Utter

(submitted by Susan Utter Hartman)

My great-grandfather, Henry Utter (1802–1899), a descendant of United Empire Loyalist stock, was born in Peel County. He arrived in Warwick Twp. about the year 1833. His only neighbor was Asa Townsend.

In 1837 he built a mill, with settlers coming to it all the way from Lake Huron. In 1843, when the Clergy Reserve lands were opened up for homesteading, great-grandfather acquired the large tree covered tract of land south and east of Arkona for the Utter Homestead. He built a wood frame cabin which still stands in 2008 and is used by the Utter family for lodging. The original farmhouse was located on the high rise of the property. Later, after the brick homestead was completed in the 1850s, the original house was moved several times. Henry Utter married Harriet Smith and five children were born: Joseph, Jane, Emily, Ransom, and Frank.

To cater to growing needs, Henry opened up the first store in Arkona. He accepted the post of tax collector in 1877 and served many terms on Arkona Village Council. He was a Presbyterian.

A pew was reserved for him in the little kirk built on land granted by him in perpetuity to the Church of Scotland in Canada.

After Harriet passed away he married Frances Bonehill. Henry and Frances had three children: William Henry (Harry), Gertrude, and James. Harry married Maud Bowiby. Gertrude married Charles Dennis. James and his wife Nora Herrington had three children: Gertrude, Fern, and Gordon.

My grandfather, Harry, inherited the land and buildings when his father died. He was 13 years old and didn’t take over the farm until he was 18 years. He met my grandmother, Maud Bowiby, in church and married her a year later. In addition to farming and hard work, their life now included music, for he had married the town’s music teacher. When she married grandfather, she brought her large rectangular piano with her so that she could give the village children music lessons.

Harry and Maud had three children: Marguerite, Vivian, and Delos. Each child played an instrument and with their parents formed a family orchestra. Grandfather played the saxophone and the clarinet, Grandmother the piano, Marguerite the banjo, Vivian the violin and Delos (my father) the drums. They often entertained at church or family socials. Grandmother was the organist for the Arkona Baptist Church for 50 years.

The chores were endless on the farm: cows to be milked twice a day; chickens, sheep and pigs to be fed; fences to be repaired; crops to be planted and harvested. Peach, apple, quince, plum, cherry and pear trees supplied them with fruit. Jars of vegetables and fruits lined the basement’s cold room shelves. Potatoes were stored on the basement floor in a corner. Fresh milk provided buttermilk, whipping cream, butter, cheese and cottage cheese. A whole pitcher of thick cream was on the table every morning for breakfast.

In 1934 Harry and Maud’s daughter Vivian married John Waltho, the preacher at the Arkona Baptist Church. Their daughter Marguerite married Fred Leaver in 1944.

Harry and Maud’s son Delos married Helen Jean Goodwin in 1942. Shortly after, he became disabled with arthritis of the spine and the doctor recommended that he live in a hot, dry climate, so his family moved to California in 1949. In 1953 my father Delos and Uncle Fred bought the farm, dividing it in such a way that Dad, as the absentee landowner, would have the eastern half and the Leavers would possess the western half, which included the outbuildings and the original house. On retiring from farming Harry and Maud lived in the family home.

The Leavers began developing the buildings to make an outreach to the community. The original home of Henry Utter was restored and extended to become a lodge. The hog pen was converted into a private museum of countless farm tools, appliances and household accessories. The ground level of the barn was as an extension of the museum to display larger farm machinery and farm-related equipment.

In 1973, Vivian and John Waltho retired in Arkona, living in the red-brick century farmhouse where Vivian was born. John came out of retirement to serve again as Pastor at Arkona Baptist Church. Vivian, her son John and daughter-in-law Marilyn live in the stately red brick farmhouse in 2008.

My parents, Jean and Delos Utter, planted 57 acres of apple trees in 1985, share-cropping with the Marsh family. My father’s dream had been achieved. As he would drive the old Massey with the wagon hooked on and we all would pick up branches and wood debris left behind from pruning, he would talk about his Jersey Macs, Ida Reds, Paula Reds, Red Delicious, Empire and Late Macs. Delos passed away in 2000, at about the same time the apple trees were taken out due to poor markets. Four acres remain of the trees and provide juice for a new vinegar operation on the farm which was started in 2001 by Susan (Delos’s daughter) and Roy Hartman.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Utter Family

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