
First to manufacture ‘the Mickey’ – liquor in a 12 ounce bottle, Perth native John McLaren made his fortune distilling alcohol.
A Mickey is actually one of a series of uniquely Canadian alcohol measurements. “Two four” (a case of 24 beers), “twenty-sixer” (a 750 ml bottle of liquor) and “forty-pounder” (a 1.14 liter bottle of liquor) are all virtually unknown outside of Canada.
The very first ‘Mickey‘ was John McLaren’s “Old Perth Malt Whiskey”, a bottle could be had for .80 cents, and was hailed as being “equal to the best ever brewed in Scotland”. Most whiskies in those days were aged very briefly, usually four days or less, and McLaren aged his for a full month before it was distributed to the local bars and liquor stores around Lanark County.
“McLaren’s Whiskey – Aged for a full month!”


“.90 cents for a mickey, – .80 cents if you bring your bottle back for a refill…”
Robert McLaren, one of the earliest settlers, arrived in Perth in 1816. When his son John came of age, he sent him to Scotland so he could study the finer points of whiskey manufacturing.
McLaren’s Distillery was founded in 1831, located on a section of land known today as Stewart Park.

Some say it was the combination of the clear waters of the Tay River and the secrets learned from the Scots that led John to become the local ‘Whiskey King’ or ‘Baron of Booze’.

photo: Henry Kehoe sitting in front of Spalding and Stewart Distillery in Perth.



“McLaren’s whiskey, produced with water from the Tay River in Perth, cures flat feet and the common cold!”
A favourite among whiskey judges, Old Perth Malt Whiskey enjoyed a unique reputation and even some doctors of the time regarded it as “non-injurious”. It became a household staple, said to cure everything from flat feet to the common cold. The popularity of McLaren’s whiskey grew in leaps and bounds, and in its heyday was sold from coast to coast, all across Canada.

photo: from Perth Remembered

John laboured day and night, expanding his operations, and became the town’s wealthiest businessman. Some say he was secretive, reserved, and was not one to discuss his personal or business matters.


Photo above: J.A. McLaren Distillery – located behind the town hall in present-day Stewart Park.

photo: ‘Perth Remembered’
John McLaren, Perth Whiskey King
Found Dead !!!!!

Eligible Perth Bachelor John McLaren
dies without a will!
He never married, had no children, and for the most part lived a quiet life and kept to himself. When John McLaren passed away at the turn of the century, many in the town of Perth began to speculate – who would be the heir or heirs to his fortune?

By 1902 the town of Perth was “never more absorbed in one topic of conversation” as they were during the trial held in the local courtroom to settle the case of John McLaren’s Will.
Frank Walker, long-time employee swore that John McLaren had confided in him about his childhood and they shared a special relationship.

Walker told the court that John promised he would be taken care of from the proceeds of John’s estate”
“If I die tonight, you are provided for.”

John A. Stewart, McLaren’s nephew, well-known Perth lawyer, and respected member of parliament, claimed that he drafted a will for Mr. McLaren in 1897, witnessed his signature on the document, and that his uncle had left everything to him.

photo: John A. Stewart, McLaren’s nephew
Lizzie McIntyre said
she had John McLaren’s will
stuffed down the front of her dress !!!

“Why in Hell should I have a will?”
Frank Buffam swore that John McLaren
didn’t even have a will:

Lizzie McIntyre accused George Rogers of stealing McLaren’s will from his house at midnight:

Many people in Perth thought John McLaren left his millions to Minnie Hamilton. The lovely Minnie was known as his ‘favourite’. She was McLaren’s live-in ‘housekeeper’ in their hideaway home outside of Lanark:
“Everyone knew that Minnie was his special girl!”

Did Minnie Hamilton inherit McLaren’s millions?
Was it George Rogers?
John Stewart?
Lizzie McIntyre?
Frank Walker?
Who inherited the money from the Whiskey King?
………………………………………..
Many local businesses carried spirits manufactured
by McLaren’s Distillery in 1903:
Smiths Falls: 9 hotels and 1 store
Carleton Place: 8 hotels
Perth: 7 hotels and 2 stores
Franktown: 2 hotels
Ferguson’s Falls: 1 hotel
Innisville: 1 hotel
Maberly: 1 hotel

Early Hotels of Perth
– from an article “The Perth Courier” – 1964
“The year 1896 was a good period for the hotel industry in Perth. Five recorded hotels flourished within the town boasting a grand total of 165 rooms, and five bars.
According to 19th century observers, Perth had a high caliber of service, and had an excellent reputation as a fine hotel town. One such observer was the old Perth Expositor which noted how strangers “always judge a town by its hotels” and then carried the impression of hospitality and service to the far reaches of the land.
The hotel business of 1898 was a vast improvement over the rude taverns and inns of early days. Several of the hotels survived the turn of the century and can be readily seen in today’s busy commercial trade. The only hotel still bearing the same name and remaining in the same location is the Revere House at Wilson and Foster.
The hotels of Perth began just prior to the Boer War, and were five: Barrie’s Hotel, Hicks House, Allen House, Revere House and Queen’s Hotel. They were all located in the business section of down town Perth and catered to a through trade from road, stage and traveling salesmen. Since 1900 the road trade has shifted west to Highway 7 where an assortment of motels enjoy a lucrative business from an almost entirely auto trade.
In 1896 the oldest hotel was Barrie’s operated by Thomas Barrie. It had thirty rooms and a well stocked bar. A resort of the surrounding farming community, the hotel enjoyed a heavy seasonal business. Mr. Barrie was hailed as a “jolly good natured fellow” with a “pleasant greeting” for all.
The Hicks House, now the Perth Hotel, was hailed as the “leading commercial hotel” in eastern Ontario, sporting a bar, billiard room, free bus rides and a variety of fare on the table. The proprietor was John Wilson, noted for his catering and disciplining of the “hotel attaches”.
The Queen’s occupied thirty rooms, a bar, a billiard room and stables across from what is now Girdwoods Store on Foster Street. Owned by Frank A. Lambert, father of Edward Lambert, present day proprietor of the Imperial Hotel on Wilson, the Queen’s closed its quarters in 1918 after purchasing Barrie’s from James P. Hogan who succeeded Mr. Barrie as operator. Queen’s and Barrie’s are thus the modern day Imperial Hotel operated by Ed Lambert who took over from his father in 1934.
In 1896 Revere House was a 25 room establishment run by W.J. Flett who is described as one of the best hotel men in the valley. He enjoyed a popular local trace.
Largest hotel in Perth, now closed to business, was a fifty room spread called the Allan House, situated to the west of the town hall in a block now occupied by Chaplin and Code and the Coin Wash. Andrew Robinson the proprietor, was famous for his “uniform courtesy and kindness” and the free bus rides to the train and stages. Mr. Robinson purchased the Allan House from I.C. Grant after ten years as an employee of the Hicks House.
Needless to say, the hotels of Perth had close connections with Crystal Sprine Brewery and McLaren’s Distillery, two enterprises which made Perth famous from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.”
(article published in “The Perth Courier” 1964)

……………………
John McLaren was listed in the 1881-82 Business Directory for Perth, Ontario.
Do you recognize any of the local names of business owners?
– perhaps one of your own Lanark County ancestors is listed below:
ALLAN, Alexander; Hardware
ALLAN, F. B.; Merchant Tailor
ALLAN, J. A.; Barrister, Solicitor, Conveyancer
ALLAN, James; Gen. Merchant
ALLAN, William A.; Teller Merchant’s Bank of Canada
ALLAN, William; Saw, lath & shingle mill
ALLEN, Hebert; (Ryan & Allen) Mason and Contractor
ANDERSON, Jane, Mrs.; Tailoress
ANDERSON, John; Knox Church Board of Trustees
ANDISON, Annie; Teacher
ANDISON, Nicholas; Dealers in Dry Goods
ANDREWS, Wesley; Miller at Wood’s Mills
ARMOUR, John; Board of Managers, St. Andrew’s Church
ARMSTRONG, George E. (McMaster & Armstrong)
ARMSTRONG, Henry, Mrs.; Dressmaker
ARTHUR, John; Knox Church Board of Trustees
ATCHISON, James, M.D.; Physician
BAILEY, James; Grocer
BAKER, William; Engineer
BARNES, Samuel M.; Blacksmithing and Wagon Making
BARRIE, George F.; Dealer in All Kinds of Meats
BARRIE, Thomas; Proprietor, Barrie’s Hotel
BARTLETT, Russell W.; Furniture store & undertaker
BECKETT, James – Beckett Bros
BECKETT, Robert; -Beckett Bros
BECKETT, Sarah, Miss; Dressmaker
BEGLEY, Robert W.; (Miskelly & Begley)
BELL, James; Registrar S. Riding Ln’k
BELL, John; Carriage Makers, blacksmiths
BELL, Robert C.; (W. P. Bell & Sons)
BELL, W. P. & Sons; Photographers
BELL, William P.; (W. P. Bell & Sons)
BERFORD, W. W.; Solicitor,
BINGLEY, Charles; Wagon maker
BLACK, William; Confectioner
BOLTON, Wesley; Carpenter
BOTHWELL, J. & T.; Coopers
BOTHWELL, Joshua (J. & T. Bothwell)
BOTHWELL, Thomas (J. & T. Bothwell)
BOWER, Joshua; (Bower Bros.) Chemists & druggists
BOX, James; General store
BOYD, Samuel; Assistant clerk, Merchant’s Bank of Canada
BRADLEY, J. F.; They do it all
BRAMLEY-MOORE, C. R.; Ledger keeper Molson’s Bank
BRECKELS, George; Builder and contractor
BRENNAN, John; Grocer
BRODIE, R. J.; Chemical works
BROOKE, Thomas; Clerk, County of Lanark
BROOKE, W. B.; Town assessor
BROWNING, Arch.; Saw mill
BRUNTON, James; Mason
BRUNTON, Richard; Mason
BUCHANAN, Daniel; Potash manufacturer & farmer
BURROWS, William; Postmaster
BURT, A. W.; Professor of modern languages, P.C.I
BURWASH, S.; Head master Smith’s Falls High School
BUTLER, George; Stoves & tinware
BUTLER, R. C., Mrs.; Grocery and temperance hotel
BUTLER, William; Town councilor
BYRNE, Owen; Proprietor, union Hotel
CAIN, Wm.; Veterinary surgeon
CAIRNS, George F.; Barrister, Solicitor,
CAIRNS, Thomas; Postmaster
CAMERON, Alexander; Livery
CAMERON, Walter; General merchant
CAMPBELL, Duncan; Farmer
CAMPBELL, John G.; Mill owner & town councillor
CAMPBELL, John; Blacksmith
CANTON, Mary Ann, Mrs. (widow J.); Trader
CARNDUFF, Robert; Retired
CARROLL, Michael; Prop. Carroll House, livery
CARSS, Ogle, Mrs.; Music teacher
CARSS, Ogle; Grain dealer, owner & Capt. Steamer Olive
CASEY, Fred. W.; Barrister, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ont
CASWELL, Byron; Ticket Agent G.T.R., Agent G.N.W. Telegraph Co
CASWELL, William H.; Manufacturer of all kinds of Carriges
CHALMERS, H. D.; Division court baliff
CHALMERS, Henry D., jun.; Foreman blacksmith, Frost & Wood
CHALMERS, John; Retired
CHAMBERS, J. H.; Town councillor
CHAMBERS, John McGill; Retired
CHARLES, John; (Charles Bros.) Livery
CHARLES, William; (Charles Bros.) Livery
CHASE, Abner; Dealer in new & second-hand goods
CHRISTIAN, Daniel, Mrs.; Music teacher
CLARK, A.; Retired
CLARK, J. A., M.A
COLES, J., Mrs. (widow John); Grocer & confectioner
COLNELLY, (sic) Edward T.; Grocer
CONNELLY, Edward; Captain, Tay Steam Fire Co
CONNOLLY, Edward; Captain Tay Steam Fire Co.
CONNORS, Grace, Mrs.; Postmistress
CONSITT, George Alfred; Solicitor, agent Standard Life Ins
COOMBS, John S.; Medical Hall, Established 1846, Apothecary & Druggist
CORRY/KORRY, George; Sherrif’s officer
COX, John; Carriagemaker
CROMWELL, J. M. O.; Provincial land surveyor
CROSBIE, J. W.; Janitor Perth Colegiate Institute
CROSKERY, R. W.; Manufacturer and Dealer in Boots and Shoes
CUDDY, Joseph; Boot & shoe maker
CUNNINGHAM, Michael; Weaver
CUTHBERTSON, John; Milkman
DAVIDSON, Thos; Knox Church Board of Trustees
DAVIES, Francis; Dealer in Flour, Groceries, Foreign and Domestic Fruits
DAVIS, George H., Rev.; Minister Canada Methodist Church
DENNISON, Wm. J.; Livery, cattle dealer, carriage painter
DETTERICK, Alonzo; Sewing machine agent
DETTERICK, Walter; Market clerk & caretaker Town Hall
DEVLIN, C. & M.; Tanners & curriers
DEVLIN, Charles; (C. & M. Devlin
DEVLIN, George; Dry g’ds & Groc.; Auctioneer
DEVLIN, Michael; (C. & M. Devlin)
DICKINSON, E. A.; Drawing master, boards Allan House
DICKSON, H. H.; Postmaster
DIGNAN, Dominick; Boarding house
DODDS, M. R.; Perth Flour Depot
DOLAN, James H.; Proprietor Perth Marble Works
DONALD, James; Warden, County of Lanark
DOUGHERTY, Edward; Saddler and harness maker
DOUGLAS, George; Manufacturer & Dealer in Boots, Shoes
DOWDALL, James; Blacksmith and horse shoer
DOWDALL, Maggie, Miss; Assistant teacher, R. C. Separate School
DRUMMOND, R. J.; Manager, Bank of Montreal
DRYSDALE, Jennie, Miss; Telegraph operator G. N. W. Telegraph Co.
ELLIOTT, Archibald; Trustee, Canada Methodist Church
ELLIOTT, Edward; Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public
EWART, Miss; Dressmaker
FARMER, G. B.; Boot and shoe store
FARRELL, Wm.; Saddler & Harness Maker
FARRY, Daniel; Groceries, provisions
FERGUSON, Duncan; Carpenter
FERRIER, Walter L.;(Ferrier Bros.)Manufacturers in Harness, Trunks
FERRIER, William; (Ferrier Bros)
FIDLER, Margaret, Miss; Grocer and milliner
FINLAY, George, jun.; (G. & G. Finlay) Butchers
FINLAY, George, sen.; (G. & G. Finlay) Butchers
FITZSIMMONS, W.; Sexton, Canada Methodist Church
FLUKER, G. W.; Grocer, confectioner & fruit dealer
FRASER, Harry D.,M.D.; Physician & Surgeon, Coroner for Lanark County
FRASER, John; Knox Church Board of Trustees
GILLAN, Francis; Proprietor Saline Springs boarding house
GLOSSOP, D.; All kinds of Boots & Shoes
GRAHAM, Richard; Grocer
GRAMSBY, G. A.; Dry goods & groceries
GRANT, Allan; Station agent C.P.R
GRANT, I. C.; Proprietor Allan House, Billiard Parlour
GRANT, Wm. H.; Jailer, Lanark County jail
GRANT, Wm., M.D., C.M.; Physician and surgeon…
GRAY, James; Manager Merchants’ Bank of Canada
GREENLEY, Jane, Miss; Dressmaker
GRIFFITH, E. J.; Meat market
HAGGART, John G.; (John Haggart & Company
HALL, Annie, Miss; Organist Baptist Church
HALL, F. A.; Solicitor for B. of M.,
HALL, Francis; Boot & shoe maker
HALLIDAY, Wm.; (Scott & Halliday) General Merchants.
HART, John; Bookseller & stationer, Dealer in English & U.S. Wall Papers
HART, William B.; With John Hart
HAWKINS, Charles; Secretary Perth Co-Operative association
HENDERSON, J. T.; West End Warehouse, Dealer in Dry Goods
HETHERINGTON, Jason E.; Foreman Perth Courier
HICKS, James; General merchant
HICKS, Thomas; Carriage maker
HICKS, William; License inspector under Dominion Act
HILLIARD, Ida, Miss; 3rd dept., Pakenham public school
HOBAN, Anthony; Proprietor Perth & Westport Stage Line
HOGG, D. Manufacturer Furniture, Upholsterer and Undertaker
HOGG, William J.; Variety Store, Dealer in Fancy Goods, China, Glass
HOLLIDAY, James; Retired
HOPE, Peter; Stoves and tin ware
HOSIE, George; Farmer
HOWIE & McWilliams; Brick makers, carpenters and contractors
HUDSON, J. Prop. Ferguson’s Falls Stage Line
JACKSON, John S.; Hair dresser & tobacconist
JACKSON, Wm.; Gunsmith
JAMES, Edward; Blacksmith and horse-shoer
JAMES, Henry; Harness maker
JAMES, Richard; Shingle factory
JAMES, Wm. Henry; Saw mill
JAMIESON, Robert; Clerk, 1st Division Court, Lanark County, Town Collector,
JAQUES, Marcus; Principal Perth Public school
John Haggart & Co.(Fred W. Weeks, Manager). Manufacturers of Flour
JOHNSTON, A.; Manufacturer of Ginger Ale, Lemon Soda
JORDON, Elizabeth, Miss; Milliner and dressmaker
KEAYS, John; Manager at Wm. Lees
KELLOCK, Daniel; Collector Inland revenue, office
KELLOCK, Jas. F.; Wholesale & Retail Druggist. Specialty – Coal Oil
KELLOCK, John Dickson, M.D.; Physician and surgeon, coroner
KELLOCK, William B.; Painter
KELLY, W. H.; Conductor C.P.R., bds Allan House
KENNEDY, J. F., L.D.S.; Dentist, Agent Sun Life and Accident Insurance
KERR, George; Retired
KIPPEN, Alexander, jun.; Foreman at Duncan Kippen’s
KIPPEN, Alexander, sen
KIPPEN, Duncan; Planing mill, sash, door factory
LALLY, Michael; Cooper
LASHLEY, Henry; Agent Singer Sewing Machine Manuf’g Co
LAURIE, James A.; Fruits & confectionery
LAURIE, James, Mrs.; Baker & confectioner
LAVIN, D., Rev.; Parish priest, Roman Catholic Church
LEE, John, Mrs.; Matron, Lanark County Jail
LEE, John; Turnkey, Lanark County Jail
LEES, William; Flour & feed mill & saw mill
LESTER, E. A., Mrs.; Fancy goods, wools
LILLIE, Robert; Bolt and nut works; Foundry
LISTER, F. A. W.; Accountant, Merchants Bank of Canada
LOCHEAD, Robert; Weaver
LOVE, Edwin; Hair dresser
LOWE, David; Sexton, St. Andrew’s Church
LUCKENS, Traiton, Rev.; Pastor, Baptist Church
McGILLIVRAY, M., Rev., M.A.; Minister St. Andrew’s Church
McTAVISH, Peter; Livery
MALCOLM, John; Chairman Perth Co-operative association
MALLOCH, Edward George; Barrister, attorney, solicitor in chancery
MANION, M., Miss; Dressmaker
MANSELL, C. B., L.D.S.; Dental Surgeon
MARKS, Joseph; Sexton, St. James church
MASON, Frederick; Excise man, Inland Revenue
MATHESON, Arthur J.; Barrister, Notary, etc. Perth Mayor
MATHESON, Charles A.; (Shaw & Matheson), cheese m’f’r & farmer
MATHESON, Roderic; General merchant
MAY, Daniel; Weaver
McALLISTER, J. A.; Merchant Tailor, Dealer in Gent’s Furnishings
MacARTHUR, Andrew; Stoves and tinware
McBRAYNE, Angus; Practical tailor
McCANN, John; Mason, bricklayer & contractor, Town councillor
McCARTHY, Richard H.; (Warren & McCarthy)
MacDIARMID, Alexander; Collector of rates
MacDIARMID, Peter, jun.; Farmer and councillor
McDONALD, Duncan; Knox Church Board of Trustees
McDOWELL, R. W., Rev.
McELLIGITT, John J.; Teacher, Roman Catholic Separate school
McGARRY, William, J. P.; Manufacturer of Fanning Mills, McGarry Post Office
McGREGOR, Peter; Mason & contractor
McKERRACHER, John; Custom Tailor, Gentlemen’s, Youths’
McKINLEY, Mary M.; Teacher, 5th dept. Perth Public School
McKINLEY, Peter; Elmsley North Township clerk
McLAREN, John A.;Distiller of Perth Malt Whisky, Perth Distillery
McLAREN, John Morris; Proprietor Revere House….
McLAREN, Peter; Lumber merchant
McLAREN, William; Baker & confectioner
McLEAN, James A.; (Scott & McLean) A Large Stock of Tweeds, Flannels
McLENAGHAN, Charles; Farmer and councillor
McLEOD, William; Tinsmith
McMaster & Armstrong; Dry goods and groceries
McMASTER, John; (McMaster & Armstrong
McMORINE, (McMARINE?), S., Rev.; Minister of St. Mark’s Church
McNAUGHTON, Peter McIntyre; Asst. clerk, Merchant’s Bank of Canada
MEIGHEN, Charles; Trustee, Perth Board of Education
MEIGHEN, Robert; (Arthur Meighen & Bros)
MEIGHEN, William; (Arthur Meighen & Bros)
MENZIES, Wm.; Knox Church Board of Trustees
MERCEAR, R., Rev.; Church of England
Merchant’s Bank of Canada
MICHAEL, George; Farmer and gardener
MICHELL, F. L., B.A.; County of Lanark inspector of
MILLS, George Chisholm; Postmaster and general store
MOFFATT, Thomas, Capt
MONG, Stewart; Insurance agent
MONTGOMERY, W.; Merchant Tailor
MOORE, T. B.; Clerk, Township of Drummond
MOORE, Wm. B.; (Andison & Moore)
MOORHOUSE, Henry; Treasurer Town of Perth
MOORHOUSE, M., Miss; Organist Canada Methodist Church
MORRIS, John; Provincial land surveyor
MORRISON, James; Painter
MORTIMER, Wm.; Milkman
MOTHERWELL, James W.; Publisher of the Perth Expositor
MUNRO, David, M.D.; Physician and surgeon
MYLNE, S., Rev.; Lanark Co. Board of Examiners of School Teachers
NEILSON, Andrew; Practical Watchmaker & Jeweler
NEILSON, Minnie E.; Teacher, 2nd dept. Perth Public School
NESBITT, David A.; principal, 1st dept, Pakenham public school
NICOLL, Thos; Trustee, Perth Board of Education
NIX, William, Rev.; Assistant to St. John’s Church (Roman Catholic)
NOONAN, D. R.; Blacksmith and Horseshoer
NORTHGRAVES, W. & Co.; Jewelers and Dealers in Fine Gold Watches
NORTON-TAYLOR, W. H.; Ledger keeper Bank of Montreal
O’BRIEN, Josephine, Miss; Organist St. John’s Church
O’BRIEN, William; Manufacturer and Dealer in Boots, Shoes
O’CONNOR, John S., Rev.; St. John’s Church parish priest
O’NEIL, Annie, Miss; Public school teacher
O’NEIL, John; Manufacturer of all kinds of Heavy & Light Vehicles
PALLISTER, Mrs.; proprietress Commercial Hotel
PARKER, Wm., M.D., M.C.P.S.O.; Physicians and Surgeons
PATTERSON, James; Bailiff 1st Division court
PAUL, Moses; Shoemaker
PAUL, Moses; Weaver
PINK, W. J.; Wholesale and Retail Manufacturer of Furniture
PLAYFAIR, A. W.; Warden, St. James Church
PLAYFAIR, Wm.; Mill owner
POOLE, Oliver; General store
POOLE, Thomas; Trustee, Canada Methodist Church
PORTER, Geo. A.; Junior clerk Bank of Montreal
PRENTICE, Thomas; boot & shoe Maker
PRESTON, Dr.; License Commissioner under Dominion Act
QUIGLEY, James; Undertaker. Caskets, Coffins, Shrouds, Funeral Requisites
RADENHURST, William H.; (Radenhurst & Shaw barristers and solicitors).
RANDALL, John; Millwright
RATHWELL, Edward; Proprietor Farmers Hotel
REID, Alexander; Knox Church Board of Trustees
REID, Thomas, Mrs.; Dressmaker
REYNOLDS, Francis C., Rev.; Minister, Can. Meth. Church Dalkeith
RICE, C.; Registrar High Court of Justice and Surrogate Court
RIDDELL, John; Knox Church Board of Trustees
RIELY, Wm.; Blacksmith
ROBERTSON, Alexander; Dry goods, groceries, crockery and glass-ware
ROBERTSON, Hugh S.; Teacher 6th dept. Perth Public School
ROBERTSON, Hugh; Accountant
ROBERTSON, J. M.; General store
ROBERTSON, James; Boot and shoe maker
ROBERTSON, Neil; Professor of Classics, Perth Coll. Inst
ROBINSON, Thos.; Proprietor Perth & Maberly Stage Line
ROSE, James; Shoemaker
ROSS, James, Rev., B.A.; Minister, Knox Church
ROTHWELL, A. T.; Grocer
ROTHWELL, Wm.; Rector & professor of mathematics, P.C.I
RUDD, Anslow B.; (H. C. Rugg & Co. Dealers in drugs and chemicals
Rugg H. C. & Co.;
RUGG, Henry C., M.D.; (H. C. Rugg & Co.) Physician & surgeon
RYAN, Hugh; Railway contractor
SADDLER, Lizzie, Miss; Dressmaker
SCOTT, David E.; (Scott & McLean)
SCOTT, Robert; (Scott & Halliday)
SCOTT, Susan, Miss; Organist Methodist Church
SCOTT, Wm.; Baliff fifth Division Court, Lanark
SCUDAMORE, C., Rev.; Professor of arts and sciences, P.C.I
SEELEY, Alfred E.; Express, telegraph & railway & steamship ticket agent
SENKLER, William Stevens; Judge of the County Court and Surrogate Court
SHAVER, James; Barber
SHAVER, Philander H.; Agent, Canadian Express Co
SHAW, Alexander C., B.A.; (Radenhurst & Shaw)
SHAW, Henry D. (Shaw and Matheson)
SHEEHAN, James; Proprietor Sheridan’s Hotel
SHEIRCHON, James; Fanning mill manufacturer
SHELLINGTON, Henry; Weaver
SHERIDAN, James; Livery
SHERIDAN, P. J.; Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries
SLOAN, John; Proprietor Albion Hotel
SMITH, James J.; The Peoples Boot and Shoe Store
SMITH, John; Carriage Maker
SMITH, Thomas; Mason and contractor
SMITHERMAN, Annie H.; Teacher, 3rd dept. Perth Public School
SOMERLON, Thomas; Butcher & Farmer
SPALDING, James, jun.; (Spalding & Stewart whiskey manufacturers)
STAFFORD, Henry; License Inspector under Ontario Act (our g-grandfather’s brother)
STANLEY, Matthew; Carriage manufacturer
STEPHENSON, Richard L., Rev., M.A.; Rector of Perth
STEVENSON, W. A.; Superintendent, C.P.R. car shops
STEWART, Alexander; Farmer and weaver
STEWART, John K.; (Stewart Bros.)
STEWART, Robert; (Spalding & Stewart)
STEWART, Robert; (Stewart Bros.)
STONE, Robert; Chief Constable
SUTHERLAND, James, Mrs.; Grocery
TAIT, A. H.; Dealer in Cooking, Box & Parlor Stoves
TAYLOR, –; Civil engineer
TAYLOR, Henry; Importer of Shelf and Heavy Hardware
TAYLOR, Hugh, Rev.; Minister, St. Andrew’s Pres
TAYLOR, Isabella, Miss; Music teacher
TEMPLETON, George; Tanner and currier
THOMPSON, Henry; Farmer and cattle drover
THOMPSON, James; General store
THOMPSON, James; Sheriff County of Lanark Court house
THOMPSON, John F.; Farmer and cattle drover
THOMPSON, Robert; Traveler for Jas Leggett, boots & shoes
THORNE, John Wright, Rev.; Pastor Baptist Church
THORNTON, George; Dealer in Pianos, Organs & Sewing Machines
TIMS, John W.; Accountant Bank of Montreal
TOMLINSON, John; Boots and shoes
TOVEY, John; (R. & J. Tovey) Milkman
TOVEY, Richard; (R. & J. Tovey) Milkman
TREGENT, Augustus P.; Insurance agent
UMPHERSON, Wm.; General store
Union Fire Co.; 25 men, James Wilson, captain
Union Hotel; Owen Byrne proprietor
VINEBERG, J. Lyon; Dealer in Ready-Made
WAIT, Henry, Mrs.; Dressmaker
WALKER, A. C.; Custom Tailor, Gentlemen’s, Youth’s and Boys’
WALKER, Belle M., Miss; Organist St. Andrew’s Church
WALKER, James M.; Editor, Publisher and Proprietor of Perth Courier
WALKER, Mary; Teacher, 1st dept. Perth Public School
WALLACE, Miss; Fashionable Milliner
WARD, Michael; Proprietor, Albion Hotel
Warren & McCarthy; Benjamin Warren, Rich’d H. McCarthy, hardware
WARREN, Benjamin; (Warren & McCarthy)
WEEKS, Frederick W.; Manager Perth Mills
WHATELEY, George; Land & Ins. Agent, Dealer in Mines and Minerals
WICWARE, Elizabeth, Miss; 2nd dept., Pakenham public school
WICWARE, Mrs.; Boarding house
WILSON, James; Captain Union Fire Co
WILSON, John; Proprietor Hicks House, also billiards
WILSON, Thomas, Mrs.; Milliner and hair work
WILSON, Thomas; Sexton St. John’s Church
WODDEN, Wm,; Knox Church Board of Trustees
WOODS, David R.; License Inspector under Ontario Act
WOODS, John; Proprietor Perth & Glen Tay Stage Line
WRIGHT, Benjamin; Builder and contractor, town councilor
WRIGHT, H. B.; Hatter and Furrier
For more information on Business Owners listed in the 1881 Perth Business Directory:
http://www.algonquincollege.com/perth/current/library-learning-resource-centre-lrc-perth-campus/
or visit the Resource Library at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College – 7 Craig St., Perth, ON
Did one of these Business Owners in Perth inherit McLaren’s money?
To learn more about your Lanark County ancestors send your queries to the Lanark County Genealogical Society inquiries7@bell.net , visit them online: http://www.globalgenealogy.com/LCGS/Contact%20Us.htm
Archives Lanark is a valuable resource for researching your Lanark County roots http://archiveslanark.ca/index.php or email – info@archiveslanark.ca
If you require extensive research and are not able to visit Archives Lanark, their genealogical staff can assist you. Send your queries to: research@archiveslanark.ca
* Perth distillery trademark from the McCord Museum:
http://collection.mccord.mcgill.ca/en/collection/artifacts/M930.50.5.183?Lang=1&accessnumber=M930.50.5.183
690 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec info.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca
Someone in Perth got McLaren’s millions!
*images of John McLaren, his whiskey, and ads for the Perth Distillery, and transcripts of the McLaren will case – from – “The Perth Courier”
photo – Henry Kehoe in front of Spalding and Stewart Distillery – “The Perth Courier”
photo – McLaren’s amber glass whisky bottle from ‘Collectable Treasures’
photos – malt whiskey bottle, whiskey jug, old distillery photos – Perth Remembered
“So who inherited John McLaren’s vast fortune?”
To discover more about the curious case of John McLaren’s will, and the trial that had the whole town of Perth talking, read the story “Jessie’s Gift”, from the book “Lanark County Connections – Memories Among the Maples”.
http://www.staffordwilson.com
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