with Mr. B.F. Kendall. Then alone when for years he occupied the stand now filled by Mr. R. Neilly. Four years ago on the departure of Mr. Jas. Driffill from the corner store it was purchased and occupied by Mr. Thompson who added to his line of business that of hardware.In public affairs the deceased manifested a goodly interest and held the positions of Councillor and Public School Trustee for a time. A liberal spirit was ever shown towards all worthy objects giving of the fruits of his persevering industry and honest toil. He was a member in good standing of the A.O.U.W. and was buried by the Order on Wednesday afternoon at Mount Pleasant cemetery. In the absence of a settled pastor in the Presbyterian Church with which Mr. Thompson identified himself the Rev.s Morley Young and Smith resident ministers officiated at the services of the house which were largely attended. A large and solemn cortege followed to the place of interment about forty in number preceding the hearse. Rev. Mr. Morley conducted the sad rites at the grave after which the beautiful service of the Workmen Order took place and was concluded by the breathren marching around the grave and depositing a sprig of evergreen on the coffin of their deceased brother. A number of beautiful floral tributes covered the coffin including one from the town council and one from the children bearing the word "Father." The pallbearers were: W.B. Scott, H.S. Broughton, R.F. Green, Cyrus Long, S. Lukes, E. Garrett, J. Elliott, J.M.B. Stephens. Mr. E.J. Humphrey of Toronto undertaker assisted Mr. B.B. Collings funeral director and everything passed off with much solemnity and in quiet order.The following persons from a distance were present at the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. A. Climie and Miss Climie Listowel; Mr. Stobie Buffalo; Mrs. E. Jones Markham; Mr. Burns and Mr. Watson Newmarket; Mr. and Mrs. Williamson Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Humphrey Mrs. Will Hamer Mrs. O. Wade Mr. W. Reive Mr. Davidson Mr. C. Elliot Mr. A. Sutherland Mr. Donald Ferguson Mr. Issac Pratt and Miss Field all of Toronto and Miss Sarah McBride of Aurora. "