Charles Turnbull

Other Events:

• Business: C. Turnbull Co. Ltd.
• Interesting: business, mill, life story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54791
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian Church
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Business: 1890, C. Turnbull Co., Ltd., Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Turnbull Co. Ltd.
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Underwear Manufacturer
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1893, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; manufacturer
• Occupation: 1897, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, Woolen Goods
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

The C. Turnbull Co., Ltd.

Of the many manufacturing enterprises that go to make the Town of Galt famous abroad as a manufacturing centre few, if any, have contributed in so large a degree as the one above mentioned. The product of the company consists of lambs' wool underclothing, hosiery, knitting yarns, etc. and one would have to search the Dominion through to find a larger or more complete establishment of its kind, or one better fitted with the latest and most improved machinery for turning out first-class goods in their line. The commodious buildings occupied by this firm are situated on North Water Street and West Main Street, together covering a large tract of ground space. The factories give employment to over one hundred hands, and were opened in 1859 by Turnbull & Deans. The present joint stock company was formed in 1890 and own all the property they occupy, and their goods are found in all parts of the Dominion. The capital stock of the Company is fifty thousand dollars. Mr. C. Turnbull is a native of Galt, and is a young man full of vim and is one of Galt's best citizens.

Jubilee Souvenir of Galt 1897

______________________

CHARLES TURNBULL

1858-1924 Married: Margaret McIlwraith

Charles Turnbull was a son of Robert Turnbull and Elizabeth Graham. When his father died at the early age of 52 in 1879. Charles and his younger brother John Turnbull took over the operations of the Turnbull Knitting Company. Although only 21, Mr. Turnbull had a considerable knowledge and understanding of the business since he had been managing the operation for the 18 months previous to his father's death. In 1881 a joint stock company was formed under the name the C. Turnbull Co. Limited and in 1890 the company expanded into more spacious surroundings in the old Wardlaw mill on North Water Street. When this building was destroyed by fire in 1897 a new stone structure was erected on the site. It is part of this mill which forms the ruins now found in Mill Race Park. Although full-fashioned underwear was always Turnbull's major and most famous product, the company also produced the "knit and cut" type of underwear after about 1900 and began the manufacture of women's rayon underwear in 1925. It was in the early 1920's that the company reached its peak level of employment with about 450 hands. Mr. Turnbull was president of the Gore Mutual Insurance Company from 1923 to 1925 and was a member of the first board of directors of Galt's first free library when it was organized in 1900. Mr. Turnbull died on December 30, 1924 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery.

Sources:
1. Margaret Bowron, "A Short History of the Galt Public Library 1835 to 1905", Waterloo Historical Society Journal, Vol. 43, 1955.
2. Roderick Cunningham Legacy of the Gore Cunningham Enterprises, Toronto, 1989.
3. James E. Kerr, "History of the Galt Public Library", Waterloo Historical Society Journal Vol. 2, 1917.
4. Jim Quantrell, "Tumbull Knitting" A Part of Our Past, Essays on Cambridge's History City of Cambridge Archives, Cambridge Ontario 1992.
5. John P. Shewchuk "The Development of the Textile Trade at Galt, Preston and Hespeler 1832 - 1914", Unpublished manuscript, City of Cambridge Archives MG1 Vol. 35, A988.155.0I

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

____________________

Turnbull, Manufacturer of Full Finished Lambs' Wool Underclothing - The business conducted by the above-named firm was established by Mr. Robert Turnbull, father of the present proprietor, 30 years ago, and was successfully carried on by him until his death in 1879, when Mr. Charles Turnbull became proprietor, and has still further increased its success. The premises occupied are two detached buildings, covering over half an acre of ground, and are two stories in height and rough-cast. It is a one-set mill, and he manufactures entirely full fashioned knit goods, underwear for ladies, gents and children, the quality of material used being of the very finest, and the workmanship and finish unsurpassed by that of any other makers in the Dominion. The trade extends throughout the Dominion, from Windsor to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The goods have a sharp demand in the market, for their superiority is recognized and their trade value established. For the excellence of these goods he received an award at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876, and bronze and silver medals at the Industrial Fair, in Toronto, in 1880. Mr. Charles Turnbull is a native of Canada, of Scottish descent, and is a young gentleman of marked business ability and enterprise, and thoroughly understands all the details of the business he so ably conducts.

<sup>Industries of Canada, historical and commercial sketches, Hamilton and environs: its prominent places and people: representative merchants and manufacturers: its improvements, progress and enterprise (1886)



Business:
The C. Turnbull Co., Ltd.

of the many manufacturing enterprises that go to make the Town of Galt famous abroad as a manufacturing centre few, if any, have contributed in so large a degree as the one above mentioned. The product of the company consists of lambs' wool underclothing, hosiery, knitting yarns etc. and one would have to search the Dominion through to find a larger or more complete establishment of its kind, or one better fitted with the latest and and most improved machinery for turning out first-class goods in their line. The commodious buildings occupied by this firm are situated on North Water street and West Main street, together covering a large tract of ground space. The factories give employment to over ore hundred hands, ard were opened in 1859 by Turnbull & Deans. The present joint stock company wasp, formed in 1890 and own all the property they occupy, and their goods are found in all parts of the Dominion. The capita stock of the Company is fifty thousand dollars. Mr. C. Turnbull is a native of Galt, and is a young man full of vim and is one of Galt's best citizens.1a

1aFrom 1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt</sup>

Charles married Margaret "Maggie" McIlwraith 19 Feb 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of Andrew McIlwraith and Mary Goldie, daughter of Andrew McWraith and Mary) was born 15 Dec 1863, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 5 Apr 1864, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54793
• Birth: 26 Dec 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-152777

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-152791
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Residence: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 46 Queen St. West, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54794
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Lieutenant, 5th University corps / Princess Pats / Royal Air Force
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Service #487406
• Military: 1915; WW1
• Misfortune: 1918; killed in war
• Misfortune: 1918; Killed in WW1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54795