Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present

Excerpts from:

Chapter Eight: Municiple Government

Used with the kind permission of Mrs. W.M.
(Phyllis) Cosgrove October 10, 2001

For the purpose of brevity, only portions have been extracted
from the full text. For a genuine appreciation of Mr. Cosgrove’s
writings please read the entire work. The book is available
from the Kingston Public Library.

The Islanders wished to conduct their own governmental affairs from early in the history of the Island. Mention is made in 1826 in the Kingston Chronicle if a meeting in Mr. Petrie’s Tavern to fill local governmental positions such as overseers and assessors. 1850 witnessed the introduction of a local municipal government and progress was made in the opening of needed roads, the building of bridges, and the establishment of schools. In 1850 the Wolfe Island Municipal Council held its first meeting in School Number 4, the oldest school house from point of service on the Island.

Angus Cameron was the first reeve and John Horne was the first township clerk. The other members of the council were: Ronald MacDonald, John Grant, James McRae, and John Hawkins. Thomas Dawson was the first reeve directly elected by the people in 1865.

Since that time other men who have served as reeve include: Hiram Davis, Tom Fawcett, Bill Fawcett, Grant Grimshaw, Dr. William Spankie, George Rattray, John Kingsley, Monty Wiggins, J.P. O’Shea, Craig Russell, John W. Keyes, James McAllister and T.D. O’Shea.

Forty years of continuous service as clerk-treasurer of the Township of Wolfe Island terminated on July 1, 1954 when James Dufferin Cosgrove retired. He was appointed treasurer on October 10, 1914. In addition, he became postmaster in 1927 and served until 1957. Mr. Cosgrove succeeded Daniel Dawson who was clerk for 29 years.

An excerpt from the Kingston Standard on January 10, 1915 lists the township accounts to be paid per the Wolfe Island Council composed of Reeve Dr. William Spankie, and councilors McLaren, McGlynn, and Gillespie.

Woodman & Cramer, printing, $7.49.
J.D. Cosgrove, postage and war stamps, $25.
Allan MacDonald, Captain of the steamer Wolfe Islander, one year $800.

John Spoor and Herbert Dawson, appointed auditors of the township and steamship account.

Steamboat accounts:
Allan MacDonald, month Captain, $65.
John Gray, 1 month, engineer, $70.
John Markay, 1 month, mate, $50.
Geo. Rattray, 1 month, purser and steward $200.
Frank Baker, 1 month, d..h. $25.
Jas. Swift & Co., coal, $215.42.
Mac MacDonald, gang planks, $2.40.

Frontenac City Council

Since 1865 when the County of Frontenac began management of its own affairs, D.D. Calvin of Garden Island was the first warden, Wolfe Island has had since of its reeves elected as warden. Those were Thomas Hogan in 1886, R.J. Spoor in 1902, Dr. William Spankie in 1913, John P. O’Shea in 1939, John W. Keyes in 1951 and Timothy D. O’Shea in 1967.

Click on photo for larger version.

Frontenac City Council

From "Municipal Government"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 31

The following headline appeared in a May, 1917 edition of the Kingston Standard:
COURT HOUSE CORRIDORS PERFUMED WITH SPUDS DeCOLOGNE ODOUR
A special meeting of the county Council has been called for Thursday, May 31, 1917, to discuss the disposition of 900 bags of potatoes which the county has on its hands. The potatoes are now stored at the Court House and one can smell the “spuds” as soon as he enters the corridors.

PHOTOS IN BOOK BUT NOT ONLINE:
Town Hall erected in 1859 page 30

The Islands: Books: Winston Cosgroves Wolfe Island Past and Present: Municiple Government

Winston Cosgrove's Wolfe Island Past and Present

Chapter Eight: Municiple Government

Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present