Robert Gilholm Todd

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63476
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Robert — Maude Marion Phin. Maude (daughter of Warden James Philip Phin, JP and Charlotte "Lottie" Roberts) was born 21 Dec 1890, , Ontario, Canada; died 6 Jul 1982; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Donald R. Todd was born 18 Nov 1920; died 23 Jul 1982; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Alan Hugh Todd was born 5 Sep 1924; died 22 Oct 2002; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Business: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Todd Milling Company
• Interesting: miller, business, life story, railway, public service
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63472
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agent
• Occupation: 1883, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; commission agent
• Occupation: 1885, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; commission merchant
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller & Maltster
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Business: 1897, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Thomas Tobb & Son Commission Merchants & Maltsters
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Malt House
• Website: 1909, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Photograph
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

MARTIN N. TODD

Martin N. Todd was born in Galt July 27th., 1858, and died there August 29th., 1917. He was educated at the Galt public school and the old Tassie school. Leaving home, he was for some years in Hamilton, in the employ of the Great Western Railway, thus showing early prediliction for an occupation with which he was later to be prominently identified. Returning to Galt he became associated with his father, Thomas Todd, in the Galt flour mills, and later in the commission business.

Thomas Todd, in his time, one of Galt's prominent industrial men, was the principal promoter and first president of the Galt, Preston & Hespeler Railway.* On his father's death M. N. Todd became president of the company, in January 1900, and is now, in turn, succeeded by his son, M. Milne Todd, as president. Thus, since beginning of the Galt, Preston and Hespeler Railway, in 1894, the office of president has been held in the same family; now in the third generation. Under M. N. Todd's management the G. P. & H. Ry. soon began to expand its business and eventually became one of the best interurban electric railway properties in Canada. Mr. Todd was also manager of the Lake Erie & Northern Rail way; the adoption of electric traction on this line, instead of steam as had been contemplated, was due mainly to his foresight and practical judgement of traffic requirements on it. Facilities for passenger and freight traffic afforded by the Galt, Preston & Hespeler Ry. and its connection and operation with the Canadian Pacific Railway and later on with the Lake Erie & Northern Ry. gave fresh impetus to the manufacturing and general business activities of Kitchener and Waterloo, as earlier to Preston and Hespeler, a benefit due to a great extent to the energy and good management of M. N. Todd, in whom Waterloo County lost a valuable citizen.

While his time and effort were mainly devoted to his railway work, he had interest in the Galt Malleable Iron Company, the Pres ton Car and Coach Company, the 'Stamped Enameled Ware Company of Hespeler and in the Canada Malting Company. He had a farm east of Galt, where, among other things, he took particular interest in breeding horned Dorset sheep. He was connected with the Galt Horse Show from its beginning and was for years president of the Association; was charter member and first president of the Waterloo County Golf and Country Club.

Mr. Todd was member of the Galt Hospital Trust for a number of years. He was a Presbyterian and of the congregation of Central Church, Galt. He is survived by Mrs. Todd, one daughter and four sons, among the latter being Lieut. Thomas Todd, now with the British army in France. The family home, Caverhill, on North Water Street, on the main entrance to the city, is one of the hand some residence places of Galt.

*See Waterloo County Railway History, this Report.

Fifth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society

_____________________________

Martin Todd, born in 1858, became president of the Galt, Preston, and Hespeler Railway after the death of his father, Thomas Todd. Under Martin Todd's leadership, the railway became one of the best electric railways in Canada and went on to serve Waterloo and Berlin. Todd also managed the Lake Erie and Northern Railway and in addition to his business pursuits, he was active in community organizations. After his death in 1917, his son, Milne Todd, became president of the Galt, Preston, and Hespeler Railway.


Kitchener Public Library Digital Photograph Collection

____________________

The Todd Milling Company

This plant is located on Bruce Street, and is one of the largest of the kind in the Dominion. The mill was erected in 1878 by a Glasgow firm, and purchased in 1886 by the present company, which is composed of Messrs. Thos. Todd, John Scott and Martin N. Todd. Connected with the mill is an extensive cooper shop, directly opposite the mill. The barrels are sent across by an automatic contrivance as soon as completed. The whole establishment gives employment to a large number of hands. The mill is a substantial six storey structure, built of stone, and has a capacity of 400 barrels per day. It is fitted up with the most improved machinery, and their brands of flour are eagerly sought after, as is shown by the fact that a ready market is found for their large output, not only throughout the Dominion, but in competition with the world in the market of Great Britain. The gentlemen of the firm are also interested in the social side of the town's welfare, and are greeted on every hand as men of the highest commercial standing. Mr. Thos. Todd is president of the Street Railway and Mr. John Scott is one of the largest and most extensive cattle exporters in Canada.

Jubilee Souvenir of Galt 1897

_________________________

MARTIN N. TODD

1858-1917 Married: Joanna Gilholm

Martin Nichol Todd was born in Galt on July 27, 1858, the son of Thomas Todd and Sibella Nichol. He received his primary education at Galt's Central Public School and his secondary education at the Galt Grammar School, later the Galt Collegiate Institute. After completing school he moved to Hamilton where he was employed by the Great Western Railway. After a few years in Hamilton, Mr. Todd returned to Galt where he worked with his father in Thomas Todd & Son Ltd. also known as the Galt Flour Mills. The company did a large commission and export business in grain and hay and operated two malt houses, one in Galt and the other in Port Hope. Mr. Todd's father was one of Galt's prominent industrialists and an original promoter of the Galt, Preston and Hespeler Street Railway, an electric rail line that moved goods and passengers between those three municipalities. On January 1, 1900, following the death of his father, Mr. Todd became president of the railway. He set about expanding the line until it became one of the best interurban electric rail systems in the country. Mr. Todd was also the manager, and later vice-president, of the Lake Erie and Northern Railway and ensured that the rail line used electricity instead of steam as its power source. Mr. Todd was also one of the founders, in 1906, of the Galt Malleable Iron Company, and had an interest in the Preston Car and Coach Co., in the Stamped and Enamelled Ware Co. of Hespeler and in the Canada Malting Co. He also had a farm east of Galt where he took a particular interest in breeding Dorset sheep. Mr. Todd was associated with the Galt Horse Show from its inception in 1901 and served as the president of the Horse Show for many years. Mr. Todd was also a member of the Galt Hospital Trust for many years. He died on August 29, 1917 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery. Todd St. is said to have been named in honour of Mr. Todd and his equally well known father, Thomas Todd.

Sources:
1. "Biography, Martin N. Todd", Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 5, 1917.
2. J.N. MacKendrick "Local history in the street names of Galt" Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 7, 1919.
3. "Picturesque and Industrial Galt", Jaffray Bros., Galt Ontario July 10, 1902.<sup>4a

4a</sup>Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [used with kind permission of Jim Quantrell]

Website:
KPL Library Picture

Martin married Johann Gilholm 13 Jun 1883, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Johann (daughter of Mayor Robert Gilholm and Janet "Jane" Scott) was born 28 Feb 1860, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 13 May 1860, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 Dec 1935; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Johann Todd
• Name: Johanna Gilholm
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63473
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1883, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1898, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Residence:
FRENCH TOAST WITH PEARS

Three eggs, one cup milk, pepper, salt, bread, butter, pears. Beat the eggs, add milk, pepper, salt. Dip into this slices of bread, then fry them in hot butter to a delicate brown. Bring almost to boiling point enough canned pears to allow one pear to each slice of bread, lay these on the toast with a little of the juice just before taking to table.

Other Events:

• Business: Todd's Milling Co., Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Todd's Milling Co.
• Elected Office: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Galt
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188456635
• Interesting: Mill, business, life story, politics
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-105050
• Occupation: 1852, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; wagon maker
• Residence: 1852, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Historic Building: 1858, 211 Water St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; stone house
• Business: Abt 1860, Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wheel manufacturing
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carriage Maker
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Corn Merchant
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Commision Merchant
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mill Owner
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Business: 1897, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Thomas Todd & Son Commission Merchants & Maltsters
• Business: 1897, Victoria Wheel Works, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Victoria Wheel Works

Notes:

Todd, Thomas, shipper, and general commission merchant, formerly a member of the Town Council. Mr. Todd is a native of Scotland. Born, 1831. Has been a resident of the county since 1849.

Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881

________________

Thomas Todd was born in Thurlstone, Ettrick, Scotland on 14 Oct 1831 and emigrated to Canada with his family when he was three. On the voyage from Scotland, cholera broke out aboard ship and Mr Todd's mother died. The family landed in Montreal and moved inland to settle at Aberfoyle, Ontario.

Mr Todd remained on the farm until he was fifteen when he moved to Galt to apprentice with wagon maker James Kay. Upon completion of his apprenticeship he worked as a foreman in William Robinson's wagon and carriage works. After a short time on the job, Mr Todd entered into a partnership with Mr Robinson which lasted for three years until Mr Robinson retired. Mr Todd then established a new partnership with Walter Brydon and Alex Walker in a carriage making and blacksmith shop. In 1860, after about two years in this partnership, Mr Todd sold his interests to join with John Davidson in setting up the Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, later the Victoria Wheel Works.


Cambridge Hall of Fame

_____________________________

Todd's Milling Co., comprising the firm of Thomas Todd & Son and John Scott, off Hawthorn Street - Among the most prominent manufacturing industries in Galt must be mentioned the Todd Milling Co., which is one of the largest concerns in this line in this section of the county. They have recently purchased the old Stockwell Mills, which had been lying idle for several years; and to meet the more modern requirements of the present day, they entirely overhauled the building, and took out all the old machinery and runs of stone, and entirely refitted it, giving the contract for the work to the celebrated flour mill builders, Messrs. Goldie & McCulloch, of this town, the interior arrangements being made after plans by the foreman, Mr. J.E. Wilson, which are complete in every particular. The building occupied is a substantially-built structure of stone, five stories in height, with basement, engine and boiler house; also a large store house for grain, fitted up with nine large hopper bins, thus being enabled to keep each grade separate. There is an automatic weigher for weighing the grain before passing into the rolls. In the basement of the mill is located the main line of shafting, with pulleys, two sets of large wheat brush machines, one Galt improved separator, one Galt improved cockle machine, one Galt improved smutter; also elevators for handling screenings and wheat. On the first floor are four runs of stones, twenty-four pairs of Galt improved rolls, three Galt improved flour packers and three weight scales. On the second floor are one improved centrifugal bolt, two middlings dusters and five purifiers; also bins for middlings and flour. The third floor contains four purifiers, four centrifugal bolts, one Galt improved middlings duster and bins. On the fourth floor are four Wilson's patent dust collectors and three four-reel bolts. On the fifth floor are two two-reel bolt chests, one single-reel chest, and the elevator tops, with dust protectors on each. The mill was fitted up under the direction of the foreman, Mr. Wilson who has several patents on the machines for the prevention of fire by friction, etc. The capacity of the mill is 350 barrels per day. The head miller is Mr. Anthony Marshall, who was lately in charge of a leading flour mill in Blenheim, Ont., and is a gentleman well qualified for the position in every respect, having had an extended experience of many years. The proprietors, Thomas Todd & Son and John Scott, are gentlemen of unquestioned business ability, push and enterprise, and are highly and justly esteemed in the community. Messrs. Todd & Son will continue to carry on their general produce and commission business, in the exportation of flour, grain and provisions, as heretofore.

Industries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches Hamilton and Environs 1886

____________________

The Todd Milling Company

This plant is located on Bruce Street, and is one of the largest of the kind in the Dominion. The mill was erected in 1878 by a Glasgow firm, and purchased in 1886 by the present company, which is composed of Messrs. Thos. Todd, John Scott and Martin N. Todd. Connected with the mill is an extensive cooper shop, directly opposite the mill. The barrels are sent across by an automatic contrivance as soon as completed. The whole establishment gives employment to a large number of hands. The mill is a substantial six storey structure, built of stone, and has a capacity of 400 barrels per day. It is fitted up with the most improved machinery, and their brands of flour are eagerly sought after, as is shown by the fact that a ready market is found for their large output, not only throughout the Dominion, but in competition with the world in the market of Great Britain. The gentlemen of the firm are also interested in the social side of the town's welfare, and are greeted on every hand as men of the highest commercial standing. Mr. Thos. Todd is president of the Street Railway and Mr. John Scott is one of the largest and most extensive cattle exporters in Canada.

Jubilee Souvenir of Galt 1897

________________________

THOMAS TODD

1831-1899 Member of the Cambridge Hall of Fame (1998)

Married: 1. Sibella Nichol (died 1861) 2. Margaret Carter

Thomas Todd was born in Thurlstone, Ettrick, Scotland on October 14, 1831 and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was three. On the voyage from Scotland, cholera broke out aboard ship and Mr. Todd's mother died. The family landed in Montreal and moved inland to settle at Aberfoyle, Ontario. Mr. Todd remained on the farm until he was fifteen when he moved to Galt to apprentice with wagon maker James Kay. Upon completion of his apprenticeship he worked as a foreman in William Robinson's wagon and carriage works. After a short time on the job, Mr. Todd entered into a partnership with Mr. Robinson which lasted for three years until Mr. Robinson retired. Mr. Todd then established a new partnership with Walter Brydon and Alex Walker in a carriage making and blacksmith shop. In 1860, after about two years in this partnership, Mr. Todd sold his interests to join with John Davidson in setting up the Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, later the Victoria Wheel Works. In 1886, along with John Scott and his son, Martin N. Todd, Mr. Todd purchased a six storey stone flour mill, located on Bruce St. in Galt. The mill had been built in 1878 by a Glasgow firm and was now operated as the Todd Milling Co. The company did a large commission and export business in grain and hay in addition to operating two malt houses, one in Galt and the other in Port Hope. The Galt malt house was the former Peck's Malt House on Kerr St. that Mr. Todd and his son purchased from the Peck estate in 1888. Mr. Todd also owned and operated the Preston Hops Yards. In 1890, Mr. Todd was the driving force behind the promotion of the Galt, Preston and Hespeler Street Railway and served as the company's president almost from the day of its inception until his death. In addition to his numerous business responsibilities, Mr. Todd was the chairman of the management committee of Central Presbyterian Church and is credited with being a leading force in the building of the new Central Church along the banks of the Grand River. He was the Waterloo county representative on the Board of Directors of the Credit Valley Railway which later became part of the Canadian Pacific Railway system. He was president of the Galt Board of Trade, was a member of the Toronto Board of Trade and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Galt Collegiate Institute. Mr. Todd was an honorary director of the Economical Insurance Co. of Berlin, now Kitchener, as well as one of the charter members and president of the Imperial Hotel Company of Galt. Mr. Todd died on January 11, 1899 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery. It is said that Todd St. is named in honour of Mr. Todd and his equally well known son, Martin Nichol Todd.

Sources:
1. Hugh Cant Historical Reminiscences of Galt and Other Writings Galt 1915.
2. "Hall of Fame Citation", City of Cambridge Archives, Inducted February 1998.
3. "Historical Sketch of the County of Waterloo" Historical Atlas of Waterloo and Wellington Counties H. Parsell & Co. Walker & Miles Toronto 1881 - 1887 Reprint Edition Ross Cunningham, Port Elgin 1972.
4. Obituary Galt Reporter Thursday January 12, 1899.
5. J.N. MacKendrick "Local history in the street names of Galt" Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 7, 1919.
6. Thomas Peck, "Galt Sixty Years Ago", Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 13, 1925.
7. Cornelius Wilson Jubilee Souvenir of Galt, 1897, C. Wilson, Galt, 1897.

Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [used with kind permission of Jim Quantrell]

______________________

THOMAS TODD. He was one of the first men I became acquainted with in Galt, and he was a true and trusted friend as long as he lived. I could not help loving him for all his excellent qualities, and his great kindness, and unchanging fidelity. He was always the same, a man to be relied upon. He was a man of affairs, and as I say in " Memories of the Past," whatever he undertook he carried through, and that, too, in a thoroughly unselfish manner. " He could walk steadily where others feared to tread. A business expert, and though he carried many a weighty responsibility, his cheery voice, his pleasant smile, his kind, encouraging word, were an inspiration of the best kind, and that especially to his minister. He was liberal and loving by nature, and every way a noble soul." After more than ten years since these words were penned they still stand as a fair estimate of his character. Only I feel that here some additional particulars ought to be added by way of illustration or amplification of what is here set down. We were associated not only in church work, but in the Trusteeship of the Galt Collegiate Institute, and I saw him in his daily engagements as one of our leading business men, and also in the privacies of his home life, so that I saw him all round, and knew him intimately. I therefore feel free to record my impressions of him. Business men by business men are seen only on one side of their character, the observant minister usually has opportunity of seeing them on many sides, because he has to do with them in more ways than one. He was exceedingly generous in his nature. I know that in my own experience. And one of his employees, whom I met years after he had left his service, spoke of his kindness to the poor in the most laudatory terms, finishing with: " No one knows how much good he does in a quiet way. I tell you, Mr. Todd is a genuinely good man." This individual had been his confidential clerk. I always think with comfort and delight of Mr. Todd in his relation to me and my work. He was, in his department of service, a true yokefellow, doing all in his power to further the cause that was dear to his heart the cause of Christ. He was a born leader of men and whatever he took in hand he accomplished. He carried things through to a successful issue. The chief joy of his life was in the church, its services, and its success. He was always in his place on the Lord's Day if at home and well. And he was liberal in support of all the schemes which the church was carrying on. It was to him a real delight to have a hand in furthering some good object. In his public career he was found foremost in great enterprises, inspiring others with confidence and hope, and carrying them forward into works of value to the entire community. Everything of value to the people found in Mr. Todd an earnest advocate and a zealous supporter. He was a thoroughly unselfish man, and when, in the providence of God, he was called home, many mourned his loss who acknowledged him their best earthly friend. Not only did his family suffer a great loss, but the church he loved and labored for, and he community whose interests he sought to advance, both mourned and missed him much.

Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson

Historic Building:
Stone house built in 1868 by Henry Harrington.

Business:
In 1860 joined with John Davidson in setting up the Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, later named the Victoria Wheel Works.

Business:
The hub and spoke manufacturing business first started by Thomas Todd and John Davidson in 1861 and later operated by Young and Smith. Mr. Scott purchased the business in 1873 and operated it for many years as R. Scott and Son Ltd., later the Victoria Wheel Works. The buildings were damaged by fire in 1882 but were rebuilt and enlarged. Mr. Scott continued to manage the business until 1906 when he sold it to his son-in-law George A. Dobbie. The business was located at the foot of Main St. for many years before moving to new facilities on Middleton St. in 1913.

Other Events:

• Name: Sibella Todd
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24313
• Residence: 1852, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Interesting: lumber, mill, business, politics, public service
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63217
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1856, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Miller
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lumberman
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1892, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Elected Office: 1892, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden of the County of Waterloo
• Elected Office: 1893, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mayor of Galt
• Retired: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Robert Gilholm was born Jan 1, 1833 on his family's farm on Cedar Creek Road out side of Galt, son of Robert Gilholm and Ann Foreman of Northumberland, England. He took over the farm after his father's death and did the threshing for other farmers in the area for a number of years. In 1867 he with George Hogg purchased a tract of forest on the Black Horse Road. They cut the timber and brought it to Roseville where it was cut into lumber. Gilholm and Hogg lumber business grew and with the purchase from Andrew Dryden of a steam saw mill operating on Harris St. in Galt. Mr. Hogg returned from the partnership in 1883 and Robert operated the mill until 1900 when he sold to P. W. Gardiner.

He owned about 75 properties in Galt, served on Galt council, as reeve, deputy reeve and mayor. He also served on Waterloo council and as warden. He was chairman of the Galt Public School Board and member of the Galt Hospital Trust and chairman of hte Board of Managers of Central Presbyterian Church. Gilholm St. in named for him.


Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

_________________________

Robert Gilholm, a former mayor of Galt, was born in North Dumfries Township in 1833. His parents came from Northumberlandshire and settled on a farm near Galt in 1832.

In 1859 Gilholm and George Hogg purchased a sawmill on Harris Street, Galt, from Andrew Dryden and operated it until 1900.

In 1883 he was appointed to the town council, served as alderman for a number of years, and as mayor in 1893 and 1894. He was also on the County council and was warden in 1892. He was a Liberal.

Gilholm was one of the original members of Central Presbyterian Church and was very influential in having the 1880 church erected. He was held in high regard by all with whom he came into contact


Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

Robert married Janet "Jane" Scott 27 Jun 1856, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Janet (daughter of William Scott and Janet Burnett) was born 13 Jan 1837, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; died 9 Aug 1913, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Scott
• Name: Janet "Jane" Gilholm
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-63218
• Residence: 1856, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134715
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: Bef 1855, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Robert — Anne Foreman. Anne was born 1805, , England; died 8 Sep 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anne Gilholm
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134716
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Near Galt on Thursday last, after a lingering illness, Mrs. Gilholm, relict of the late Robert Gilholm. This is the second bereavement that has visited this family within a few weeks.

Dumfries Reformer 14 Sep 1853 pg 3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-72251
• Residence: 1818, Lyne and Megget, Peebles, Scotland

Notes:

Willam was originally buried on the family farm and actually may still be buried there, only the stone was moved or recreated.

William married Janet Burnett 18 Dec 1818, Lyne and Megget, Peebles, Scotland. Janet (daughter of Andrew Burnett and Isabel Nichol) was born 1797, , Selkirkshire, Scotland; died 5 Sep 1872, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Janet Scott
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-72258
• Residence: 1818, Lyne and Megget, Peebles, Scotland

Notes:

" Burnet (nee Nichol), born in Traquair, Scotland in 1766. Her daughter Janet married William Scott and they immigrated to Dumfries Twp about 1824. In 1831, Isabel and several of her children immigrated to Canada, but sadly, Isabel died 3 hours before the ship landed in Hamilton. She was buried on William & Janet's farm, next two her grand-children."


email eiscott57 Ancestry.com 2007