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Bonnell Bros. |
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The Bonnell Brothers (Bonnell Bros.) were "General Merchants", and had a business at Walter's Falls, in Grey County. The first names of the Bonnell Brothers apparently were Henry and Jno. [Johnathon / John] William M. Bonnell was a son of Henry. In the 1901 census, Henry Bonnell of Walters Falls (b. 1847, 53 years of age) was listed as a General Merchant, assisted by his son, William M. Bonnell, age 25. George Hiram Bonnell was involved with the store until 1891. THE PATHS THAT LED TO HOLLAND: A HISTORY OF HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, page 192 provides a history of the store. It was built by a Mr. Charles Carney (who also operated a cheese factory). It was later operated by the Bonnell Brothers, MacDougalls, Rennies, Ebys, Annabels and Barkers, John Conlisk, and also was known as "Lou's Store" for a time, and was Dave Crowther's store circa 1983. It was "one of the few country stores left in the area where a bell rings when the door opens, and your order is taken over the counter or you can serve yourself. Some articles were sold in bulk packages. At one time Newton Rennie and his family ran this store. Mr. Rennie was a veterinarian who provided the necessary animal care. In those days, the daughters, Blanche, Florence and Velma, were clerks and helped package most of the articles. Bananas were sold from the stock, cheese was sold in a round block, crackers were sold from a barrel, and nails were sold in the keg. Eggs were often exchanged for goods." Page 604 of the UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY (OF INGERSOLL) FARMERS AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR THE COUNTIES OF BRUCE, GREY AND SIMCOE, 1903, Vol. X111. lists the Henry Bonnell General Store. |
