William Newman

From Curriepedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
William Newman, 1905

William Newman (2 January 1865 or 22 January 1866 - 6 January 1952) was a civil engineer who lived in Windsor and Winnipeg, in Canada. [4]

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.

Early life

William Newman, the fourth child of James Newman, was born (1866-01-22)22 January 1866 [or 2 January 1865; see [4]], 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 [2], from which institution he was graduated in 1891, with his degree of civil engineer.

In 1905 Newman described himself as: "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.


Newman Bros. and the Lake Shore Railway

In his Windsor practice William was joined by his younger brother John, who, having taken a degree in civil engineering together with a surveyor's designation, worked alongside him under the name Newman Bros.

About 1903–1904, William, together with Dr. James Brien, then Reeve of Essex, promoted the Windsor, Essex & Lake Shore Railway. The two surveyed the line and secured a number of franchises, but judged the undertaking too large to carry through without outside financing, and A. J. Nelles of Hamilton was brought into the scheme. As a contemporary account put it, "little was done toward construction until May, 1905, when Messrs. Newman, Nelles and Brien entered into an agreement with some Detroit and Port Huron men to finance the Road."

By 1908 both Newman and Nelles felt they had been forced out of the company, and brought suit for a block of stock they maintained was owed to them and had never been transferred. An initial settlement of $117,000 was won in the autumn of 1907, but the two regarded it as only part of what was due. The dispute was carried all the way to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London (1913), which in 1914 awarded them a further $30,000.

Harold Newman later recalled his father saying that in the early years of the century he had been worth as much as a quarter of a million dollars — a fortune that, between the railway reverses and the move west, had largely disappeared by the 1920s.

First attested contract in Winnipeg, circa May 1907

Sometime between 1906 and 1907 he started "Wm. Newman Co. Ltd.", 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. [3]

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) [4].

Millwood, Man.

General contract for construction of bridge costing $34,000 for Rural Munici- pality of Russell, Man., is awarded to Wm. Newman Co., 104 Cadomin Bldg.,

Winnipeg.

— The Contract Record, Toronto, 7 July 1920 [5]

BUILDERS' SUPPLIES - STONE FOR SALE. Limestone, rubble, suitable for building foundations, rockeries, flower beds, etc. For sale, cheap. Ph. 204 157 WM. NEWMAN CO., LTD.

— Winnipeg Free Press, page 20, 23 May 1934.

NEW AND USED PLANK AND TIMERS for sale at reduced prices. Apply Wm. Newman Co. Ltd., 825 Tache Ave., St. Boniface. Phone 204 157.

— Winnipeg Free Press, page 32, 5 May 1949.
Wm. Newman Co. Ltd., 825 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, at the time of the 1950 Red River Flood [1].

After William died in 1952 the company was liquidated to settle lawyers' claims. The company's work office at 825 Taché Avenue was the site of "Red River Construction Co. as of 1955. [6]

825 Taché Avenue, a 1-acre site in a prime position at the centre of the city, was the site of a planned high-rise residential building in 2015.

Marriage and family

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

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

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 Lorana fell ill during the 1918 influenza pandemic and was admitted to an overcrowded Winnipeg hospital with double pneumonia, her bed placed in a hallway for want of room. She died there on 14 November 1918. William and their daughter Clare accompanied the coffin to Leamington, where she was buried.

See main article: Why Clint Newman left his family

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.

A death notice in the Winnipeg Free Press of 8 January 1952 recorded that William Newman, then "late of the Royal Albert Hotel," had died at the Winnipeg General Hospital on 6 January 1952 at the age of 86, and that his remains were forwarded to Leamington, Ontario, for the funeral service and burial, arranged by Bardal Funeral Service.

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 had three children: David Harold Newman, Loraine Houston, and John Newman.

Autobiography (1906)

Here is an article from a 1906 book called "Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, Ontario", where William Newman (1966-1952) wrote about himself and his family: [2]

WILLIAM NEWMAN, C.E., a prominent resident of Windsor, and native of the County of Essex, 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 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 settled in Ontario. On the family’s exodus he located on the north half of Lot 13, Middle Road, North, and there remained until 1858, 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 Elbott, who was born in 1838, in Ireland, a daughter of William Elbott, 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: Sarah, 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, married to Miss Campbell; and Hannah, who married a Miss Campbell; Hannah, who is deceased; John, who is a civil engineer in the office of his brother William; Arthur and Adilla, who are at home; and Walter, who was a soldier in South Africa. Mr. Newman died in 1901, but his widow still survives.

William Newman, the fourth member of the above family, was born Jan. 29, 1866, in Tilbury West, and was given most excellent educational advantages. After thoroughly 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. After spending one year in engineering work with Alexander Baird, on Jan. 1, 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 fills.

In 1894 Mr. Newman was married to Miss Laura Wilkinson, daughter of J. J. Wilkinson, of Mersea township, and two children have been born to this union, namely: Clinton, in 1896, and Clare, in 1898. Politically, Mr. Newman is identified with the Conservative party, and fraternally he belongs to both the Masonic and I.O.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.

[ED: handwritten note from David Harold Newman below the article reads “March 11, 1906.”]

Newman Family Land Holdings in Essex County, Ontario

This page documents the land holdings of the Newman family in Essex County, Ontario, derived from the Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex (c. 1906).

Overview

The Newman family, originally from England, settled in Essex County in 1845 after receiving land grants from Colonel Thomas Talbot. Three significant properties are documented across two townships.

Property Records

Property 1: Thomas Newman's Original Grant (1845)

Attribute Details
Legal Description North Half of Lot 14, Middle Road North
Township Rochester Township (now part of Lakeshore, Ontario)
Acquired 1845 (Talbot Settlement grant)
Original Owner Thomas Newman (grandfather)
Approximate GPS 42.2230° N, 82.7850° W
Modern Road County Road 46 (formerly Middle Road / Highway 98)

Notes: Thomas Newman and his wife Mary (Hillier) Newman settled on this property upon arrival from England. Both died on this property.

View on Map (GeoJSON.io) - Red box showing approximate property boundaries

Property 2: James Newman's First Property (1845–1858)

Attribute Details
Legal Description North Half of Lot 13, Middle Road North
Township Rochester Township (now part of Lakeshore, Ontario)
Acquired 1845
Sold 1858
Owner James Newman (son of Thomas)
Approximate GPS 42.2230° N, 82.7700° W
Modern Road County Road 46 (formerly Middle Road / Highway 98)

Notes: James Newman (born Dec. 11, 1828, England) was 17 years old when the family settled in Ontario. He located on this adjacent lot to his father's property.

View on Map (GeoJSON.io) - Blue box showing approximate property boundaries

Property 3: James Newman's Second Property (1858–1901)

Attribute Details
Legal Description West Half of Lot 11, Concession 6
Township Mersea Township (now part of Leamington, Ontario)
Acquired 1858
Owner James Newman
Approximate GPS 42.0520° N, 82.5500° W
Modern Road Near Mersea Road 6 / Concession 6 intersection

Notes: After selling his Rochester Township property, James Newman purchased this Mersea Township farm where he became "one of the substantial and much respected residents of his locality." He died in 1901; his widow survived him and continued to reside on the property with their daughter Sarah.

View on Map (GeoJSON.io) - Green box showing approximate property boundaries

Combined Map View

View All Three Properties on One Map

Color Property Township
Red Thomas Newman - Lot 14 Rochester
Blue James Newman - Lot 13 (1845-1858) Rochester
Green James Newman - Lot 11 Con 6 (1858+) Mersea

GPS Coordinates Summary

Property Latitude Longitude Google Maps Link
Thomas Newman (Lot 14) 42.2230 -82.7850 Open in Google Maps
James Newman (Lot 13) 42.2230 -82.7700 Open in Google Maps
James Newman (Lot 11, Con 6) 42.0520 -82.5500 Open in Google Maps

Historical Context

The Middle Road

The "Middle Road" (now Essex County Road 46) was surveyed by Colonel Mahlon Burwell in 1828. The road ran east-west through Rochester Township and was a primary settlement corridor for Irish and English immigrants in the 1840s. Land along this road was granted through the Talbot Settlement system administered by Colonel Thomas Talbot.

The lots along Middle Road were designated as either "North" (north side of the road) or "South" (south side), rather than using standard numbered concessions.

Talbot Settlement System

Colonel Talbot controlled land distribution in southwestern Ontario from his base at Port Talbot. Settlers receiving grants were required to:

  • Clear and cultivate a portion of the land
  • Build a dwelling
  • Chop and log a 60-foot width of road along their property frontage

Research Tools

To verify or refine these coordinates, use:

Accuracy Disclaimer

Family Tree

Thomas Newman ═══════════════════════ Mary (Hillier) Newman
(d. Essex County)                     (d. Essex County)
        │
        ├── James Newman (b. Dec 11, 1828, England; d. 1901)
        │   ═══════════════════════ Mary Ann Elbott (b. 1838, Ireland)
        │           │
        │           ├── Sarah (remained on homestead)
        │           ├── Catherine Elizabeth (m. Adam A. Miles)
        │           ├── Thomas (deceased)
        │           ├── William (b. Jan 29, 1866) ═══ Laura Wilkinson
        │           │           │
        │           │           ├── Clinton (b. 1896)
        │           │           └── Clare (b. 1898)
        │           │
        │           ├── George (m. Miss Campbell)
        │           ├── Hannah (deceased, m. Mr. Campbell)
        │           ├── John (civil engineer)
        │           ├── Arthur (at home)
        │           ├── Adilla (at home)
        │           └── Walter (soldier, South Africa)
        │
        └── Anne (m. John Campbell, deceased)

Sources

Sources

[1] David Harold Newman, as recorded from stories from Harold Newman

[2] A biography written for the "Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex", likely by William Newman himself, in 1905. Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, Ontario (c. 1906)

[3] Winnipeg Free Press, page 4. 17 February 1959.

[4] An advertisement in the Winnipeg Free Press on 22 January 1936, states: "Birthday congratulations to William Newman, Winnipeg. Born Essex County, Ontario, 22 Jan. 1866." The Manitoba death certificate (Registration Number 1952-001071) indicates his date of birth as 2 January 1865, however. Manitoba Records: confirms his death date https://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/Query.php

[5] https://www.elgincounty.ca/ElginCounty/CulturalServices/Archives/TalbotTract/naturalresources.html

[6] Essex County historical atlases (H. Belden & Co., 1881)

[7] Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - AgMaps

[8] Correspondence from Loraine (Newman) Houston, 2025, relaying recollections of her father, Harold Newman, and details drawn from a local history of the Windsor, Essex & Lake Shore Railway (found by David Newman, c. 2014).

[9] Essex County newspaper article, 1 May 1907 (reprinted 1957), on the promotion of the Windsor, Essex & Lake Shore Railway.

[10] "NEWMAN" death notice, Winnipeg Free Press, 8 January 1952.

[11] Newman, Ken. "The Travelling Kind: In Search of the Newman Family in Essex County." Trails (Essex County Branch, The Ontario Genealogical Society), 2016, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 30–33 PDF; with Mersea Township directories (1870, 1881, 1899, 1903) and the 1880 township map PDF.

See Also

Categories

Retrieved from "https://curriepedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Newman&oldid=11030"