William Newman

William Newman

William Newman (22 January 1866 - 6 January 1952) was a civil engineer who lived in Windsor and Winnipeg, in Canada.

Ancestors

William belongs to an English family which settled in Ontario in 1845. In that year his grandfather, Thomas Newman, and his wife Mary (Hillier) Newman, and two children, became residents of the County of Essex, having secured land from Col. Talbot, on the north half of Lot 14, Middle Road, North. On this property Thomas Newman and his wife died, leaving as heirs a son and a daughter: James, who became the father of William Newman, of Windsor; and Anne, who became the wife of John Campbell and is now deceased.

James Newman was born Dec. 11, 1828, in England, and was seventeen years of age when the family exodus was made to Ontario. On reaching his majority he located on the north half of Lot 13, Middle Road, North, and there remained until 1868, when he sold this tract and purchased the west half of Lot 11, Concession 6, township of Mersea. Prosperity attended his efforts, and he became one of the substantial and much respected residents of his locality, and a leading member of the Conservative party. Throughout his life his religious connection was with the Church of England. In 1856 Mr. Newman was united in marriage with Mary Ann Elliott, who was born in 1838, in Ireland, a daughter of William Elliott, who came to the County of Essex in 1845, and settled in Rochester township, where he died. The following-named children were born to James Newman and wife. Here is a list, along with their locations as of 1905:

• Sarah Ann, who resides on the old homestead with her mother;
• Catherine Elizabeth, who is the wife of Adam A. Miles, of Gosfield North;
• Thomas, who is deceased;
• William, who resides at Windsor;
• George E., principal of the Brighton high school, who married a Miss Campbell;
• Hannah, who is deceased;
• John James, who is a civil engineer in the office of his brother William;
• Arthur Elliott and
• Adilla, who are at home; and
• Walter Scott, who was a soldier in South Africa.

James Hellier Newman died in 1901; but his widow still survives.

Early life

William Newman, the fourth member of the above family, was born 22 January 1866, in Tilbury West, and was given most excellent educational advantages. After honorably and creditably finishing his course in the Galt high school; he entered the School of Practical Science of Toronto University, from which institution he was graduated in 1891, with his degree of civil engineer.

Politically, Mr. Newman is identified with the Conservative party, and fraternally he belongs to both the Masonic and I.O.F. orders. He is an associate member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, and in his profession is regarded as an authority; he is considered one of the progressive and useful citizens of Windsor.

Career

After spending one year in engineering work with Alexander Baird, on 1 January 1893, he opened an office in Windsor, and from that time he has enjoyed the cordial support of the public, and does more business in his line than any other in this locality. His ability has been so recognized that in 1895 he was appointed city engineer, an office "he most capably filled", up until 1905.

Wm. Newman Construction Co., at the time of the 1950 Red River Flood [1].

Sometime between 1906 and 1907 he started "Wm. Newman Construction Co.", also known as "William Newman Co.", in Winnipeg, which was referenced in Winnipeg newspapers as winning various contracts for pile driving and grading of roads, from 1907 until 1951.

https://archives.winnipegfreepress.com/tags/?pep=william-newman&page=3&pd=1&ndt=bd&pe=7&pem=1&py=1874&pm=1&pey=1957/

William Newman Company headquarters, Cadomin Building, circa 1920

In the 1920s, the headquarters of William Newman Company were in room 104 of the Cadomin Building at Main Street and Graham Avenue (276-286 Main Street) [2].

After William died in 1952 the company was liquidated to settle lawyers' claims.

Marriage and family

From left: Clare, Clint, and Harold Newman, June 1907

In 1891 Mr. Newman was married to Laura Wilkinson, daughter of J. J. Wilkinson, of Mersea township, and three children were been born to this union, namely:

• Earl Clinton "Clint" Newman (20 June 1892 - January 1972)
• Lena Clare "Clare" Newman (1895 - 1954)
• William Harold "Harold" Newman (27 June 1906 - 29 September 1993)

Move to Winnipeg

Upon completing high school his son Clint began attending University with the intention of becoming a civil engineer. During the summer seasons he worked for his father William in the family construction business, Wm. Newman Construction Co. based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (photo: 1950 flood). The company specialized in pile driving, building bridges and wharfs. This would have taken place approximately 1912-13.

Later life

William's wife died in 1918 of Spanish Influenza.

The following was posted to page 15 of the Winnipeg Free Press on 22 January 1936, along with six others:

"Birthday congratulations to William Newman, Winnipeg. Born Essex County, Ontario, 22 Jan. 1866."

He received a similar wish in 1940, and several other years, the last being 22 Jan 1951.

In 1950 his company's low bid was rejected for being too low.

In November 1951 some piling material was listed as being for sale. Perhaps this was a liquidation of the company's assets? But William hadn't died yet.

Descendants

Clint had three sons, Bruce, Jack, and Gene, and seven grandchildren: Sandra, Evelyn, Mary Ann, Janet, David, Tom, Karen.

Clare had one son, Patrick.

Harold at least one child, a son, David Harold Newman.

Sources

David Newman, as recorded from stories from Harold Newman

A biography written for the "Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex", likely by William Newman himself, in 1905.