Streets of Stratford - hISTORY CHURCH

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History of Homes: Church Street Back

62 Church Street 1910 Photo: Vince Gratton

62 Church Street

E.K. Barnsdale Home

Elijah Kitchen Barnsdale (1850-1916) owned and operated Barnsdale's Trading Post, at 21-27 Market Pl. It was known as The Hub, and was one of the city's biggest and busiest stores. It employed as many as three delivery wagons and sold everything from hardware to prescription drugs and groceries.

The Hub was especially famous for its fine baked goods and cream puffs "that you'd lie down and die for. Barnsdale was described as a short man who enjoyed good cigars and had a way with the ladies. He and his wife Sarah Eliza (Sprowl), 1846-1934, had eight children.

E. K. was a city alderman from 1900 through 1903, and 1906 before leaving the council to head the water commission. He reclaimed an aldermanic seat in 1913 and 1914, was then was the city's mayor in 1915 and in 1916 until his death in August of that year.

E.K. B. Car

Standing from left: E.K. Barnsdale, E.H.Eidt, Thomas Savage, J.L. Bradshaw, R.R. Lang (Clerk), J. Davis Barnett, James Trow

Seated from left: J.D. Hamilton, Henry Pauli, James Stamp (Mayors) William Davidson, William Daly

James Lloyd

Charles V. Lloyd Home

E.K.Barnsdale lived here until 1921 when ownership was transfered to Charles V. Lloyd. The Lloyd family stayed there until 1929. James Lloyd Charles father came Stratford from Sheffield England in 1884 and established a grocery, flour and feed business at 2-4 Ontario St. . In 1893 he moved his business to the Brandenberger Block at 32-34 Wellington Street to establish a wholesale fruit business .

On Sept. 14, 1910, James died after he was struck by a train while visiting a fruit grower. He was 65. After his death, his son Charles Victor Lloyd became sole owner and manager of the business. He also was an active member of the group that built the Classic city Arena in 1930. In 1940, he drowned while holidaying at Oliphant on Lake Huron. Source: Streets of Stratford 2024 Photos: Stratford-Perth Archives

* Click here Lloyd Court to see more pictures on the street named after James and Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd

182 Church Street

The honourable Thomas Ballantyne Home

Thomas Ballantyne Jr., ( 1863-1938), cheese merchant and City of Stratford treasurer, was the son of the Honourable Thomas and Mary Ballantyne.

Thomas Jr. moved to Stratford with his parents from the family farm in Downie Township at the age of ten. He entered the family cheese business in 1881 at the age of 18. Thomas Sr., his father, had bought the cheese business in 1868 and even after his father's death in 1908, Thomas Jr. continued to run Thomas Ballantyne and Sons until he sold the business in 1925. Thomas Jr. then was appointed City Treasurer.

182 Church St. 1906 Photo: Vince Gratton

Ballantyne and Sons, cheese merchants, were in business at 2 Ontario Street before 1900. Here on York Street, at the rear of 2 Ontario Street, cheese is being loaded. Stratford-Perth Archives

Thomas Junior's life of involvement in the city and community started more than a quarter century before his appointment as City Treasurer. Thomas Jr. was first elected a member of the City Council in 1897. He served on ten city councils and was a member of nearly every committee of the council. He was a member of the Public School Board for eight years and of the Collegiate Institute Board for one year. He was the prime mover in the building of Avon and Juliet Schools.Thomas moved to 175 Cambria in 1922.

* See Ballantyne Avenue the street named after the Ballantynes for more of the story and pictures:

The King Family Home

The second owner of 182 Church Street was the King family. Peter James King and his wife Maude and family moved into 182 Church Street a home previously owned by Thomas Ballantyne. Peter King was the manager of the Stratford Gas Company.

Their son James John (Maurice) was a junior student at SCVI in 1922. He was head of the student council and took an active interest in all the affairs of the school. By 1931 Maurice was attending law school in and in 1932 he was called up to the bar.

His mother Maude passed away on March 06 1936 in Stratford. Maurice was a Barrister-Solicitor practicing law at that time from his office on Ontario Street. In 1937 Maurice married Juliette Marguerite Celina and they had one child, Jennifer Starr born April 24 1938 but. sadly died on the same day. Tragically a few months later his wife also passed at the age of 27.

Maurice continued to live at the family home at 182 Church Street and after his father died in 1941 he took ownership of the home. By 1944 he was a city alderman and in 1946-47 he served as the Mayor of Stratford.

In 1950 Maurice was elevated to the position of The Honorable Judge J. Maurice King K.C.S.C. – Kings Council. He lived in Toronto during his time as a Judge and kept his home here maintained by a live in-home person.

On April 15 1972 that he returned home to MC the retirement event for his good friend local MP Waldo Monteith. Held on the stage of the Shakespearean Theatre. Maurice died suddenly on the evening of this event at the age of 64. His death on the stage was a big shock for all who were in attendance that night.

The family home on Church Street remained empty during the balance of 1972 and then was sold by the estate to William and Gail Pitcher in 1973.

Text and photo: By Vince Gratton, Photo: James (John) Maurice King 1950−1972 High Court of Justice KC/QC

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