Campbell Family Fonds RG 47

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10464/5030

Fonds consists of records accumulated by John S. Campbell and his brother James H. Campbell. John and James Campbell were the sons of William (d. 1906) and Margaret Campbell of St. Catharines, Ont.

Fonds includes a minute book and Constitution and by-laws of the St. Catharines Garrison Club (1899, n.d.). Also included are deeds and papers relating to property at 83 York Street, St. Catharines, Ont. (1898, 1901-1902, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1929), and the Grand Central Hotel, St. Catharines, Ont. (1837, 1853, 1856, 1870-1871, 1896-1897, 1913). Three survey maps are included with the Grand Central Hotel papers.

In 1913 The Grand Central Hotel and accompanying land was purchased by Peter Griffin who build an opera house / movie theatre behind the hotel. The theatre was known as Griffin's Opera House and later became the Palace Theatre. Two St. Catharines newspapers dated November 27, 1906 and May 12, 1913 are also included.

John S. Campbell (1860-1950) was a graduate of the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. During his university years John began his military career first in "K" Company, Queens Own rifles and then later as Commanding Officer of the 19th Lincoln Regiment from 1906 to 1910. Upon his return to St. Catharines John Campbell served as secretary in the St. Catharines Garrison Club, a social club for military men begun in 1899. After being called to the Bar, he became a partner in the firm of Campbell and McCarron and was appointed to the bench in 1916, serving until retirement in 1934. Judge Campbell served as an alderman for several terms and was the mayor of St. Catharines in 1908 and 1909. He also served as the first chairman of the St. Catharnes Public Utilities in 1914. John S. Campbell was married to Elizabeth Oille, daughter of Jerome B. and Charlotte (St. John) Oille. The family home "Cruachan" was located at 32 Church St.

The published works have been removed and placed within Special Collections stacks.

A later donation of items for the Campbell family fonds (RG47b) focuses on Charlotte St. John, daughter of Alpheus St. John and Charlotte Phelps, one of nine children, of which four died in infancy. Charlotte was the granddaughter of Oliver Phelps and Abigail St. John. She married Jerome Beamer Oille on 3 March 1857. Jerome B. Oille and Charlotte St. John had two daughters, Harriet Oille and Elizabeth Oille.

Harriet Oille married John J. Banfield Elizabeth Oille married John Samuel Campbell.

The Oille family were established in the Niagara region since the late 1780s. The Oille family surname is alternatively also spelled Oil, Oill, Eil or Oehl.

In 1795, Nicholas Oille petitioned the government for the title to 100 hundred acres. Oille states that he has been in Upper Canada for seven years and he has a wife and five children. At the writing of the petition, Nicholas Oille had already improved 300 of the 400 hundred acres he had originally been granted on Lots 6 & 7 in Concession 1 & 2 in Pelham Township.

George Nicholas Oille (1817-1883) was one of twelve children George Nicholas Oille and his wife Eve Decker. He owned and operated a large machinery and foundry business along the Welland Canal in St. Catharines. He was joined in his business by his brother Jerome Beamer Oille.

Harriet Oille was the daughter of George Nicholas Oille and Eve Decker. She lived with her brother George Nicholas Oille in St. Catharines. Harriet Oille died unmarried in 1884.

Lucius Sterne Oille (1830-1903) was a medical doctor practicing in St. Catharines. He received his license to practice medicine in 1858 from Sir Edmund Walker Head. He was instrumental in creating the Water Works Commission and the Niagara Central Railway. He served on the local city council and served as mayor of St. Catharines in 1878. Lucius S. Oille owned many properties in St. Catharines, one of which was the land on which The Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company of St. Catharines was built ca. 1896. Oille was one of the significant shareholders of the company. When Dr. Oille passed in 1903 the bulk of his estate was inherited by his niece Elizabeth Campbell.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 54

Open Access
License to practice medicine in the Province of Canada, granted to Lucius Sterne Oille, 1858
(1858) Head, Sir Edmund Walker
License to practice medicine in the Province of Canada, granted to Lucius Sterne Oille, by Sir Edmund Walker Head, Governor General of British North America, 1858.
Open Access
Land indenture - Nicholas Oile, Township of Pelham, and his wife Eve Oile to George Oile of Pelham Township, 1815
(1815)
Land indenture, Nicholas Oile, Township of Pelham, and his wife Eve Oile to George Oile of Pelham Township, for 200 acres being, Lot 6 and 7, 1st Concession, Pelham Township, 1815.
Open Access
Memorandum to Shareholders of Lincoln Hotel Company Limited, 1957
(1957)
A memorandum to shareholders of the Lincoln Hotel Company Limited. The document includes a brief financial history of the property from its time as the Grand Central Hotel Company Limited to the 1950s.
Open Access
Supplementary Letters Patent - Lincoln Hotel Company Limited, 15 October 1945
(1945-10-15) Dunbar, George Harrison
A supplementary Letters Patent from the Province of Ontario for the Lincoln Hotel Company Limited.
Open Access
Lincoln Hotel Company Financial Statement, 1931
(1931)
The financial statement for Lincoln Hotel Company for the year 1931.
Open Access
Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company, Accounts, 1927
(1927) H.T. Jamieson and Company Chartered Accountants
A financial statement for 1927 including revenue and expenditures, assets and liabilities for the Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company.
Open Access
Resolutions and Minutes of Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company, Expenditures, January 1900
(1900) Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company Secretary Treasurer's Office
The report of the Board of Directors of the Grand Central Hotel and Sanatorium Company to the shareholders. The report includes a list of changes to the façade of the hotel as well as the addition of a ladies reception room. Some of the expenditures include: Interest on Loan, Insurance, Repairs, Betterments, Furniture, etc.
Open Access
Letter from John S. Campbell to F.R. Woods and Company, 20 March 1905
(1905-03-20) Campbell, John S.
A letter from John S. Campbell to F.R. Woods Company Real Estate in New York, N.Y. The letter indicates that Campbell is attempting to sell the Grand Central Hotel property. He is attempting to sell the property to "close the Estate of the late Dr. Oille former owner". The price is listed in the letter at $20,000. Included is a response from F.R. Woods Real Estate, stating that they would like to receive more information regarding the property and they would like to know if Campbell would accept "New York property in exchange".
Open Access
Description of the Grand Central Hotel and Sanitorium Company Property, n.d.
(n.d.)
Description of the Grand Central Hotel and Sanitorium Company property on St. Paul Street. Includes a map and sketch showing the footprint of area bounded by St. Paul Street, Chestnut Street and Head Street and includes the Central Fire Hall. There is no date indicated on the sketches or description.
Open Access
Letters Patent Changing Names from the Grand Central Hotel and Sanitorium Company of St. Catharines Limited to Lincoln Hotel Company Limited, 8 March 1928
(1928-03-08)
Letters patent, for the purpose of changing names from the Grand Central Hotel and Sanitorium Company of St. Catharines Limited, to Lincoln Hotel Company Limited, 8 March 1928.
Open Access
Bill of Sale - John S. Campbell to Elizabeth Oille, 16 September 1889
(1889-09-16)
Bill of Sale, John S. Campbell to Elizabeth Oille, 16 September 1889. The bill of sale includes a detailed list of household contents to be settled on Elizabeth (Bessie) Oille on the event of her marriage to John S. Campbell. The contents form the interior furnishing and effects of the home at 92 Queen Street, St. Catharines.
Open Access
Probate, Last Will and Testament of Lucius Sterne Oille, 24 September 1903
(1903-09-24)
Lucius Sterne Oille names his niece, Elizabeth Oille Campbell, executrix. He names Elizabeth Campbell and niece Elizabeth Oille, daughter of Ezra Oille beneficiaries. Dr. Oille also expressed his wishes for a Masonic burial at Victoria Lawn and a burial service of the Church of England.
Open Access
Last Will and Testament of George N. Oille, 23 May 1883
(1883-05-23)
A three page last will and testament of George N. Oille, 23 May 1883. The document states that Jerome B. Oille and Lucius S. Oille are named as executors and Harriet Oille and Jerome B. Oille are beneficiaries.
Open Access
Abstract of Title Town Lot Number 5, North side of Queenston Street, at Calvin Street, 1844-1905
(1844-1905)
An abstract of title for town Lot Number 5, north side of Queenston Street, at Calvin Street in St. Catharines, Ontario. The list covers from 1844 to 1905.
Open Access
Deed - James B. Clendennan to John Ker, 32 Perches, St. Catharines, No. 12959, 8 June 1840
(1840-06-08)
A deed between James B. Clendennan to John Ker for 32 Perches in St. Catharines, Ontario, Lot 18, 6th Concession.
Open Access
Crown grant to Nicholas Oill, (handwritten facsimile), 1797
(1797)
A handwritten facsimile of a Crown grant to Nicholas Oill, 1797.
Open Access
Photograph - Basement (laundry) at 32 Church Street, 13 June 1954
(1954-06-13) Sinclair, Don
A black and white photograph of the basement laundry area at 32 Church Street in St. Catharines, Ontario. The image shows a large utility sink, a furnace, some furniture and two windows with bars.
Open Access
Photograph - Basement (main area) at 32 Church Street, 13 June 1954
(1954-06-13) Sinclair, Don
A black and white photograph of the basement main area at 32 Church Street in St. Catharines, Ontario. The basement shows some brick footings and the joists for the floor above. There are a few pieces of furniture against one wall and a filing cabinet on another wall.
Open Access
Photograph - Sewing Room at 32 Church Street, 13 June 1954
(1954-06-13) Sinclair, Don
A black and white photograph of the sewing room at 32 Church Street in St. Catharines, Ontario. The room contains a few chairs, a light hanging from the ceiling, and a sewing machine on a table.
Open Access
Photograph - Washroom at 32 Church Street, 13 June 1954
(1954-06-13) Sinclair, Don
A black and white photograph of the washroom at 32 Church Street in St. Catharines, Ontario. The image shows a sink on a small counter, stool, chair, radiator, and a bathtub. There is wainscoting around the room and a large window with curtains.

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