34) Norman Grant Michener: Elected mayor for the City of Welland in 1936 & 1937

Vital statistics

Birth: December 23, 1885 at Welland, Ontario, Canada

Death: August 24, 1974 at Welland, Ontario, Canada (age 88)

Burial place: Fonthill Cemetery (Find a Grave)

Parents: William / Henrietta (née Springer)

Spouse: Mabel Gertrude (née Cutler)

Children: Lloyd J. / Claude

Occupation: Bookkeeper

Religion: Presbyterian

Community affiliations: Noble Grand of Orient Lodge 134 / Pastmaster Merritt Masonic Lodge

Profile

Norman Grant Michener was born December 23, 1885 in Welland to William and Henrietta (née Springer) Michener. Norman ended up living in the Welland area all his life. He was the first mayor of Welland to have been born in Welland. His career was with the J. E. Cutler Lumber Company who he spent 40 years with as secretary-treasurer (this is the same company the previous mayor Frank Springer was associated with). In fact J. E. Cutler was Norman’s father-in-law, as he married Mabel Gertrude (née Cutler) on December 27, 1911 at 43 Shotwell St.; J. E. Cutler’s home. The newly married couple bought the house next door and lived at 39 Shotwell St. the rest of their lives.

In 1931 Norman ran and was elected as councillor, and he would win the next four elections as well until 1935. Then in 1936 and 1937 he was elected as mayor. In a 1935 ad he ran asking for votes, he gave these reasons he felt he was qualified to be mayor: “A member of the council for five years. A resident of the City of Welland for 50 years. An owner of several pieces of property in the city and a large taxpayer. A member of one of Welland’s oldest business firms and a leader in their line of trade.”

After two years as mayor he did run again for a third term. At the last meeting of council in 1936 he promoted his record: 80% of the 1937 general tax levy had been collected by the end of November, and total collections were projected over 100% by the end of December. He quoted figures to show how the cost of relief to the city diminished the past few years, and the gross debt of the city had gone down almost $600,000 compared to 4 years prior. He then ran an ad in the paper in an appeal for votes: “During the term of my office I have faithfully endeavored to be constant in my deliberations, and have tried to base my actions on broad, human foundations, which cannot be narrowed to the notions of any class or creed. During my first year in the chair, the country was slowly emerging from the shadows of a great depression and council meetings were fought with grave discussions of thought. I tried to do everything possible to mitigate matters, and that I believe, with a fair measure of success. My associations with the council, clerk, treasurer and city officials have been most amicable… I have lived in Welland for many years and have always been keenly interested in the economic welfare and general administration of the affairs of the municipality…” He lost the election though as it was a crowded field with some popular names. John R. Joyce won with 888 votes, Wilfred Lewis Valencourt had 851, Norman had 804, and William McQuitty had 364. After this election, Norman did not serve again on municipal council.

Norman’s wife Mabel died in 1965, and one of his children, Lloyd, died in 1970. Norman officiated at the opening of the new Niagara Street bridge in September of 1973. He died August 24, 1974 at the Welland County General Hospital, survived by one son, Claude.

Sources

  • “Former Mayor N. Michener 88, Dies In Hospital.” Evening Tribune, August 26, 1974.
  • “Nominate 18 For City Council Seats, 8 For Education Board.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, December 28, 1937.
  • “Silver Wedding Anniversary To Be Observed Tomorrow By The Mayor And Mrs. Michener.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, December 26, 1936.
  • “Vote Norman G. Michener For Mayor.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, December 31, 1935.
34) Norman Grant Michener: Elected mayor for the City of Welland in 1936 & 1937