From the Orangeville Sun November 17, 1933, written by Miss F. Shain:

"The first permanent settler to locate in Orangeville was Orange Lawrence, who came in 1844. On August 7th, 1820, a patent of land sale was issued to Ezekiel Benson, a land surveyor. The next patent was to Alan Robinette in 1822. In 1823 Robinette sold to Seneca Ketchum his 200 acres, called lot 1, concession 1, lying west of Huronontario Street, Township of Mono. This was what is now the north side or North Ward of the town.
On the south side Robert Dodds took up the first land, a 200 acres free grant, on February 15th, 1837. He sold the east 100 acres eight days later to George W. Griggs, and the west 100 acres. In 1841 Mr. Griggs sold to Mr. James, who in 1844 sold to Orange Lawrence.
The first plan of the infant village was made for Orange Lawrence by Chisholm Miller in 1851. The area comprised the lower half of the south side of the present town. Orange Lawrence built a tavern and a store and in 1857 sold the site of the present flour mill to two of his brothers-in-law, Thomas Jull, of Trafalgar township, and John W. Reid, who built the first flour mills - a boon to the new community.
In July 1856, Streighton Dennis drew a plan of the north side for Jesse Ketchum Jr., laying out the area described in lots and streets. This plan provided for the generously wide streets that make the northside of Orangeville so attractive to day.
This, in brief, was the birth of urban life here, and by slow, but steady stages the population increased, until in the year 1863, the inhabitants of the village concluded they were numerous enough and independent enough to paddle their own canoe, and applying for incorporation, the village was incorporated, choosing as it[sic] name, Orangeville, in honor of the first permanent settler.
The first Councillors of the newly incorporated village were: - F. C. Stewart, W.E. Thompson, W.S. Hewat, John May and Thomas Jull. The first meeting was held on January 18, 1864, when F.C. Stewart was appointed Reeve by resolution of the Council. The second meeting was held at James Kelly's hotel, when these appointments were made:- Edward Morgan, village clerk; Guy Leslie, treasurer; Isaac Nicholson, collector; James May, inspector of shop and tavern licenses.
Orangeville attained the status of town in 1873 and the first Town Council was elected in January 1874. Jesse Ketchum was elected Mayor, but retired in favor of Maitland McCarthy, who had been Reeve for the village for several years. He was the first Mayor. The Councillors were Benjamin Fountain, John Flesher, F.C. Stewart, John Green, William Campbell and James Henry. It will be interesting to note here the names and dates of those who have filled the Mayor's chair for more than four succeeding decades. All but six of these have since passed away.

Orangeville of to-day (1932) is indebted to citizens past and present for its beautiful homes, water system, paved streets, hyrdo power and other modern conveniences. A debt of gratitude is due the late Jesse Ketchum. He had zeal for good roads. A pioneer farmer, Mr. Island, said it was impossible to get into Orangeville with a team until Mr. Ketchum looked after the roads. The late Joseph Pattullo said that when he came to Orangeville in 1861 he found a gang of men,, with Samuel Wallace as foreman, working on the Prince of Wales Road. He inquired and was told that they were employed and paid for their work by Mr. Ketchum. To his generosity and wisdom we owe so many of our wide streets. Broadway, our main thoroughfare, is one of the finest business streets in any Ontario town. It is one hundred feet wide and paved. ON the northeast corner of Broadway and prince of Wales St. stands the Ketchum Block. The corner store of this block is now occupied by the A.& P. Store and is owned by Mr. Marshall Green.
Orangeville was made the County Town of Dufferin in 1881. Necessary and beautiful buildings were built in the West Ward, which also contains the Public and High Schools, the Hospital, the Baptist church, St. Andrew's church, noted for its lofty spire and beautiful architecture, and the Presbyterian church.
The North Ward contains the Town Hall and Alexandra park, more than half the business places First Avenue United church, and St. Mark's Anglican church, the land for the later being donated by Jesse Ketchum in the early days.
The East Ward, the oldest Ward of the town, contains many business places, the Royal Bank building, the Carnegie Library, the Orangeville Creamery and the Orangeville Foundry. The last named concern has served the people of this district for several decades.
The South Wad contains the Orangeville Flour Mills, the modern Dods Knitting Mills, the Planing Mill, the Post Office, the Fire Hall and many fine business buildings. St. Peter's Catholic church, the land for which was the gift of the late Kenneth Chisholm, is situated in this Ward, in the vicinity of The C.P.R. depot, where the Owen Sound and Teeswater branches of that railway meet. Every Ward in the town has its share of beautiful homes."

[Dufferin County GenWeb]

©2001 Amy Menary
Last updated: June 30, 2001