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Taken from the Orangeville Banner (February 11, 1909), page 3:
"The following interesting narrative
of the settlement of the Mono Centre district has been handed The Banner by
a Mono subscriber, who is himself one of the township's early residents: -
Settlement in the neighborhood of Mono Centre commenced in the year 1834. Mr.
Robert Large who arrived in that year took up his residence on the farm now
occupied by Mr. Robert McCutcheon His closest neighbors were in the vicinity
of Mono Mills, eight or ten miles away.
Nearly the whole of the township was at that time a howling wilderness. There
was scarcely any clearing, nor were there any trees cut except those along the
lines of the government survey. The only road form Mono Mills north to 20 sideroad
and it was a mere trace cut through the forest, just wide enough for a yoke
of oxen and a jumper to ravel along. The jumper was the vehicle must used in
those times. Although a wagon was used occasionally for the purpose of cadging
provision and other necessaries to the settlers. Shortly after his arrival Mr.
Large wrote to Messrs. Currry, Laidlaw and Turnbull telling them the best place
to select their land. This they did at the Government Land Office at Ottawa
on their way to Western Ontario. Mr. Curry settled on the e1/2 of lot 18, con.
3 E.H.S., Mr. Large being on the west half of the same lot. Mr. Laidlaw took
up his residence on lot 19, cons. 3, E.H.S. and Mr. Turnbull on lot 19, con.2,
E.H.S. The Curry, Laidlaw and Turnbull families came in during 1935. In the
following year the little settlement was augmented by the Andrew Henry, John
Still, Peter Stewart, Joseph Lundy, Partridge, Buchanan and Laverty families.
Mr. Still and family - there were eight sons- settled on lot 22, con. 4, east.
Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Still were sisters and Mr. Still and family made their
home at Stewart's until they got their house built. Before the summer was over
the little community was east into gloom by the death of Mrs. Still, which occurred
before her home was completed and ready for occupation. She left a baby child,
which was reared by Mrs. Stewart. Mr. Stewart, who was a blacksmith by trade,
had brought a set of tools with him and erected a small shop on Mr. Laidlaw's
farm, where he worked at his trade until he was able to build a more commodious
smithy on his own farm, lot 20, con. 4, east. Mr. Laidlaw had the misfortune
to meet with a very serious ---- they were unable to save anything. Everything
they owned, including some money, was consumed, except the clothes they were
wearing and their yoke of oxen and jumper. This I think was the first serious
fire in Mono.
The first school house was built on the parcel of land now occupied by the Mono
Centre burying ground. Mr. John Phoenix was the first teacher. He lived in the
school during the week and boarded himself. By some accident the school was
destroyed by fire and it was necessary to erect another seat of learning. The
southeast corner of lot 18, con. 2, east was selected as the site. The next
teacher came from Toronto and who had a wooden leg. He in turn was succeeded
by Mr. Daniel McNaughton. Mr. James Still and family joined the little community
in 1840, settling on lot 22, con.4, east. The family consisted of two sons and
two daughters. The first meeting for the purpose of nominating and electing
a township council was held in Mr. Thomas Buchannan's house. It was given the
name of town m meeting. Nominations and election took place at one time and
generally lasted two days. There were no ballots in those days, the electors
making their decision by a show of hands, for each of the candidates. Mr. Michael
Island was the first reeve of the newly organized township. The first funeral
was that of Mrs. John Still in 1836. She was buried ion the west half of lot
13, con. 5 east, which was at that time clergy reserve land. The remains were
afterwards removed to Mono Centre burying ground.
It is interesting to note that in the year 1836 three veterans of the Battle
of Waterloo took up their homes in the new settlement. They were Messrs. Glover,
Milvogue and Richard Wardrope.
©2001 Amy Menary
Last updated:July 5, 2001