Dr. J.J. Sheahan one of Chapleau's "best loved and public spirited citizens" died in 1942

Chapleau residents and those who lived for miles around the community lost one of the best loved and public spirited citizens on October 26, 1942 when Dr. J.J. Sheahan died, the Chapleau Post reported.

For 35 years Dr. Sheahan had lived in Chapleau "and he practised his profession conscientiously for the entire period except for the last few hours of his life. He was in his office attending a patient when he suffered a sudden stroke. He died in the Lady Minto Hospital..."

The Chapleau Post in its tribute noted that "Commanding the respect and trust of his fellow citizens from the first, he put his profession above all else. Never known to take a holiday when work was pressing, (he) took few holidays."

Dr. Sheahan also took a great interest in community affairs. Besides being the CPR doctor he was the Medical Officer of Health, a member of the Chapleau High School board and honourary president of the Chapleau Red Cross Society. He was also the official doctor for several lumber companies in the area.

He was also the first president of the board of Lady Minto Hospital when it opened in 1914. In 1963 a renovated wing in that hospital which became the children's ward was named after him. That plaque is now displayed at the Chapleau General Hospital.

With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Dr. Sheahan became a member of the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee.

"He took active interest in social and welfare activities in the community and was one of the best supporters of (Sacred Heart) Roman Catholic Church. He was also a member of Chapleau Council of the Knights of Columbus."

He also served on the executive of the Kebsquasheshing Golf Club.

Before his remains were taken to Portage du Fort for burial a requiem high mass was sung at Sacred Heart church by Rev Father Romeo Gascon, the parish priest.

"The schools and stores were closed. Everyone, young and the old attended the funeral one of the largest Chapleau has ever known," the Chapleau Post reported. "Children of the separate school prayed at his bier and with the students from the high school marched behind the Knights Of Columbus in the cortege to the station."

As a sign of the high respect and esteem in which Dr. Sheahan was held, Trinity United Church paid tribute to him. In part it said that Dr. Sheahan's hands were different. "There was something about his life that made him different. Those hands ministered to us in sorrow and in need.

"His personality made his presence in the sick room a benediction. He sought to save human lives but he also helped people make their lives worth living. His personality among us will be greatly missed but his gracious spirit, his untiring devotion to duty and his Christian character will ever be an example and and incentive to all of us>"

Dr. Sheahan was popular with everyone and years earlier circa 1920 the community bought him a new Ford car which prompted him to comment  that "Instead of babies coming in a little black bag, they will now come in a little black car." According to the late George Evans it may have been the first car in Chapleau.

In 1940 he was crowned as King of the Chapleau Winter Carnival.

Born in Pembroke he graduated in medicine from McGill University in Montreal. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife the former Beatrice English, three sons John, Joseph and James, and two daughters Evelyn and Mary.

Following the service in Chapleau, his body was taken by train to Portage du Fort where another high mass was celebrated before burial in the family plot.

In a tribute to Dr. Sheahan at the time of his death an unknown writer said that he was blessed by patients adding that "Our doctor, yes, but more than that, our friend!" John Joseph Sheahan was truly one of Chapleau's most outstanding citizens. 

My sincere thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for lending me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau 'boom years' underway as Canadian Pacific Railway shops undergo change to accommodate diesel power in 1950

Reeve B W. Zufelt

Work was being "pushed forward rapidly" on the changeover at the Canadian Pacific Railway shops at Chapleau to accommodate diesel power which would soon be operating out of Chapleau, according to a Chapleau Post article in April 1950.

But what has been referred to as "Chapleau's Boom Years" were well underway as  the community celebrated  its 50th anniversary as a municipality in 1951.

For example, on the municipal scene a sewage plant and system had  been completed and the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was officially opened in February 1951. Some streets had been paved.

Highway 129 between Chapleau and Thessalon was officially opened in 1949, and following the forest fire of 1948 lumber companies arrived on the scene.

At one point, it was expected that Chapleau would be on the main route of the Trans Canada Highway, and Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt appeared in The Globe and Mail pointing out the route. It didn't happen.

Arthur Grout of Smith and Chapple Ltd. expanded with a new building on the "other side" of Main Street, while Charles W. Collins built on the corner of Birch and Lorne Streets right across from the "new" post office. Other new businesses were established.

Back to the CPR. In 1949 the first diesel powered passenger train arrived in Chapleau to be greeted with much excitement. Like almost every school kid in town, I was there!

Meanwhile, the changes at the shops at a cost of an expected $250,000 was scheduled for completion by the summer of 1950.

"The shops are a beehive of industry as construction crews tear down walls and build new ones," the Chapleau Post reported in April 1950.

The article added that three power shovels were on the job moving rubble made by the smashing down of walls, unloading gravel for new cement and excavating. 

It also  predicted that upon completion the Chapleau shops would be the diesel base between North Bay and the Lakehead. It was for a time.

Also, it noted that citizens who had complained for years of the smoke nuisance from the shops practically in the middle of town would no longer have anything to complain about once diesel replaced steam power. As an aside, those were the days when most washing was hung outside on a line to dry with the constant threat that soot would arrive dirtying it before it dried.

The CPR provided steam heat for the lobby and dressing rooms for the new Chapleau Memorial Arena which resulted in great savings to the municipality. 

See names below

In the 1950s there was a great deal of optimism in Chapleau about its future on many fronts. Improvements were made in many areas of community life for sure, but in due course, changes came in CPR operations, and  the Trans Canada highway never did go through the community for example.

After living through the Great Depression and World War II, perhaps J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, a veteran of World War I and II, longtime principal of Chapleau Public School, first chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee summed up the community's attitude. Everyone had a "duty to serve and participate" to make the community a better place to live, work and play. 

And they did. I have just touched the surface of those "boom years" but growing up during them, it was awesome!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photo 

Sod turning for sewage system:From left to right: Dr. David Lougheed, A.J. Grout, Cecil Smith, Foreman for Construction Company, Walter Steed,.R. Thrush, B. Zufelt (reeve), Ernest Lepine, Max Brunette, J.M. Shoup, Richard Brownlee, Dr. G.E. Young, Geo. Fife, Ovide Payette, Charles Collins. The two girls in the back are Carol Ann (babe) Chambers, Joan Kemp. 

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Missanabie Lodge No 266 of IOOF hold At Home described as one of most successful parties of year

Missanabie Lodge No. 266 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) held their 'At Home' which was described in the Chapleau Post as "without a doubt one of the most successful parties of the year."

The lodge, instituted in Chapleau on May 16, 1888 remains the community's oldest fraternal organization in 2019.

As this At Home was held during World War II the article noted that "On one wall was a large Union Jack in the centre of which hung a frame containing the names of those Oddfellows" serving in Canada's armed forces.

"At seven p.m. more than 200 Oddfellows, Rebekahs and friends sat down to a delicious turkey banquet. The supper was in charge of Sincerity Rebekah Lodge. The tables were tastefully decorated and the guests wore coloured paper hats. The hall looked quite gay with its pink, blue and white streamers and lanterns."

The At Home was held in the Town Hall basement, the location for so many community events between 1914 and 1978 when the Chapleau Civic Centre was opened. The lodge room was on the second floor which was also the Council Chambers.

Founding members 1888

Following the supper chairman Reg Thrush spoke a few words of welcome followed by a toast to the Order by Borden McLeod.

B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt proposed a toast to those who were serving in the country's armed forces which was responded to by Ross Whitney.

After the toasts Mr. Thrush presented cigarettes to Jack Whitney, Ross Whitney and Lloyd Whitney who were in the armed forces. He added that cigarettes had been sent to Lodge members overseas. 

Nine of the ladies present who had husbands overseas were presented with boxes of chocolate.

Hiram Paul was presented with a past Noble Grand jewel by  Mrs. Ross Whitney and Mrs. H. Wooton pinned on the 25 year jewel presented to E. Woodard.

Following the presentations they adjourned to the auditorium on the main floor of the Town Hall where Arthur Grout was in charge of the entertainment which got underway with a sing song of some popular tunes of the day. Mr. Lauder played the piano accordion. 

Mrs. Bill Stedman and Mrs. Norman Veit "favoured" the audience with solos and both ladies were called upon for encores.

The article says Mr. Grout told "a very amusing story" but no details on it were provided. He also showed some photos. 

The evening ended with a dance with Mr. Darby getting it underway leading everyone in the Grand March and the dance floor, back in the basement, was filled to capacity. Dancing of all kinds continued until two a.m. with a break at midnight  for cake and coffee.

The article concludes: "It was a most enjoyable social evening and will long be remembered by those present". As I was working on this column, it brought back many fond memories of growing up in Chapleau, and in the 1950s, a bit later than this event, my friends and I would look through the basement windows to watch the proceedings. Sometimes my grandmothers Lil Morris and Edythe Hunt would be helping with the catering for a banquet, and we would sneak into the hall by the back door, and head to the kitchen for a treat.  Those really were the days my friends.

Thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca