Though one of the generous, founding families in Arthur, the Brocklebank’s tended toward modesty and stayed out of the limelight. On a lovely evening, Tuesday, June 22, on behalf of Arthur Historical Society and led by President Dave Stack, about 50 people enjoyed a walking tour and history of the esteemed family. David Brocklebank and his wife Mary Catherine arrived in Arthur in 1884 and bought a hardware store. They had three sons, Edgar William 1877-1954 who had a son J. A. Howson, Clarence Milne 1884- 1953, and Stanley Howson 1889-1918.?The first time David and Mary Catherine lived in Arthur they stayed until 1892 when they sold the hardware store to H.W. Gillrie. The family moved to Simcoe where they operated a dry goods store until they returned to Arthur in 1896 and re-purchased the hardware store. ?The Brocklebank Block was erected in 1905, where Bargain Barns is currently located. By the beginning of April 1906 Brocklebank Hardware moved into the new space. Hardware stock included paint, bicycles, lawn mowers, Christie Hats, Beatty Rod Track Unloaders, crockery, clothing, and food items. ?In 1906 Arthur Enterprise News reported: “Like other business men, he has had his ups and downs. The first few years may have been a co-mingling of struggles and dwarfed successes but merit usually wins and one day the golden sun of prosperity peeped over the summit of faithful persistent effort to kiss with its silver beams the efforts of Mr. Brocklebank and throw silvery splendor along his future.”?Though shop credit was a long held rural tradition, by October 1920, Brocklebank Hardware was cash only. Continuing toward modern standards, in 1923 the Brocklebank family begin to close their store at 10pm. Previous it was common to have the store open much later especially on weekends.?“In 1918 the world is changing, opening up, there are advertisements in Arthur Enterprise News for subscriptions to the Toronto Star, T. H. Hamilton is selling Ford cars in Arthur, the temporary income tax measure is in effect and O. B. Henry of Drayton bought the Brocklebank Hardware store,” explained Stack.?During the years of the hardware store David Brocklebank had his hand in another operation. In 1898, Brocklebank and his brother-in-law A. M. Howson purchased and renovated Arthur Flour Mills. The mill earned a great reputation and farmers travelled from miles around to purchase grist services. The mill was sold to Geo Wilson Four and Milling in 1929.?Although pursued, David Brocklebank limited his public service though he did serve on town council from 1898 to 1901 and was a member of the Public School Board from 1898 to 1904.?The Brocklebanks lived next to the Methodist Church, now Arthur United Church, in a modest but appealing two family home; David and Mary Catherine on one side and Edgar and his wife Willie on the other side. In 1920, Edgar and Willie sold the house and moved to Lanark County.?The Brocklebank’s youngest son, Stanley Howson Brocklebank, earned his Bachelor of Arts at McMaster University in 1914 and was admitted into Law school at University of Toronto. He interrupted his education to open an armed forces recruiting office in Arthur in 1915. Three weeks later he was called to active duty. Ranked Lieutenant with the 71 Battalion he shipped across the Atlantic in March 1916 and reached the shores of France in August. He was quickly promoted to Captain and Acting Major serving with Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) 46th Battalion through the Battles of Somme, Vimy, Hull 70 and Passchendaele. He was wounded four times: March 16, 1917; April 9, 1917; July 11, 1918; and August 10, 1918. A knee injury he received during the Battle of Amiens proved fatal and he died on September 20, 1918 in France.?“He was awarded the Military Cross for courage and skill in directing the attack of his company as he led the assaulting platoon until he was wounded,” Stack said.?Local historian, John Walsh spoke at Memorial Park. Mary Catherine Brocklebank was a prominent member of The Women’s Memorial Association, which was responsible for the creation of Memorial Park and Arthur Cenotaph. On Aug. 1, 1923, Mary Catharine was given the honor of unveiling the Cenotaph Monument.?The Brocklebank family continued to support Arthur community well after the last known member moved away. In 1972, J. A. Howson Brocklebank gave a scholarship to Arthur District High School. The stipulation that the money goes to a student from Arthur continues even though local public high school students now attend Wellington Heights Secondary School in Mount Forest. The beautiful set of stained glass windows in Arthur United Church were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Howson Brocklebank. The family donated $6000 to Arthur DSC in order to finance the completion of the tennis courts. J. A. Howson attended a tournament at Arthur Lawn Bowling Club in 1983 and donated funds toward the expansion of the clubhouse in 1986.?