DAVID W. BUDD
From the Renfrew Mercury
22 May 1925
Mr. David W. Budd of Renfrew was born at North Elmsley in Lanark County but as a small boy removed with his parents to Arnprior, in which town he got his business training. He was with R.J. Whitlaw builder of “The Arcade,” who afterward went to Winnipeg, first as a retailer and later, as a wholesaler. In 1887 Mr. Budd came to Renfrew and embarked in the boot and shoe business in a stand close to the Ottawa House and on the same side of the street. His next stand was farther up street, in the neighborhood of Dr. Murphy’s present office, and it will be recalled that on the wooden sidewalks of those days many footprints of a moccasined man showed all leading to Budd’s. The Jack Stalker of those days had been at work. Moccasins bulked large in the goods carried, and they were sold “by the cord.”
All the while Mr. Budd was handling fur as a sideline, as he had done from boyhood, and disposing of his stock of footwear in 1906 went into the fur business exclusively, which line of activity he has pursued ever since with a gratifying amount of success. In looking up fur he sometimes travels far afield, going on occasions long distances above the headwaters of the Coulonge and the Black rivers where Indians are the only inhabitants. Some of these journeys have been fraught with danger from wild animals, from turbulent waters, and from the loss of bearings in the trackless wilds. Mr. Budd can tell of thrilling experiences in the wilderness. In 1918 he was joined in the business by his son Norman, who looks after the sale of made-up furs.
Buying and selling fur, a specialty is made of silver fox pelts. Mr. Budd owned a number of live foxes but has never raised any. On Saturday last he sent a shipment of silver-fox skins to the London sales the first to go there from Renfrew.
Mr. Budd never served the public as a member of the Town Council or the Board of Education, but for a long period he was a director of the South Renfrew Agricultural Society. He and Mr. W.E. Smallfield were two men who took hold of it and boosted it with might and main at a time when its fortunes were at a low ebb. For about two years he held the position of exhibition manager, the fair going from strength to strength all the while.
For a period of four years Mr. Budd filled the position of manager of Hotel Renfrew.
District secretary of the I.0.0.F. was an office whose duties he discharged for 33 years. He is a charter member of the Canadian Order of Foresters. For several years he played the role
of auctioneer.
In all relations of life, he aimed for thoroughness. He has never been anything but alert,
energetic, resourceful.
RENFREW LOSES ANOTHER PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN
Renfrew Mercury February 1940
Mr. D.W. Budd, Long The Valley’s Leading Furrier Passes
Mr. David W. Budd, one of Renfrew’s prominent businessmen, passed away Saturday morning at Renfrew. Mr. Budd was injured in an automobile accident about five months ago. He was born at North Elmsley, 74 years ago, a son of the late Thomas Budd and Sarah Wilson. When still quite young he moved with his family to Arnprior. Then at the age of 17, he opened a store for a year at Mattawa on the C.P.R. construction. He went from there to Carleton Place, where he conducted a general store for a couple of years, before coming to Renfrew at the age of 21.
Mr. Budd’s first business in Renfrew was a shoe store and for over 50 years in advertisements for this and other business his name has appeared in The Mercury. A year after coming to Renfrew he was married to Matilda Ritchie of Pakenham.
In the early days Mr. Budd engaged in the bartering of food, clothing and supplies with the Indians for furs. In time the shoe business was dropped and he devoted his time to dealing in pelts and became Ottawa Valley’s leading furrier. Before the ranching of silver fox became general he made annual shipments of furs to France and Germany and the fur business was carried on to the time of his accident, and is now under the management of his son, Norman.
Another line of activity engaged in by the deceased was that of auctioneering, and he conducted many sales in the surrounding country. But perhaps a trait of character for which he was best known was his wont to visit the sick. And many were the nights he sat by the bedside of a sick or dying friend, giving them the comfort of his friendship and relieving the family.
He was one of the oldest members of the I.O.O.F. and had held every office in the lodge. For over 35 years he was secretary of District No. 56. He was keenly interested in athletics and was secretary of the Renfrew Baseball club when the team was in the St Lawrence Baseball League.
Mr. Budd was secretary-treasurer for the cemetery, gave much of his time to that work and in seeing that the burial ground was kept neatly.
Survivors include one son, Norman D. Budd; three brothers A.T. Budd, Toronto., R.J. Budd Ottawa and Jack V. Budd, Woodstock; two sisters Mrs. J.C. Welch of Vancouver, and Mrs. J.D. Whitmore, Ottawa, three grandchildren Miss Doris Budd, Ottawa, Miss Edna Budd, Renfrew and David Budd of Cadillac Quebec.
The members of the I.O.O.F. attended the funeral in a body and marched at the head of the procession from the home to the United Church. Service in the church was conducted by Rev. Harold B. Neal and Rev. Canon W.M.H. Quartermaine. A solo “The Silent Voice” was beautifully rendered by Miss Gwen Murray of Kingston. After the service conducted by the church, the rites of the Oddfellows took place.