Thomas Todd

1831 - 1899  (67 years)

• Name	Thomas Todd
  Born	14 Oct 1831	Thurlstone, Ettrick, Scotland   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Gender	Male
  Business	Todd's Milling Co., Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Todd's Milling Co.
  Occupation	1852	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	wagon maker
  Residence	1852	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Presbyterian
  Historic Building	1858	211 Water St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	stone house
  	Stone house built in 1868 by Henry Harrington.
  Business	Abt 1860	Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Wheel manufacturing
  	In 1860 joined with John Davidson in setting up the Steam Bending Hub and Spoke Factory, later named the Victoria Wheel Works.
  Occupation	1861	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Carriage Maker
  Residence	1861	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	United Presbyterian
  Occupation	1871	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Corn Merchant
  Residence	1871	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	C. Presbyterian
  Occupation	1881	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Commision Merchant
  Occupation	1891	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Mill Owner
  Residence	1891	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Presbyterian
  Business	1897	Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Thomas Todd & Son Commission Merchants & Maltsters
  		Malt House From 1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt
  Business	1897	Victoria Wheel Works, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Victoria Wheel Works
  	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.
  		Victoria Wheel Works From 1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt
  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
  Died	11 Jan 1899  [2]
  Buried	Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Person ID	I105050	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Family 1	Sibella Nichol,   b. 1831, , Scotland ,   d. 29 Jul 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 30 years)
  Children	1. Thomas Todd,   b. 27 Oct 1854, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Dec 1855, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 1 years)   2. Mary M. Todd,   b. 27 Oct 1854, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 27 Aug 1857, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 2 years)   3. Martin Nichol Todd,   b. 27 Jul 1858, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 29 Aug 1917  (Age 59 years)
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F6049	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Margaret Carter,   b. 1838, , Berwickshire, Scotland ,   d. 14 Sep 1902, Regina, , Saskatchewan, Canada  (Age 64 years)
  Children	1. Janet Carter,   b. 1863, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Todd,   b. 1865, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 3 Mar 1865, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   3. Mary Carter Todd,   b. 1870, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F26865	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Todd,Thomas-formal-from-Cambridge-Archives.gif

  
  

• 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

  
  

• Sources

  [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 4. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link . In memory of / Thomas Todd / who died / January 11,1899 / aged 67 years / The rest wherewith / He maketh the weary to rest [S313] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1851, Div 1 Pg 18. [S570] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1871, Div. 1, Pg. 70. [S1838] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1861, Galt 1861 Div. 2 Page 27. [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Section 2 Page 8.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 14 Oct 1831 - Thurlstone, Ettrick, Scotland Business - Todd's Milling Co. - - Todd's Milling Co., Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - wagon maker - 1852 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1852 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Historic Building - stone house - 1858 - 211 Water St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Carriage Maker - 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - United Presbyterian - 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Corn Merchant - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - C. Presbyterian - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Commision Merchant - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Mill Owner - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - Thomas Todd & Son Commission Merchants & Maltsters - 1897 - Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - Victoria Wheel Works - 1897 - Victoria Wheel Works, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - councillor - Galt - - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth