Notes:

. Ontario Birth Registration # 023666.
Born 17 Jan 1874, Alfred Felker
no father listed, mother Elizabeth Felker, mother, (un-named) father is a farmer,
Informant: Mrs. Felker Sr., Lot 16 Con 7, West Garafraxa.
Registered 24 Apr 1874. Illegitimate. - - -

Birth:
Alt Name: Elfred Felker. Lot 16 Con 7.

Notes:

James is the son of John & Margaret McDonald (or Gibson) both sailed from Glasgow, Scotland, 1 Apr 1820, with 7 children. Other Clan McDonald brothers & sisters also came to Canada on this voyage. MacDonald white house on the brow of a hill at Lot 1, Con 6, W Caledon.

James MacDonald first married Lizzie McEnery of Ballinafad, Wellington Co., No children.

His second wife was Elizabeth Felker of Carmel area. 12 children.

. 1871 Wellington County Directory, West Garafraxa
McDonald, Jas., Con 8, 13 & 14 Freeholder
McDonald, John Con 7, Lot 2, Freeholder.

1875 Wellington Co. Directory & Gazetteer
McDonald, James, cooper & pump-maker. - - -

Died:
Aged 71, Lot 18, Con 5. Died of Paresia. (Paralysis.)

Buried:
Red granite monument.

James married Elizabeth LIZZIE FELKER, .3 on 11 Dec 1879 in Fergus, Nichol Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. Elizabeth (daughter of John FELKER, .16 and Henrietta COUSE) was born on 3 Sep 1851 in Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; died on 20 Feb 1930 in Fergus, Nichol Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried on 23 Feb 1930 in Mount Carmel Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ontario Marriage Registration #011566-79 James McDonald, 44, farmer, widower, Caledon, West Garafraxa,
s/o John & Margaret,
married Elizabeth Felker, 29, Garafraxa, W. Garafraxa, d/o John & Henrietta,
Witn: Lucinda R. & Viola Wilkinson both of Fergus on Dec. 11, 1879 at Fergus.

. Lizzie Felker was the second wife of James McDonald. She was apparently a very strong woman. I am told that, when the old, original house burnt, she carried on end of the piano & 2 men carried the other end to take it outside.

Verify the number of children, or name duplication.

. Mrs. MacDonald mother of James, Fred, George, all of Garafraxa;
John of Port Arthur,
Laura, Mrs. John ellis of W. Luther;
Elizabeth James mother was a Felker girl, Liesie.
James was the father of Phoebe & Herbie Macdonald. There parents died in the bad Influenza Epidemic in 1918. John & James Robison took these children & raised them.
Pheobe married Bob Clyde in 1932 & they stayed on the Felker homestead until they retired to the Shands area on Orangeville Road, RR4, Fergus, N1M 2W5. Phoebe's mother was Maggie Rae of the Ennotville area, a sister of the father of Lorne, Bruce & Rawley Rae, Lower Nichol.

Herbie married Ruby Ham & lived on Lot 20, Con 2, W. Gara. Herbie has not retired to Fergus. Herb. died. Jan 6, 1984 at age 76.

. Ontario Death Registration, Mrs. Elizabeth MacDonald (McDonald) died 20 Feb 1930, Fergus,
Aged 78 y 6 months. b 3 Sep 1851 West Garafraxa Twp., Wellington Co.,
Informant: Fred McDonald, son. - - -

Died:
Aged 78y 6m, 0d. of broncho pneumonia.

Buried:
Belwood, Red granite McDonald Monument 12-2.

Notes:

John Felker.4 is the son of Henrietta Couse & Lewis Felker.2nd.

. Early Members of Mount Carmel Methodist Church, Lot 15, Con 7, Garafraxa Twp.:
FELKER, John was born in 1821 in Ontario, 1871 member, Carmel Methodist Church, West Garafraxa, married Henrietta.

. Garafraxa Wild Lands Assessment
Mary Felker, Lot 16 SW 100 6th Con. Settled 1833, Assessed 1 Jul 1849
Mary Felker, Lot 17 SW 163, 6th Con. Settled 1833, Assessed 1 Jul 1849.

. 1851 Census, Garafraxa West, Wellington, Ontario
John Felker age 32, b. Ontario, farmer, Methodist
Henrietta 26; Frederick 9; John 7; Ann 5 & twin Mary 5; Elizabeth Felker.

. 1851 Apr 17 Census, Garafraxa West Twp.
John Felker, Age 50, b 1821, Ontario, German Origin, Methodist Epis., Farmer
Henrietta, Age 46, b 1825, Ontario
Mary Ann, Age 24, b 1847, Ontario
Elisabeth, Age 19, b 1852, Ontario
Francis, Age 14, b 1857, Ontario, &
Phebe Jane Felker, Age 6, b 1865, Ontario.
Note1: Resided with his brother Abraham Felker at his father-in-law's Monkman farm at W Lot 15, Con 7.
Note2: 1860, John Felker farmed his father's 50 acres.

. 1858 Mar 1- April Letters remaining in the Garafraxa Post Office: John Fokes, Elias Fulker, Geo. Skine Post Master.
. 1858 June 1 for 3 weeks, Letters Remaining, Faulks, John (2 letters).
. 1858 Sep 2 - Dec 1st. John Folks. Alex Ferrier, Wm. Felker.
Ref: British Constitution Newspaper.

History of Belwood. In 1854 Mr Skeen built a mill, which was a great advantage as before this the pioneers were obliged to put 50 lbs. of wheat another backs & walk to Fergus or even sometimes to Guelph. When they goat oxen they felt they could with for nothing better. Mr. Dixon was the miller & all the farmers brought their wheat & oats to be ground into flour & oaten by water power.
Mr. Cyrus Sargent drove the mail & stage to Fergus for a time & used to blow a horn all the way down the street so everyone know when he arrived with parcels & mail.
There was a woolen mill where the wall as taken to the mill in fleeces. It was made in a roll about an inch across. You had to be very careful of these rolls. They were so soft & could easily be broken. The farmer took them home to his wife who spent many weary hours spinning them into yard. They made their dyes from different kings of baRk of trees in the bush.
Ref: 1949, Wellington Co. Museum & Archives.

. 1861 AGRICULTURAL CENSUS, Belwood, Wellington Co.
JOHN FELKER, Con 7, Lot 16, Under cultivation 40 Acres, Crops 1860 30A., Pasture 1860 10A, Wild woods 10A, Farm Value $2,000, implements $100, Spring Wheat 14A yields 300 bu., Peas 5A yields 120 bu., Oats 10A yields 300 bu., Potatoes 1A yields 50 bu., Turnip nilA yields 600 bu., Hay Bundles of 10,000 lbs. 2, Maple sugar 100 lbs, Wool 30 lbs., Full cloth 13 yards, Flannel 20 yards, Cider nil, Bulls/Oxen over 3 years nil, Steers/Heifers 3, Milled Corn 3, Horses over 3 years old 4, Value of same $300, Colts/Filles 3 years, 9, Sheep 9, Pigs 11 Value of a ll Livestock $700. Butter 200 lbs., Beef barrels 300 lbs., Pork barrels 120 lbs.
Census taker rears: In a good many places I find that the Farmers Complain hat the Spring Frost has injured the Peas & Spring Wheat. The Potatoes has also been injured by the Frost. Agr. census for Lewis, Abraham, William & John Felker.

. 1867 Wellington County Directory: Folkes, John [Felker], Con 5, Lot 16, freeholder.

. 1871 Gazetteer County Wellington, West Garafraxa Township
John Felker, Con. 7, Lot 15. Freeholder.

. 1871 - 1877 John Felker Jr. had E half Lot 27, Con 7, Garafraxa, along with South quarter Lot 27. The Irvine River runs along the location for the 7th line, so it was not open, very low land there. A trail was opened on higher land to the east.

. 1871 John Felker Jr. W half Lot 27, Con & continues S. half Lot 27 in 1877.
Garafraxa Circuit: Morris Cook. W Neal, Jas Loree, Wm. Woods., Wm Cotton, Jno. own, H Scarrow, Jno. Mitchel, Rev R L Tindall, Mrs D Kyle, Mrs. Burns, W. FELKER, J. FELKER, A. FELKER. A. & D. Feirrier, Jas. Kennedy & R. Everligh.
Circuits in Orangeville, Horninge Mills, Creemore, Collinwood, Meaford, Mount Forest, Listowel, Teeswater, Invermay, Kincardine, Hanover - All Circuit missions served by Rev. J. H. Hilts!
Ref: Experiences of a backwoods preacher, by Rev. Joseph H Hilts, 1887.
XRef: Abe. Monkman for a more lengthy version. - PJA.

. 1871 Mar 10 - School Sec Now 11 on 10th Con. Still closed, no opening prospect. James Brown lost his 4 children to scarlet fever in one week [ no children left.]
. 1871 Jun 2 - Scarlet Feever Panic, sons of Ed. McConnel, Lot 24, Con 6, Garafraxa, Swallowed creek water, fever 3 days, attendance at school decreased [boy is OK.].
. 1871 June 30 - Pig Bylaw probing pigs running lose in Fergus, amuse country folk, A social was held Friday ending at the M.E. church 6th Line Sara. Music played, 2 speeches, $11.50 collect for school Sabbath library.
Note3: This the the school house, adjacent the log church to the Felker property on 6th Con. Gara.
Ref: Fergus Freeholder Newspaper.

. 1883 Wellington County Directory: John Felker, Con 6, Lot 16 Garafraxa, farmer, 50 Acres.

. 1875 Wellington Co. Directory & Gazetteer, Douglas, Garafraxa P.O.
A Post Village situated on Lot 12, Con 7 & 8, Twp. West Grafraxa. It contains 5 stores, 3 blacksmiths shops, planing mill, saw mill, & flower & grist mil, iron foundry, 3 hotels & 3 churches, Presbyterian, Methodist & congregationalist. The Credit Valley railway will have a station here. The Gravel Road between Hereford & Fergus which passes through this Village, is considered one of the best in the County. Parties writing to this office should be careful & address Garafraxa, the name of the P.O. is not Douglas, as a great many suppose. Numerous mistakes are made in this way, as there is a Post office of that name in the Co. Renfrew. A carding mill will be opened in the Village this season. Distant from Fergus 8 miles, & 21 from Guelph, the County Town. Stage to Fergus daily, fare 30 cents.

. 1875 Mar 1 - Mr. John Felker, Garafraxa, has encaged a beautiful bald-head eagle. His majesty was out in search of fresh lamb, & finding no rest for the sole of his foot but the pan of a steel strap, has now retired from active business.
Ref: The Globe Newspaper, Toronto.

. 1876 Wellington Co., Directory, Douglas, Garafraxa PO
A Post Village situated Lot 12, Con 7 & *, West Garafraxa Twp., It contains 5 stores, 3 blacksmiths shops, planing, saw, flour 7 grit mills, iron foundry, 3 hotels, 3 church.Parties writing to this office should be careful & address Garafraxa, the name of the P.O. is not Douglas, as a great many suppose. Numerous mistakes are made in this way, as there is a Post office of that name in Renfrew Co. A carding mill will be opened in the Village this season. State to Fergus daily fare 30 cents.

. 1878 Feb 21 - Scarlet fever is prevalent in some sections of West Garafraxa.Ref: Acton Free Press.
. 1879 - Douglas, Garafraxa P.O. Pop about 300. several churches, grist seam, Plaining, woolen mills. Montreal telegraph office, Mails daily.
. 1877 - John Felker, Con 7, Lots 27, 50 A. & 60 A., Lot 16 50 A

. 1881 Census, John & Henrietta are in Garafraxa West, Wellington Centre, Ontario
John age 61, Dutch, Farmer, E. Methodist
Henrietta age 54; Ann 34; Francis 25; Jane 16.

. 1883 Wellington Co. Directory, West Garafraxa Twp.
Felker John, Freeholder, Con 7, Lot 16.
Douglas, West Gararafraxa twp. has a rolling surface with principally clay loam, with heavy clay subsoil, about 1/5 seconds & 1/5 third class. The soil products are spring wheat, barley, oats, peas, turnips, hay, pasture, Cattle raising being largely engaged in.
Ontario Death Registration # 8- 019582, West Garafraxa Twp., Wellington Co., Cdn.Methodist church, stone bldg., seating 200, services 10:30. Pray meeting on Thursday.

. Name: John Felker, Senior,
Died 13 Sep 1884 at West Garafraxa, Wellington Gender: born 1820,
Aged 64 years, 5 months, born Grimsby, Ontario
d. of rheumatism*, 20 years.
Informant: Rev M Smith, Garafraxa, Methodist.

Note4*: Rheumatism - like any respectable farmer, early to bed & early to rise, makes one's bones to ache:
Chop wood to keep the cold & damp off the log cabin, out in the rain & wet snow to look after the crops & tend to the animals at least a couple of times a day. - PJA.

Transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Alt Loc: Grimsby. Ref: Death Cert.

Died:
Aged 64y 4m. COD: Rheumatism, 20 years.

Buried:
Grey pillar monument S18-8, has deep cleft across his DOD.

John married Henrietta COUSE on 22 Feb 1843 in Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. Henrietta (daughter of Henry COUSE and Mrs. Anna (Henry) COUSE) was born on 21 Jan 1826 in Beamsville, Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario; died on 31 Mar 1911 in Belwood, Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Henrietta is the daughter of Mrs Anne Couse, 1799-12 Nov 1847, aged 48 years
& Henry Couse, b. 22 Sep 1796-13 May, 1865, aged 68 years, 7 months & 21 days,
Buried McKeen Cemetery, Plot E10, & Henry Couse.

. 1869 Dec 17 - Douglas Correspondence: Tea Meetings. Methodist Episcopal church 10th Line, Garafraxa on Thurs 2rd & 6th Line Grafraxa Christmas Day, Tea served at 3 o'clock, at both places. Tickets 25¢ ea., speeches, singing, etc.
Ref: Fergus Freeholder Newspaper.

. 1870 Jul 1 - In West Garafraxa Township the storm hit with much more force than in the Fergus &Guelph areas. Damage was most severe in the vicinity of the 6th Line, suggesting another tornado touched down there. About a dozen barns lost all or a portion f their roofs. Peter McDougall discovered his small barn relocated to a nearby bush.In the Belwood area, then known as Douglas, the storm was the worst that anyone could remember. Residents there watched the black cloud advance from the northwest. A cloudburst began about 8pm. Some residents reported hearing a load roar, suggestive of full-fledged tornadoes. Rail fences were demolished, with the rails scattered like toothpicks. Wind & rain trashed grain crops. A strip of uprooted trees.
Damage was most intense along the 5th & 6th Lines.There were many casualties to cattle in West Garafraxa, most killed by falling trees & branches. One tree killed 3 yearling cattle, which had sought refuge under its branches. As the storm reached its peak, Dick & Bill East arrived at the farm of Sam Allen for a visit. As they tied their horses, the wind lifted the roof from the barn & dropped it on Dick East. Unconscious from a blow to the head, he survived 15 minutes. Brother Bill survived without a scratch.
As an encore, nature provided another storm 2 nights later, on July 22, 1870. That one was less destructive than the earlier storm, & struck shortly before midnight. Few people got much sleep that night due to a continuous display of lightning & ground-shaking thunder that kept up until about 4am. A few barns & trees were hit with lighting for the second time in 2 days. There was one major fire chalked up to lightning during that second storm. John Taylor lost his barn, with a large quantity of grain & all his implements. The fire flared up again about noon the following day, but was extinguished with the help of neighbours.
Ref: Wellington Advertise newspaper, pub. 20.02.6 / Wellington Museum & Archives.
- - -

Birth:
Older German spelling: Kause.

Died:
Aged 85y, 2m. Died chronic myocarditis after several years. Res. L16 C7 West.

Buried:
Monument S13-8. His wife, Aged 85y.

Notes:

Lewis Felker.2 is the son of Mary Mingle & Johann Frederick Völkel JOHN Felker, U.E. (United Empire Loyalist.)

. War of 1812, 4th Lincoln Reg't. Militia:
. 1813 Mar 25 - Jun 2 39 days
. 1813 Apr 25 - June 24 , Private Lewis Felker, 45 Days.
. 1813 Jul 20 to Jul 24, Private Lewis Felker, Jr, 5 Days.
. 1813 Jul 25 - 27th, Priv. Lewis Felker, Jr. Days 2, pd. 2s., 4th Reg. Lincoln Militia, Capt. Wm. Lyons.

. LOUTH MILLS, Account of Flour & Wiskey sent from this to St. David's by Capt. Askin & Ensign Applgarth:
. 1813 Dec 18th - Francis Harkisom, 4 (barrels), John Falker, 4, Joseph Falker, 4, Stephen Roy, 4, David Moyer, 4, Henry Hooh, 4, Isaac Osburn, 4, John Linderberry, 4, John Snyder, 4, David Battram, 4, John Ensly, 4, Isaiah Griffen, 3, Jacob Fisher, 4, Lewis Falker, 4,
Alexander Lane, 4, Gilbert Lane, 4, Jacob Houser, 4, A. Sheldon, 4, Joseph Ducher, 4, William Hutt, 4, Morris Canada, 4, Silas Hopkins, 5.

. 1813 Jul 20 to Jul 24, Private Joseph Felker, 5 Days.
. 1813 Jul 25 - 27th, Priv. Lewis Felker, Jr. Days 2, pd. 2s.
. 1814 Oct 18 - Nov 15, Lewis Felker, Days 15, paid 7s 6s. [together with:]
. 1814 Oct 18 - Nov 15, Fredric Felker, Days 15, paid 7s 6s. Counter Signed,
Lt. Col. Robt Nelles.,
. 1814 May 22 - 30th, Lewis Felker Jr. Days 9, pd. 4s 6s.

* 1814 May 22 -30th, Days 9, pd 4s 6p. 4th Lincoln Militia Commanded by Capt. Henry Nelles: Privates Lewis Felker, Jur., Joseph Felker, Lewis Felker, Sen., Adam Mingle.
Ref: War of 1812: Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls & Pay lists, t10386, p813. Archives of Canada.

. 1824 SETTLEMENT DUTY PERFORMED as attached & admitted.
Signed, York, 29 June 1824, T. Ridout, Survey General.
Note1: Thus Mary, Lewis Felker & her brother Jesse Meredtih & sister Anne Meredith were in the wilds of Garafraxa before 1824 to be able to earn their land, build a log cabin 16 X 20 feet. By March 1824 Lewis Felker had moved permanently to the Garafraxa wilderness. - PJ Ahlberg.

. 1826 Assessment & Census, Garafraxa Twp., Wellington Co.
Felker, Louis, Con 7, Lots 16 & 17W.
Uncultivated land: 75 Acres, Cultivated Land: 25 Acres
Oxen 4 Yrs+: 2 Milch Cows: 3 Young Cattle: One;
Males over 16: One (i.e. Lewis Felker); Males under 16: Three;
One Female over 16; Two Females under 16';
Farm Value: £69.

. 1833 Erin & Garafraxa Twps., Wellington Co., Gore District 7:
One male, 3 boys, 1 women, 2 girls.

. 1834 Feb 21 Assessment, Lot 16 & 17, Garafraxa Twp.:
Uncultivated land: 20 Acres; Cultivated Land: 30 Acres;
Oxen Milch Cows & Young Cattle: (same as above in 1826.)
One Male over 16; Three Males under 16;
One Female over 16: One; Four Females under 16;
Farm Value Lot 16: £52. & Lot 17, Value: £20.

Garafraxa-Owen Sound Road
. 1837-1850 Crown Lands, Letters to Survey Generals Office York, to Lieut. Governor, 400 sq. acres will take 1 year or more to survey best route for road through the woods. 1840, £3,000 Lieut. Gov calls township Syneham, i.e.. Owen Sound on Lake Huron Rd.
. 1829 Feb 29 Letter from John Telfter, local agent at Elora, A great dissatisfaction almost the settle, because more than 100 persons have come 100-200 miles away for a free grant. The people is crowding in to the settlement with their families before the sleighing goes off for the purpose of getting some cleaning done to put some spring crops in for the support of their families … Reply soon so the people can get some crips in or they will not be able to put in a crop in this year which will make it settlers no money to return home.
. 1842 Jan 12, Arthur. Road finished but for a few rods, Bridge over Saugreen R. 481 feet in 3 parts, must construct when ground frozen hard, oxen sink to their bellies, raid open in winter ]; in spring swamps will need a causeway. Joh Teller, 9 in family, Presbyterian.
Ref: Archives of Ontario RGI, A17, Box 15.

* A D Ferrier's Reminiscences, from lectures delivered to Farmers & Mechanics Institute, Fergus in 1864. Ferrier recalls his travels starting in 1830-1834.
. 1835 the of 1835 & the beginning of 1836 was very cold. The snow was between 3 & 4 feet deep in the woods, the thermometer was 30 degrees below zero.We used frequently to hear the wolves in pursuit of the deer; tow or 3 times got parts of the deer which they had been unable to devour. the sound of the wolves in pursuit is a good dal like that of a pack of foxhound, only more melancholy & more like a howl. they are very seldom seen. We often saw deer. They are easily tamed if taken young - but get very troublesome. We had several turtle feats. the porcupine is very good eating, very like a rabbit. Raccoon is not bad but rather rich & strong tasted. during the first interleaf bread was very scarce. although we had no bread, we had potatoes, oatmeal, salmon & lots of venison. Mr. Alpaugh, of Garafraxa, used to be a great hunter in those days & as he passed our house on the way to Fergus we got the first offer of his game. Stoves were hardly known. The big black pot & bake kettle were the chief culinary instruments.
Our first experience of (militia) state labor was realized in 1835. We busted together & marched to a pretty little stream. Our hands blistered nicely, but we just pricked the little blobs on the balsam trees & rubbed them with that. They healed wonderfully. Our dinner consisted of died deer fa]ham which old Mr Black provided, with bread , scones & crop.
Ref: Sketches of the Early Days of Fergus & vicinity, 1919.

. 1846 Smith's Canadian Gazetter, Province of Canada West:
Garafraxa, Wellington District, 1638 Acres under cultivation, land of excellent quality, 377055 acres of Crown land are open for sale at 8 shillings per acres. 1 grist & 2 saw mills. Population in 1841 is 322.

. 1851 Dec 2 - Places for Polling. Erin. Township Hall, Garafraxa, McKee's Barn.
Ref: Guelph Herald newspaper.

. 1854 Nov. 8 - 25 - Letter for Lewis Felker remaining in Garafraxa Post Office. Post Master Geo. S Keen.
Ref: Fergus Freeholder Newspaper.

. 1861 AGRICULTURAL CENSUS, Belwood, Wellington Co.
LEWIS FELKER, Con 7, Lot 16,
Under cultivation 70 Acres, Crops 1860 45A., Pasture 1860 25A, Wild woods 30A,Farm Value $3,000, implements $200, Spring Wheat 30A yields 200 bu., Peas 5A yields 200 bu., Oats 5A yields 250 bu., Potatoes 1A yields 50 bu., Turnip 4A yields 600 bu., Hay Bundles of 10,000 lbs. 6, Maple sugar 150 lbs, Wool 20 lbs., Full cloth 20 yards Flannel 25 yards, Cider nil, Bulls/Oxen over 3 years nil, Steers/Heifers 3, Milled Corn 2, Horses over 3 years old 2, Value of same $150, Colts/Filles 3 years, one, Sheep 7, Pigs 10, Value of a ll Livestock $600. Butter 200 lbs., Beef barrels 700 lbs., Pork barrels 200 lbs.
Census taker rears: In a good many places I find that the Farmers Complain hat the Spring Frost has injured the Peas & Spring Wheat. The Potatoes has also been injured by the Frost.

. 1861 Census Bellwood, Wellington Co., p 49
Lewis Felker, United, Age 63, Farmer. Mrs. Felker, age 63, Born Canada.
> Mary Fulker [Felker], Age 70 /1791, United States, Widow is crossed out. E. Methodist. [a vaguely located check mark in the last column MAY indicate she died in 1860-61.] VERIFY identity.
> W. Felker, Born Canada, age 10 [16?] single. VERIFY identity.
. Abram Felker, Farmer, b UC, Age 27, married & Mrs. Felker, b UC, age 25 / 1836.
Note2: Age of birth is slightly off, perhaps due to the actual census date.

Death Notices
"Felker, Lewis was born in Philadelphia, March 5, 1795,
came to Canada while young & settled near Smithville, Lincoln County.
In 1818, he married Mary Meredith.
In 1826, he moved to Garafraxa, where he died, June 20, 1861; predeceased by some of his children; survived by his wife & children.
Ref: Canada Christian Advocate, 1858-1872, published 17 July 1861, p. 4; p. 102.

METHODIST CHURCH, [ Life in pioneer Wellington County ]
. The Rev. Mr. Trerayne, who succeeded Mr. Pettit, writes :
Elora, May 1853, Dear Sir: Having now been for 6 months in the Mission,
I wish to submit to your Society some account of what has been done during that time.
Upon my entering on the Mission, I have in all 15 stations, through eight townships, viz, Egremont, Arthur, Garafraxa, Erin, Woolwich, Peel, Wellesley & Maryborough, all of which I have been enabled to visit monthly during the winter & to the station in Woolwich I have given a week-day service in addition to the Sunday. Have given up at present on account of the smallness of the congregations, & one other also I visit but once in 2 months, leaving me therefore at present but 16 monthly services.

The want of roads, & the difficulty of arranging stations within reasonable distances of each other, prevent the Missionary from doing as much as he would otherwise be able to perform. ' this want is particularly felt in Wellesley - in which place I am forced to walk through the woods, between the stations, a distance of ten miles in Summer, & in Winter have to go a round of six miles further. In the Spring & Fall the roads are almost impassible, being a heavy clay soil - a horse being unable to get along, on account of the very deep mud & loose crossways. But amid the difficulties at the worst seasons of the year, the Missionary must feel thankful that God has appointed him as an humble means of gathering together the scattered flock of Christ. He soon forgets his weariness in the warm welcome which is always given, & in the pleasure of seeing a godly congregation gathered round him, despite of mud, & rain, & darkness. & it is gratifying to find. ...

> In Garafraxa they have raised the means for building, & this week have advertised for tenders, & hope to have a church ready for worship by Winter. With the exception of two union churches & one court room, all the services are held in school or private houses.
I find a lamentable ignorance displayed with regard to the way in which the church in Canada is supported, - the most part think that all the lands called Clergy lands belong to the church, & that the proceeds of all go to the church. And continually the question is asked me - Why does not the government build us a church? Why is there not a stationed minister among us - have we not plenty of church lands for a Hector and to support him?

. Sadly Lewis Felker's monument was knocked over & lies in scattered pieces (2016). The clearly legible bottom reads, Died June 20, 1861, Aged 66 Years, 3mo. 15ds.
. Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
Alt Loc: either Oxford Twp./ Hardwick Twp., Sussex Co. NJ, now part Warren Co.

Died:
Aged 66y 3m 15d.

Buried:
Monument S14-14 (named on 14-15) is severely shattered.

Lewis married Mary MEREDITH, , DUE on 17 Apr 1819 in Grimsby, Lincoln Co., Ontario. Mary (daughter of Charles MEREDITH, U.E. and Miriam GRIFFIN) was born on 27 Feb 1798 in Grimsby, Lincoln Co., Ontario; died on 26 May 1869 in Belwood, Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; was buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Miriam Griffin & Charles Meredith, U.E.

. UCLPetition 46, F Bundle 13, C1897, p589.
The Petition of Mary Felker of Grimsby*, That your petitioner is the daughter of the late Charles Meredith * of Grimsby & enrolled UE loyalist & is married to Lewis Felker of Grimsby, but is removed to Grainborough Twp. & has never had any lands. Therefore humbly prays that your Honor be pleased to grant her 200 acres of crown land.
Signed, Mary, HERXMARK Felker, 11 day April 1820. Court House of Niagara.
. I do Certify that Mary Felker, the above named petitioner is there person she described to be, & has never had any order for Crown lands.
Signed, Richard Meredith [i.e. her brother].
. Read 17 April, 1822, Recommended for 200 Acres. Ordered issued 26 Apr, 1822.

We, Wm. Dickson, Esq., Clerk of the Peace, certify the Mary Felker appeared at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace this day is recognized by the Magistrates to be the daughter of the late Charles Meredith who retained his loyal during the late war, without aiding or assisting the enemy & is married to Lewis Felker. Alexander Napier of York, Gentleman to her her agent to locate the same.
Date, at the Court House at Niagara, this 11 Day April, 1820.

. written at the bottom is: York, 27 March, 1820,
. I certify that Petitioner, Mary Falker was alive a few days ago & that she moved to Gainsborough near Grimsby. Signed, Daniel Clendenin.
Envelope: Petition 47 of Mary Felker for land. 11 April 1820, Entered in Land Book L (?) page 214, DUE. Govt. House, 17 Apr 1820, Referenced to the Inspector General for his Report for Council by Order.
Ref: Archives of Ontario, Microfilm C1897.
Note1: The younger Meredith children, including Mary Meredith were unable to read & write like their parents & brothers Richard & 1851 Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co.

. 1824 SETTLEMENT DUTY PERFORMED as attached & admitted.
Signed, York, 29 June 1824, T. Ridout, Survey General.
NOTE1: Thus Mary, Lewis Felker & her brother Jesse Meredith & sister Anne Meredith were in the wilds of Garafraxa before 1824 to be able to earn their land, build a log cabin 16 X 20 feet. By March 1824 Lewis Felker had moved permanently to the Garafraxa wilderness. - PJ Ahlberg.

. Upper Canada Land Book, Page 214, [C103, Archives of Canada]
Council Chambers at York, Wednesday, 1822 April 17, Present James Baby, Samuel Smith, Rev. Doctor John Strachan.
Mary Felker, F46, Praying for a grant of land as the Son of a U.E. Loyalist.
Granted 2 Acres as such.

. 1822 Garafraxa Twp. Location Ticket, Original is the Archives of Ontario & a copy can be found in the Wellington County Museum.

. During its lifetime Belwood used 3 names Skeneville & Douglas being the first two & in 1878 the hamlet was still known as Garafraxa Village & the post office there operated as Douglas. . Shand Dam was built during the early 1940's. Before some of its buildings were removed to higher ground, the village boasted a mill, post office, lime kilns, grain elevator, foundry, shoe shop, sash & door factory, hardware & drug store, shoe shop, tailor shop, grocery stores, jewellery store, barber shop & library, butcher shop, blacksmith shop, branch bank, hotel, churches, and town hall. And in 1869, Garafraxa divided into 2 townships–East and West.
. In 1837, there were only 3 teams of horses in Fergus, & they belonged to Messrs Black, Watt & Webster. Cattle were almost as scarce & money even more so. Business was nearly all done by trade up to the year '45 & later. There was but little grain for sale & the prices in trade very low. Oats ruled at six pence, mill seeds 3 coppers more, wheat 2 shillings & 3 pence & 9 pence for all. No sale for potatoes. There was no butcher and little meat.
. 1842 - There was no Belwood road - all going up the Owen Sound road to the Green settlement. The Belwood road was surveyed & under-brushed in '42, the directions to the surveyor being to keep on dry ground & thus a crooked road came to pass." 1842 was the year of the great snow, coming Nov. 1st and staying till April 14th.
Ref: Fergus Elora news Express, pub. 2002.4.3.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract, Book West Garafraxa, Book 71, p.141
Lot 16 & 17 SWHalf, 7 Con, 200 Acres:
. 1824 Sep 4, Patent, Crown to Mary Felker, 100 Acres SW half Con 7. Lot 16;
. 1845 Aug 4, Bargain&Sale, Lewis Felker & wife as to Dower, to John Watt, L16 W quarter, 50A
. 1849 Apr 28, B&S John Watt & Wife, to James Ferrier, Quarter, 50A
. 1856 Nov 20, Mary & Lewis Felker, to James Ferrier NW, 50A
. 1867 Mar 7, WILL, Mary Felker, to William Felker, West [1 seventh? Acre}
. 1870 Feb 24, Mtge. Abram Felker & Wife, to Alex Black xxA
. 1879 Feb 8, Release, Elizth, Wm., AXX, Abram Felker, to David Ferrier, NW Acres?
. 1883 Dec 14, Abty?, Abram Felker & Wife, to Alex. Barnet $900.
. 1906 Jun 25, Res. WILL, Abram Felker Decd. to George L Felker, S quarter 50A
. 1913 Apr 12, B&S, Geo L Filker & wife, To Robt. S Swift, 50A
. 1913 Apr 12, 2 Claim, James Felker, unmarried, to Geo Felker, 50A

Lot 17, Con 7 100 Acres
. 1860 Jun 18, B&S, Mary & Lewis Felker, to John Felker, SEHalf L17, 50 Acres
. 1867 Mar 7, WILL, Mary Felker, to Wm & Abraham Felker.
. 1870 Feb 24, Mgt. Abram Felker & Wife, to Alex Banet?, 500A.
. 1878 Nov 21, Mortg., John Felker& Wife, to Mary A Jeff,

. 1887 Dec 2, Quit Claim Henrietta Felker, widow & Annie Felker Spinster, to Francis E Felker, 50 Acres. $1.00 [Presumed to be Francis E Felker.3 junior, as his father died in 1859].
. 1906 Jan 25, Pro WILL, Abram Felker, decd, to James Felker W 50 A. subject to portage & legacy.
. 1909 May 29. Release of Estate. Mellissa McDonald, James Felker, W 20 A
. 1913 Apr 9, Disc. Mortg., Margaret Narin?, to James & G L Felker. [Last Felker entry].

. 1852 Census Bellwood, Wellington Co.
Falker, Lewis, Age 56 /1795, born US, Methodist, Farmer;
Mary, Age 54, 1797, born Canada West (Ontario), Methodist;
Mariah Age 23, 1828, born Canada West, Methodist;
Martha, Age 17, 1834, born Canada West, Methodist;
Elias, Age 20, 1831, born Canada West, Methodist;
Abraham Falker, Age 18, 1835/ born Canada West, Methodist.
Note2 from Census: Nearby "saw Mill reported that pine was very scarce; Post Office is much wanted here."
Note3: Nearby are sons John & William Felker with their families .

. Felker Family History, 1981 March 23, by Mrs. T J Hutchison:
Old Mrs. Felker was probably the first white woman to sleep in Garafraxa Township. This was a statement made by John Dobbin in a newspaper article in March 9, 1869 issue of Guelph Mercury. John Dobbin Sr. had come to the Carmel-Dracon area of Garafraxa Twp. in July 1826, with his family of 12 children, although some of the girls may not have come, for they married in Galt-Hespeler area.
But John Dobbin records that they were preceded by the Felker, Headley & Meredith families in March 1826. This was over a year before the first tree was cut in Guelph. They came by way of what is now 15 Sideroad, but there was no road then, only the original survey done in 1821. (There should be a copy of this letter in the Museum, along with several other letters that ran in the Guelph Mercury about that time. In the article John Dobbin continued, Mrs Felker is still living on W half Lot 16, Con 7, 6th line, where she moved 43 years ago (1826) (but the newspaper clipping itself was not dated.)
Family of Lewis & Mary Felker were: Abraham, William & John. Buried at Carmel. - - -

Birth:
Lot 7, Con 9, Smithville.

Died:
Aged. 71y 2m, 27d. Wife of Lewis.

Buried:
White marble recumbent monument, 2 blasting horns, bible & cover, is cracked into 3 pieces.

Notes:

. Couse Family History, by Mrs. T J Hutchinson, May 1975.
Henry Couse was born in Holland in 1794. In 1800 he & his brothers, John & Frederick emigrated to Pennsylvania, considered bringing along a 6 year old boy. Later the Couse brothers came to Canada as United Empire Loyalists.

During the 1812 -14 War, they joined the Army under the British General Issac Brock & took part in the Battles of Lundy's Lane & Queenston Heights. Henry Couse was given 200 A of land for his services in the War. In 1835 he brought his wife, Ann to the farm Lot 11, Con 8, Garafraxa. The farm was located on the north bank of the Grand River, with the buildings near the 7th Belwood, sprung up, part of it being built on the Couse property. Gradually the clearing on the Couse farm grew & this farm in the River Flats became productive.

. HENRY COUSE, born Sept. 22, 1796, married & had 11 children ,­
5 boys & 6 girls including one set of twins.
Ref: Annals of the Forty , Vol. 4, 1953. - - -

Henry married Mrs. Anna (Henry) COUSE. Mrs. was born on 30 Sep 1799 in United States; died on 12 Nov 1847 in Belwood, Garafraxa West Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Alt Name: Annie.