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A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Mayor David Spiers

Mayor David Spiers

Male 1832 - 1917  (85 years)

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  • Name David Spiers 
    Prefix Mayor 
    Born 12 Jan 1832  Darvel, , Ayr, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 
    Gender Male 
    Business Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Galt Art Metal Company 
    Galt-GaltArtMetalCo.-Advertizement-1909.JPG    		 Galt-GaltArtMetalCo.-Advertizement-1909.JPG
    Residence 1841  Galston, , Ayr, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Immigration 1848  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Immigration 1849  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Occupation 1852  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    clerk 
    • Staying at Francis Lowell's Inn.
    Occupation 1861  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    merchant 
    Occupation 1871  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Manufacturer 
    Occupation 1872  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    manufacturer 
    Elected Office 1880  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mayor of Galt 
    Occupation 1881  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Manufacturer 
    Occupation 1891  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Flour Miller 
    Residence 1891  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1901  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Manufacturer 
    Business 1902  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Spiers' Oatmeal Mill 
    • image from: "Picturesque and Industrial Galt" 1902
    Spiers's Oatmeal Mill in 1902    		 Spiers's Oatmeal Mill in 1902
    image from: "Picturesque and Industrial Galt" 1902
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187731191 
    Interesting pioneer, story, business, politics, public service 
    Occupation 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Income 
    Residence 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-60435 
    Died 9 Jul 1917  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Person ID I60435  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2025 

    Father John Spiers,   b. 1781, , Ayrshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. , Ayrshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mother Elizabeth Brown,   b. 10 May 1789, , Ayrshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F37939  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Angela Keefer,   b. 13 Jan 1839, Thorold, Thorold Twp., Welland Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Aug 1902, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Married 25 Apr 1861  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Angela "Bessie" Spiers,   b. 28 Oct 1862, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Nov 1940  (Age 78 years)
     2. Julia Boswell Spiers,   b. 1864, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Helen Erskine "Nellie" Spiers,   b. 1866, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Osborne Spiers,   b. 17 Aug 1868, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Mar 1949  (Age 80 years)
     5. Wilhelmina Napier "Winnie" Spiers,   b. 31 Oct 1870, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Jane Angela Christie Spiers,   b. 19 Oct 1872, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Nov 1872, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     7. John Spiers,   b. 1875, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. John Keefer Spiers,   b. 14 Feb 1875, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. ? Spiers,   b. May 1876, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. Constance Bryson Spiers,   b. 5 Dec 1876, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Mar 1969  (Age 92 years)
     11. Constance Spiers,   b. 1879, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     12. Reginald Spiers,   b. 6 Jun 1879, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     13. David Galt Spiers,   b. 14 Oct 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 13 May 2025 
    Family ID F15815  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Mayor David Spiers    		Mayor David Spiers
    https://city.cambridge.on.ca/cs_pubaccess/hall_of_fame.php?aid=47&cpid=0&scpid=0&did=2&sid=34&ssid=0&tp=0&grid=0 2008

  • Notes 
    • DAVID SPIERS

      David Spiers was born in 1832 at Darvel in Scotland and came to Canada at an early age, living for a short time in Hamilton. At nineteen he came to Galt and there remained. He died July 9th., 1917.

      He began in the store of Andrew Elliott & Co., which stood where W. W. Wilkin son's establishment is now. Later he purchased Robert Wallace's grocery. From that time his business career saw many changes and advancement, mostly in manufacturing. He bought out the electric and gas works, operating the former until the town took over the plant and started using hydro-electric power. In 1913 he replaced the old timber dam on the Grand River in Galt with the present concrete one.

      He owned and operated the oatmeal mill and was interested in different manufacturing concerns, including the Galt Art Metal Company of which he was president. He was one of the six original promoters of the Galt, Preston & Hespeler Railway.

      For twenty-five years Mr. Spiers served on the town council and for three years, 1880 to 1882 inclusive, was Mayor of Galt. Until the appointment of a police magistrate he performed the work of justice of the peace of the town. He was a member of the Collegiate Board for forty-three years, twenty-eight years as chair man, until his retirement in 1914, and was president of the Hospital Board for the eighteen years during which he was a member of this Board. The new wing of the Galt hospital was built under his administration.

      That for which he will best be remembered, for which he more than any individual was responsible, is the new building of the Galt Collegiate Institute, massive, rugged and yet beautiful and admirably adapted to its purpose, fit monument to the sturdy character and civic usefulness of David Spiers.

      He was a member of Knox church and active in its management. He married Angela Keefer, daughter of Peter Reefer. Mrs. Spiers died fifteen years ago. Four sons and five daughters survive. The family home was in old days the residence of Dr. Tassie, in which many boys, from all parts of Canada and some from the Unit ed States, had their domicile, from time to time, while attending the Tassie school.

      An intimate, long time friend says: "Mr. Spiers was a man of more than ordinary mental calibre. Though without any preparatory legal training he was quick in discovering the right or wrong in any case brought before him as a magistrate. His judgment was generally to be relied upon either in legal or business matters. He was kind-hearted and sympathetic and many a man and woman too has been helped by his advice given willingly and without thought of remuneration. He was successful in business and might have been even more so had he not given so much of his time to the nobler purpose of public service. Galt and every other city and town in Canada need just such men, intelligent, honest, public spirited, unselfish, and untiring in their efforts to advance the interests of the communities in which they dwell."

      Fifth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society

      _____________

      DAVID SPIERS, ESQ

      Is one of the pioneers of Galt and a citizen held in the highest esteem by his fellows, having been identified with the interest of the town in almost every public capacity since 1852. As merchant, manufacturer and private citizen, Mr. Spiers was to be found in the front. Some 20 years has he served on the Council Board, and filled the Mayor's chair for 3 years. Closely identified with educational and social interests, a member of G. C. I. Board for 20 years, and enjoys the honor as chairman in this the Jubilee year. He is also president of the Hospital Board, president and manager of the Gas and Electric Light Co., a director of the G. P. & H. S. R. R., and one of the original promoters of the road. Although Mr. Spiers is so engaged in business, he is always ready to help. We can only say he is a busy, useful man, and Galt knows it.

      1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt

      __________________

      David Spiers was born David Speirs at Knowehead Farm (by Darvel) in the parish of Galston

      Email Robbie Wilson 2018

  • Sources 
    1. [S259] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1901, Galt (Town/Ville) C-3 Page 10.

    2. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 60.

    3. [S570] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1871, Div. 3 Page 42.

    4. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link .
      In memory of/ David Spiers/ born at Darval/ Ayrshire, Scotland/ Jan. 12th 1832/ died at Galt/ July 9th 1917/ Angela Keefer/ beloved wife of/ David Spiers/ born at Thorold/ Jan. 13th 1839,/ died at Galt/ Aug. 18th 1902/ Jane Angela Christie/ their infant daughter/ born Oct. 19th 1872/ died Nov. 14th 1872/ Spiers

    5. [S572] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1911, Div. 16 Page 7.

    6. [S1527] Census - Scotland - 1841, Ayrshire, Galston.
      John Spiers 55 Farmer b Ayrshire Y
      Elizabeth Spiers 45 Y
      William Spiers 15 Y
      Margaret Spiers 12 Y
      David Spiers 10 Y
      Makma McPherson 20 Ag Lab No
      Jean Wylie 20 Serv Y
      Katrine Allan 20 serv Y
      Francis Swiffs 15 Ag Labr No
      James Murray 60 Ag Labr I (Ireland)

    7. [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Section 2 Page 27.

    8. [S313] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1851, Div 1 Pg 5.

    9. [S20] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Telegraph (title varies: Berlin Telegraph, Berlin Daily Telegraph) (1853-1922), 3 May 1861.
      Spiers - Keefer: On Thursday, the 25th ult., at Trinity Church, Galt, by the Rev. Mr. Michael Boomer, L.L.D., David Spiers, Esq., Merchant, of the firm of Osborne, Spiers & Co., to Angelina, eldest daughter of Peter Keefer, Esq., of Galt.

    10. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      Jane Angela Christie Spiers Date of Birth: 19 Oct 1872 Gender: Female Birth County: Waterloo Father's Name: David Spiers (manufacturer of Galt) Mother's Name: Angela Keefer

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 12 Jan 1832 - Darvel, , Ayr, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Galt Art Metal Company - - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1841 - Galston, , Ayr, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1848 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1849 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - clerk - 1852 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - merchant - 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 25 Apr 1861 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - manufacturer - 1872 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Mayor of Galt - 1880 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Flour Miller - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1901 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Spiers' Oatmeal Mill - 1902 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Income - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 9 Jul 1917 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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