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Descendants of William Howden


11. SAMUEL BLYTHE3 HOWDEN (SAMUEL2, WILLIAM1) was born October 28, 1848 in Walpole, Lambton Co, Ontario, and died January 14, 1919 in Watford, Lambton Co, Ontario. He married (1) HANNAH HARROWER Abt. 1873 in Lambton Co, ON. He married (2) MARY DOHERTY Aft. 1910 in Canada.

Notes for SAMUEL BLYTHE HOWDEN:
Source Data: Samuel was listed in the 1861 Lambton County, Ontario census age 14 (born 1847). Occupation: Shoemaker. The census for 1871 in Lambton County reflected his age at 24 (born 1847), along with his sisters Mary Jane (age 31, born 1840) and Martha (age 22, born 1849) and brother David age 15, (born 1856). A page was missing from the 1881 census. The 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario reflected his age at 42 (born 1849) he is listed along with his wife: Hannah (age 43, born 1848) and 7 children; it indicates that he was born in Ontario, and belonged to the congregation church. Samuel reported the death of his son Robert Russell on 25 June 1896 to the Watford, Lambton County, Ontario Records; Robert was 7 yrs, 11 mos, 1 day old. Samuel died on 14 January 1919 age 70 years, 2 months. Sam and Hannah had another child whose name was Harold, who, in turn, had 3 children; one named James, according to Helen Hamilton's records. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton County, Ontario Plot 6 reads: Hannah Howden 1848-1907, Samuel B. Howden 1849-1919 At Rest Amy R. Brent 1878-1936".

Notes for HANNAH HARROWER:
Source Data: Hannah is listed in the 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario age 43 (born 1848) along with her husband Samuel B (age 42, born 1849) and 7 children. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton Co, Ontario Plot 6 reads: Hannah Howden 1848-1907, Samuel B. Howden 1849-1919, At Rest Amy R. Brent 1878-1936".

Notes for MARY DOHERTY:
Source Data: From the records of Helen Hamilton.

      Children of SAMUEL HOWDEN and HANNAH HARROWER are:
i.   GEORGE N.4 HOWDEN, b. May 04, 1875, Lambton Co, ON; d. June 26, 1875, Lambton Co, ON.
 
Notes for GEORGE N. HOWDEN:
Source Data: A tombstone at St Paul's Anglican Church, Wisbeach, Lambton County, Ontario stated that George N. son of S & H Howden died June 26, 1875, age 1 mo. & 17 days. There is an error in the Howden Family bible which indicates that he was born March 4, 1879.

ii.   GERTRUDE MAY HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1876, Watford, Lambton Co, ON; d. 1903, Lambton Co, ON; m. JAS. A. LOMOND, Abt. 1896, Ontario, Canada.
 
Notes for GERTRUDE MAY HOWDEN:
Source Data: Gertrude was listed in the census for 1891 in Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 14 (born 1877) along with her parents: Samuel B. Howden and his wife Hannah, along with 6 younger siblings. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton County, Ontario reads: "In Loving Memory of Gertrude M. Howden beloved wife of Jas. A. Lomond 1876-1903, When Christ who is in our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory".

Notes for JAS. A. LOMOND:
Source Data: Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton County, Ontario reads: "In loving memory of Gertrude M. Howden beloved wife of Jas. A. Lomond 1876-1903 when Christ who is our lie shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory".

iii.   AMY RACHEL HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1878; d. Abt. 1936, Lambton Co, ON; m. JOHN BRENT, Abt. 1896.
 
Notes for AMY RACHEL HOWDEN:
Source Data: Amy was listed in the 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 12 (born 1879), along with her parents: Samuel B and Hannah and 6 siblings. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton Co, Ontario reads: "Amy R. (Howden) Brent 1878-1936". Another tombstone in the same cemetery Plot 6 reads: Hannah Howden 1848-1907, Samuel B. Howden 1849-1919, At Rest Amy R. Brent 1878-1936". Last known address is: Colville, Saskatchewan

Notes for JOHN BRENT:
Source Data: Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton Co, Ontario reads: ''
Amy R. (Howden) Brent 1876-1936".

iv.   MABEL MAUD HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1881, Watford, Lambton Co, ON; d. Unknown.
 
Notes for MABEL MAUD HOWDEN:
Source Data: Mabel was listed in the 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 10 (born 1881), along with her parents Samuel B and Hannah, and 6 siblings.

v.   LILLIE ANN HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1883, Watford, Lambton Co, ON; d. Unknown; m. GEORGE BRIGHAM.
 
Notes for LILLIE ANN HOWDEN:
Source Data: Lillie was listed in the census for 1891 in Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 8 (born 1883), along with her parents: Samuel B and Hannah, and 6 siblings. Last known address: Mrs. George Brigham, Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. Deanna Ramseys records reflect the spelling of her husbands name as Bigham.

vi.   GORDON ROY HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1885, Watford, Lambton Co, ON; d. Unknown.
 
Notes for GORDON ROY HOWDEN:
Source Notes: Gordon is listed in the census for 1891 in Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 6 (born 1885), along with his parents: Samuel B and Hannah, and 6 siblings. His last known address was Manton, Alberta.

vii.   SAMUEL LLOYD HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1887, Watford, Lambton Co, ON; d. Unknown.
 
Notes for SAMUEL LLOYD HOWDEN:
Source Data: Samuel (probably the most popular given name in the Howden family line) was listed in the 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario with the age of 4 (born 1887), along with his parents Samuel B and Hannah, along with 6 siblings.

viii.   ROBERT RUSSELL HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1889, Lambton Co, ON; d. June 25, 1896, Watford Township, Lambton Co, On.
 
Notes for ROBERT RUSSELL HOWDEN:
Source Data: Robert Russell is listed in the census for Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario, age 2 (born 1889) along with his parents Samuel B and Hannah, and 6 older siblings. Samuel B Howden reported the death of Robert Russell Howden on 25 June 1896, age 7 yrs, 11 mos, 1 day. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton Co, Ontario reads: " Robert B Howden 1889-1896" (note middle initial is at odds with data provided by father Samuel, however dates are otherwise correct).



12. NOBLE BALFOUR3 HOWDEN (SAMUEL2, WILLIAM1) was born June 14, 1853 in Walpole, Lambton Co, ON, and died July 15, 1907 in Watford, Lambton Co, ON. He married SARAH CRAIG Abt. 1878 in Ontario, Canada.

Notes for NOBLE BALFOUR HOWDEN:
Source Data: Jack Stewart's records reflected that Noble Balfour Howden was born in the Townland of Walpole, Ontario on June 14, 1853. Noble was listed in the 1861 census for Lambton County, Ontario as 8 years old (born 1853). The census for 1871 in Lambton County reflected his age as 18 years old (born in 1853), religious affiliation: Church of England. The 1881Watford Township, Lambton County census listed his age as 27 years old (born 1854), along with his wife: Sarah and one child. The 1891 census for Watford Township, Lambton County reflected his age as 37 years (born 1854), occupation: Noble & DH Howden operated the grocery and hardware store started by their father. Later David sold out to brother Noble. Later, Noble's son Chester carried on the store. Died 14 Jul 1907, age 60 yrs, 9 mos. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton Co, Ontario reads N. B. Howden, died Feb 15, 1907 in his 54th year (earlier reference indicated 14 July 1907) Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. His wife Sarah Craig Howden born Oct 31, 1859, Died June 14, 1942".

Notes for SARAH CRAIG:
Source Data: Sarah was listed in the census for 1881 in Watford Township, Lambton County, Ontario, age 22 (born 1859). She is listed along with her husband, Noble and one child. Tombstone in Watford Cemetery, Lambton County, Ontario, Range 13 Plot 4 indicates William Chester Howden Born Apr 10, 1880 Died July 25, 1935, His wife Eva Abbott Howden born Mar 9, 1879, Died Dec 16, 1952.
      Mrs. N. B. Howden (Sarah) the mother of William Howden, was listed as surviving William in his obituary published in the Watford Guide Advocate, published on Friday, August 2, 1935.

      Child of NOBLE HOWDEN and SARAH CRAIG is:
26. i.   WILLIAM CHESTER4 HOWDEN, b. April 20, 1880, Canada; d. July 25, 1935, Lambton Co, ON.


13. DAVID HARTFORD3 HOWDEN (SAMUEL2, WILLIAM1) was born November 12, 1857 in Warwick, Lambton Co,ON, and died June 18, 1918 in London, Middlesex Co, ON. He married EMMA MARIA ROME Bef. 1881 in Ontario, Canada, daughter of GEORGE ROME.

Notes for DAVID HARTFORD HOWDEN:
Source Data: According to the records of Jack Stewart, David Hartford Howden was born the year David B Howden died. His father settled in Watford and had a grocery store. The census for 1861 in Lambton County reflected his age as 5 years (born 1856). Another report (1967 DH Howden & Co) indicated that his birthday was Nov 12, 1859. The 1871 Lambton County census reflected his age as 14 years old (born 1857) and living with Samuel and Mary Jane Howden. The census for 1881 in Watford, Lambton County, Ontario reflected his age at 24 (born 1857) and living with his wife: Emma. Noble and DH Howden carried on the business. David decided he wanted to begin a wholesale hardware store and sold out to Noble, went to London, Middlesex County, Ontario and formed the DH Howden Hardware Store, one of the big companies in Ontario, until his grandson sold out to a Quebec company in the 1990's.
      Mr. & Mrs. D. Howden provided wedding gifts for Jennie Howden and William Willoughby as published in the Watford Guide Advocate on February 18, 1887.

D.H. HOWDEN & CO HARDWARE HISTORY FROM 1967
The following note from Deanna Ramsay:
I'm attaching a company history of DH Howden & Co. It's from a draft version that I have that has some of Nini's (Lydia E. Howden - Norman's wife and president of the company after his death) handwritten corrections written in. I don't know if it was ever published anywhere, but I suspect it must have been intended for an annual report.
Also, a comment on JJ Stewart… I really don't know what the truth is, since I never knew him. But family attitude towards him seems to be quite negative. My great aunt, who remembers him well considered him a boorish social climber who felt he'd married into an important family. It's not relevant except that he seems to have tried to prove tht the Howdens were a bit moe than they were - good Irish farmers. Thus the Lord Howden thing. Consequently I'm always a bit sceptical about his conclusions. I'm sure that the actual facts are fine, but I don't always trust the connections he's made… or tried to make.
If you read the history carefully, you'll find a bit in there about the purchase of a property on a road renamed Howden Road. JJ apparently arranged this on his own without consulting the rest of the board. Because he was family, they went along with it. But the property was never used.
His son David, however, was very respected and by all accounts did a very good job with the company. Best, Deanna

This is a draft of a document, probably meant to be included in an annual report for DH Howden & Co. There have been some handwritten corrections in fountain pen - I think they are in Nini's (Lydia E. Howden) handwriting. It appears to date from about 1967. I've placed the corrections in square brackets - DR

A Hardware Era

The founder of the company, David Hartford Howden, was born near Wisbeach in the Township of Warwick, Lambton County in the Province of Ontario on November 12th, 1859. He was of Irish descent as his father Samuel howden was a native of Buggan, County Fermanagh and his mother of Drumalee, County of Cavan, Ireland. They had emigrated to Canada in their youth and were married on April 20th, 1839 in St. James Cathedral in Toronto. Upper Canada was pioneering land in those days. Samuel, who was twenty-three had at first settled in the Township of Albion, Peel County, but following his marriage he and his young wife pioneered first in Haldimand County, moving in 1855 to a farm in Warwick Township, near Wisbeach, on the main road to Sarnia. Here they raised their family of two daughters and five [nine] sons of which our founder was the youngest. [came with all his family and settled in Watford]

While David Howden was born on the farm it was the commercial world [D.H. sold his share of farm to a brother & went into business] that attracted his attention, so [that] at an early age he commenced a mercantile business in the village of Watford, Ontario. He was quite successful, so much so that at the age of thirty [-2], in 1889, by his industrious efforts and perseverance he is reported to have owned a block of stores in the centre of Watford, some houses and mortgages. With this estate he planned to retire [and] so with his wife and family moved to the City of London [had enough to retire but cost of living went up]and built a home at 371 Dufferin Avenue. He had married Emma Maria Rome, a native of Whitehaven, Cumberlandshire, England, a daughter of George Rome of Westminster Township. They had two children, Norman Robert Howden and Beulah Rome Howden.

Retirement however was not for this enterprising young man. He soon entered the wholesale hardware business of John Bowman Hardware & Coal Company and eventually became its manager. At the turn of the century he left their employ and joined with Messrs. Lyle Johnston, James Brown, and John V. Givins to form a partnership which was called D.H. Howden & Company. They rented a portion of the Cruickshanks Building on Richmond Street adjacent to the Grand Trunk Railway Station. (see illustration) These men were well qualified in the hardware business with a sound business background. From the very beginning their policies were based on the premise of doing their utmost to give their customers the best in service. They were noted for conducting business in a friendly way and in a manner appreciated by their customers. They trained their salesman to KNOW THE STOCK carried, so as to be in a position to advise customers SOUNDLY on stock selection. Their slogan was, "THE QUICK SHIPPERS" and from the start they tried to fill their orders completely. They worked hard and earned the success that was theirs. Mr. John V. Givins has recalled how he started out on the road on January 1st, 1901, full of confidence, with his bags of samples and only a few dollars of his personal savings to care for him in the first six weeks of the business. He travelled north by train, taking a driver with a horse and cutter to the stores in the adjacent towns. Winter travel was rough in those days as evidenced by the story told of smoke seen emerging from a hole in the snow, which on closer examination proved to be the chimney of a house almost completely covered by drifts. Mr. James Brown's travels into Northern Ontario are recalled chiefly by the size of the orders he wrote. Shovels and picks were sold in the hundreds of dozens. Before the second call, following an initial order, an advance card was sent out to dealers "I expect to be at your store on or about ____ to follow up our first shot. Kindly wait for me, Yours Truly." To this was attached a single split shot sinker on a short cord, shich though not suitable for present Post Office mailing equipment, would certainly draw the dealer's immediate attention.

Canada in 1901, with a population of 5,371,315 was beginning to be noticed by businessmen abroad as a land of opportunity for development. In the decade from 1903-1913, 2,500,000 people emigrated to this country, swelling the population and increasing the trade. This was the time when motor vehicles began to make their appearance. In 1904 there were 535 registered motor vehicles in Canada. However, all was not well for the John Bowman Hardware & Coal Company at 182 York Street in London. They were heavily in debt to the Molsons Bank. In October 1904 they made an assignment which the bank's manager Mr. Broderick and their solicitor Sir George Gibbons accepted and arranged for the sale of their assets to the new Howden Company at .70 cents on the dollar, for $80,000.00. this proved to be a valuable acquisition.

In 1907 the partnership was incorporated into a joint stock company with the following officers: President D.H. Howden, Vice President L.C. Johnston, Secretary James A. Brown, Directors John V. Givins, and Alfred P. Dobbyn. The company built a new five storey warehouse that year at 200-206 York Street at about the same time as the present Simpsons London Limited building was erected by the firm of Smallman & Ingram. The red bricks for their construction, we are told came from the Thamesville Brickyards. The architect W.G. Murray and the builder John Hayman & Sons wer justly proud of their work, which was the most modern wholesale hardware warehouse in Canada at the time. It was built with great foresight; much larger than required for the moment, to the benefit of succeeding generations. (see illustration)

The first automobile delivery truck used in London was a Packard purchased by the company and driven by Vernon A. (Barney) Waterman, who drove this and succeeding trucks for over forty years [Barney's horse] for the company. (see illustration)

During the next few years changes took place in the directors of the company. In February 1908 Mr. N.R. Howden was elected to the board of directors. In October 1917 Mr Lyle C. Johnston died and his interests in the firm were taken by Mr. S. C. Rae, who on February 16th, 1918 was elected a director. That same year on June 18th, 1918, Mr. David H. Howden died and was succeeeded by his son, Mr. Norman R. Howden as the President of the company. The following year on February 8th, 1919 Mr. James A. Brown sold his interests to the other shareholders and retired from the firm.

At the time of his retirement Mr. Brown held a party at his home for the staff. From a photograph taken at the party we find the following persons were on the staff in 1919.

W. Carson, A.L Thorn, F. Joyce, B. Harris, V.A. Waterman, J. Ford, J.A. Brown, F.S. Fisher, N.R. Howden, J.V. Givins, T. Dockstader, S.C.Rae, A. P. Dobbyn, A. Higgman, C.W. Cryderman, E. Burt, H.D. Dickinson, Miss E. Bowie, Miss G. Clement, Miss N. Colquhoun, R.E. Whitton, B. Johnston, E. M. Russell, C.L. Martin, G. Cotton, J. Halliday, N.R. Craig, C.J. Craig, B. Roughley, E.A. Dewar, G. Reid, O. Sinclair

The new president, Norman R. Howden was anxious to expand his thriving London business, so in 1922 purchased the stock and building of Kennedy Hardware Co. at 51 Colborne Street in Toronto [from Sam Kennedy for $100,000.00]. Thus by moving some key personnel (N.R. Craig, H.D. Dickinson, E.M. Ruse, and later R.W. Whitton) from London he gave the company a branch warehouse in the capital city of the province.

A new venture in January 1929 was the United Tractor Equipment division of the Company with George H. Clark as the General Manager. The Company controlled distribution in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes for farm tractors built by the Allis Chalmers Mfg. Company of Milwaukee. [This was an eminently successful venture. So good in fact that the factory withdrew the franchise from Howden's on the end of the year]

In 1931 the City of Toronto was extending University Avenue to Front Street and wanted the property on Front Street occupied by the wholesale hardware warehouse of H.S. Howland Sons & Co. This firm established by Henry Stark Howland in 1877 when he took over the pioneer hardware business of McGivern & Kerrigan was anxious to sell as both the founder H.S. Howland had died in 1902 and his son Peleg Howland, who succeeded him, had died in 1929.

In 1931 the six storey Eckardt warehouse built in 1910 was for sale at the foot of Church Street, so D.H. Howden & Co. Limited purchased[?] it, moved the Howland stock from Front Street, the Toronto Howden stock from Colborne Street and consolidated their Toronto operations at 3-7 Church Street.

On October 10th, that year a sales meeting of the combined sales staff of D.H. Howden & Co. Limited and H.S. Howland Sons & Co. Ltd was held at the new warehouse, which included (see illustration)

Front row: Jack W. Burman, Joe Toland, F. A. Fessant, J.V. Givins, N.R. Howden, S.C. Rae, T.B. Williamson, N.R. Craig

Centre Row: Unknown, Unknown, G.D. Davis, H.D. Dickinson, R. P. Hawkyard, V.E. Chinn, Sam Thompson, C. Wherry, Fred Hill, G. Attenborough, G.K. Howland, P.O. King, Unknown, R.H. Shaw, L.J. Quick, R.B. O'Brien, unknown, Norman Kidd, R.E. Whitton, Jack Tucker.

Back Row: Tom Irwin, F.N. Challenger, J. Hawesworth, F. Gammey, C.W. Cryderman, J. F. Burdett, Darby Foster, E.M. Russell, unknown, A.L. Thorn, E.A. Dewar, H.B. Mercer, Unknown.

Annual sales meetings were held for the combined London and Toronto staff. A picture taken at a dinner following the sales meeting in December 1941 shows the following in attendance.

H.D. Dickinson, J.V. Givins, J.J. Stewart, W.O. Matthews, S.C. Rae, T.B. Williamson, C.J. Craig, P.O. King, J. Henry, B. Hill, B. Chalcraft, C.W. Cryderman, R.H. Shaw, E.A. Dewar, F. Burdett, L.J. Quick, J. Irwin, D. Livingston, E. Russell, J.R. McNaughton, C.R. Bourne, R.E. Whitton, H.B. Mercer, J. Burman, A.E. Campbell, R.B. O'Brien, J. Tucker, V. Chinn, T. Burkimsher, J. Nichols, G. Thompson, J. Hawkesworth, J. Robinson, H. Thornton, C. Wherry, N.E. Blinkhorn, R.P Hawkyard, D. Minhinnick

Mr. N.R. Howden died on March 8th, 1937, and was succeeded by his widow Mrs. Lydia E. Howden as President, Mr. S.C. Rae as Vice President and Managing Director and Mr. J.J. Stewart as a director, later in 1945 as Chairman of the Board. At the time of this writing in 1967, Mrs Howden has been president of the firm for thirty years. Mr Rae died January 1, 1945, following the strenuous years of the depression and the beginning of World War II. Simon Rae and his brothers Kenneth Rae of Kingsville, Robert Rae of Lucknow, and Donald Rae of Wingham were a hardware clique in the business of those days.

His interests in the firm were purchased by Messrs. D.H.M. Stewart, N. McBeth, C.W. Cryderman, A.L. Thorn and G.W. Bartram. Mr. David Howden MacFarlane Stewart, a son of J.J.M. Stewart and Beulah Howden, [and a] grandson of the founder of the firm was not new to the business as he had spent his summers in the Toronto warehouse during his studies at Toronto University. After four years in the R.C.N. during the war, he moved to London to learn the London operations. At that time, 1945 to 1957, Mr. C.J. Craig was the manager in London and Mr. P.O. King manager in Toronto. Business boomed while everyone kept a cautious eye for a post war slump which did not materialize. Neither the Toronto or the London warehouse was large enough to contain the stock. Mr. David Stewart's first task was to revamp shelving to expand the warehouse capacity. A new warehouse seemed inevitable so a lot was purchased in the Scarborough area of Toronto and the township named the street on which it faced Howden Road.

In 1949 David Stewart made a study of electric wiring and enlarging our hardware stock of wiring devices formed the Howden Electrical Supply as an adjunct to the business, which has since grown into one of the leading electrical wholesales in Ontario, with its newly expanded warehouse at 255 Horton Street.

In 1954 Mr. D.H.M. Stewart was appointed the Managing Director. He has since in 1958 been president of the Canadian Wholesale Hardware Association and more recently elected the first Canadian Director of the National Wholesale Hardware Association of the United States of America.

Under his direction the company began the Time Pay Plan for Independent Hardware Dealers in 1956 to enable the dealers to compete on even terms with chain and other outlets that sell on credit. The following year he developed the new thirteen section catalogue for retail stores which was printed in an expanded printing department of the former cutlery room at the York Street warehouse.

Another development in 1958, was the Cardinal design, used both by the company and for Co-operative advertising with Cardinal Retail stores. The Cardinal emblem "The sign of Courteous Service - Honest Values" were soon seen across Ontario as the result of the promotion of the sales manager W.J. Tarvitt in Western Ontario and W.E. Sinclair in Eastern Ontario. The Cardinal Seasonal sales with coloured brochures soon became a must for progressive hardware stores. This coupled with the Howden's Merchandising Control System (HMCS) which featured
1. Inventory based on the N.R.H.A. Turnover Handbook
2. Balanced Inventory adjusted to the store sales volume so that less money was tied up in non-essential stock.
3. Less time spent in purchasing duties since Howden trained salesmen handled the inventory control for the dealer
4. A Retail price service based on a flexible mark up structure designed to meet competition and at the same time fulfill the dealers profit requirements.

The whole program progressed to the mutual benefit of retailer and wholesaler.

In July 1958 the Directors decided to create one company, operating from two locations, one in London and the other in Toronto. As a first step towards the amalgamation of the D.H. Howden and Co. Ltd with H.S. Howland Sons & Co. The H.S. Howland Sons & Co. name was changed to Howden-Howland Limited, with all business in the Toronto warehouse being conducted under that name. This introduced the Howden name to the Howland sales territory. In 1960 the separate names were discontinued and all hardware business is now conducted under the name of Howden's Hardware Distributor, London - Toronto, a division of D.H. Howden & Co. Ltd. The purpose of this step was to create one company, with one policy, under unified management. Howden Electrical Supply is operated similarly as a division of D.H. Howden & Co. Limited.

Expansion in 1960 was uppermost in everyones mind. Particularly the firm's customers, who wanted expansion of our parking facilities, as the City had eliminated street parking on York Street in front of the warehouse during rush hours.

Suppliers were shipping to us by larger transports so that the previously ideal laneways were clogged with traffic most of the day.

To accommodate the larger stock, necessitated by the increased volume of sales, shelving had been enlarged throughout the warehouse until it had reached the limit of it's capacity. then began the elimination of certain slow moving or bulky items which were low income producing. In 1954 the electrical division was moved from the York Street warehouse to a new location in a one floor warehouse at 255 Horton Street which then allowed some breathing room for the expanding hardware division.

Since London warehouse showed clearly that it was the major and most economical distribution centre for the business, the plan of building a new warehouse in Toronto was abandoned and a search began for a site in the London area. In April 1960 ten acres of land were purchased on the second Concession of Westminster Township, which was planned and built, ready for occupancy by December 1960. Before Christmas the stock was moved to the new warehouse and made ready for a physical count of the inventory before December 31st. While the official opening was not held until March 11th the business began operating at the new location on January 2nd 1961.






Notes for EMMA MARIA ROME:
Source data: Emma is liated in the census for 1881 in Watford Township, Lamton County, Ontario age 14 (born 1857) along with her husband: David.

      Children of DAVID HOWDEN and EMMA ROME are:
27. i.   NORMAN R.4 HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1881; d. March 08, 1937.
28. ii.   BEULAH HOWDEN, b. Abt. 1883.

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