WELD, William - Member of 1887 Eastern Media Tour
Visited the Bell Farm on Oct. 5, 1887. During the autumn of 1887, a group of 11 Eastern Canadian newspaper representatives undertook a cross-Canada excursion to inspect and report on agricultural activities throughout the Dominion, including daily attendance at local agricultural fairs, and, at Indian Head, a visit to the famous Bell Farm. For an unknown reason, two of the visitors – William Weld and Professor William Saunders, did not sign, and hence their entries are included in Album 600 – Other Bell Farm Visitors – 1882-2006.
William Weld (1824-1891) was the founder of the "Farmer's Advocate and Home Magazine" in 1886. He was born in England and immigrated to Canada in 1843, settling in present-day Ontario, where he took up livestock breeding. Later he went into journalism and, by the time of his death in 1891, was considered the best-known agriculturalist in Canada.
In 1845, Weld married Agnes Johnston, and they raised two daughters and nine sons.
William Weld was initially opposed to government involvement with agriculture, but after dealing with William Saunders, head of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, and touring the West with him in 1887, he discontinued that opposition.
SOURCES:
Weld photo source: https://www.oahf.on.ca/inductee/william-weld/
Weld biography: http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/weld_william_12E.html /
Maclean's House of Weld article: https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1931/7/15/the-house-of-weld
"Montreal Gazette" Oct 5, 1887: List of Eastern Press tour members
RESEARCH BY:
Michelle Cabana, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.