Waterloo.

Telegram from Peter H. Sims dated London, Ontario, October 1, 1890 to his wife Jemima Sims, with a message that he is somewhat better.

Letter from Clara Oberholtzer dated Alanson, [Michigan], December 10, 1890 to her aunt Jemima Sims reporting on the death of her aunt Angelina Dunham (nee Cook), the grief of Mr. Dunham, and the effect on other family members.

Eleven letters to and from Harvey J. Sims and Rella May Stewart and family.

The Saturday Globe, Toronto, Saturday June 27, 1891, 1-4. A booster publication outlining the history, leading citizens, businesses, and industries. Includes portraits and photographs of buildings. Includes a portrait of Peter H. Sims.

Waterloo (includes envelope addressed to Forest, Ontario).

From Kettle Point: letter to Peter H. Sims.

Waterloo: letter addressed to Harvey in Forest, relaying all the family news, describing their mother's reaction to a newspaper report that Harvey had almost drowned (includes envelope).

Document signed by Philip Hohmeier acknowledging receipt of all of Peter H. Sims' interest in the listed Canadian and American patents for improvements to hot-air stoves and furnaces, witnessed by Jas. S. Lockie.

Two compositions by Florence Roos, with comments by the teacher, dated 1892.

Letter from Hattie A. Bruce dated Waterloo June 16, 1892 on behalf of the Ladies' Aid Society, thanking Margaret for her donation and giving her news of friends and family: "I had the pleasure of spending Tuesday evening at Mr. Davidson's watching Emma and a number of her friends going through their Delsarte exercises" (Includes envelope addressed c/o Dr. Davidson, 207 College St., Toronto.)

From Waterloo: letter from James Lockie to P.H. Sims reporting internal issues and factions, personnel problems and cliques working for their own ends.

Issues of local newspapers and printed material.

This issue of The Telephone declares itself to be the last, as the Daily Record has taken over the subscriber list, which subscribers will receive the Saturday issue of the daily Record instead. This issue includes a history of the Waterloo Club, and a two-page centre article about the Ball of the Bachelors of the Sister Cities, held at the Walper House. This article attempts to list all participants, what they wore, and what was in and out.

From: Waterloo. Concerning payment on account.

St. John NB: "I saw the sea today for the first time" (includes envelope).

New York (includes envelope).

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Toronto, October 4, 1895 to his wife Jemima Sims: "My dear wife, enclosed find a birthday present from me on this your birthday. As year after year rolls away we come to know each other better and to love each other more and more."

Toronto: advice on beginning independent life (includes envelope).

Five letters from Jemima Sims in Toronto to her son Harvey J. Sims.

On hearing a report that Harvey had been struck by a ball, Jemima advises him strongly to give up football as "beneath the dignity of a practicing [sic] barrister" (includes envelope).

Toronto: nervousness concerning Harvey's arranged yachting trip with "the boys": "You are a daring venturesome boy with not any too much precaution or forethought" (includes envelope and enclosed letter from Mr. Ruby).

Toronto: advice about saving, not spending (includes envelope).

Jemima is glad to hear the news that Harvey has decided to leave the hotel and get a room; also advice on emulating his father's path to success, also to learn German (includes envelope).

Family news (includes envelope).

Toronto: congratulating Harvey on finally getting his own room and on being appointed as secretary of the Berlin Board of Trade, advice about making the most of the opportunity: "Aim high, do your duty and you will get there. Do not neglect your reading: There is nothing more necessary in a young man, than that he read best current literature of the day and also the biographies of the world's great and good men."

Toronto: about proposed European trip and possible consequences for Harvey's position at work (includes envelope).

Toronto: advice about Harvey asking for leave to go on trip.

Toronto: trip arrangements (includes envelope).

Toronto: Postcard, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 1899-1900.

From: Toronto. Letter writer is accepting an invitation. The envelope is addressed to 86 Jameson Ave., Toronto.

Long poem of 22 stanzas by Harvey J. Sims on the occasion of travelling to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1900 with "Mrs. Roos, 3 girls."

From: Parkdale Place. Letter writer is declining an invitation.

Handwritten information about the Cook family in Pennsylvania: "Information from Mrs. Andrew Markle", transcriber unidentified but probably Florence Sims.

Eight letters from Peter H. Sims to Harvey J. Sims written between 1902 and 1910.

Ninety pieces of correspondence, of which 73 are letters to Harvey J. and/or Florence Sims. Another letter is in Series 11, sending regrets for the invitation to the wedding of Kenneth Sims and Mabel Alguire Cameron.
William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, was a boyhood friend of Harvey J. Sims, and consistently addresses him as "Peter" in his letters. The letters in this series range from Christmas greetings to political, literary and spiritual topics.
Letters in this series are both handwritten and typewritten. Letters from Mackenzie King to Florence Sims are usually handwritten.

Step by step instructions for preparing Harvey's new house for occupancy, starting with liming the cellar and ending with papering and decorations (includes envelope).

Response to Harvey concerning wedding invitations: "I do not like however the idea of your practically ignoring your relatives and asking outsiders" (includes envelope and enclosed list of invitees, with additional list by P.H. Sims).

Handwritten telegram from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey James Sims in Berlin, Ont. on October 29, 1902, sending congratulations on their wedding day.
Salutation: none; Signature: W.L. Mackenzie King.

Stern criticism of Harvey's financial situation, debt incurred by spending money on his new home: "You are just in the condition I expected you would be. You started out with too big ideas and now you find you have gone steeper in than you should and loaded yourself with a heavy debt … but you always were an extravagant boy." He continues with advice on getting and staying out of debt and living within his means (includes envelope).

Three letters from friends of Harvey J. Sims.

Waterloo: concerning bible class.

Congratulates Harvey on being elected president of the Berlin Board of Trade: "Enter upon your duties with modesty knowing that there is much to learn and act as one putting on armour and not boasting as one taking it off after victory." He reminds Harvey of his "paramount duty to home and family and that Florence and the baby have the first claim on your time and thoughts."

Letter from Bella King (sister of W.L. Mackenzie King) dated July 17, [1904] to her friend Florence Sims, who has just given birth to her first child. After asking about the baby and Florence's health, Bella announces that "the house question" has finally been settled and that they are to move to 4 Grange Road in the middle of September, talks about holidays, and reports on going to "the Dundonald reception" with her Father John King. Signed Bella.

Postcard from Norman Nicholson postmarked Berlin, December 24, 1904 to Florence Sims, with Christmas wishes to the family. Postcard is Raphael Tuck & Sons "Write Away" Postcard Series 288 IV: conductor with baton.

Essays both typewritten and handwritten by Florence Sims, one dated October 30, 1905, on literary topics, possibly composed for "The Monday Club."

Constitution and by-laws of The Monday Club, formed for the purpose of "reading and general improvement" whose motto is taken from "The Princess" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: "Knowledge is now no more a fountain sealed, Drink Deep, until the sins of Emptiness, Gossip, spite and slander die"

Postcard, colour photo showing Cawston Ostrich Farm, South Pasadena.

Postcard, colour photo showing New Bath House, Ocean Park, California, with handwritten note "Had a swim there Monday, PHS."

Describes facial swelling suffered frequently and use of antiphlogistine, also at Harvey's request writes as much as he knows of the life of his father the Rev. James Sims.

Photographic postcard from Harvey J. Sims postmarked Berlin, Ont., July 25 1906: "Old Opera House, London, Canada". Handwritten message: "We won our first two games. Am just going out with Buck & Harry Pope – Sam, Irvin Woelfle. Tell Mrs Woelfle they are all well at home. Love to all including Kenneth, Harvey."

Pamphlet in green and red type. Includes menu, list of toasts, and Berlin Board of Trade officers and council.

Bingen, Germany: postcard of the Burg Rheinstein. It is a Thiele postcard, illustration by Carl Jander

Hamilton Ohio: postcard with colour illustration of the American flag.

Typewritten letter marked (confidential) from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated September 11, 1907, accompanied by a carbon copy of a letter from John A. Lang to A.B. Aylesworth; together with a letter from Peter H. Sims to Harvey dated October 1, 1907 commenting on Mackenzie King's proposals.

Handwritten draft of a letter by Elizabeth Roos in response to a newspaper advertisement seeking relatives of John Davidson on behalf of the estate of Minnie B. Davidson, providing details of their relationship to the deceased. Attached is the advertisement "Are there heirs here?" Includes a carbon copy of a letter to the same Charles White Mortimer from James Davidson, M.A., M.B., Burnside House, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, describing his knowledge of the John Davidson who had been lost to his family, and also the family genealogy.
Includes a carte de visite, head and shoulders portrait, sepia-toned, signed John Davidson, taken by Caswell & Davy, Duluth, Minnesota.

Letter from Bella King dated 4 Grange Road, Toronto, June 28, 1908 to Florence Sims after the birth of William, her second child. She asks about the baby, mentions family, friends, and plans: "Willie is going to take [mother Isabel King] on a trip when he comes back from Quebec." Signed Isabel King.

Printed Christmas and New Year's greeting (includes envelope).

Clippings about William Lyon Mackenzie King, some dated but most not.

Correspondence from P.H. and Jemima Sims to their son Harvey J. Sims on a trip to England and Scotland from June to September 1912.

One leaflet promoting the Royal Opera's 1912 season at Covent Garden

Letter from Peter H. Sims to his son Harvey J. Sims on March 3, 1812 from Mayagues [i.e., Mayagüez] (Puerto Rico). Peter H. Sims writes about his trip to Puerto Rico to assess risks on behalf of his company: he summarizes and comments on Puerto Rico's climate, landscape, history, people, American interest, Catholic Church, Spanish rule, agriculture, sugar cane production: "I thought I had retired from active work but I am at is as hard as ever and I enjoy it. I do not know if the trip will do the Co. any good. The conditions are all new to me."

Steamship Ascania (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England: Postcard depicting the Savoy Hotel.

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England.

London, England (includes envelope).

Lugano, Switzerland (includes envelope).

London, England: describing "Continental trip" (includes envelope).

Edinburgh, Scotland (includes envelope).

Aberdeen: he has been to Oban and Insch, "called on old people to find out about my father, mother and relatives but could find no one who could remember that far back., that is 75 years ago" (includes envelope).

London, England: Peter H. Sims to Harvey: "We are having a most wretched and depressing time" (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

London, England (includes envelope).

Full length studio portrait of an unidentified young man holding hat and cane, by Merton's Studio, Toronto.

The Daily Telegraph, Expansion Number, December 13, 1913, p. 11-14: this booster publication reports on the "material progress" of Berlin in 1913, in public works and factories, and lists residences erected in 1913.

Booster edition in five parts.

Letter from Bella King dated 4 Grange Road, Toronto, February 14, 1915 to Florence Sims, writing on her mother's behalf [Isabel King]. She thanks Florence for sending her mother "the very pretty little knitted wrap", also that it was good of her "to think of Max and his little family," and reports that Max's health is much better. She also mentions "this awful war" and how women have "worked and are working everywhere." She speaks of her mother's health as well. Signed Bella King.

Certificate of life membership in the Canadian Red Cross Society presented to Mrs. William Roos, dated August 26, 1915.

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Toronto, October 15, 1915 to his wife Jemima Sims: "The occasion of your birthday recalls the many happy years we have been together and it awakens the hope that the years to come will be the brightest still and full of more happiness and pleasure." Peter continues in this vein, and hopes that their new home will contribute to better health and happiness.

Letter from Peter H. Sims dated Toronto, November 7, 1915 to his grandson Kenneth Sims, congratulating him on passing first in his class (includes envelope).

"Endorsed by the Citizens' League of Berlin, Canada, and the signatures of 2068 municipal voters, as well as hundreds of others who had no opportunity to sign the petition to the Provincial government."

Identity card issued on June 22, 1918 to Florence K. Sims by the Canada Registration Board, "for the national purposes," to be carried at all times.
Grand River Country Club membership card, 1919.
Trip ephemera: Florence Sims and Mrs. William Roos, London and Paris.

Kitchener Daily Telegraph, December 2, 1919, p. 1: "History was made in Kitchener Monday night when the City Council unanimously turned down the clause in the Finance report calling for a plebiscite on the question of changing the name of Kitchener back to Berlin." A second article, also on the front page, reports on the aftermath of the evening: "Alds. Bitzer and Bowman, Messrs. Asmussen and Euler requested to kiss flag." "Ald. Bitzer was subsequently ducked four times in Victoria Lake, the News-Record office was wrecked by the crowd, Ald. Asmussen, M.P.P. was dragged from his home to the Victoria Hall and finally W.D. Euler, M.P., was seized at the Lancaster Club and rushed across the street to the hall where demands were made that he kiss the flag and offer apologies. He refused to do either of these and received a few blows from the crowd."

Jemima's Christmas present from Peter H. Sims is a sedan motor car, also sends Christmas wishes to all.

Snapshots of Kenneth and William Sims at a beach; one image of the water.

Small amount of material relating to the life and activities of Kenneth Sims, son of Harvey J. and Florence Sims. He married Mabel Alguire Cameron on June 28, 1930.
Includes a regrets letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Printed Christmas card signed on the back Margaret Washburn, envelope addressed "Kenneth."

Jemima advises Harvey not to accept a judgeship "with such a small salary" so early in his career. She is lonely "way up here" and it is too cold to run the car.

Resolution passed and entered into the minutes of the Board of Directors recognizing Peter H. Sims' worth and achievement.

Formal studio portrait in photographer's folder of William Lyon Mackenzie King, seated, by Champion Studios, New York, inscribed to Harvey J. Sims: "To H.J. Sims, from his friend, W.L. Mackenzie King, Ottawa, ‘Xmas 1922."

The Daily Record, Wednesday, June 22, 1922, p. 1

Photographic postcard (damaged) from Florence Sims dated Prince Rupert B.C. August 18, 1922, to her mother Elizabeth Roos, showing a totem pole in Alert Bay, B.C. The postcard is accompanied by handwritten notes and observations made on a trip.

One copy each of The Globe and The Daily Record, Thursday September 14, 1922, reporting on the previous day's visit of King to Kitchener-Waterloo. The Globe article is titled "Canada's gallant Prime Minister (in remarkable address on return to his birthplace) condemns ultra-modern woman." The Daily Record headline is "City's distinguished son is welcomed at Victoria Park. Inspiring scenes enacted in conntion with demonstrative reception accorded Canada's Prime Minister and native of city; hopeful note sounded by Premier in address."

Handwritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated January 2, 1923, thanking him for a gift for Laurier House and discussing the delay in reconstruction at Laurier House and the reconvening of Parliament on January 31, 1923. King also speaks of his "deeply valued friendship" with Harvey Sims.
Salutation: "My dear Peter"; Signature: "Ever your true friend, Billy K."

My dear Peter,
Your wonderful gift has kept me more or less at bay for the past ten days. I have hardly known how to acknowledge it, not having words [wherewith?] to express my appreciation of your great generosity. I am still at a loss and shall have to ask you to accept the will for the deed. It will be a great happiness to do as you suggest, to purchase for Laurier House something of which I may be in need to put the finishing touch required and to be a reminder through the years of your kindness. The bookshelves and library equipment which has made my present house the joy it has been in that respect, and which were the fruit of your previous gift, I am moving, in fact, out to Kingsmere, so summer and winter alike I shall be surrounded by evidences of your benevolence. I had expected to be in Laurier House by this time, but it has taken longer than anticipated to complete the work of reconstruction. It is going to be worth all the delay, however, and I shall look forward with delight to having you as a [first?] guest whenever you can come. I shall be able now to look after Florence's comfort as well, so do bring her with you when you are this way on some future occasion. Your generous gift enabled me to do a little better by some of my friends at this Xmas season than I would otherwise have felt I could. It came at a moment I was debating what I should send to May and the two young lads at Denver, and permitted me to make without thought of sacrifice what I was anxious to send. I must thank you therefore in more than a two fold sense for your goodness as well as your generosity.
I am very very busy as you can well imagine. Parliament re-assembling on January 31 and three of the ministers still overseas and two or more hors de combat. I may put your gift into riding or boxing lessons. A health investment is the best possible for my job.
I hope you all had a happy Xmas and I think, dear Peter, that this New Year will be the best you have ever known. My grateful thanks for your deeply valued friendship goes with my best of wishes to you and to all near and dear to you.
Ever your true friend,
Billy K.

Agreement (carbon) between Harvey J. Sims and his sister Rella May Stewart dated January 2, 1923, concerning possession and ownership of silver and gold items from their parents' estate.

Telegram from Irvine Kempt in Glasgow but postmarked Oban, July 30, 1923 to Florence Sims, regretting that he will be unable to meet her.

Monogrammed card from Laurier House, Ottawa sent as a Christmas card from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims, undated, inscribed inside in Mackenzie King's handwriting: "With the season's Greetings, W.L. Mackenzie King." Printed inside is King's favourite portrait of Isabel King (painted by J.W.L. Forster in 1905).