1891 C.W. Meakins Celebrated 25 years of Marriage.
The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, June 26, 1891. [10]
1832 Charles William Meakins was born on April 6 to parents Charles William and Mary Ann Meakins and baptized on May 13 at St Pancras, Middlesex, England.The family lived on Drummond Street, Middlesex, England, and Charles was a cabinet maker. [1] [2]
1866 "Chas Wm Meakins, age 32, and Elizabeth Campbell, age 23, were married on June 26 in Huron County, Ontario, by James Duncan of the Canadian Presbyterian Church. Charles William was a resident of Hamilton, C.W., and was born in England, son of Charles William and Mary Ann. Elizabeth was a resident of Stanley, and was born in Montreal, daughter of James and Elizabeth. The witness was Thos Stogdall of Stanley. [3] [4]
1879 A patent for improvements in painting brushes (CA 10699) was issued to Charles W. Meakins Nov. 27, 1879. [5]
1881 The Canada census for Ward 1, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, listed Charles Meakins (age 57), occupation brush manufacture. He was born in England and was of English origin. His wife Elizabeth (age 37), was born in Quebec and was of Scottish origin. Their children Florence (age 12), Willie (age 8), Charles (age 4), were all born in Ontario. The family religion was Church of England. Also in the household were widow Elizabeth Campbell (age 70, born in Scotland) and Catherine Campbell (age 30, born in Ontario). Their religion was Presbyterian. [6]
1882 Jonathan Campbell Meakins, son of Charles William Meakins and Elizabeth Campbell, was born on May 16 in Hamilton, Ontario. The Hamilton Spectator reported on May 18, [7]
On the 16th instant, at 170 Main street east, the wife of C. W. Meakins, of a son.
1884 A patent for a brush (CA 19026) was issued to Charles W. Meakins Apr. 2, 1884 [8]
1891 Charles W Meakins (age 55) and Elizabeth (age 48) lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with children Ida (age 21), William J (age 18), Charles (age 14), John (age 9), Marion (age 5), and Louis (age 3). [9]
1891 The 25th anniversary of the marriage of Charles William and Elizabeth (campbell) Meakins was celebrated.
Married Twenty-five Years.
Presentation to C W Meakins By His Employes
An event which occurred last night shows the kindly feeling which exists between C. W. Meakins and his employes. Mr Meakins was married twenty-five years ago and so that there would be no danger of him forgetting it the employes visited him last night. On behalf of the employees John Black, the foreman, read the following address: "Mr and Mrs Meakins--Dear friends: It is with great pleasure we the employes of Meakins & Sons have learned that this is the twenty-fifth anniversary of your marriage. We rejoice to know that the union has been a happy one, and we beg to offer our congratulations along with your numerous friends, and hope that you both may long be spared to each other, and that the children which have blessed your union may grow up to be an honor and a pleasure to you both in the journey of life. As an expression of the respect and esteem in which you are held by the employes of the firm we beg your acceptance of the accompanying gift and when in after years you look upon it it will remind you of the many homes which have been made happy and comfortable through the enterprise of Meakins & Sons. We hope and trust that there may be many years of happiness and prosperity in store for you both, and as time rolls on in your journey down life's vale this anniversary may be thought as one of the pleasant experiences of your life, is the wish of your employes. On behalf of the employes, C. Bourque, W. Stewart, E. Skedden, S. H. Forster, C. Luebke, J. Black."After the reading of the address Charles Bourque presented Mrs. Meakins with an elegant silver epergne, suitably engraved. Mr. Meakins replied feelingly. He afterwards entertained the employes.
1898 On 19 October, William Grant Meakins (age 26), son of Elizabeth Campbell and Charles William Meakins, married Alice Maud West (age 21) in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. [11]
1901 Charles W Meakins (age 66) and Elizabeth (age 56) lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with children Charles J (age 24), John C (age 18), Louis Alex (age 12), Florence I (age 29), and Marion (age 14). [12]
1906 Charles William Meakins, his son William Grant Meakins, and others, incorporated to acquired the business of Meakins, Sons & Company, of Montreal.
PUBLIC The NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, under The Companies' Act, 1902, letters patent have been issued under the Seal of the Secretary of State of Canada, bearing date the 16th day of December, 1905, incorporating Charles William Meakins, manufacturer; William Grant Meakins, manufacturer, both of the City of Hamilton, in the Province of Ontario; Frederick Alexander Ritchie, manufacturer, of the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario; Charles William Meakins, manufacturer; Horace Rosario St. Michel, agent; John Joseph Robson, accountant, and Michel Thiverge, agent, all of the City and District of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, for the following purposes, viz:--To acquire and take over as a going concern the business of Meakins, Sons & Company, of Montreal, manufacturers of brushes, brooms, and woodenware; to carry on the business of manufacturers and dealers in brushes, brooms, woodenware and the like, and to act as manufacturers' agents; to acquire or undertake the whole or any part of the business, property and liabilities of any person or corporation carrying on any business which this company is authorized to carry on, and to pay for the same either in cash or stock of this company or otherwise as may be agreed upon; to purchase or otherwise acquire and hold shares in any other company having objects altogether or in part similar to those of this company or carrying on any business capable of being conducted so as to directly beneft this company. The operations of the company to be carried on throughout the Dominion of Canada and elsewhere by the name of *The Meakins Brush Company* (Limited), with a total capital stock of sixty thousand dollam, divided into six hundred shares of one hundred dollars, and the chief place of business of the said company to be at the City of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec. Dated at the Office of the Secretary of State of Canada, this 18th day of December, 1905. R. W. SCOTT, Secretary of State.
1908 Charles William Meakins died on February 7 in Hamilton, Ontario. [14]
ANOTHER OLD RESIDENT GONE
Death of Chas. W. Meakins, a Well- Known Business Man
Had Been in Business Here For Half a Century
Charles W. Meakins, the well-known manufacturer, passed away at his home, 314 Main street east, at an early hour this morning, following a week's serious illness, and in his death Hamilton loses one of its best-known and most estimable citizens. About a weeK ago, Mr. Meaking was stricken with paralsis, and he never regained consciousness, and in spite of all that medical skill could do, passed away this morning, leaving to mourn his loss a sorrowing widow, four sons and two daughters.
Charles William Meakins was a native of London, England, and came with his parents when two years of age, to Canada: The family settled in Montreal, and in 1831(?) Mr. Meaking came to Hamilton, and went into the furniture business. This he conducted until 1865, when he went into the manufacturing of brushes, the business in which he continued until laid aside by illness a week ago.
Deceased enjoyed the distinction of being Hamilton oldest business man, having been engaged in mercantile pursuits here for fifty-seven years. He was educated in the Fitz Roy School of Design and Art, and In 1850, while in Montreal designed and carved the suite of furniture exhibited by. Canada at the Crystal Palace exposition. This furniture was presented by the ladies of Montreal to Queen Victoria, and is now at Windsor castle. After coming to Hamilton he designed the fountain now in Gore park. He also designed, carved and presented the chancel chairs and table now in use in St. Thomas church.
The late Mr. Meakins was a man of retiring disposition, and apart from his business probably took more active interest In the work of St. Thomas' church than anything else of a public nature. On coming to Hamilton h6, a young man, Identifled himself with as the church when it was located at the corner of Wilson and Emerald streets, where now stands the Emerald street Methodist church, and through all the succeeding years he kept up his Interest. In both business and social circles lasting friendships, and he made. many his death will be deeply regretted by all classes of citizens, by, whom he was much beloved. He was a member of St. George's society, and of the Barton lodge A. F. and A. M. The surviving sons and daughters are: William G.. of this city Charles and Dr. J. C.. of New York: L. C. Meakins, Philadelphia, and the Misses Florence and Marion, at home.
The funeral will take place at 2.30 The Sunday afternoon to St. Thomas' church..
1931 Elizabeth Campbell Meakins died on October 4 in Hamilton, Ontario. [16] [17]
PIONEER CITIZEN CALLED BY DEATH Mrs. C. W. Meakins Dies At Her Home Here Mother of Noted Actor and Professor Meakins One of Hamilton's most widely esteemed residents passed away yesterday in the person .of Mrs. C. W. Meakins, senior, widow of Charles W. Meakins, at her home, 314 Main street east, following an iliness of about one month's duration. Mrs. Meakins was born on Hamliton's island, River St. Lawrence, on July 29, 1843, her father, James Campbell, of Stirling, Scotland, being one of the pioneer contractors o! the Great Western railway. In the course of his activities his family spent the summer on stock farms which he leased for the hundreds of head of horses engaged in preparing the roadway ahead of the iron rails. In one of these summer homes, little Elizabeth was born. In the course of the railway's progress, Mr. Campbell moved to Hamilton, their summer home being the Brant farm and their permanent home on the corner of and King streets, a brick house still standing west of the present motor salesroom. Elizabeth, then attending a private school, was withdrawn to attend the/ Central school on its opening day. Shortly after the death of her father in Toledo, Ohio, Miss Campbell returned to Hamilton the bride Charles William Meakins. Meakins built the present home, at 314 Main street east, for his bride, and Mrs. Meakins had lived there continuously until her death yesterday.
The deceased was the mother of seven children, Marion, Alexander and Elizabeth. who predeceased her, William Grant Meakins, president Meakins & Sons, Ltd., Charles James Meakins/ of Goderich, who is known in the theatrical world /as Charlesworth Meakins. and who starred in the Merry Widow and Rose Marie: -Professor Jonathan C.. Meakins, M.D., C.M.. E.R.C.P.. F.R.S. Ed.. F.R. S.C.. LLD., director of medicine of McGill university, and Miss Florence Meakins at home. One sister, Miss Catherine Campbell, of New York city. also survives.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Church of St. Thomas to Hamilton cemetery.
Research Notes:
Charles William Meakins had a brush factory in Hamilton Ontario. He was a woodcarver, made furniture as a hobby. [20]
The Dictionary of Hamilton Biography states, [21]
Charles William Meakins, cabinet maker, manufacturer, born c. 1833 in Rumford, London, England; m. Elizabeth Campbell, and they had four sons and two daughters; died 7 February 1908 at Hamilton Ontario.
Charles William Meakins, a son of Charles William Meakins, came to Canada with his parents at the age of two. In 1850, the family moved to Hamilton from Montreal, where father and sons had been engaged in the manufacture of furniture. The Meakinses established a firm in Hamilton, becoming the first cabinet makers in this city to use machinery in their business. The original factory stood on King William Street; a few years later the firm moved to King Street E. with the salesroom in the Elgin Block on John Street.
The Meakinses turned from making furniture to making brushes, and in this they were successful 'beyond their most sanguine expectations.' In 1857, Meakins, his father, and his brother, Jonathan Marshall, were partners in Meakins & Sons. By 1882 the partnership consisted of only Meakins and his father. In 1881, the firm's success necessitated the building of a new factory on King Street E. between West Avenue and Victoria Avenue.
Charles Meakins had been educated at Fitz Roy School of Design and Art and was in addition an expert in wood carving. In 1850, while still in Montreal, he designed and carved a suite of furniture exhibited in the Crystal Palace Exhibition [in London in 1851]. It was presented to Queen Victoria by the women of Montreal. In Hamilton, Meakins designed and carved patterns for the construction of the fountain that stood for a century in Gore Park. It was erected in 1860 in time for the Prince of Wales's official opening of the city's waterworks, but by 1959 it had reached a dangerous state of decay and was torn down. Meakins was an Anglican and was devoted to the activities of the Church of St. Thomas. He designed, carved, and presented the chancel chairs and altar in use today.
Charles Meakins belonged to the St. George's Benevolent Society and Barton Lodge. he lived at 314 Main Street E. He had four sons: Charles James, Jonathan Campbell and Louis Alexander, William Grant, and two daughters Ida Florence Margaret and Marian Elizabeth. William Grant joined Meakins & Sons in 1889 and eventually took over the concern, which became Meakins & Sons, Ltd. Charles James, a tenor, rose to fame as a musical comedy actor in the early 1900s.
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[2] Family History Library microfilm, 0598163, Parish registers of St. Pancras Old Church, 1660-1916, [FHLFilmCatalog].
[3] Record Group 8. Series I-6-B. Vol. 20, Huron County Marriage Registers: 1858-1869 (also contains some Bruce Co. marriages), Arch. of Ont. film no. MS 248, reel 8, FHL film 1030058 Items 3, Ontario, County Marriage Registers, 1858-1869, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
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[7] Gordon H. Allison, Hamilton Spectator, Deaths, Marriages, and Births January to June 1882 (Manuscript, Hamilton, Ontario, Archives, 1995), 6.
[8] Canadian Patents Database, [Canada_Patents].
[9] Canada Census, 1891, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[10] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, June 26, 1891, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[11] Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[12] Canada Census, 1901, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[13] The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, {5}, {6}, page {7}, Canada.January 31.1906.4, [NewspapersClip].
[14] Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 140, image 76, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[15] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, {5}, {6}, page {7}, Canada.February 7.1908.1, [NewspapersClip].
[16] Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 430, image 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[17] Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[18] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, {5}, {6}, page {7}, Canada.October 5.1931.7, [NewspapersClip].
[19] The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ontario, {5}, {6}, page {7}, Canada.October 5.1931.7, [NewspapersClip].
[20] Family Document, Evelyn Miles Krase Notes.
[21] Thomas Melville Bailey, ed., Dictionary of Hamilton Biography, Vol. II 1876-1924 (Hamilton, Ontario: Dictionary of Hamilton Biography, 1991), 112, [WorldCat].