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Newspaper
Acton Free Press
Location
Acton, Ontario, Canada
Date
Feb 08, 1877
Page
2
The Free Press announces publication by J. H. Hacking, proprietor. It lists a subscription price of $1 per year in advance and includes the address 635 Turnway Mvasiva, Fra. The note appears in a period morning edition with the masthead Soke ant reel.
Acton in Esquesing township, Halton County, sits on the Grand Trunk line about 35 miles west of Toronto and 13 miles east of Guelph. It is a trade center for farmers and nearby townships with a Credit River branch providing water for industry, boating, fishing, and skating. The village, incorporated in 1873, shows potential for expanded manufacturing. investors are urged to locate there with possible substantial bonuses.
London and Toronto papers debate the government bill to aid farmers sons. The Globe’s opposition risks sinking the measure and the government unless it proceeds, while withdrawal invites charges of bowing to the paper. Officials feel compelled to push ahead despite hostile coverage.
An Acton advertisement lists Belford Bros. publishers from Toronto offering titles including The Detective and The SomMaMBULIST by Allan Pinkerton, Mayeur Viewer by William Black, A Map-Wog.pano Irs Muasitanis, Home Cook Book by Toronto ladies. J.C. Hill markets these works with prices and sale details, noting charity support and handsome bindings.
The article recounts Acton area industry from early settlement era to the 19th century. It highlights Nicklin's Flour Mills founded by the Nicklin family, fire in 1866, and rapid rebuilding, with steam and water power driving a 20 horsepower engine. It details plow innovations from Acton Plow Company and notes Coates Stave Heading Factory, Speight wagon and blacksmith shops, and their evolving operations and equipment.
James Ryder started as a blacksmith in Acton in 1854 with Lightheart. The partnership dissolved after four years, Ryder bought out the business later, a fire caused a 3800 loss with only 150 insurance, he rebuilt and produced wagons with Wm Grant briefly, and the wood workshop grew from 1874 onward. Last year sixty wagons were made, mainly light carriages with handsome designs, and twenty cutters were completed that winter.
Tolton's flour works near Acton, though not in the corporation, are owned by Tolton brothers. Established 24 years ago by Morrison and Robinson, then Armstrong and Smith, the property was bought about seven years ago by Toltons. The mill uses water power, employs six workers, and makes about 10,000 barrels of flour annually for export while consuming 50,000 to 60,000 bushels of wheat. Toltons also bought 30,000 bushels of barley and 12,000 bushels of peas for export this past season.
The Acton Plow Company formed in 1875 to enlarge premises and acquire machinery, aiming to produce up to 3000 Stephenson plows annually at $30. Directors include S Smith, E Snyder, and Dr. McGarvin. The firm won top prizes at major exhibitions and plans to add more farming implements.
McGarvin & Smith Lime Works near the Grand Trunk railway and Brown & Hall Shingle and Lumber Mills lead a growing Ontario building trades cluster. Ebbage Planing Mills and Sash Factory, established by John Ross and later operated by Erastus Hull, produce pumps, cabinetware, sash, doors, mouldings, and lumber processing with extensive machinery. The Lime Works, founded by Robertson and Laidlaw in 1872 and now owned by McGarvin and Smith, operate four kilns with a daily 1200 bushel capacity, employing eight to ten workers and shipping large quantities across the railway corridor.
Hugh Camerons ashery has been in his possession three years about 60 barrels of potash annually worth about 2000 dollars. Names include Anthony Stephenson general blacksmith Peter McCann carpenter joiner undertaker John Cameron builder B E Nicklin bakers and confectioners Galloway Bros bakers and runner R Greech harness maker and dresser in trunks E K Cook harness maker Robert Fisher tinware and stove dealer Wilson Johnson tinware and stove manufacturers and dealers Charles W Hill photographer Craine Son manufacturers and dealers boots and shoes John Kenney Son boot manufacturers and dealers D Maloney Alex Grant P Kelly boots and shoemakers Dickson McNab tailors and clothiers J McArthur tailor George Hynds watchmaker jeweller Joseph P Allan livery stable keeper Ransom Adams livery stable keeper and capitalist Clas Cameron pork dealer and packer Oliver Lozier plasterer Mrs Carter music teacher Dickey Story butchers Wm Worden butcher Geo Levens barber The Frex Press established July 1975 by J H Hacking. independent local newspaper with large constituency.
The passage catalogs numerous Montreal businesses and professionals including hotels Acton and Rossin House owners Rob Agnew and Thomas H. Campbell, merchants Secord Bros and Christie Henderson & Co, groceries, dry goods, and hardware stores, and several medical and legal professionals. It notes temperance and fraternal societies, a Masonic Lodge, and telegraph office agents.
Reports from Ottawa and Ontario discuss the Dankin Act's progress and votes. York County votes to submit the act to ratepayers, while Simcoe County rejects popular submission. Ontario County votes on the act February 27 as temperance sentiment shifts with new church growth in Essex.
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