Forgotten Past Genealogy-Carol (Roach) Murray's Family Tree:Information about Elgin Reginald Moody
Elgin Reginald Moody (b. Abt. 1905, d. August 26, 1947)
Notes for Elgin Reginald Moody:
Nelson Moody indicates that his parents were married on May 12, 1928 and started farming on a rented farm just north of Lou Middlebrook's farm on the Fourth Line (Concession) of Etobicoke Township.They only had the one child, Nelson, who was born on the farm in 1930.The farm house was situated where the west end of the Grandstand of the Woodbine Race Track is today.
This is an excerpt from Bertha's recollection as written by Nelson about their early married years.
"Very soon after their marriage Elgin came down with Arthritis.It got worse over the years and by 1930 he could not do the heavy manual labour on the farm, so Grandfather Moody took over planting and harvesting the crops.In the fall of 1930, Grandfather Moody had a surplus of hay stored in the barn.So he sold this hay.As Bertha explained, when a truck was backing into the barn the engine was back-firing.That evening the barn burned down (sparks from the truck had caused the fire).However, the fire insurance payment was not enough to cover the cost of building a new barn so they decided to have a large chicken house built and they went into poultry farming instead.
Elgin's Arthritis kept getting worse and by 1932 he was hardly able to drive the car.Dr. Cruikshank, the family Doctor, advised him to go to a clinic in Rochester, NY as this place might be able to help him.They decided to do this, so Elgin started out to drive to Weston to buy a train ticket.But on the way, he stopped at Grandma Moody's farm and she advised him not to go to the clinic, as she had heard of a woman that used home remedies to cure Arthritis.He took her advice and tried this woman's treatments but the condition kept getting worse and family tension increased.
By 1932, Elgin and Bertha decided to separate and he moved to his parents' home and she went to her parents' home (Nelson went as well - he was two years old).This did not work out with Grandfather Avery (a two year old child and a 65 year old retired farmer).So, Aunt Louie and Uncle Russ Madgett, who had no family, offered their place as a home for Bertha & Nelson.
Bertha raised chickens and sold the eggs to grocery stores in Mt. Dennis in Weston and received Mothers Allowance from Etobicoke Twp.There was a lot of friction between the Avery and Moody families.Nelson did not see his Dad until he was seven years old.At that time, Grandfather Moody came and took Bertha & Nelson to visit Elgin who was in a "home for incurables" (Dunn Ave. Hospital) in Toronto.Nelson recalls seeing him laying on his back in the hospital bed very crippled.He was only able to turn his head and talk.So, Nelson grew up on Uncle Russ' farm and went to school and got his first job from there.
In 1947, Russ sold the farm.But, before selling it he sold three acres to Bertha and kept seven acres for himself (fronting to #27 Highway where Bertha & Uncle Russ had houses built).Bertha had Uncle John build a large chicken house and later a small barn was added by Nelson.They ran a small farm with chickens, ducks, geese, two cows and pigs.
More About Elgin Reginald Moody:
Burial: August 29, 19473703
Occupation: Farmer.
More About Elgin Reginald Moody and Bertha Payne Avery:
Marriage: May 12, 19283704
Children of Elgin Reginald Moody and Bertha Payne Avery are: