Albert E. Culham
Ab. Culham was a prominent figure in Stayner throughout his long life. The son of Morris Culham, he was born on the 9th Line of Sunnidale at Clearview Corners. Following a brief period of education at Poplar Grove School, he left at 9 years old to become an apprentice to Mr. Sol. McBeth, butcher in Stayner. In addition to the butchering business, he moved to become the book-keeper for Mr. McBeth’s successor, Mr. Ed. Lambert (became Brown’s butcher shop later).In 1922, Ab. began selling life insurance, then general insurance and about 1932 became an auctioneer.
In 1914, he married Elizabeth Lageer. Their daughter, Della, worked with her father throughout his working life in the insurance office and at the auctions. He said that he could not have managed without her help.
The Culhams were also faithful members of Stayner (Methodist) United Church, where they held various offices and the Orange Lodge. Ab served on the Library Board, and played in the Stayner Town Band. He told numerous stories about the years when the band played many concerts and at the Turner Rink two night each week. Ab. was also a member of the Fire Brigade, serving as chief 1922-1968.
In 1947, he became clerk of the Town of Stayner, which position he held for twenty-one years, and later, auditor for the Town, and Federal Returning Officer during elections. His many services to the town were honoured during the Centennial celebrations in 1972, when he was named “Citizen of the Year”.
Always a good story teller and historian, he has left an invaluable history of Stayner which serves as a source for much of the information of the Town we have today.
Della honoured the memory of her family when she bequeathed a sum of money to the Heritage Society upon her death. A plaque in Station Park marks this fact.
(Information for this sketch taken from an article written by Edythe Philipps for the Stayner Sun 1975. It first appeared in the Spring 2004 issue of our newsletter)