P7521

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Details

ID Number

P7521

Item Name

Image

Maker

Watson, J.E.

Title

Hiram Walker / Hiram Walker

Title (Fre)

Hiram Walker

Description

Black and white photograph of Hiram Walker; Mr. Walker's head and shoulders are visible in the photograph; he is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt; he is balding on top but still has some white hair, a white beard and a moustache; the photograph was taken by J.E. Watson of 236 Woodward Avenue, Detroit.

History

Hiram Walker was born on July 4, 1816 in Douglas, Massachusetts. He was one of eleven children and the son of an educator and pioneer family in New England. In 1836, at the age of 20, Hiram moved to Boston and entered into the dry goods business. In 1838 he moved to Detroit. By 1846 Hiram was running his own grocery store and became a prominent grocer in Detroit. On October 5, 1846 he married Mary Abigail Williams of Silver Lake Michigan. The two had six children: Elizabeth, Jennie (d. age 13); Willis Ephraim, Edward Chandler, Franklin Hiram, Alfred (d. age 1) and James Harrington. On December 22, 1856, Hiram Walker purchased part of the Labadie farm in Windsor. Walker continued to purchase land and in 1857 he began construction on a flour mill. The steam operated flour mill and distillery began operations in the summer of 1858. Because he was travelling from Detroit to Windsor almost daily, Walker purchased The Cottage, a frame house 150 feet west of the mill, and moved his family there in 1859. The next few years proved very successful for Walker who was involved in numerous ventures including the mill & whiskey distilling, hogs, cattle, tobacco and lumber. Walker's Town began to develop around the mill and Walker Road was opened in 1860. Walker partnered with John McBride to found Hiram Walker and Company in 1863. This partnership lasted until 1867 when McBride was lured away by competitors. On March 1st, 1869 a Post Office was established at Walkerville. Three of Walker's Sons, Edward Chandler, Franklin Hiram and James Harrington joined their father in the business and the company was named Hiram Walker & Son in 1871 and Hiram Walker and Sons in 1873. Mary Walker died in 1872. Walker was very involved in the life of the town of Walkerville. He created the Walkerville Fire Department, and in 1880 leased the ferry Essex, which, by 1888 had expanded into the Walkerville & Detroit Ferry Company. Walker helped form the Lake Erie, Essex & Detroit River Railway Company in 1887 and the line, which eventually stretched from Walkerville - Harrow - Kingsville - Leamington - Ridgetown - St. Thomas, opened on December 26, 1888. It was sold to Pere Marquette in 1902. Hiram Walker died after a lengthy illness on January 12, 1899. He died at the age of 83 in his home in Detroit. In 1904 the Walker children consecrated St. Mary's church in memory of their parents. In 1926, the firm of Hiram Walker & Sons was sold to H. Clifford Hatch of Toronto. Canadian Club Whiskey is still sold today.

Place made

Canada - Ontario - Walkerville

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subjects

Distilling industries / Industries de distillation

J.E. Watson Photography / Photographies J.E. Watson

Men / Hommes

Portrait photographs / Portraits photographiques

Portraits

Walker, Hiram Alexis

Walkerville (Ont.)

Watson, J.E.