Ed Butts

Ed Butts grew up in Guelph and is the author of more than 30 published books including Wartime: The First World War in A Canadian Town, which focuses on Guelph. He has written for numerous publications such as the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, and has contributed to Historica, the online Canadian Encyclopedia. Ed lives in Guelph with his daughter Melanie and grandson Austin

Recent Work by Ed

Famed poet made his way to Fergus in 1933

Wilson Pugsley MacDonald was considered 'one of the most outstanding of present day poets' at the time

Dec 21, 2024 2:30 PM Read more >

Mystery of the great Christmas whisky caper of 1868

More often than not, locally made whisky was the Christmas cheer of choice

Dec 8, 2024 2:30 PM Read more >

Here's the story of just a few local soldiers who gave their lives

A look back at the ultimate sacrifice of Elora and Fergus residents during the First and Second World Wars

Nov 11, 2024 9:52 AM Read more >

Before founding Elora, William Gilkison considered living in Guelph

He named new settlement after the ship his brother captained, the Ellora

Sep 24, 2024 7:15 AM Read more >

Truth known in Fergus: Americans didn't invent reaper harvester

Scottish-born man Patrick Bell, who lived in Fergus for a while, created the machine but chose not to patent it out of belief everyone should benefit from it

Aug 22, 2024 7:15 AM Read more >

Murder or misadventure? The mysterious 1908 death of an Elora man's brother

Was James German the victim of a tragic accident or gunned down in a Toronto rail yard by a police constable?

Jul 30, 2024 7:15 AM Read more >

Fergus man received medal of honour, but there's no record of why

Albert Peter Brindle decorated as a Member of the British Empire in 1944

Jun 23, 2024 8:00 AM Read more >

Elora man helped turn asylums into more hospital-like settings

Dr. Charles Kirk Clarke grew tired of political interference when it came to treating people

May 23, 2024 9:00 AM Read more >

Founding fathers of Fergus had a complex relationship

James Webster welcomed all settlers willing to work, Adam Fergusson wanted to keep out 'undesirables,' including Irish immigrants

Apr 25, 2024 7:00 AM Read more >

Elora's 'radical' thinker influenced pre-Confederation politics

Charles Clarke owned a store, served in various political roles and worked with Fathers of Confederation

Apr 4, 2024 10:00 AM Read more >