William Pattison Telford

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-136846

Notes:

WILLIAM PATTISON TELFORD.

No man occupies a more enviable or honorable position in financial circles in Owen Sound than William Pattison Telford. Throughout almost his entire business career he has been closely associated with moneyed interests and his name in banking circles is one which carries with it weight and confidence, for throughout an active career he has displayed thorough understanding of banking methods and the progressive spirit which enables one to advance beyond existing conditions into fields giving a broader outlook and wider scope. Mr. Telford is a native of Roxburyshire, Scotland, born on the llth of October, 1836, his parents being William Pattison and Elizabeth (Murray) Telford. The father, who was a school teacher by profession, came to Canada about 1841 and located in Dumfries county near Galt. There he lived for five years and in 1848 he came to the township of Sydenham. Throughout his life he followed the profession of teaching, having for a half century been identified with that calling in Scotland and in Canada. He was a capable educator who readily maintained discipline and, moreover, had the faculty of imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Of his family there are three sons and four daughters now living.


William Pattison Telford of this review was educated in the Dickie settlement in Dumfries, attending the public schools and later attending the Normal School in Toronto. He afterward served a three years' apprenticeship to the stone mason's trade, subsequent to which time he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Sydenham for fourteen years. He then turned his attention to the manufacture of cheese, in which he continued for one year, after which he was connected with building operations as a contractor for three years. During this time he became associated with financial interests, being one of the organizers of the Sydenham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he acted as manager for nine years. On his retirement from building operations he became bookkeeper for R. J. Doyle, with whom he continued for five years, and in 1883 he established a private bank under the firm style of Telford & Company. For twenty-three years he conducted the institution and made it a most profitable investment. During the entire time he paid a dividend of twenty per cent, to the members of the company, save one year when the dividend was fifteen per cent. In 1906 he sold his bank to the Sovereign Bank of Toronto and as a bonus received enough to pay the regular dividend for the following ten years to all the stockholders. During the past seventeen years he has been manager of the bank and also of the Grey & Bruce Loan Company. This company was founded in 1889 with William Roy as president, S. J. Parker, vice-president, and William P. Telford, manager. Affairs were conducted under that administration until Mr. Roy's death, when S. J. Parker became president and Robert McKnight vice-president, Mr. Telford remaining as manager. This is strictly a loan company, confining its business operations to the county. There is an authorized capital of five hundred thousand dollars and a paid-up capital of two hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The expense of management under the regime of Mr. Telford has been less than two-fifths of one per cent, of the capital invested. It is the strongest financial institution of the county and its great success is attributable in a very large measure to Mr. Telford 's able management. He is also president of the Sun Cement Company, Limited, and also the Georgian Bay Power Company, Limited.

In 1867 Mr. Telford was married to Miss Margaret Couper, a daughter of John Couper of the township of Sydenham, and they have four children: William Pattison, a solicitor of Owen Sound ; John C., who is manager of the Sovereign Bank at Durham, Ontario; Robert, who was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Toronto University and is now in the customs department in Ottawa; and Euphemia, at home. Mr. Telford belongs to the Division street Presbyterian Church and takes an active and helpful part in its work, contributing generously to its support and serving as one of its elders. He has also figured to some extent in political circles, having been a member of the town council of Owen Sound, while in 1904 he was elected to the Dominion Parliament, defeating T. I. Thompson, who held the position at that time. He is numbered among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries. He is a man of distinctive ability and his character is one which is above a shadow of reproach. He has been faithful to the high offices in which he has been called to serve both in business and political life and is widely known and respected by all who have been at all familiar with his honorable and useful career.


A History of Ontario: its resources and development

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-159808
• Occupation: 1841, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; school teacher
• Residence: 1841, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1848, Syndenham, Grey Co., Ontario

William — Elizabeth Murray. Elizabeth was born Abt 1806, , Roxburghshire, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Telford
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-159813
• Residence: 1841, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada