A Prominent Dundonald Businessman: Mark Cowey Broomfield

By Nancy Gibson

Mark was born May 15,1876 near Vernonville, in Haldimand Township. He lived in this township except for a short time when his parents moved the family to Belmont Township. His father was in the lumber industry, and moved the portable sawmill, along with the family to the place where he had bought standing timber. Some of his school days were spent in Belmont.

Mark took his apprenticeship to become a blacksmith, in Rochester, New York. He returned to Ontario and purchased the blacksmith shop in Dundonald in 1902.

In 1905 he married a Dundonald lady, Edna McDonald. They built a new house on the property beside the blacksmith shop. In 1911 they purchased the general store which was just across the corner. The Telephone “Central”was located at the store as was the Post Office.

Mark was busy at the blacksmith shop as well as running the store and post office with the help of his wife Edna. They had two children. In 1944,Mark sold the store and retired to their home by the blacksmith shop. Mark died July3,1949.