Moses Billings Perine

Other Events:

• Building: Perine Brothers, Conestogo, Ontario; Perine Brothers (Conestoga Site)
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153713934
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-116297P
• Residence: 1860, Jackson, Washington, New York, United States
• Directory: 1864, Perine Brothers, Doon, Waterloo, Ontario
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Flax Dresser
• Historic Building: 1884, 1165 Doon Village Rd., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: Abt 1900, 1158 Doon Village Road, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; manufacturer

Notes:

The Perine brothers, Moses, Joseph and William, moved to Canada West from Troy, New York, in the early 1850s. Curious neighbors in Doon would have appreciated the influx of capital into the local lumber industry, but might have been skeptical of the brothers' rumored flax project. Their accounts reveal that they left a homestead farm in April, 1854 and took an inventory of the stock, tools, livestock and grain which were to be sold to the new owner. Flax or flax products do not appear on the list. Where the Perines' interest in flax originated is unknown, but we do know that it was part of their business in Doon from the very first transactions. On April 19, 1854 they paid for "Planks to Build Flax Mill," and they sold flax seed to farmer clients as early as May, 1854. It seems likely that the flax mill was built close to or adjacent to their sawmill in Doon and the business accounts titled "Doon" recorded transactions from both businesses.

In the following decades the Perines' business evolved and eventually consolidated its interests in cordage manufacturing. The Doon mills remained the business headquarters until the factory was moved to Kitchener at the end of the First World War, under the name Doon Twines. The business continues to operate in Kitchener as Canada Cordage Inc. From the1860s until it moved to the country's urban centre it was the most important industry in Doon and, during the 1880s, in all of Waterloo Township. In the late 19^th century Doon became known as Towtown after the mill's major industrial output. In 1861, according to Elizabeth Bloomfield [Waterloo Township through Two Centuries, Kitchener, ON, Waterloo Historical Society, 1995] the Perines were not among the leading 100 rural property-holders of Waterloo Township, but by 1881 they were seventh in the township with property worth $9,000. At the turn of the century their mills were worth $31,000 - the most valuable property in the township.

In 1871, the Perine mill at Doon was among the larger mills with 29 workers (20 men and boys with nine women and girls), and its fixed capital was over twice the average for flax mills and almost four times that of the average cordage mills.

...Hannah Perine died 12 years later [than 1863] and was buried in Berlin.

[photo caption page 64] Even as a teenager in Doon, Homer Watson was recognized as a talented artist. Moses Bilings Perine commissioned the young man to paint a portrait of his mother, Hannah Bilings Perine. This 1870s work by Watson was copied from an earlier, anonymous painting. Both portraits are in the permanent collection of the City of Kitchener's Home Watson House & Gallery.

[photo caption, page 53] Around 1900, photographer Oscar Stroh stood behind the Schweitzer Hotel on King Street (now Sawmill Road), Conestogo and faced northwest to take this picture of the flax mill on Glasgow Street North. The mill is gone but the Ebel home remains.

Excerpts from "The Perine Flax and Lumber Mills in Ontario, 1854 - 1871," by Josua D. MacFadyen, Waterloo Historical Society Volume 93 - 2005, pp. 51 - 75. Used with permission of the author and Waterloo Historical Society.

Historic Building:
This elegant and imposing Italianate residence was built abt 1884, for Moses Perine, one of the founders of Doon Twines Company. Feature of particular interest are the elaborate eaves trim of denticulated frieze and fleur de lys brackets reflecting the family's French heritage. Also notable is the main entrance with elliptical transom, subtle modelling of the brickwork and wrap-around verandah which is a later addition. The house is set in an exceptionally large and well-kept property.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Upper Doon, a a heritage conservation district plan, prepared by Nicholas Hill (architect planner - London) 1987 pg 40

Historic Building:
Superficial changes have been made to this modest, turn-of-the-century dwelling, but the basic front gable design with entrance on the long side, and the window openings with 6/6 sash are unchanged. The house was once the home of the Perine Flax mill stablekeeper and the property retains its pleasant village character. There is a row of tall evergreens along the road edge and a detached garage, reminiscent of the once ubiquitous carriage shed of earlier times..<sup>1a

1a</sup>Upper Doon, a a heritage conservation district plan, prepared by Nicholas Hill (architect planner - London) 1987 pg 39

Moses — Sarah Ann Bailey. Sarah was born 7 Aug 1833, Greenwich, Washington, New York, USA; died 16 Apr 1913, Port Dalhousie, Welland, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Anna Billings Perine was born 1860, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Elizabeth V. Perine was born CALC 17 Sep 1864, , Ontario, Canada; died 8 Mar 1865; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Edward Graham Perine was born 4 Aug 1866, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Sep 1911, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45546004
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-39374

John — Hannah Billings. Hannah was born 1792, , New York State, USA; died 1 Sep 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177054854
• Name: Hannah Perine
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47045
• Residence: 1850, Jackson, Washington, New York, United States