Showing 1563 results

People and Organizations

Reid, Walter Frederick

  • Person
  • 1904-1993

Walter Frederick Reid was born in Sidney Township, Hastings County on August 9, 1904, son of Franklin Reid and Janie Faulkes. He married Lena Grace Sharpe on August 15, 1933. He was the owner and co-founder of Reid's Dairy in 1910. He was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Rameses Shrine Club of Toronto, Belleville Shrine Club, Masonic Lodge, Eureka #282, GRC, King Baldwin Preceptory, and Royal Arch Mason. He was associated with junior hockey in the 1940s and 1950s in Belleville and was a member of the Kinsmen Club. He died on January 1, 1993.

Retallack, Samuel George

  • Person
  • 1855-1930

Samuel George Retallack was born in Cobourg, Ontario, the child of Samuel Retallack and Jane (Hicks). He married Annie Phillips in Belleville on 24 January 1877. He died in Carleton, Ontario on 17 September 1930.

Richards, George Henry 'Harry', O.L.S.

  • Person
  • 1898-1966

Harry Richards was born in 1898 to parents George Richards Sr. and Kate Price. He was baptized on July 8, 1898 at Rolleston, Stafford, England. By 1913, the family had immigrated to Canada, where Harry trained and worked as an Ontario Land Surveyor. He married his wife, Gertrude Mae Montgomery, on July 15, 1925, at Brantford, Ontario. He died in 1966.

Ricketts, Thomas

  • Person
  • 1854-1923

Thomas Ricketts was born in 1854 in England, the son of Thomas and Emma Ricketts. By 1861 the family were in Toronto, later settling in Tudor Township, Hastings County, Ontario. Thomas died in 1923.

Riggs, David

  • Person
  • 1822-1887

David Riggs was born on May 3rd, 1822. He married Elizabeth Bates on October 15th, 1850. David Riggs is the Great Grandfather of Leona Riggs. He died on April 29th, 1887.

Riggs, Leo Bates

  • Person
  • 1879-1956

Leo Bates Riggs was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1879 to William Bates Riggs and Mary Riggs (nee Nelson). He studied piano and organ in Toronto under a variety of prominent masters. He was then appointed organist and director of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Ontario. In 1901, he accepted a position as organist and director of the First Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, he taught piano and organ at the Central College of Music in Indianapolis, Indiana. That same year, on August 28th, he married Mabel Kathleen Deguerre, a graduate of the Toronto Conservatory of Music. She was director of the Vocal Department of Albert College in Belleville, Ontario, and after their marriage she joined her husband on the staff of the Central College of Music, in Indianapolis, Indiana, teaching voice. In 1903, their only child, Leona Riggs, was born.
In 1909, the family moved to New York City where Leo Bates Riggs became chief organist and director of music at the Astor Hotel. He performed in concerts throughout New York, and was among the first organ artists to be broadcast over the radio station WBC, New York.
In 1924, he and his wife returned to Belleville, Ontario so that he could assist his ailing father, William Bates Riggs, in his automobile business. For many years, Leo Bates Riggs successfully maintained the Riggs Garage until his retirement in 1954.
Continuing his musical career in Belleville, Leo Bates Riggs became the organist at John the Baptist Church until it burned down in 1936. Leo Bates Riggs also preformed for many Belleville clubs and organizations, as well as belonging to the Rotary Club, and the Kiwanis Club. He was also the president of the Chamber of Commerce, in Belleville, Ontario, for a brief period of time.
Leo Bates Riggs died at his summer residence in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 23rd, 1956, and was buried in the city of Belleville, Ontario.

Riggs, Leona

  • Person
  • 1903-1994

Leona Riggs devoted her life to music, first as a performer in musical shows, then as a music teacher, choir director, and patron of the arts in her adopted city of Belleville, Ontario. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 17th, 1903 to Leo Bates Riggs, an accomplished pianist and organist, and Mabel Kathleen (nee DeGurre) Riggs, a vocal teacher.
Leona Riggs spent her early years in Indianapolis before moving to New York City, where her father was appointed organist at the Astor Hotel. After graduating from Yonkers High School, she studied at the Institute of Musical Art (later named Julliard School of Music) in New York, followed by attendance at the American Conservatory at Fontainbleu, France, ca. 1924-25. Another period of post graduate study followed at the Julliard School of Music in 1928-39. Subsequent to her studies in France, but before she returned to the Julliard School of Music, Leona Riggs toured the United States as a singer in the musical shows "The Vagabond King" and "Golden Dawn," from 1926-28.
In 1929, due to effects of the Depression, Leona Riggs moved to Belleville to join her parents and family, who had moved to Belleville from New York in 1924 so that her father could assist her ailing grandfather in his automobile business. In Belleville, Leona Riggs taught piano and vocal lessons from her home for many years. In addition, she was the choral director at John Street United Church from September 1933 until the church was destroyed in October of 1936. A year later, in 1937, Leona Riggs became the choral director at Bridge Street United Church, a position she held until 1951.
Leona Riggs expended great effort over the years in support of the Arts in the Quinte region; many concert artists were brought to perform before local audiences through the Community Concerts Association. She established a continuing scholarship fund that provides awards for graduating high school students in the Belleville area who plan to continue their musical studies.
Leona Riggs remained single throughout her life, leaving no immediate family behind upon her death in Belleville, on August 11th, 1994.

Riggs, Lester David

  • Person
  • 1880-1963

Lester David Riggs was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, in 1880, and died in Fort Lyon Colorado in 1963. He married Bertha L. VanKirk (née Culver) in 1912. She died at Fort Thompson, South Dakota, on April 3rd, 1940, after having succumbed to cancer.
Riggs's parents were William Bates Riggs and Mary Priscilla Riggs (nee Nelson). He had three siblings: Leo Bates Riggs, Wanda E. Riggs, and Vera Lewis (nee Riggs). His father, William Bates Riggs, was originally from Pennsylvania, however in 1881, had moved to Belleville, Ontario.
For part of his medical career, Dr. Lester David Riggs was a doctor for natives at the Tapwai Sanitarium, Federal Public Health Service at the Naval Sanitarium in Las Animas Colorado, in Valentine Colorado.

Riggs, Mabel

  • Person
  • 1872-1966

Mabel Riggs (nee DeGuerre) was a graduate of the Toronto Conservatory of Music where she became an accomplished musician and soprano. She went on to become the Director of the Vocal Department of Albert College in Belleville, Ontario.
On August 28, 1901, she married Leo Riggs, who was also an accomplished musician working in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following her marriage, she left Belleville, Ontario, and joined her husband at the Central College of Music, in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a vocal teacher.
In 1903, she gave birth to her only child, a daughter, Leona Riggs.
In 1909, she, along with her husband and daughter, moved to New York City. By 1924, Mabel Riggs and her family had returned to Belleville, Ontario so that her husband, Leo Riggs, could assist his elderly father with his automobile business.
In 1909, she, along with her husband and daughter, moved to New York City. By 1924, Mabel Riggs and her family had returned to Belleville, Ontario so that her husband, Leo Riggs, could assit his elderly father with his automobile bussiness.

Riggs, Mary Priscilla

  • Person
  • 1853-1934

Mary Priscilla Riggs (nee Nelson), was born in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania in 1853. She was married to William Bates Riggs, and together they had four children: Leo Bates Riggs, Lester David Riggs, Wanda E. Riggs, and Vera Lewis (nee Riggs). She died in Florida in 1934.

Riggs, William Bates

  • Person
  • 1853-1937

William Bates Riggs was a bandleader, businessman, and in 1920, mayor of Belleville, Ontario. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 17th, 1853, he moved to Belleville in 1881 to become the Bandmaster of the Oddfellows Band, which later amalgamated with the 15th Battalion Band to become the Consolidated and Oddfellows Band. Under his direction for 20 years, it became one of the finest bands in eastern Canada.
He married Mary Priscilla Riggs (nee Nelson), and together they had four children: Leo Bates Riggs, Lester David Riggs, Wanda Elizabeth Riggs, and Vera Riggs (later Lewis).
In 1889, William Bates Riggs became a piano and organ retailer in Belleville, Ontario, also selling other musical instruments and sheet music. As the demand for automobiles rose, he realized their potential, and established Riggs Motor Sales in 1914. His garage and showrooms were successful from the start, and he held the first agency for Ford motor cars in Belleville.
William Bates Riggs was involved in the civic, social, and religious life of Belleville. He served as a member of the City Council for three years, and in 1920 was elected Mayor. He was a Life Deacon of Victoria Avenue Baptist Church, and was Sunday School superintendent for several years. He also served as a choir master for over 30 years. He took an active role in the organization YMCA, serving on its board and as president for 1 year.
William Bates Riggs was also a keen sportsman; he was an expert rifleman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and lawn bowling. He died on July 3rd, 1937 in Belleville.

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