Thomas Howard McKenzie

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/218353913
• Interesting: life story, buiness, military
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-117866
• Occupation: 1832, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; clerk
• Occupation: 1840, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant

Notes:

Among the few men now living in these parts who saw Hamilton and Dundas fifty years ago, is Thomas Howard McKenzie, one of the best posted men on Canadian history in the County of Wentworth. He may, with propriety, be called a walking gazetteer of the county; his recollection of dates as well as events being very full and accurate, and his memory seems to be a thesaurus of almost everything which has occurred in this part of the world for the last half century.

Mr. McKenzie is a native of Fort George, Invernessshire, Scotland, a son of James and Margaret (Barbour) McKenzie, and dates his birth August 12, 1811. His father was an officer in the Royal Artillery, and the son was educated for the army. In 1830 he came to Canada, and settled at Hamilton, where he was employed as a clerk five years for the late Colin, Ferrie and Co. A little episode in his life occurred at this period, he starting out with a young man and two Indian guides on an expedition to the Pacific coast. From Mackinac they proceeded north westward, went up the river Kaministiquia, and reaching Rainy Lake, they found the Indians fighting and the cholera raging, and they beat a retreat to Mackinac and thence back to their starting point. Manitoba was just then no place for pale faces to explore.

Two years before starting on this adventure (1832), Mr. McKenzie had been sent to Preston to establish business there for the firm already mentioned, where he purchased the property on which the Doon mill was built under his supervision in 1835, becoming in the same year a member of the firm and remaining with these parties, stationed at Preston, until 1840, when he settled in Dundas.

Here Mr. McKenzie was in the mercantile business until 1867, dealing, meanwhile, largely in wool. He is said to be the first person who paid cash for wool in Upper Canada, and the first person to ship combing wool to the United States, his first invoice being sent to the Sussex Mills, Mass., in 1842. He is still in the business, with his office at Hamilton since 1867, though his home remains in Dundas. He usually ships to the United States from 300,000 to 600,000 pounds a year, but during the civil war he reached 1,200,000, besides his Canadian traffic. For two years he was also in the woolen manufacturing business at Hamburg, county of Waterloo.

In 1877 Mr. McKenzie went to South Africa, purchased about 450,000 pounds of wool; went round the Cape and up the coast of the Indian ocean, 1,100 miles, and during the trip visited Madeira, Cape de Verd, St. Helena and other islands.

Long prior to this in 1851, he attended the first World's Exposition at London, and served, among his other duties, on the Committee on Austrian and Prussian hardware. At that exposition Dundas blankets took the first prize, and they were afterwards presented to the Queen.

The year after reaching Canada Mr. McKenzie joined the Volunteers, and 1835, there being some trouble between the Indians and the agent at an island in Lake Huron, he went out with a small military force, but no blood was shed. He was in the rebellion from November, 1837, to June 1838, having command of a company, and was wounded in the arm and leg at Pointe a Pellee, and was in the battle at Gallows' Hill, back of Toronto. After the rebellion he organized two or three battalions. He had a hand also in the "Trent affair," 1861, and in the Fenian Raid. He now holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Reserve Militia of Wentworth.

Mr. McKenzie was in the town council of Dundas five years and mayor three, and he has been a magistrate since 1835.

The wife of Mr. McKenzie was Miss Sydney Smith, daughter of John Sydney Smith, of Brighton, England, a Surgeon of the 10th Light Dragoons, who accompanied his regiment throughout the Peninsula war. They were married January 30, 1840, and have five children living, and have lost three.

When Mr. McKenzie came to Hamilton in 1830, the place had 653 inhabitants, according to the census taken that year. Including the workmen on the Des Jardins Canal, Dundas was a little larger then. He has lived to see the country fill up, and Hamilton expand into a city of probably 35,000 inhabitants, and enterprising men, like Mr. McKenzie, have had a liberal share in producing this grand exhibit of growth and prosperity.


The Canadian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Ontario Volume, 1880

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Adam Ferrie, junior, who had taken in Thomas H. McKenzie as a partner, did a very thriving business. Possessed of a liberal education, he was one of the most honorable and straightforward of business men, always ready to aid in improvements. He desired to enlarge his business by the erection of a grist-mill and for that purpose endeavored to procure the water privilege and lands near the Grand River, then owned by Mr. John Erb, junior; but all attempts to procure this land, though it was lying waste and remains a waste to the present day, proved futile. The means at the disposal of Mr. Adam Ferrie were considerable, while his father, who at that time was wealthy, encouraged the plans of his son, who upon seeing that he could neither with money nor persuasion procure lands in Preston, looked elsewhere for the investment of the funds at his disposal. He selected an old saw-mill with a good water power about four miles from Preston; purchased the same, sold out his Preston store to Thomas H. McKenzie and left Preston, to the great regret of all reflecting men. The place he selected for his investments he named Doon. Here he built a substantial dam, a large grist-mill, saw-mill, distillery, store, dwelling house, tavern and a number of small dwellings for the men in his employ. Thus out of a wilderness he made a thriving village. This was the second grist-mill built with money at least partly earned in Preston. But unfortunately family difficulties obliged Adam Ferrie to leave Doon and to let his elder brother manage its affairs. The old stern father had decided upon the change and poor Adam, the younger, had to obey. He left Doon broken hearted, and among his last words were heard the expression: "My brother will not bp able to manage that business, it will go to ruin. My father has greatly wronged me, but I have obeyed him to the last." He soon died of a broken heart, a premature death; the Doon property became involved, and the Ferrie Estate lost it. Young Adam's prophecy became fulfilled.


First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1913, Waterloo Historical Society

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Erected by Thomas H McKenzie at Dundas, Canada, West British North America in memory of his father, mother, grandfather & grandmother, whose names & dates of death are as follows. Elizabeth, daughter of James & Margaret McKenzie and sister of the above Thomas H McKenzie, died October 1816, aged 22; James McKenzie, died January 1817, aged 44 years; Margaret, wife of the above James McKenzie, died April 1817, aged 40 years; Janet, wife of James Barbour and mother of the above Margaret McKenzie, died 27th September 1820, aged 71 years; James Barbour, died 14th September 1845, aged 71 years

Monumental Inscriptions - Kirkton of Ardersier Cemetery, published by the "Highland Family History Society copyright 2003,

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THOS. H. McKENZIE
Hamilton, Ont.

On the 23^rd day of August, 1830, - upwards of sixty years ago, - the subject of this sketch, after a sea voyage of fifty-two days from Leith to Quebec, and a further journey of twelve days duration by bateaux from Cornwall to Prescott, thence by the old steamer "Queenston," arrived in what was then the little village of Hamilton, which had at the time a population of only 700 souls. Thomas Howard McKenzie was born Aug. 12^th, 1811, at Fort George, Inverness-shire, Scotland. His parents, James & Margaret (Barbour) McKenzie, were also natives of Scotland. Thomas, who is now in his eighty-first year, was really born in the army. His father was a soldier in the royal artillery, and fought in numerous engagements in India under the Iron Duke, then Col. Arthur Wellesley, receiving such wounds as disabled him for further service. As a youth, Mr. McKenzie received a good academic education, including classics, mathematics and book-keeping. He had just turned nineteen years when he reached Hamilton. The first employment he obtained was as shipping clerk in the warehouse of the late Abel Land, with whom he remained some four or five months. This he gave up to accept a position as clerk for the old-time firm of Colin Ferrie & Co., then carrying the largest general stock of goods in Upper Canada, and with whom he spent eight years. During the period he was with Ferrie & Co., he established for the firm a branch store in Preston, which he managed successfully until 1839, when he commenced business for himself in the same place. This, however, he sold out in the following year and removed to Dundas, where he conducted a large general business, including dry goods, groceries, and hardware, in three separate stores. For many years he carried on one of the most extensive wholesale and retail business enterprises in Western Canada, and, until the Great Western was built, he did a larger trade than was done by any house in Hamilton. In 1856, he sold out his Dundas business, and shortly afterwards established himself as a commission merchant in Hamilton, an enterprise which he continued for a lengthy period, dealing very largely in wool. Dundas, in those days, was a very brisk shipping port, a fleet of schooners being constantly engaged in loading timber, staves and produce for Quebec and Halifax. There were three propellers from Quebec also engaged loading produce for those ports. A large schooner, built at Dundas, and owned by the late Jas. Coleman, used to make two trips annually to Quebec and Halifax, bearing the produce of the western country to those ports, while a large number of teams found constant employment conveying lumber, timber, shingles, and other products for shipment to different parts of the country, and to Oswego, in the United States. In 1877, he set out on a business trip to South Africa, and on his return in the following year, he was appointed by the Dominion Government inspector of weights and measures for the Hamilton division, a position he still holds. Though largely engaged for many years in business, Mr. McKenzie was a leading and useful man in public life. For four years he served as councillor, and for three years more he filled the office of mayor. As a defender of his country he was not lacking, and his military ardour and alacrity made it plain that the good old British stock from which he sprang ha not degenerated in him. When Sir John Colborne, then Governor-General of Canada, saw the troubles looming up which afterwards culminated in the Mackenzie rebellion, he called for volunteers - rifles, cavalry and artillery - and on the enrolment on June 4^th, 1831, - the King's birthday, - Thos. H. McKenzie joined the rifles as a non-commissioned officer. With this branch of the service he remained connected until transferred to the captaincy of the Ninth Gore regiment. At the outbreak of the rebellion, he turned out with the militia under the late Sir Allan MacNab, and was in the Gallow's Hill engagement, afterwards serving at Chippewa and Niagara. While stationed at Chippewa, he saw Notman's battery from Dundas fire the first gun at the rebels on Navy Island, and was also witness of the burning "Caroline" passing down the rapids and over the falls, after being cut out and fired by the loyalist forces. On March 5^th, 1838, he was in the engagement at Point Pelee, fighting on the ice with the thermometer 10 degrees below zero, and on which occasion the rebels, whom Mr. McKenzie describes as "the dirtiest lot of blackguards" he ever saw, were totally routed. From the Ninth Gore he was transferred to organize the Fourth Wentworth regiment, of which he was appointed major, the late Dr. Hamilton being lieutenant-colonel. On the decease of the latter, Mr. McKenzie was promoted to the command of the regiment, and subsequently, after the long period of fifty-eight years service, he was permitted to retire, retaining his rank. In politics, Mr. McKenzie was always pronounced Conservative, and for many years continued to be an active supporter of the cause in North Wentworth. At the election in 1863, he was the party candidate in opposition to the late William Notman, but was defeated. He was a charter member and first noble grand in the I.O.O.F. lodge, organized in Dundas, in 1845; was the first grand master of the order in Upper Canada and is still connected with it. He joined the St. Andrew's society in the same town in 1840, and is at present, and has for many years been, president of that body. In religion, he is a Protestant, having since 1842 been one of the managers of Knox Presbyterian church, and during many years chairman of the board. In 1840, he married Dinah Sydney Smith, an English lady, daughter of the late Dr. Sydney Smith, of Toronto. The result of the union was a family of eight children, of whom only four (daughters) are living. Mr. McKenzie's career has throughout been distinguished by steadfast honesty of purpose, strict integrity of character, a kindly regard for the feelings of others, and a whole-souled generosity of nature. Though he has seen four-score years, he is still a man of wonderful vigour. He enjoys the esteem of the public lives surrounded by many devoted friends.

Prominent Men of Canada, Hamilton and Environs 1886

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Historical Dundas

A Series of interesting articles prepared by T. R. Woodhouse and published in co-operation with the Dundas Historical Society.

T. H. Mckenzie Merchant

Once upon a time there was a handsome young Prince who married his beloved Princess and brought her to Dundas, where they lived happily ever afterwards-or for a long time at least.

This young Prince was energetic young Scotsman named McKenzie who became the Merchant Prince of Dundas; a merchant whose like has not been seen before or since in the Valley City. He really was not so very handsome, yet he was was attractive despite his hard, dour Scottish countenance so in domitable, so inflexible, so stern. In fact, his personality was so conmanding that all Dundasians looked up to him with a mixture of awe and fear.

His Princess too resembled him because she also had a most compelling manner; and she dominated the females of Dundas as her husband did the males.

The McKenzies were the gentry of Dundas in the sixties, with their uniformed maids and liveried coachman. On Sunday however, they walked to Knox Presbyterian Church, father with top hat and cane, mother with her black, billowing, rustling silken skirts and multitudinous petticoats. This Sunday morning Walk was a triumphal procession, during which the Prince received homage from all sides, and acknowedged it with his version of a gracious nod.

The Princess taught a Sunday School class, and once a year entertained her pupils at her home. These coldly formal afternoon teas were dreaded by all of the young folk, yet they had to attend, for woe betide the person who dared to offend the McKenzies.

His First Years in Canada

Thomas Howard McKenzie was born in Fort George, Invernesshire on August 12th, 1811. His mother was Margaret Barbour: and his father James McKenzie of the Royal Artillery, and served his country in India, and was to fight in the battle of Waterloo soon after his son's birth.

Having been born into the army, his father planned for him a military career, and he was educated accordingly. Young McKenzie had other ideas however, because, at the age of nineteen he struck out for Canada that land of promise for enterprising young Scots.

The left South Shields, England in the Schooner John; and, after the usual equinoctial gales and a weeks long passage, they sailed up the St. Lawrence to land at Quebec in May 1830 without delay, young McKenzie proceeded on to his goal, the Head of the Lake region, travelled by steamer, batteau, and afoot in Prescott. thence via the S.S. Queenston to Hamilton. Here, he, and John Mackay stopped while rest of their party went on to Dumfries and to London.

They landed at Hatt's wharf, at the foot of James Street on August 23rd, 1830, and were much disappointed by the squalid little settlement which they found there, only two or three shacks half a dozen, ugly looking warehouses and the two wharfs, Hatt's and Land's. There was no reception party, now group of friends, not even an immigration official, to receive them. only a few barefooted, grimy children, one or two curious dock workers, and three teamsters with crude, heavy lumbering wagons who immediately Importuned the immigrants to hire their wagons.

One bearded individual, roughly clothed, and smelling strongly of horses, approached McKenzie and offered to convey his trunks and boxes to Hamilton for two shillings or to Dundas or Ancaster for four shillings. This was McKenzie's first intimation that these squalid water front hovels were not Hamilton, so he felt less disappointed and inquired as to the whereabout of the village, he was informed that Hamilton was over a mile away, and around the swamp and up near the the waterfront. He also learned that Hamilton had a population of nigh four hundred, and that Dundas had nearly six hundred.

The teamster recommended Ancaster or Dundas for mechanics, because there were no factories in Hamilton due to the lack of water power. Since Mckenzie and his friend Mackay were not interested in a job in a factory, they elected to go to Hamilton, and after much dickering, they arranged to have their baggage transported to Yankee Miller's Hotel at King and James Streets for one and three pence. Since this price covered the baggage only young MeKenzie and his friend had to walk.

The Hamilton of 1830

It was a long and lonely uphill walk from the water's edge at the foot of James Street, to the village of Hamilton. There was only one house along the journey that of Judge Taylor, a rough cast, one story home that sat back from the wagon trail on the west side of the street opposite where Christ Church Cathedral now stands. There was a large expanse of swamp land for about a quarter mile each side of modern Stuart Street, but this had been corduroyed and causewayed enough to make it passable.

There was a small orchard where the City Hall and the Market are now, but there was not yet any sign of present day York Street, which then commenced at modern King and Bay Streets. McKenzie's destination was Andrew Miller's frame hotel, a two story wooden structure on the N.W. corner of King and James Street, with extensive stabling at the rear. Across the road, on the N.E, corner, was a low wooden building which was the office of a young lawyer named MecNab, Most of the village was clustered around Mountain Street (modern John Street) near the new Court House which had been started only three years before and was just being finished now. Fully three quarters of the village was located east of Mountain Street; and west of James St., there were only a few farm houses.

Two days after his arrival. McKenzie got a clerical Job with Abel Land, the Warehouseman Forwarder, who had a wharf at the foot of present John Street, and an office on King Street. A short time later, McKenzie applied for a job with Colin Ferrie, a wholesale and retail merchant with a store at the S.W. corner of King and Hughson Streets. For the next ten years, young Mckenzie labored faithfully for Ferrie, learning Canadian business ways, and gaining enough confidence to strike out for himself.

Every other Sunday he used to go to the church at the log jail on Mountain Street, opposite the new Court House. Some French Canadians were tinning the roof of the new Court House, and it would soon be ready for occupancy; but in the meantime the old log Jail and court house, built in 1816 about fifty yards south of Main Street, was the civic centre despite its forbidding exterior. Being three stories high, its log walls had been built stockade fashion with the logs placed vertically. Here, once a month, the Reverends Ralph Leeming and Geo. Sheed of Ancaster took turns preaching on alternate fortnights.

Fifty years later, Mr. McKenzie said that all of the 1830 buildings but two had disappeared, one of these being the old Peter Hess homestead which stood on the west side of Main Street, east of Hess Street.

Next week the story of T. H. McKenzie will be continued…..

Occupation:
Colin, Ferrie and Co.

Thomas married Dinah Louisa Sydney-Smith 30 Jan 1840, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Dinah (daughter of John Sydney-Smith and Dinah Stone) was born Jul 1813, Brighton, , Sussex, England; died 15 Feb 1884, Dundas, West Flamborough Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Grove Cemetery, Dundas, Wentworth Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]