John Street

Gordon Scott, choirmaster

In 1942, Gordon Scott accepted a position as organist and choir director at St. John’s United Church in Stratford. That decision enriched the vocal musical life of Stratford residents and the community beyond anyone’s wildest dream. From 1942, and for more than the next 46 years until his death in 1988, Gordon’s love of music and people was shared with St. John’s, and throughout Stratford and area with individuals and choral groups in both the sacred and secular music traditions. His impact cannot be underestimated. It was life-changing for many.

At St. John’s United, his choirs were legendary. Year after year, they won first-place awards at music festivals in Stratford, Guelph, Woodstock and Toronto. When other choirs asked organizers if St. John’s was to be involved, and received a “yes” answer, they often decided not to enter the festival. When Gordon learned of that, he decided not to have St. John’s compete any longer. His aim always was to encourage musical development. And that was happening in Stratford in many ways.

After coming to St John’s, Gordon added a junior choir to the noted senior choir he developed. Like their senior counterpart, the junior choir also travelled and performed at music festivals. Then came a beginners' choir, and an intermediate choir for teens. That made for a choral musical option for all ages. All the  choirs enriched the worship services at St. John’s at different times over Gordon’s 46 years as director of music, organist and choir director.

Young singers sought out Gordon as a teacher beginning in the 1940s and that tradition continued through Gordon’s life. By 1953, he had formed the Elizabethan Singers (see below), a madrigal group of 10 voices, male and female, from Stratford and area. They sang intricate harmonies, a cappella for the most part, with an emphasis on Elizabethan music. They presented concerts in Stratford at the Festival and Avon theatre, and throughout southern Ontario. The CBC broadcast their performances several times in the summer, and with Sir Ernest MacMillan at Christmas.

In 1955, the Elizabethans were asked by Tyrone Guthrie (see Guthrie Avenue) to sing as Olivia’s court musicians in the Stratford Festival production of The Merchant of Venice. In 1957, some members appeared in Twelfth Night as travelling musicians. In  1959, the group disbanded because some members had left to study in Europe, or to live and work elsewhere. Choral work in churches took major leaps forward during the 1950s and 1960s, and the work by Gordon Scott was in the forefront.

In 1972, he started the Stratford Boy Choir (see below), an ecumenical group featuring the voices of boy sopranos. His coral groups appeared in Stratford Festival productions, which included an appearance with the  Duke Ellington Band. The St. John’s choir provided ensemble choral work for several numbers on stage with the Duke. Gordon also provided boys from his choir to act as a choir boy and fairies in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1956.

On July 7, 1968, in the Festival Theatre, Gordon Scott and the St. John’s choir joined Duke Ellington and his band onstage for a Concert of Sacred Music, composed by Ellington. The music was thrilling and moving for the sold-out audience and for the choir members. It was a compliment to Gordon's talent that he was asked to put together a large ensemble vocal group to work with Ellington.

Kathryn Root, musician

Kathryn Anne Root was born in Stratford in 1945 and lived at 175 John St. N. She was a professional musician and a gifted concert pianist with a rich teaching, concert and recording career.

She was the daughter of David and Miriam (Haines) Root. He was a Stratford secondary school teacher, deeply involved in community work, and Miriam was a noted pianist, music teacher, soprano soloist and member of The Elizabethan Singers (see above).

After university, Kathryn was a founding member of Camerata, a chamber music ensemble, formed in Toronto in 1972, with her husband to be, Elyakim (Peter) Taussig.

In addition to touring and recording, Kathryn taught at three universities: Western (London, Ont.), Mount Allison (Sackville, N.B.) and Indiana State (Terre Haute, Ind.). In 1987, she became deeply interested in the study of the meditative and healing aspects of music and began volunteering as a musician at a hospice in Toronto.

Duncan Ferguson, Department Store

Duncan Ferguson was both a successful businessman and  noted public servant and mayor.

Election Campaign 1916. On December 22, 1916, the city council nominations were announced. Alderman Dr. Joseph Dunsmore Monteith  (see Monteith Ave.) challenged the incumbent Ferguson. Ferguson had been unanimously chosen by city council six months before to become mayor in a special meeting held August 11, 1916 following the death of Mayor Elijah Barnsdale on August 2.

Campaign Details 1916. In December Ferguson was starting his  first campaign to become full-term mayor. Acclamation had seemed certain since council accomplishments in 1916 had seemed to be quite satisfactory. Acclamation, rather than an actual election, would also prevent unnecessary expense in the midst of the war. Such hopes were dashed when some council members triggered an election by not filing "declaration papers." Monteith subsequently presented his "qualification papers" to run for mayor. The race  was on.  Monteith won the annual election on January 1, 1917 by 228 votes . Ferguson could now turn his attention back to other concerns.

Early Life. Ferguson was born on September 7, 1857 in Brussels, Ontario son of Duncan Ferguson senior.  Young Duncan Ferguson went west for several years before coming to Stratford around 1882. He worked at Horne and Birch on Ontario Street (later Welsh's Grocery) as a junior clerk in the dry goods. Next he worked with R. J.  Wilkinson and company, another dry goods store.  Ferguson was young and ambitious. He moved to Toronto to work at McKowen's company dry goods. He soon met Frederick John Scarff another expat from Stratford in 1986 and they formed a partnership. 

 Savvy Businessman. He was ever the savvy businessman. He  traveled  frequently to Britain and Europe on buying trips.  He was well known among manufactures and exporters. He  loved to visit the old country markets and had numerous connections and friendships from these trips. His connections enabled him to obtain a wide inventory  of products for his customers

Retirement 1927.  In 1927 Ferguson sold his business to Canadian Department Stores ltd.   In 1928 bankruptcy led to  Eaton’s takeover of the Canadian  Department stores and eventually the chain became part of the T. Eaton company.  Earlier in his business life, Ferguson had been president of Avon Knit on Erie St.  when it was built in 1904. He remained as president until he retired from the position in 1930.  Ferguson was involved in the Retail Merchants Association and was for many years its president.  He had also been president of the Board of Trade and part of the Board of Trustees for the Stratford general Hospital  of Trade. He was also a director of the McLagan furniture at the time of his death June 25, 1932 

Home and Family. His funeral service was held at Knox Presbyterian Church, with Reverend George Roland officiating. He was survived by one son, Duncan, and a daughter, Mrs. Laurie Morine, both of Toronto. His widow Rhoda Lorraine Bowldy died in 1954.    The family lived at 78 John Street  Source: Stratford- Perth Archives; "Ferguson made mark in business," Reflections article by Lynda Greve, Stratford Beacon-Herald, Dec 8, 2012.