Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Lang on front step of shop.

 

Geo. Henry butcher shop.

and meat business until 1943 when he sold to J. E.
Lang, who in turn sold the business to the Henry
family in 1950.

The last owner of the butcher shop—grocery
combination was W. J. Young, who bought it in
1955, and left in 1963. This building subsequently
became a cafe.

After Websters, the shop keepers were no
longer butchers, but had their meat shipped in.

Bill’s Electric Sales Ltd.

In the spring of 1971 Bill started his electrical
business. To get some capital to start up, he
traded his 1967 Chevy car to Carl Myers for $1500
and an old black Ford station wagon. Together
with some savings he was in business.

For the first six months he worked with Ben
Brown of Glenora to finish his apprenticeship.
This relationship lasted long after the six month

91

 

Bill’s Electric

period. They helped each other on numerous
occasions with jobs too large for one man. Many
will know from experience that Ben’s quick wit
and humorous stories made for many enjoyable
working hours.

In the fall of 1972, Bill rented the Interna—
tional building from Percy Elliot and Reg
McWilliams. In the winter of 1972 he purchased
the building and did his first renovations. It is
interesting to note that this building was con—
structed from the ruins of the old Drummond—
Hay hall. The southwest and the southeast wall
and the basement are the original stone construc—
tion.

He set up his business as an electrical shop
and also as a retail store for electrical goods,
appliances and plumbing supplies. His first store
clerk was Richard Lanham for the winter of 1972.
In summer his sister, Jean Cuvelier (Myers),
started work in the shop. In 1975 Jean was mar—
ried to Paul Cuvelier of Dunrea. Edith Hanna
started to work and has continued to the present
time.

Terry joined Bill in the business in 1978. Over
the years Bill and Terry added different trades to
their business such as plumbing, oil furnace
installation and repair, sheet metal work,
refrigeration and air conditioning installation
and repair. Without a doubt the most notable
activity for their business over the years was the
conversion to electric heat. The government
offered different grants to switch from oil to
electric which was an incentive for many people
to get rid of aging oil systems and change to a new
and cleaner electric system. Bill remembers the
last few months the grant was in effect were very
hectic times; some weeks they installed as many
as four furnaces. They had a staff of eight at that
time.

Over the years they had a number of employ—
ees: Rod Capon, Russ Chambers, Robert