Chesterville, Ontario

Chesterville
Village (upper-tier)
Village of Chesterville
Downtown Chesterville on the South Nation River
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties, North Dundas in the South West
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Regional municipality	Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties
Settled	1820s-1840s
Incorporated	1890 (Village)
Amalgamated	1998 (Township of North Dundas)
Founded by	George Hummel Thomas Armstrong
Government
• Mayor	Tony Fraser
• MP	Eric Duncan (CPC)
• Federal riding	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry
• MPP	Nolan Quinn (PC)
• Prov. riding	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry
Area
• Total	1.860 km2 (0.718 sq mi)
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Population  (2016)
• Total	1,677
• Density	900.3/km2 (2,332/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Forward Sortation Area	K0C
Area code	Area code 613
Website	www.northdundas.com

Chesterville is a village in the township of North Dundas, within the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. It is located north of Morrisburg, west of Cornwall and south-east of Ottawa. The village is situated along the South Nation River.

History

Early settlement

The land in what would become Dundas County was granted in 1784 to United Empire Loyalists, most of whom had fought with the King's Royal Regiment of New York during the American Revolution. Chesterville's first settlement was located along the South Nation River on Lots 17 and 18, in Concession 4 of Winchester Township, which was formed in 1798 from the northern portion of Williamsburg Township. The plot of land was originally granted in 1797 to Maria Anne Duncan, the daughter of UE Loyalist Colonel Richard Duncan, and namesake of Mariatown.

Chesterville pioneer George Hummel purchased the west half of the property from Maria Anne’s estate in either 1817 or 1822 and went about erecting a mill, while John Pliny Crysler purchased the east half of the lot. The loft of Hummel's homestead served as the local gathering place during the early years of the village, and political meetings were often held there. Much of the land Hummel initially purchased was eventually sold off to pioneering settlers, often for a low price, and the land on which the community hall currently stands was once sold by Hummel for a "single barrel of whiskey".

Map of Winchester Township with Chesterville marked in Conc. IV

In 1825, two Merkley brothers travelled down the Nation River with plans to establish a mill on the banks of the river near Hummel's property. The Merkley brothers travelled to Waddington, New York to secure supplies for a raising bee, but on the return trip their canoe upset and both men drowned.

Around 1828, Thomas Armstrong and his son John established a saw mill and later a grist mill on land purchased from George Hummel that the Merkley's had intended to use, and by 1838 it had attracted many settlers to the area, the settlement subsequently being named Armstrong's Mills. The original mills built by Armstrong burned in a fire around 1867. Many Irish immigrants settled in Chesterville in the 1830s-50s, some fleeing the Great Potato Famine. Many of these Irish settlers were Catholics and established St. Mary’s Catholic parish in the area. The settlements of Limerick, Boyne, and Connaught were originally settled and named by these Irish pioneers.

In the early days of the village, the post and mail had to be collected by individuals from the mail office in Morrisburg or Cornwall, but in 1845 a post office was opened in the village under the name of Winchester and the mail was delivered by horseback from Morrisburg.

Historical records suggest that although the post office and village were officially named Winchester, the community was known locally as Chesterville as early as the 1840s, and for a short time as Hummelville. The name East Winchester also seems to have been briefly used during the 1860s and 1870s. The Canada Directory of 1857-58 notes that Chesterville [Winchester] “has a large trade with the surrounding country which is well settled. It has a tri-weekly mail and a population of about 500”.

Looking south on the Nation River in Chesterville, c.1885. The old mill can be seen on the left and Trinity Anglican Church can be seen on the right. The original 1840s wooden foot bridge spans the river.

In July 1872, a telegraph office was opened in the village. Because the names of many local communities included the name Winchester (such as Winchester Township, West Winchester, East Winchester, North Winchester, and Winchester Springs), the Montreal Telegraph Company suggested that the name of the village be changed to avoid confusion. After a petition was circulated, the name was officially changed to Chesterville in 1875.

In 1887, the Canadian Pacific Railway opened a station in the town, leading to further settlement and incorporation as a village in 1890. The town hall was built in 1867 and was subsequently used as a fire hall, jailhouse, court house, and movie theatre, and currently serves as the heritage center and village museum.

Sanders, Soule & Casselman's general store on King Street, c.1900

Local families

Many of the original early settlers in the Chesterville district were Scottish and Irish immigrants as well as some Loyalist Germans from Williamsburg, Matilda, Stormont, and Grenville.

Early Settler Families of Chesterville

Hummel	Armstrong	Bigford/Bickford
Merkley	Moran	Ouderkirk
Curran	Forward	Coyne
Marcellus	Kearns	Clement
McCloskey	McMahon	Casselman
Rae	Harper	Dillabough
Rose	Bogart	Wheeler
Servage	Jordan	Droppo

Following the destruction of the Second World War in Europe, many Dutch families immigrated to Canada in the early 1950s-60s, settling in the Chesterville area. Many of these immigrants would go on to become successful and prominent members of the community, and Chesterville district continues to be home to a large Canadian-Dutch population. Chesterville held an annual Dutch Dance for many years at the local Legion.

Dutch Settler Families of Chesterville District

Vanden Bosch	Van Kessel	Derks
Schoones	Logtens	Van Delst
Byvelds	Vloet	Scheepers
Brugmans	Hoogeveen	Verhoeven
Van Dongen	De Jong	Geertsma
Sanders	Berkers	De Rooy

Great fire of 1909

On 6 April 1909, part of Chesterville's business section was destroyed by fire. Newspaper accounts state that the fire started at the north-east corner of King and Water Streets (now 1 King Street) in a wooden-framed building that contained the tailor shop of W. J. Nash on the first floor and the Masonic Hall on the second. The flames travelled in two directions: East down Water Street to the Chesterville Record office, which destroyed the printing presses; and North up King Street, jumping from one building to the next until it reached Ralph Street. The King Street businesses affected (in order from Water Street to Ralph) were: Nash's tailor shop, Wilford Saucier's jewellery store, Isaac Pelletier's confectionary and fruit store, Gordon Robinson's blacksmith shop, Joseph Fisher and Colborne Robinson's butcher shop and the Sanders, Soule and Casselman general store.

Ruins of the stores on King Street after the great fire.

The village could do very little to stop it, as they had only one hand pump and pails for water. This was the second major fire on that they had seen in a short period; exactly three weeks earlier on 16 March, fire broke out at the North end of King Street, burning down the Temperance Hotel and Foster's Hall and damaging the CPR train station and water tower.

Following these incidents, the village quickly took steps to improve their fire protection. In May, a by-law was prepared by the village council to mandate that only "fireproof" buildings (such as brick and stone) could be constructed in the business section of town. In the summer of 1909, the village purchased a steam pumper fire engine. Frank McCloskey was appointed fire chief and formed a brigade. However, the first fire hydrants were not installed in the village until 1916, when Hires Condensed Milk Co. (later Nestle) installed a water main along Queen and Main Streets.

After losing their printing presses in the fire, the Chesterville Record staff worked from a temporary office in Thomas McMahon's blacksmith shop on Main Street south of the CPR line. They resumed printing on 6 May 1909. Because they were so quick to return to business, news articles and advertisements exist that tell the progress of the town's recovery from this disaster.

In the year that followed, new buildings were erected to replace those that were lost. Sanders, Soule and Casselman rebuilt their store on its previous site (south-east corner of King and Ralph, now 19 King Street). The Fisher Block was constructed next door, and Joe Fisher and Isaac Pelletier continued their businesses there. It burned down in 1989 and now serves as a parking lot. A new office for the Chesterville Record was built at what is now 7 King Street. Part of the building was rented out by Wilford Saucier, who carried on his jewellery business. The Record remained there until the summer of 2018, and the office was demolished in December of that year. The Hamilton Block, built by Wesley Hamilton, replaced W. J. Nash's tailor shop on the north-east corner of King and Water Streets. It includes what is now 1, 3, and 5 King Street.

Later history

In the early 1920s, Chesterville became the first town in Dundas County to get a paved road, and the village flourished with businesses.

Ice storm of 1998

Main article: January 1998 North American ice storm

Between January 4 and 10, 1998, over 80 millimeters of freezing rain fell in the area, greatly damaging the power grid and infrastructure. Hydro poles and power lines were crumpled and broken. Shelters were established throughout North Dundas, and Chesterville hosted 100 beds, 75 at the Fawcet Pub, and 25 at the Legion Hall. The village power grid was restored on January 10, but many individual homes were without power for further days. 114 soldiers from the Royal Canadian Dragoons were billeted at North Dundas District High School during Operation Recuperation, the largest peacetime deployment of the Canadian Army. Prime Minister Jean Chretien visited the area along with Ontario Premier Mike Harris.

Military history

Early militia

The military history of Dundas County and Chesterville dates back to the early settlement days, when Loyalist veterans of the American Revolution were granted plots of land in Upper Canada and raised a local militia. Some of the earliest settlers to Winchester Township were veterans of the Revolution, and many more were veterans of the War of 1812. Dundas County had raised a militia as far back as 1788, and during the War of 1812 the men fought with the 1st Regiment of Dundas Militia. Many of these veterans would be granted plots of land in Dundas County, settling in Winchester Township. Early War of 1812 veterans and settlers in Chesterville District include Henry Hawn and William Casselman who served with the Dundas Militia.

In 1837, the Dundas County Militia was reorganized into two battalions with the 1st Battalion (Winchester and Williamsburg Townships) commanded by Col. John Crysler and Lt-Col. J. McDonell. The Embodied Dundas Militia fought during the Rebellions of 1837–1838 at the Battle of the Windmill. A prominent local man, Major Robert Gray, served as a captain in the 1st Dundas Militia at Prescott in 1838. He later commanded the 4th Winchester Battalion.

In 1842, the Dundas Militia was again reorganized into three battalions, the 3rd Battalion serving Winchester and Mountain Townships, and finally in 1852 into four battalions, the 4th (Winchester) Battalion serving Winchester Township and headquartered in Chesterville.

With the passage of the Militia Act of 1855, the counties of Leeds, Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry became part of Military District No. 2, and in the militia report for 1859, the 4th (Winchester) Battalion, Dundas Militia was commanded by Lt-Col. J.P. Crysler.

An 1863 militia officers list for the 4th (Winchester) Battalion includes some early Chesterville district settlers:

- Major George Fitchel (merchant/tavern keeper)

- Captain Robert H. Rose (merchant)

- Captain Giles W. Bogart (reeve)

- Captain Matthew Rae (cabinet maker)

- Captain John Capel (harness maker)

- Lieutenant John Halliday (general merchant)

- Lieutenant John McCuaig (merchant/clerk of the division court)

- Lieutenant Alexander Stallmire (farmer)

- Lieutenant David Rae (farmer)

- Lieutenant William Hiller (grocer)

- Ensign Henry W. Moad (blacksmith)

- Ensign Ezra Fetterly

- Ensign James O'Brien

Men from Chesterville and district served during the Fenian Raids period, including Isaac Wingard and Joseph Dillabough who served with the Williamsburg Rifles.

Wesley B. Lawson from Chesterville served on active duty in Toronto with the 2nd Queen’s Own Rifles during the North-West Rebellion.

Chesterville area men also served overseas during the Second Boer War including:

- Trooper Alfred E. Ault (1st CMR)

- Trooper Alfred E. Bolster (2nd CMR)

- Trooper Alexander W.C. Munro (4th CMR)

- Trooper Lorne W. R. Mulloy (1st CMR), who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and wounded at the Battle of Witpoort.

World War I

Chesterville men of the 154th Battalion, CEF, WW1

During World War One, many men from Chesterville served with the 154th (Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry) Battalion, CEF and other regiments in France and Belgium. Some of the men from Chesterville district who were killed in the war were:

• Sergeant James Alexander Clement (1897–1917), 154th Battalion and 3rd Toronto Regiment - Killed at the Second Battle of Passchendaele
• Private Henry Coughler (1885–1918), 28th Battalion - Killed at the Battle of Valenciennes
• Lieutenant Wilfred Ellis Durant (1895–1918), No. 29 Squadron RAF - Killed near RAF HQ, Saint-Omer
• Private Charles Brown Forward (1882–1915), 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion - Killed at the Battle of Festubert
• Private Orry Francis Harper (1872–1918), 154th Battalion - Killed at the Second Battle of Arras
• Private William Edward Hayes (1885–1916), 87th Battalion, 1st (Ontario) Regiment - Killed at the Battle of Flers–Courcelette

Chesterville Company, 154th Battalion, CEF, WW1, taken at the C.P.R. Station in Chesterville

• Private Arthur Meharey Hummel (1891–1917), P.P.C.L.I. - Killed at the Second Battle of Passchendaele
• Private Charles "Clifford" Hummel (1891–1918), 46th Battalion - Killed at the Battle of the Scarpe
• Private Ransom "Howard" Hess (1899–1918), P.P.C.L.I. - Killed at the Battle of Amiens
• Lance Corporal Ernest Eugene MacMillan (1897–1917), 12th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps - Killed at the Second Battle of Passchendaele
• Private Edwin Arnold (Arnell) Merkley (1899–1918), 87th Battalion - Killed at the Second Battle of Passchendaele
• Sergeant Harold Adam Merkley (1895–1918), 54th Battalion - Killed during the German Spring Offensive
• Lieutenant Myles Earl Merkley MC (1890–1917), 31st Battalion - Killed in the Battle of Passchendaele
• Corporal William Brown Clark Moodie (1883–1917), 49th Battalion - Killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
• Private Napoleon Paul (1876–1917), 4th C.M.R. - Killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
• Private Harold Clinton Shaver (1893–1918), 1st Canadian General Hospital, C.A.M.C. - Killed in the bombing of the Etaples Hospital

World War II

During World War II, men from Chesterville again served with the S.D.& G. Highlanders among other army regiments as well as the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy. Some of the men from Chesterville and District who were killed in the war were:

• Lieutenant Harold Simeon Casselman (1916–1944), 17th Field Regiment, R.C.A. - Killed in Italy
• Warrant Officer II Patrick "Kelly" Chambers (1918–1943), No. 432 Squadron RCAF - Killed over Belgium
• Pilot Officer Vincent "Harold" Coyne (1918–1944), 3 Ferry Unit, RAF - Killed over Algeria
• Flight Sergeant Herbert Carl Empey (1921–1942), No. 142 Squadron RAF - Killed over Germany
• Pilot Officer Douglas Lloyd Marcellus (1925–1944), 419 Squadron, RAF - Killed over Germany
• Pilot Officer Francis Simon Marcellus (1918–1944), No. 77 Squadron RAF - Killed in a flying accident over Yorkshire, England
• Flying Officer Hubert Joseph MacMillan (1923–1945), No. 12 Squadron RAF - Killed over Holland
• Flying Officer George Lloyd McLaughlin (1917–1943), 419 Squadron, RAF - Killed over Germany
• Private Hubert Timothy Moriarty (1920–1941), Royal Canadian Artillery - Killed during training in England
• Sergeant John Edward O'Grady (1923–1943), 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF - Killed in a flying accident over the Isle of Man
• Private Bertram Rene Smith (1922–1944), 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E. - Killed in Italy

Korean War and later engagements

During the Korean War, Private Curtis Archie Hayes (1929–1951) of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, who had grown up south of Chesterville, was one of the ten Canadians killed in action at the Battle of Kapyong.

Major James W. Clement (1931–1970) of Virginia, was the son of a Chesterville native and a nephew of Pte. James A. Clement who was killed in 1917. Major Clement joined the United States Air Force and was killed on active duty in Vietnam.

Men and women from Chesterville and district have since served in United Nations and NATO Peacekeeping missions around the world, and during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the newest generation of Chestervillians continue the legacy of military service.

War memorials

Chesterville Veterans Memorial Park

On 10 November 1957, the Chesterville Legion unveiled the cenotaph on the grounds of the Community Hall (1 Mill Street) to honour those lost during the World Wars. Forty years later in 1997, the cenotaph was moved to a park on Queen Street and expanded to include wings on each side with names of local soldiers who died in World War I and II and the Korean War. It was unveiled on 28 September 1997 and in November of that year, the park was renamed Veterans Memorial Park.

In the spring and summer of 2015, the park was updated and a new pathway, flag pole, and benches were installed, along with extra floodlights and shrubbery. A new black granite monument was erected beside the original cenotaph and features the names of all the local veterans who served in the World Wars, Korea, NATO and UN missions, and Afghanistan. Part of this project also included relocating the Nation Valley Cenotaph to the park, which was completed in August. The Nation Valley Cenotaph was originally unveiled on 23 August 1922 on the grounds of Nation Valley Public School (S.S. No. 5) on River Road, west of Chesterville.

Geography

Located in the township of North Dundas, Ontario, it is bordered by North Stormont to the north-east, Winchester to the west, South Dundas to the south, and Russell to the north.

View of downtown Chesterville, c.1940

The village is surrounded by several small settlements and hamlets that comprise the larger Chesterville District:

• Connaught
• Limerick
• The Boyne
• Forward
• Maple Ridge
• Nation Valley
• Bethune Bush
• Dunbar (part of South Dundas)

Demographics

Canada census – Chesterville community profile

	2021	2016	2011
Population	877 (-4.9% from 2016)	1,677 (+15.8% from 2011)	1,544 (-0.9% from 2006)
Land area	116.72 km2 (45.07 sq mi)	1.86 km2 (0.72 sq mi)	2.29 km2 (0.88 sq mi)
Population density	7.5/km2 (19/sq mi)	900.3/km2 (2,332/sq mi)	660.2/km2 (1,710/sq mi)
Median age	42.4 (M: 42.8, F: 41.6)	45.2 (M: 43.4, F: 46.4)	44.8 (M: 43.6, F: 45.8)
Private dwellings	422 (total)  363 (occupied)	699 (total)	673 (total)
Median household income	$72,000	$68,267

References: 2021 2016 2011 earlier

Politics

Chesterville, Dundas County, has been represented in Parliament by various Ridings during the vast political history of Canada:

Political Representation and Ridings

Parliament	Years	Riding
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada	1792–1840	Riding of Dundas
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada	1840–1867	Riding of Dundas
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	1867–1934	Riding of Dundas
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	1934–1975	Riding of Grenville-Dundas
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	1975–1995	Riding of Stormont-Dundas and Glengarry
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	1995–1999	Riding of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry and East Grenville
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	1999–2007	Riding of Stormont-Dundas and Charlottenburg
Legislative Assembly of Ontario	2007–Present	Riding of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

From incorporation as a village in 1890 until amalgamation into the township in 1998, Chesterville was represented by many Reeves and Councillors:

Chesterville Village Municipal Officers

Year	Reeve & Deputy Reeve	Councillors
1890–1891	Miles Brown	Michael Grady Francis Sharkey Chester Casselman J.G. Gillespie
1891–1892	W.N. Barrie	Michael Grady Chester Casselman Allan Merkley James Bogart
1892–1893	W.N. Barrie	J.C. Casselman Michael Grady Miles Brown George Hamilton
1893–1896	W.B. Lawson	Miles Brown J.C. Casselman Michael Grady Isaac Garrow
1896–1898	W.B. Lawson	Miles Brown J.C. Casselman P.D. Grady A.C. Garrow
1898–1899	J.G. Gillespie	P.D. Grady C.J. Soule A.C. Garrow A.S. Morrison
1899–1900	J.G. Gillespie	P.D. Grady Irwin Ball Cephrenus Hummel C.B. Rae
1900–1901	George Hamilton	Irwin Ball Vene Robinson J.P. Bogart Wm. Huxtable
1901–1903	W.B. Lawson	Miles Brown J.C. Casselman P.D. Grady Wm. Huxtable
1903–1904	William Rae	Hugh Kearns P.D. Grady Thomas McGee Giles Whiteside Bogart
1904–1905	William Rae	P.D. Grady P.P. Coyne Wm.A. Merkley Wm. Huxtable
1905–1906	W.B. Lawson	A.M. Fulton Wm. Huxtable F.W. Merkley L.A. Zufelt
1906–1907	L.A. Zufelt	T. Houlehan Chas. Chambers F.W. Merkley Wm. Huxtable
1907–908	Wm. Huxtable	L.A. Zufelt Chas. Chambers W.F. Fulton C.F. Robinson
1908–1909	Vene Robinson	Thomas McGee Chas. Chambers John Jordan Calvin Simser
1909–1910	Vene Robinson	W. Brown Geo. Ellis Chas. Chambers Thomas McGee
1910–1911	Wesley Hamilton	Geo. Ellis Chas. Chambers Hugh Kearns Harry G. Merkley
1911–1912	W.A. Brown	Orren Casselman Geo. Ellis Chas. Chambers H.G. Merkley
1912–1913	Chas. Chambers	H.G. Merkley Geo. Ellis Thomas Houlehan Wesley Hamilton
1913–1914	Giles Whiteside Bogart	J.H. Fulton F.M. Sanders Lawrence Jordan Thomas Houlehan Jr.
1914–1915	Giles W. Bogart	J.H. Fulton T.O. Keyes Lawrence Jordan Thomas Houlehan Jr.
1915–1916	Wesley Hamilton	F.W. Merkley John Murphy Lawrence Jordan Thomas Houlehan
1916–1917	Wesley Hamilton	Thomas Ellis John Murphy Lawrence Jordan Thomas Houlehan
1917–1918	Giles W. Bogart	Isaac Pelletier F.W. Merkley Thomas Ellis J.T. Kearns
1918–1919	Wesley Hamilton	F.W. Merkley Ed. Flynn W.O. Dixon Thomas Houlehan
1919–1920	Wesley Hamilton	A.H. Forbes Cephrenus Hummel Thomas Houlehan Chas. Chambers
1920–1921	Wesley Hamilton	A.H. Forbes Cephrenus Hummel Thomas Houlehan Isaac Pelletier
1921–1922	Wesley Hamilton	J.H. Fulton Cephrenus Hummel Thomas Houlehan David Allison
1922–1923	Wesley Hamilton	Isaac Pelletier Cephrenus Hummel Lawrence Jordan A.H. Forbes
1923–1924	Wesley Hamilton	Isaac Pelletier Cephrenus Hummel W.O. Dixon C.W. Casselman
1924–1925	Wesley Hamilton	Isaac Pelletier C.W. Casselman Frank Dwyer A.H. Forbes
1925–1928	Wesley Hamilton	W.B. Lawson S.H. Hutt Jas. Masterson Isaac Garrow
1928–1929	J.H. Brownlee	W.B. Lawson S.H. Hutt Jas. Masterson Isaac Garrow
1929–1930	Wesley Hamilton	C. Hummel S.H. Hutt Jas. Masterson G.H. Barkley
1930–1931	Wesley Hamilton	Isaac Pelletier C. Hummel R.J. Barrie A.B. Clayton
1931–1932	W.H. Casselman	A.B. Clayton David Allison Thomas Allen R.J. Barrie
1932–1933	W.H. Casselman	A.B. Clayton David Allison J.T. Kearns G.H. Barkley
1933–1934	W.H. Casselman	Thomas Flynn F.W. Merkley C.F. Marshall G.H. Barkley

Chesterville Village Municipal Officers

Year	Reeve & Deputy Reeve	Councillors
1934–1935	W.H. Casselman	C.F. Marshall Melvin Durant P.S. Boyd D.A. McDonald
1935–1936	W.H. Casselman	R.J. Barrie Melvin Durant P.S. Boyd Thomas Allen
1936–1937	W.H. Casselman	W.H. Fairbrass Melvin Durant P.S. Boyd Thomas Allen
1937–1938	W.H. Casselman	W.H. Fairbrass G.H. Barkley R.J. Barrie H.C. Hummel
1938–1939	W.H. Casselman	Ralph G. Smith G.H. Barkley R.J. Barrie H.C. Hummel
1939–1940	W.H. Casselman	Thomas Allen G.H. Barkley R.J. Barrie H.C. Hummel
1940–1942	W.H. Casselman	Thomas Allen Herman Hummel Geo. Barkley Ralph Smith
1942–1944	George Barkley	Thomas Allen Herman Hummel Robert J. Barrie Ralph Smith
1944–1945	George Barkley	Thomas Allen Herman Hummel Robert J. Barrie Leon Marcellus
1945–1946	George Barkley	Charles McMillan Sidney Morris Robert J. Barrie Leon Marcellus
1946–1947	George Barkley	Charles McMillan Perley Boyd John Morris George Gillard
1947–1948	Perley Boyd	Charles McMillan John Turner Glen Merkley Matthew Flynn
1948–1949	Charles McMillan	John Turner Carl McMillan Harold Hamilton Milton Phillips
1949–1951	Charles McMillan	Haldane Durant John Turner James Brannen Lawrence Doering
1951–1952	Charles McMillan	Haldane Durant Carl McMillan James Brannen R.G. Smith
1952–1953	Charles McMillan	Haldane Durant Carl McMillan James Brannen Marshall Page
1953–1954	Charles McMillan	Carl McMillan John Turner Marshall Page Gordon Lannin
1954–1955	Charles McMillan	Carl McMillan John Turner Stella Campbell Anna Marcellus
1955–1956	Charles McMillan	Stella Campbell Anna Marcellus Frank Arnold Harold Sharkey
1956–1958	Charles McMillan	Carl Merkley Edwin Merkley Frank Arnold Harold Sharkey
1958–1959	Charles McMillan	J.A. Butcher Edwin Merkley Frank Arnold Harold Sharkey
1959–1960	Carl Merkley	J.A. Butcher Keith Graham George LaFlamme Harold Sharkey
1960–1964	Carl Merkley	James Fyke Keith Graham George LaFlamme Harold Sharkey
1964–1965	Carl Merkley	James Fyke Garnet Droppo George LaFlamme Harold Sharkey
1965–1966	Carl Merkley	Keith Graham Garnet Droppo George LaFlamme Harold Sharkey
1966–1967	Carl Merkley	Keith Graham James Fyke Allan Clement James Moran
1967–1968	Carl Merkley	Keith Graham Gordon Lannin Allan Clement Lorne Trimble
1968–1969	James Brannen	Adolphe Lauzon Fred Coons Harry Allison Ernest Kelly
1969–1971	James Brannen	Archie Black Fred Coons Harry Allison Ernest Kelly
1971–1975	Keith Graham	Archie Black Fred Coons Stuart Allan Jack Lannin
1975–1977	Keith Graham	Archie Black Nelson LaPrade Stuart Allan Garnet Droppo
1977–1979	James Brannen	Stuart Allan Mac LaSalle Bert Van Kessel Garnet Droppo
1979–1981	James Brannen	Al Kennedy Erik Thompson Bert Van Kessel Carl Ward
1981–1983	Carl Ward Bert Van Kessel	Bryan Beazer W. James Cook Michael Coyne
1983–1985	Carl Ward W. James Cook	Michael Brannen Rudi Derstroff James Sullivan
1985–1989	Carl Ward Bert Van Kessel	Roger Cole Shirley Coons Mike McMahon
1989–1991	James Cook Shirley Coons	Roger Cole Peter Van Kessel Mike McMahon
1991–1995	James Cook Shirley Coons	Martin Derks Roger Cole Peter Van Kessel
1995–1997	James Cook Shirley Coons	Sharon Casselman Gail Parker Peter Van Kessel

In 1998, the villages of Winchester and Chesterville amalgamated with Winchester and Mountain Townships to form the Township of North Dundas. The township has since been represented by many Mayors and Councillors:

North Dundas Township Officers

Year	Mayor & Deputy Mayor	Councillors
1998–2000	Claude Cousineau	*Ward 1 (Winchester Township) Alvin Runnalls Martin Schoones *Ward 2 (Mountain Township) Keith Fawcett Estella Rose *Ward 3 (Winchester Village) Bob Riddell David Sloane *Ward 4 (Chesterville Village) Gail Parker Roger Cole
2000–2003	Claude Cousineau	*Ward 1 Alvin Runnalls Martin Schoones *Ward 2 Keith Fawcett Estella Rose *Ward 3 Allan Armstrong David Sloane *Ward 4 Gail Parker Roger Cole
2003–2006	Alvin Runnalls Bill Smirle	Allan Armstrong Estella Rose Martin Schoones
2006–2010	Alvin Runnalls Estella Rose	Allan Armstrong Eric Duncan John Thompson
2010–2018	Eric Duncan Gerry Boyce	Allan Armstrong Tony Fraser John Thompson
2018–2022	Tony Fraser Allan Armstrong	Gary Annable Tyler Hoy John Thompson

Clubs and community groups

Current groups

• Chesterville and District Agricultural Society: Established in 1931 at 153 Queen Street (host of the Chesterville fair)
• Rotary Club of Chesterville: Established in 1938, the Rotary Club has been involved with many of the projects and events in the village.
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.434: Established in 1946 and located on John Street until 1999 when a large new hall was built at the corner of Queen Street and Industrial Drive
• Chesterville and District Historical Society: Established in 1984 at the old Town Hall at 14 Victoria Street (the Chesterville and District Heritage Centre)
• Chesterville and District Lions Club: established in 1987
• Nation Valley Snowmobile Association: Established in 1994
• Chesterville Kayak Club: Established in 2010

Past groups

• Chesterville Masonic Lodge No.320 A.F.&A.M.: Established in 1874 on King Street, the original lodge was destroyed in the great fire of 1909. The Masonic and Oddfellows lodges combined in 1912 to build the lodge on Main Street
• Chesterville Citizens' Band: Established in 1876, the Band Hall was originally located on the second floor in the Fulton Block before moving to the Old Town Hall, which also accommodated the Fire Brigade and the Scout Troop. The Band faded in the 1940s and was replaced by small independent bands and orchestras.
• Independent Order of Oddfellows No.288: Established in 1892

Chesterville Oddfellows in 1929: Geo. Brooks, Eric Casselman, Arth. Peake, Perley Boyd, Geo. Gillard, Milton Shaver, Dr. D.C. Seymour

• Chesterville Women's Institute: Established in 1902
• 1st Chesterville Troop of Boy Scouts: Established around 1912 by Joe Neville, the Chesterville Scouts thrived in the community, and even included a brass band. The Scouts sponsored the Chesterville Wolf Pack, and were supported by the Chesterville Rotary Club. The Chesterville Troop disbanded in 2000, but local Boy Scouts and Otters Troops continue in Winchester.
• Chesterville Troop of Girl Guides: Originally established in 1925 by Captain Leila McGee, the Girl Guides held weekly meetings and annual camps until the group died out in 1944. The 2nd Girl Guide Troop of Chesterville was established in 1972 under Captain Shelagh Derks. The 2nd Troop met weekly at St. Mary's School until the group once again disbanded. Currently the only Girl Guides Troop in the area is located in Winchester.

Community events

• Chesterville Fair - Since 1932, the Chesterville and District Agricultural Society has held the annual Chesterville Fair in July or August, however an annual village fair and market has existed in some form since 1862. The fairgrounds include an exhibition hall, space for a midway, grandstands, baseball diamond, and horse barn. Fair exhibitions include a tractor pull, demolition derby, horse and cattle show, midway, and food and game trucks.
• Art on the Waterfront - Held annually in early June by the waterfront terrace since 2011, the festival showcases local artists, musicians, and dancers, as well as a farmer's market.
• Meet Me on Main Street - The festival was originally held in 2017 to honour the 150th anniversary of Confederation, but has since occurred annually in July across North Dundas, with festivals occurring in Chesterville, Winchester, Morewood, Hallville, and South Mountain. There is live entertainment, food and drink from local vendors, as well as craft breweries and distilleries.
• Rotary Duck Race - Held annually in the Spring by the Rotary Club, the Duck Race is a fundraising event to raise money for the club. Rubber ducks are purchased by ticket and released into the Nation River, floating downstream towards the dam. The first duck over the finish line wins the grand prize. "Duck draws" have also occurred in recent years.
• Remembrance Day - The community gathers annually to honour Remembrance Day on November 11 at the Chesterville Cenotaph. The parade, consisting of local veterans, soldiers, firefighters, police, and Legion members, marches from the funeral home to the cenotaph where a short ceremony occurs with the laying of wreathes. A social luncheon is held afterwards at the Chesterville Legion.
• Santa Claus Breakfast - Held in December by the Rotary Club, the breakfast rings in the Christmas season, complete with a Santa Claus for the kids.

Education

Current schools

• St Mary Catholic School (JK-Grade 6): 67 Main Street South. St. Mary's Catholic School was originally built in 1903 as a red brick building consisting of two classrooms on the first level and a parish hall on the second level. From 1907 to 1972, the Sisters of Providence taught at the school. The original school was demolished in 1963 to make way for a larger, more modern school.
• Chesterville Public School (JK-Grade 6): 38 College Street. Chesterville Public School was founded in 1902. The original building was demolished in 1963 and a more modern school was built directly beside it. Happy Face Nursery School operates out of this location, offering the following programs: Toddler (18–30 months of age), Preschool (2.5–6 years of age), Kindergarten (6–8 years of age), and School Age (8–13 years of age).
• North Dundas District High School (Grades 7–12): 12835 County Road 43, Chesterville. North Dundas District High School was founded in 1963. Following a fire in 1962 that destroyed Winchester High School (founded 1914), the North Dundas District High School Board (later part of the SDG Board of Education, then the Upper Canada District School Board) built an amalgamated high school to service both Winchester and Chesterville, as well as the surrounding areas. As a consequence, Chesterville High School (founded 1911), was demolished in 1963. Due to declining enrolment, Maple Ridge Senior Elementary School closed in 2011 and the North Dundas Intermediate School was created for grades 7 and 8. The Intermediate School is located on the second floor of NDDHS.

Former schools

• Chesterville High School (formerly Chesterville Continuation School): The Chesterville Continuation School Board was established in the summer of 1910 and classes began that September. Until the school building on College Street was completed in fall 1911, classes were held at Chesterville Public School. The high school was located on College Street, directly south of the current public school. In January 1951, the Winchester and Chesterville High School Boards merged to create the North Dundas High School District Board, which included both villages and Winchester Township (except Morewood). By the 1950s, the school was becoming overcrowded. Because Winchester High School was having a similar issue, debates arose about whether each school should be renovated, or if one centralized school should be built. When a fire destroyed Winchester High School in February 1962, the board finally decided to build one school half-way between the two villages. This school later became North Dundas District High School. The Chesterville High School building was closed in June 1963 and was demolished soon after.
• Maple Ridge Senior Public School (formerly Maple Ridge Public School, formerly S.S. 6 (Maple Ridge) Public School): The original schoolhouse is located on the north side of County Road 43, directly west of Maple Ridge Cemetery. The Maple Ridge schoolhouse, like many others in the area, closed at the end of 1966 when a new, larger school was opened in 1967 on the south side of County Road 43 across from North Dundas District High School. Maple Ridge Public School absorbed students from a number of older local schoolhouses, including:
  • S.S. No. 2 (Cass Bridge)
  • S.S. No. 5 (Nation Valley)
  • S.S. No. 6 (Maple Ridge)
  • S.S. No. 8 (Forward)
  • S.S. No. 9 (Limerick)
  • S.S. No. 10 (Frood/Fruid)
  • S.S. No. 16 (Bethune Bush)
  • S.S. 18 (Boyne)
  • S.S. 20 (Summers).

Maple Ridge became a senior public school in 1973, amidst controversy about a large addition to the school. Due to declining enrollment, Maple Ridge closed in June 2011.

Landmarks

Nestlé factory

In 1918, Nestlé opened its first Canadian milk plant in Chesterville and began operation as The Maple Leaf Condensed Milk Company. The factory operated in Chesterville until 2006, when it ceased operations.

Clock tower

Chesterville clock tower

The Chesterville “clock tower” was unveiled on July 8, 2000, as part of a millennial project by the Rotary Club of Chesterville. It is located downtown at the intersection of Main and King streets. A kiosk stands beside the clock, built in honour of Leon Marcellus, a prominent Chesterville businessman, and hosts regular historical displays. The clock tower was refurbished in 2022.

Chesterville bridge

Iron Chesterville bridge that spanned the Nation River from 1888 to 1950

The old iron bridge, built in 1888 to cross the Nation River and connect both sides of town, was replaced by a larger concrete bridge on November 21, 1950, which remains to this day. The old iron bridge had replaced a smaller wooden one originally built in the 1840s. The current concrete bridge spans the river from behind the Community Centre across to the Gathering House and waterfront.

Churches

• Christ Church United (formerly Trinity United Church, formerly Trinity Methodist Church): The first Methodist congregation was established in Chesterville prior to 1852. Around 1875, a brick church was built on Water Street, behind the current church building, which was constructed in 1908 and opened in 1909. The old church remained vacant until at least 1928. On 10 June 1925, the Methodist Church of Canada merged with the Congregational Union of Canada and part of the Presbyterian Church of Canada to become the United Church of Canada. On that date, Trinity Methodist Church became Trinity United Church. The Morewood United Church congregation joined with Chesterville in 1966 to create the Chesterville-Morewood (later Morewood-Trinity) pastoral charge with one minister serving both churches. Following the sale of the Morewood United Church, the pastoral charge voted to change the name of Trinity United to Christ Church United in 2013.
• The Gathering House (formerly Discovery Bible Fellowship): Originally known as the Discovery Bible Fellowship, this congregation was established on Palm Sunday (27 March) 1994. Until 2010, services were held in the gym of Winchester Public School. That year, the church bought the Fulton Block (2 Water Street) in Chesterville after plans to construct a building south of Winchester fell through. Until renovations were completed in March 2011, the congregation met at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. The official opening of The Gathering House (which was renamed in early 2010) was held on 4 and 5 June 2011. The church also operates a café in the building.
• Nationside Pentecostal Church: A Pentecostal congregation was established in Chesterville in 1949 by Rev. Walter Perry. Services were originally held in school houses, then later in the Chesterville Library and various homes in the village. In 1952, a lot on Albert Street (now 13 Albert Street) previously owned by Melvin Durant & Son was purchased, and a church was erected on the site in 1954. The church closed briefly from the late 1960s to mid 1970s, but was revived in 1976 by George Prosser and Gunther Benjatschek, two Bible College students. In the fall of 2013, the congregation decided to sell the church building as it no longer met modern building standards. The following year, they moved to a space in the Maple Ridge Centre (formerly Maple Ridge Senior Public School) at 12820 County Road 43, west of Chesterville, where they remained until early 2019. When the Maple Ridge Centre was closed and sold, the congregation moved to the former Nestle Factory in the village, located at 171 Main Street North, where they remain today.
• St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church: Established and built in 1851, St Mary's is the oldest church building in the village. Earlier services had been offered in a log cabin south of the village. Chesterville became a separate parish from Morrisburg in 1882.
• St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - Presbyterian services had been offered as early as the 1840s, with meetings being held in the log homes and later the Town Hall. In 1888 the current church was established and built.
• Holy Trinity Anglican Church - Built between 1879 and 1883, Trinity Anglican Church is located at 37 Queen Street. It is built on land donated by John Pliny Crysler. Prior to the construction of the church, Anglican services were held in the old town hall. In 2010, the church was sold and services moved to St Clare's Anglican Church in Winchester. Trinity Church is currently a private residence.

Murals

Chesterville Scotiabank mural

• Scotiabank Mural - In 2002, the Chesterville Lions Club unveiled an historic mural painted on the west side of the Scotiabank building in downtown Chesterville. The mural depicts the Chesterville C.P.R. Station in 1914, the opening of the new bridge in 1950, and the Old Temperance Hotel that was destroyed by fire in 1908. The mural was painted and provided by Marilyn St. Pierre and Sheldon Shane of Shane Signs.

Chesterville “Years Gone By” mural

• ”Chesterville: Years Gone By” Mural - On May 6, 2006, the Chesterville Lions Club unveiled a second historic mural on the west side of the Gathering House at the bridge entrance. The mural depicts a winter scene in the village, with men cutting ice from the Nation River, and a game of Shinny. The mural is topped with “Chesterville: Years Gone By”. The mural was painted by Marilyn St. Pierre and provided by Shane Signs.

Newspapers

• Chesterville Record (1894–present). The Chesterville Record is a weekly newspaper that was founded by Robert L. Harrop, the Chesterville station master. It was first published on December 12, 1894, and Thomas T. Shaw purchased the newspaper the following year. The Record office burned in the Great Fire of 1909 and was given a new home in 1910 when an office was built on King Street, where the business remained until 2018. T. T. Shaw sold the Record to George C. Lacey in 1915, who owned it until 1950. Lacey's daughter Helen, along with her husband Keith Graham, then became the co-publishers until they sold the newspaper to Blake Feeley and Wayne LaPrade in 1969. In 1976, the Record was sold to 2woMor Publications Inc., co-owned by brothers John and Robin Morris. Robin Morris eventually split from 2woMor Publications Inc. and established Etcetera Publications, under which he continued to publish the Chesterville Record. Robin Morris acted as editor of the Record for many years until his death on December 9, 2014. In August 2018, the newspaper was purchased by Linda Vogel, AJ Al-Rajab, and Donald Good. In June of that year, the business moved to 29 King Street and in December, the long-time office at 7 King Street was demolished.
• Eastern Ontario Agri-News (1978–present). Eastern Ontario Agri-News is a monthly tabloid published by Etcetera Publications (owner of the Chesterville Record). It was first published in late February 1978 by John and Robin Morris, who at the time were co-owners of 2woMor Publications Inc. When Robin Morris broke off from the company and established Etcetera Publications, he continued to publish Agri-News.
• Nation Valley News (2016–present). Nation Valley News is an all-digital news and advertising company founded and operated by Nelson Zandbergen.

Notable people

• George Hummel Sr. (1802–1876), pioneer and founder of Chesterville, died in the village.
• Frances Marcella Capel (1849–1938), great-grandmother of actress Jane Fonda was born in Winchester Township near Chesterville in 1849 to Capt. John and Eliza Capel.
• Hudson Allison (1881–1912), Montreal stock-broker and victim of the Titanic disaster. He was born in Chesterville in 1881 and worked as a clerk in Chester Casselman's general store. His wife, Bess Waldo Daniels, and their daughter, Helen “Loraine”, also perished in the sinking. Their infant son, Hudson “Trevor” Allison, survived the sinking. Hudson's body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett and interred at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.
• J. T. Kearns (1858–1941), general store owner and gold miner who staked the Chesterville Gold Mine, lived in Chesterville.
• Long John Sorrell (1906–1984), professional hockey player and member of the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup in 1936 and 1937 playing with the Detroit Red Wings.
• Dewey Martin (1940–2009) of the rock band Buffalo Springfield was born in Chesterville in 1940.
• Kevin Gillis tv writer and producer.

Politicians

• Orren D. Casselman (1861–1950), MP for Dundas (1917–1921), was born in Chesterville. He was the half-brother of William H. Casselman (see below).
• William H. Casselman (1868–1941), MPP for Dundas (1919–1923). He was born in Chesterville and served as Reeve from 1931 until his death. He was the half-brother of Orren D. Casselman (see above).
• Preston Elliott (1876–1939), MP for Dundas (1921–1925), was born in Chesterville.
• Frederick McIntosh Cass (1913–2000), MPP for Grenville-Dundas (1955–1971), Minister of Highways (1959–1961), Minister of Municipal Affairs (1961–1962), Attorney-General of Ontario (1962–1964), and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1968–1971), was born in Chesterville.
• George Holmes Challies (1884–1976), MPP for Dundas (1929–1934), buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.

See also

• North Dundas, Ontario
• Dundas County, Ontario