I recently obtained a photo of an ancient pioneer businessman, William McKenzie Ross I.
The photo was not in proper focus, but my friend, Matt Dupuis, was able to clarify it and made it appear as if it had been created yesterday.
William was born in Tabot, Ross Shire, Scotland on May 23, 1833, but his birth year has also been mentioned as 1832.
When in his early teens, he came to Canada to clerk in the Montreal dry goods store of his uncle, J.G. McKenzie.
While working there he met the principals of the Crow and Beaty dry goods firm of Chatham who invited him to work in their store which was located on the north side of King Street, a bit west of the present day Satellite Restaurant.
He learned the business well, and while just 21 years old, in the mid 1850s, he was able to open his own dry goods store in, or just opposite to, the Rankin (Hotel) Block at the southeast corner of King and Fourth streets. He did well in business and was able to build a home and large estate on the south side of what is now Park Avenue East. A complex of large mid-rise apartment buildings now stand on this site.
He left the dry goods business in 1863 and established an orchard and nurseryman trade on a large property near the southeast corner of Indian Creek Road and the Gravel Road which is now known as Queen Street, or County Road 10.
He was a multi-talented man who spoke three languages and was also an accomplished singer, musician and public speaker.
I must admit to the guilt of confusing him with his son William McKenzie Ross II or is it grandson William McKenzie Ross III? In any event, I think the Ross family will forgive me.
William McKenzie Ross died in 1889 and reposes in the family plot, Maple Leaf Cemetery.
It is interesting to note that the business he established more than 160 years ago still exists and is operated by the sixth generation of his family. I think that circumstance is outstanding.
