John Watson

Other Events:

• Business: Gore Fire Insurance, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gore Fire Insurance Co.
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179938352
• Historic Business: 45 Stanley St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; The John Watson Manufacturing Company
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57783
• Historic Building: 1852, 44 Piper Street, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Iron Founder
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Business: 1864, Ayr Foundry, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ayr Foundry
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Iron Foundry
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ayr
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Historic Building: 1876, 128 Piper St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Two story brick house
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Foundryman
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Business: 1885, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ayr Agricultural Works
• Elected Office: 1885, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Residence: 1891, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Website: 1909, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Photograph
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Born in 1820 in Scotland, John Watson came to Canada in 1845. By 1847, he opened a foundry in Ayr which built farm implements. The success of the business was made evident when Watson received a gold medal from the Provincial Agricultural Association of Upper Canada in Kingston, but one of many accolades awarded to the company.

Beyond his business pursuits, Watson founded the Ayr Library in the late 1840's and was elected vice-president of the Waterloo Reform Association in 1855. He became magistrate in 1863 and served on the North Dumfries and South Waterloo Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company board in 1864. In 1880, he was appointed to the Ontario Agriculture Commission and served as Chairman of the Agriculture Education Division.

When Ayr was incorporated as a village in 1884, Watson was elected Reeve and Warden of the County by acclamation. He died on 14 December 1903.

Kitchener Public Library Digital Collection

________________________

Died In Ayr, at 5 o'clock, P.M. Monday, Dec. 14th, 1903, John Watson, sr. In his 84th year. The Funeral Will take place on Thursday, Dec. 17th, from his late residence, Piper St., to the Ayr Cemetery, Service at the house at 2 o'clock, p.m. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation^.

Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

Business:
THE GORE FIRE INSURANCE CO.

Among the many institutions of which Galt boasts, none are more conspicuous than the Gore Ins. Co's pal-atial and imposing structure situated on the corner of Main and Ainslie streets. The style is of a Romanesque char-acter, and is built with Connecticut brown-stone, rock-faced base up to the first storey window sills ; above this it is faced with brown pressed brick, tooled portage entry stone trimmings and Terra Cotta carvings. The corner of Main and Ainslie streets is round, having over the main entrance a heavily moulded arch, supported on two Doric columns, and over the arch the Company's name carved in mediaeval letters. This round corner is continued up above the roof, forming a round tower, roofed with Span-ish tiles and terminating in a columned and octagon lantern, with ogee top and flag staff. Total height from the side-walk about eighty-two feet. The Gore has about 125 active agents through Ontario.<sup>1a

1a</sup>1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt

Historic Building:
It is suspected that this house was built circa 1844 but its recorded history begins in 1852 when the house was sold to John Watson, the owner of the largest factory in the village,.... Another past owner of the home was Dr. Duff Wilson, former Medical Officer of Health for Waterloo County.



Historic Building:
Two story brick house constructed in 1876. Built by John Watson founder of The John Watson Manufacturing Company. Later owned by Elizabeth D. Watson and Mary U. Watson.

Website:
KPL Library Picture

John — Elizabeth Ann Dolman. Elizabeth was born 1828, , England; died 12 Sep 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 14 Sep 1866, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. William Dolman Watson was born 18 Oct 1852, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 15 Apr 1907, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 17 Apr 1907, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Robert Watson was born CALC 13 Aug 1854, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. James Hillman Watson was born CALC 2 Feb 1856, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Nov 1874, Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, USA; was buried 5 Nov 1874, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Hannah Marie Watson was born 1857, , Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Anna Maria Watson was born 1857, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Reeve Alfred Edward Watson was born 20 Dec 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Feb 1943, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 28 Feb 1943, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Emily Barbara Watson was born 1863, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 May 1888; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. Mary Urie Watson was born 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Sep 1950, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 16 Sep 1950, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Elizabeth Dolman Watson was born 4 Jul 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Oct 1944, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 1 Nov 1944, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

John — Mary Urie. Mary was born 1826, of, Ontario; died 5 Apr 1851, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. John George Watson was born 21 Aug 1847, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Oct 1918, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

John — Harriet McKallor. Harriet was born CALC 26 Nov 1826, , USA; died 26 Jul 1888, New York City, New York, USA.; was buried 28 Jul 1888, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Charles Jerome Watson was born CALC 7 Sep 1868, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Aug 1869, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-117165

Archibald — Margaret. Margaret was born Abt 1780, of, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Watson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-58630