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Innes, William Patrick,
Simcoe, was born at Inverdruie, Rothiemurchus, Inverness-shire, Scotland,
on the 6th of November, 1832. His parents were Robert and Amelia, the
maiden-name of his mother being Patterson. Mr. Innes, senior, was a
mechanical engineer and draughtsman, and was very noted in his profession.
He died in 1853, in the town of Inverness, Scotland, leaving a family of
seven children, of which William Patrick was the third. Mr. Innes is
descended of one of the oldest families in Scotland. The family line is
traced back to the reign of Malcolm IV, of Scotland (1157). At this time a
charter was granted to one Beroaldns de Flandemsis, who came from
Flanders. Upon settling in Scotland this person took the local name of
Innes, which means island or peninsula. Part of his property was situated
in Morayshire. The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and
after leaving school went to Glasgow, where he entered the employ of J. &
P. Stewart, iron merchants and manufacturers, where he remained for one
year, and on the failure of this firm he went to Dalkeith, near Edinburgh,
where entered the employ of David Pursell, of the Elmfield Iron Works,
situated at Dalkeith, near Edinburgh. His employment here at first was
that of cashier, but subsequently he became manager. He resolved, however,
to go to Canada, and in September, 1857, landed in Quebec. From Quebec he
proceeded to Dundas, where he engaged as managed in the employ of J. M.
Kirby, of West Flamboro', who carried on an extensive milling and
distillery business conjointly. He remained here for about a year, and
then returned to the town of Dundas, entering the employ of Billington &
Forsythe, manufacturers of agriculture implements. Two years later he
entered into partnership with John Walton, brewer and distiller, at
Chatham, Ontario, the firm being knows as Walton & Innes. Although a
partner in this concern, he still retained his position with Billington &
Forsythe. In 1860 he purchased his partner's interest, and removing to
Chatham, he carried on this business there for about two years. He then
sold the premises and removed to Fergus, where he entered into partnership
in the foundary business with the late James Grindley. Four years later he
retired from this firm, and then took charge of the business of James
Coleman, a large manufacturer and grain merchant in Dundas. For two years
he remained in the establishment, and during this time was the principal
grain buyer as well as general manager. Before separating himself from
this firm he purchased the business of Cameron & INnes, steamboat owners
and forwarders, of Dundas, carrying on the enterprise till 1873. In this
year he retired from business, selling all his property. In 1874 he
removed to the town of Simcoe, where he entered into partnership with
George Jackson, of that place, in the manufacture of furniture and
contracting. Two years later Mr. Innes retired from the firm. During his
connection with Mr. Jackson he was also connected with a large
fish-freezing establishment at Port Ryerse, Lake Erie, where an American
company was engaged in pound-net fishing. The company failed, and Mr.
Innes purchased the entire fishing interest in that locality, carrying on
the business there for about four years. He likewise purchased the grocery
establishment of John Curtis, of Simcoe, and took his nephew, William
Brander, into partnership. This business was carried on until 1881, when,
his nephew coming of age, Mr. Innes handed the establishment over to him,
and retired from the firm. While connected with the grocery business, he,
in connection with Dr. James Hayes, at present mayor of Simcoe; R. T.
Livingston, barrister, and now Judge Livingston; Joseph Jackson, lumber
merchant, now member of the Dominion Parliament for South Norfolk,
established the Simcoe Canning Company, which business continued until
1881, when Mr. Jackson and the subject of this sketch purchased the
interest of the other members of the firm. The newly-organized business
was conducted under the name of Simcoe Canning Company. The business,
which still continues, and is attended with abundant success, consits in
the canning and preserving of all kinds of fruits, vegetables, poultry,
etc. The firm have also in connection with the canning department,
extensive evaporators for drying fruits and vegetables. The establishment
employs about one hundred hands, during the busy season. They purchase all
the surplus stock of fruits and vegetables in the surrounding country,
besides importing large quantities from other sections of Canada and the
United States. The trade of this enterprising house now extends through
all of Canada, and there are occasional shipments to Great Britain and
South America. Mr. Innes was a member of the Dundas artillery company,
under Colonel William Notman; and has been a member of the Simcoe school
board for a number of years. He has been connected with almost every great
enterprise near him in a prominent way; and has always given his support
to the Conservative party when political questions arose. He has been an
elder of St. Paul's (Presbyterian) church for several years. In 1868, he
married Marion Livingstone, daughter of the Rev. M. W. Livingstone,
Presbyterian minister, Sincoe. The fruit of this union is a family of six
children, four boys and two girls. Altogether our subject's career has
been one of unusual energy, enterprise, and business pluck. |
