The Way We Were Then 

May 13, 1894 was the birthdate of Earl Rowe. In the pages of history, he would be known as the Hon. William Earl Rowe. Mr. Rowe did not live in Alliston but he left his mark on our community and upon the province of Ontario, not only through his brilliant political career, but in other fields as well.

This great Canadian was born in Hull, Iowa of Canadian parents. He moved to Ontario to become not only a breeder of cattle, but also of fine race horses. No doubt harness racing was his lifelong passion. Early in the morning, he would be seen flying around his farm’s racetrack exercising his fine trotting horses and getting them in shape for competition. He chose his breeding stock from the best that could be found, and it has been said that he advanced the development of today’s trotting horses during his years on the farm.

At the young age of 25, this farmer began to show an interest in local politics, and from 1919 to 1923, he was the reeve of West Gwillimbury. He soon set his sights on higher goals and from 1923 to 1925, he served as a member of provincial parliament for Dufferin-Simcoe for the Conservative Party and then moved on to the House of Commons where he served until 1935. From 1936 to 1938, he was leader of the Conservative Party of Ontario. This fine politician seemed to succeed at every turn. When he failed to win his seat in the 1937 provincial election, he regained it in the federal House of Commons from which he had resigned two months earlier. This gentleman farmer served in the House of Commons until 1962, sometimes in the role of the official opposition, and from 1958 to 1962, he and his daughter, Jean Casselman Wadds, were the only father and daughter to sit together in Parliament.

All could see that Earl Rowe’s service was not only lengthy but very dedicated. He served the House of Commons for almost 40 years. For this reason, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1963. He stayed on in public life for another five years but then returned to the other love of his life, horse breeding and harness racing.

During his long life, he saw many changes as our young country matured. Canada proved herself through the Great Depression and two world wars. His wisdom helped to mature this country into what she is today. He might have said that in some ways we are a better people today and in other ways we are not.

In his day, a man’s handshake was as reliable as a contract and to fail to keep one’s word was shameful. When young couples married, it was a contract between the partners and God. It was for a lifetime. The Holy Bible stated that the man was the head of the household and that he was directed to love his wife and that their children were to respect and obey their parents. That’s the way we were then. What would he think about us today?

Well, the years passed quickly for Hon. W. Earl Rowe as they always do for busy people. He wanted to do something for the people who had been so faithful to him over those good years.

Like most farmers, he loved the outdoors and the beautiful countryside more than big cities. His dream was to give his supporters a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. What he wanted was a park beside a stream where people could enjoy a picnic or go fishing or swim in the old swimming hole just as he had done when he was a young man raising his little family.

He decided to call his old friend Sandy Ellis. This Alliston resident had worked for many years for the Department of Game and Fisheries and he knew every stream and woodlot like the back of his hand. As luck would have it, Sandy knew the perfect spot for such a park. Ever since he was a boy, he had loved the woods and stream just west of his hometown of Alliston. Countless times, he had fished and hunted there and swam in the clear waters of the swimming holes of the Boyne River.

As the two old friends strolled over the Braden property, he saw that it appeared to be used by the local folk as a recreation area. The grass was groomed by Bill Braden’s cows and, for many years, the people of Alliston enjoyed the old swimming hole which they had named, “Old Claybottom”. Mr. Rowe knew that this would be the place for the park, and it would be a fine memorial in his name.

William and Dorothy Braden were willing to sell a few acres along the river, and the deal was closed. Bill would manage the little park. The project, however, was not to end there. As it happened, the provincial parks department of Ontario, under the Department of Lands and Forests, became excited about the idea of creating a big provincial park within driving distance of the Toronto population.

They wanted Earl Rowe’s park plus more of the beautiful Braden land for a total of 110 acres. After that, the department hoped to buy additional, adjoining farms to create one of Ontario’s biggest parks.

In 1962, William John Fletcher died. He was the owner of the old pioneer mill property to the west and the government bought it immediately. The old dam had washed out long ago but soon a new one would replace it. More farms were added to the property and young William J. Braden, at the age of 23 years became a park builder.

Under the guidance of government experts at Maple, Ontario, he built and managed a wonderful monument to a great Ontarian.

Mr. Rowe was a great man who never lost the common touch. In addition to the park, a public school in Bradford bears his name.

There is a plaque located near his farm in Newton Robinson. Earl Rowe’s name should be known for a long, long time.

He passed away on Feb., 9, 1984, and he was missed by people far and wide, even those who had opposed him in government.

For more about the yesteryears of  Alliston, see next Wednesday’s edition of The Alliston Herald.