Clendon Bramhill operated several different business ventures during his life. While on the farm he cut and stored ice from a pond on the farm. The blocks of ice were stored in a shed under layers of sawdust. Properly insulated, the ice kept well and during the summer he and his family hauled the ice to Palmerston. They made trips twice each week to deliver it to various homes for use in their iceboxes.

        After his farming years at Lot 21, Concession 3, Clendon ventured into Bramhill Brothers Chopping Mill. The building had originally been the Albion Hotel. Clendon remodeled the building to convert it into a chopping mill. As well as grinding and selling feed he sold grass seed, grain seed, fertilizer, and many odds and ends for about seven years.
 

The picture to the left was taken during the winter of 1942.

Left to Right: Leslie Shewan, Ivan Bramhill, Bernice Bramhill, Cliff Wilson and Laverne Bramhill.
 
 

        After he sold the mill in 1946 he dabbled in selling Viceroy Oil. During this time his plan evolved for Bramhill Service Centre about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) west of Palmerston. Mr. John Aitkin sold two and a half acres of Lot 26, Concession 1 of Minto Township to Mr. E.C. Bramhill in 1949. The Service Centre building, located on the southeast part of Lot 26, was built with a second floor which was completed with two apartments for Clendon and Mrs. Bramhill; Roy and his family. Clendon and Violet moved to their new dwelling in 1951. They were close to the business hub of activity and family members.

        Bramhill Service Centre was built and opened in the fall of 1950. Clendon, with sons Laverne and Roy started with a repair shop, parts department and sales of George White and Sons Farm Equipment. They were also distributors for Regent Petroleum, later Texaco. With the increasing numbers of tractors, five or six trucks were required for deliveries of petroleum products to farmers and filling stations.

        Laverne went to study for the ministry in 1951. Walter Quanz, Clendon's son-in-law, joined the firm with Roy and Clendon. J.I. Case and New Holland Farm Machinery lines were added in 1952 and 1953.

        The wholesale and retail seed business with grain cleaning and treatment had facilities for all types of grains. It was launched in 1957 as E.C. Bramhill and Son Ltd.

        Around 1954, No.6 Grain Thresher separators sold at a rate of up to 40 per year. Norman Miller was thresher expert, Raymond Deckert head mechanic, later joined by Lloyd McEachern. In time, combines gradually replaced the threshing machines. Robert McEachern purchased the Texaco franchise. Bramhill Service Centre became an authorized dealer for David Brown tractors. Their equipment lines were all established by 1960.

        Roy Bramhill has been associated with the Bramhill Service Centre since its beginnings participating even in digging the foundation.

        Roy married Marlyn Loos of Harriston. They have one son, David, and a daughter, Diane. David married Nancy Harrison; their children are Adam, Amy and Alyse Liette. David worked in the family business for many years. Diane married Floyd Metzger; their children are Jeremy and Jennifer.

        Ruby Bramhill married Walter Quanz of Wallace Township. They resided at St. George where Walter was a herdsman and farm manager for Sheffield Farms, a Holstein operation. Walter and Ruby returned to the area in 1951 when Walter joined the Bramhill partnership. John, Joanne and Janice are their family. The Quanz's built their home on the south part of Lot 26 in 1955. Walter served four years as a Minto Township Councilor, one year as Reeve and one year as Wellington County Warden.

        Laverne Bramhill married Shirley Embree; their children are June (Mrs. Carl Coleman), Robert, Dawna (Mrs. Brian Snyder), Leonard and Peter. Laverne and Shirley built a new home on Part Lot 26, Concession 1. Leonard works at E.C. Bramhill.

        Roy Bramhill and Walter Quanz purchased Bramhill Service Centre Inc. in 1960 from Clendon Bramhill and operated the business for over 25 years. A staff of 22 was employed in the spiraling years 1960-80. In 1985, a staff of fourteen was employed. Through the business Roy, Marlyn, Walter and Ruby visited England, Monaco, Spain, Belgium, Venezuela South America, Puerto Rica, Caribbean Islands, British Columbia, California, a Caribbean Cruise, Las Vegas, Nassau, Arizona and Hawaii.

        Laverne returned to the family business in 1962 to manage the seed business, and purchased it in 1970. Son, Leonard joined Laverne in the business and subsequently purchased the business and operates it today.

        Clendon semi-retired in 1970. Violet died in 1977. Mr. Bramhill celebrated his 90th birthday in 1987. Clendon "Pop" Bramhill passed away Feb 12, 1989 at the age of 91 years.