Sherriff & Neal Flour Mill
Brussels Electric Light Works
William & Son Livery
John Grewar bought 1½ rood of the west part of Lot 6, about 3/8ths of the one-acre lot, from John C. Holliday in 1865. John Grewar, along with his brother, built and operated a gristmill on this lot, on Mill Street opposite Elizabeth Street, in 1867. A mortgage for $2,700 financed the work.
Sherriff & Neal Flour Mill
Two years later, in October of 1869, the mill was sold to Charles Sheriff. Sheriff, along with his business partner, William Neal, operated this mill, one of two gristmills in the village at the time. The Huron Expositor of April 29, 1870 notes: There are two grist mills, one driven by steam, with four run of stones, owned by Sheriff & Neal; and one driven by water and steam, with three run of stones, owned by W&J Vanstone.
The original stone mill burnt early in 1871. An 1873 article in The Huron Expositor describes the second mill building as being of stone, 60 x 30 feet, and 3½ stories in height. Mr James Mitchell, a stone mason from Grey Township, built the mill. “Steam is the motive power used – a 35-horse power engine, and 45-horse power boiler running the machinery. On the ground floor are the millstones. Of these are three pairs, and they all are, as a rule, kept regularly at work. On the next floor is one of Trimmer’s Smut Machines, and a chest of merchant bolts…. The engine, boiler, machinery, &c., were all made by Goldie & McCulloch, of Galt."
The correspondent describes his visit to the mill where he found “the enterprising proprietors very busy attending to numerous customers, who were present in large numbers, as the sleighing was excellent on that day.” Mr. Sheriff is described as “one of those jolly millers we read of” and both millers were said to be “obliging and energetic men” who kept the mill busy from morning till night.
Mr. Sheriff died on April 23, 1880. The following week it was reported that, due to ill health, William Neal would also retire from mill work. The business was sold to William J. Mann in September of that year.
Image Left: Advertisement from The Brussels Post February 5, 1880. In 1883 Mann Brothers in turn sold to WIlliam Ross of Brussels for $4500. The new proprietor put in the “new process machinery” and made other changes at once. The next year it was reported that Mr. Ross was making additional improvements to his mill: “Wm Ross, who owns the stone mill, being determined not to be behind, has also disposed of his engine, and had it replaced by a very fine new one made by Goldie & McCulloch of Galt. Both mills have again resumed work this week and we can boast of two good mills as are in the county.” (Huron Expositor Aug. 22, 1884) A Brussels Post article of 1893 described the mill: “This first-class mill is in a flourishing condition and is doing a large and successful business, which extends all over this section of the country. Mr. Ross has been established here for a number of years and has the advantage of a thorough knowledge of the milling business and for turning out a superior quality flour this mill is unsurpassed in the county. It is a fine substantial building, equipped with a full line of machinery of the improved full roller process. Special attention is given to custom work, farmers coming here for miles around to have their gristing done.” (Brussels Post Oct. 20, 1893) A new delivery wagon was purchased in 1894 to deliver flour in connection with the large local trade done by his mill.
Ross entered into partnership with WJ Climie for a short while. Early in 1896, however, Mr. Climie had to bow out. “Following the instructions of his physician, WJ Climie has withdrawn from the partnership in the flouring mill of Messrs. Ross & Climie, as the dust was threatening to cause lung trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Climie will move to Listowel where Mr. Climie will probably farm. We are sorry to see them leave town but suppose it can’t be helped. Mr. Ross will continue to run the mill business as of yore.” (Brussels Post Feb. 7, 1896)
By 1898 the firm was known as Wm Ross & Son. The son, Roderick K. Ross, assumed management of the business in February of 1900: “Change of Business – By advertisement in another column it will be seen that RK Ross has assumed the management of the Ross Flouring Mill, Brussels. He is well acquainted with the business, having been associated with his father for years in the mill; is posted on the most approved methods; and we wish him success as he assumes control. Mr Ross, sr., is getting up in years but is still able to get about quite lively and his familiar figure will no doubt often be seen about the premises as of old. Read Mr Ross’ advt. and see what he has to say to the public about his business.” (Brussels Post Feb. 1, 1900) In July of that same year RK Ross built “an addition of 32 feet to the rear of his flour mill to be utilized for the storage of fuel, & c.”
The Ross Flouring Mill, in operation for 22 years, was completely destroyed in the fire of May 1905 that started in the barns of the Queen’s Hotel stables and was swept by high winds across Thomas Street and yet further north to the mill property. The building was destroyed as well as thousands of dollars worth of machinery and stock. It was hoped that Mr. Ross would rebuild but he decided against it. The property was sold to Walter Lowry who planned to fit it up for a stable to replace the one he lost to the fire.
Electric Light Works
By 1897, the part of the lot near the bridge was vacant. The village had a steam-powered electrical plant in operation at the woollen mill in 1890. On December 12, 1890 the Post reported: “Electric lights are now in the stores of Scarff & Ferguson, Mrs. Simms, GA Deadman, Ross Bros., JT Pepper, AR Smith, A Strachan, T. Fletcher, B. Gerry, Mrs. FC Rogers, George Thomson. The Queen’s Hotel and The Central also have them. A Currie is testing incandescent in his butcher shop. More lights will be burning as soon as the globes, etc., come to hand. For a new movement it works very satisfactory.”
Image Left : Advertisement from The Brussels Post 1896. The electric lights did not burn, however, when the boiler had to be cleaned or when there were other problems. In June of 1897, a new purpose-built building was in the works: “The building for the use of the electric light plant will be proceeded with in a short time. It will stand on one of the vacant lots on Turnberry Street, near the iron bridge. Mr Green has placed his order for a new boiler and engine, 70 and 75 hp respectively. The Reliance Co. will supply the dynamos for arc and incandescent plants.” The Post kept readers up-to-date on the progress of the building. On Thursday, October 7, 1897 the arc plant was ready and the Brussels Electric Light Company turned on the lights: “Feeling confident that everything was pretty nearly all right on went the belt and away whizzed the machinery and notwithstanding that everything was new it worked like clockwork to the pleasure of the people and the credit of Messrs. Green & Mainprice [Mainprize]. A charge was made in a pulley afterward that gave a much greater brilliance to the light. Dark nights will now lose their terrors to our inhabitants.” By November, the incandescent light plant was ready to run: “They will start the dynamo with from 350 to 400 lights, which number will probably be doubled, if not trebled, before many weeks elapse. Next week R. Mainprice, one of the firm, will move to Brussels from Wingham and take up his residence in the comfortable brick dwelling in connection with the Electric Light Works and manage the business here. Every businessman in the place, ranging in number from 50 to 52, will probably use the lights as the price is within reach of all. After all the store lights are installed there will be a very noticeable increase of light on Main Street.” The following summer the company offered another service to the women of the village: “Ladies may be accommodated with hot or cold water baths at the Electric Light Works on any afternoon. Mrs. Mainprice will be in charge.”
A couple of area men came to the village to learn how to work with electricity. “Edward Mole, of Manchester, is apprenticed with R. Mainprice at the Electric Light Works to learn the science of handling the lightning. He will be here for a year.” (Post, Nov. 11, 1898) Fred Marsh, of Grey Township, began his apprenticeship in February of 1899.
Problems with the dynamo meant that the lights would go out from time to time. But, it also meant that other innovations could be introduced. For example, an electric burglar alarm was attached to the safe of the Standard Bank. In 1900, Mr. Mainprize rearranged the electric lighting in the Town Hall to afford a better effect to the newly painted stage curtains.
Robert Mainprize sold the Brussels Electric Light Works to James and Robert Thuell in 1904. Most electricity was used for lighting, but special services were offered as well. The Thuell brothers would turn on the power plant on Wednesday afternoons for their female customers who wanted to do their ironing with electric irons. The lights were kept running, more or less to the townspeople’s satisfaction, into the 1920s. It wasn’t just a matter of flipping the switch though: “Some business people advise The Post to stick a pin in “Bob” Thuell to get him to hustle the lights earlier on dark days. We will let them do their own prodding but Robert might take the hint in the meantime.” (Post, Oct. 28, 1920)
The steam generator produced the electric power for the carbon-arc street lamps and for arc and incandescent lights in the stores and in some residences. The carbon-arc lamps still had to be trimmed every day. Ropes suspended the lamps, so that they could be lowered and raised for the work. William Thuell, who began work at his uncle’s plant in 1913, recalled a “shocking” incident: “One of the ropes broke, and his uncle, fed-up with the rope breaking, strung the lamp up with wire clothesline. Bill was out trimming the lamps one night with a helper. The helper grabbed the clothesline and, because it wasn’t insulated, had become electrified. The shock was so powerful that the man could not let go. Bill ran all the way to the steam plant to have to power shut off. By the time he got back, however, the helper had fallen and the current was broken. We didn’t know much about electricity in those days!” (Our Story, p. 24)
In 1905, the Thuell Bros built a chopping mill immediately south of the Electric Light powerhouse. The contract was let to George Barkley for the erection of a cement building 20x40 feet, 25 feet high. Power was supplied from the engine of the electric light plant. An accident in 1910 in which the electric plant manager’s wife was caught up in the drive shaft and killed, led the Thuell brothers to close the mill. Later, James Thuell sold his interest to his brother and moved to western Canada.
In 1924, the town council voted to bring the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario to town. In 1925, Robert Thuell became the new manager of the Family Theatre. Charles Pope purchased the Thuell property in 1928 and built the first gas station in the village. The first building was made of galvanized metal. The gas pumps were the glass-bowl type. At first, horse-drawn vehicles delivered Imperial Oil gasoline from Seaforth. Later, Shell gas was delivered by truck from Harriston.
Above Photo: The Brussels Electric Light Works - From Left: Tom Ritchie, Charles Pope, unidentified man, Dick Cardiff, Pete Scott, Mr. Black, Robert Thuell, and Mr. Leckie. Walter Lowry had the Sale Stables seen in the background left of the photo.
In 1940, Pope sold to Anglo Petroleum Ltd. The tin shack was replaced by a service station with one bay, but the front part of that structure remains today. Harry McCutcheon leased the new service station in 1941. Harry also acted as an agent for Canadian Tire. In 1959, the owner, Albert Dinsmore, closed the service bay and created the restaurant and gas bar, a version of which is still in operation today.
Williams & Son Livery
William McKay bought a ¼ acre of Lot 6 along Mill Street in 1867. He mortgaged the property for $100 in 1874, and perhaps operated a livery business. In 1890, Hugh Williams & Son had a livery business here. The Post reported in 1891: “Hugh Williams & Son talk of erecting a large brick livery barn on a lot near the bridge on Turnberry Street. The site is a first-class one for such a purpose.” An 1893 article described it as a “popular and first-class livery establishment“ in operation for a number of years. “They can offer to the public every convenience and accommodation in the livery line, their establishment being equipped with fine vehicles, good horses, &c., so that the most suitable turn-outs are furnished at the shortest notice. Messrs. Williams & Son also do a large trade in all kinds of agricultural implements and are in the best position to meet the wants of the people in this line. Every intending purchaser should visit their carriage shops and see the bargains offered in fine rigs.” By 1894, Williams & Son moved “to the building now used as an agricultural implement emporium by Messrs. Cardiff & Kirkby, opposite the Queen’s Hotel stables, Thomas Street.”
George Edwards purchased the buildings formerly occupied by Williams’ livery. He fit them up for use as a planing mill and workshop. An engine house was built at the rear of the shops, 16x18 feet, and in it was placed a 16-horse power boiler and engine to run the machinery. In 1896, he installed machinery to enable him to manufacture cider, apple butter, etc. The cider mill and apple butter factory was temporarily converted, once the apple season was over, into a sawmill. The Post noted, in August 1900:
“George Edwards has placed a new outfit in his cider mill and apple butter factory, Brussels, by which last year’s capacity for work has been doubled and is now ready to take care of 200 barrels per day. He makes a specialty of apple butter and jellies and does the work while the customers wait. With the plentiful supply of apples and the small demand on the market Mr Edwards expects to have a busy season in his factory. Mill street, Brussels is the location.”
Advertisements shown appeared in The Brussels Post – Above: March 16, 1894; and Right: 1897. Wm Ross, who owns the stone mill, being determined not to be behind, has also disposed of his engine, and had it replaced by a very fine new one made by Goldie & McCulloch of Galt. Both mills have again resumed work this week and we can boast of two good mills as are in the county. (Huron Expositor Aug. 22, 1884)
The Edwards property including plant and machinery was sold in 1909 to Walter Garside and William James. They operated the Brussels Fire Appliance & Machine Co.
Above Photo: Williams Livery was converted into George Edwards Planing Mill in 1894. An engine house was built at the rear of the shops to house a 16-horse-power boiler and engine.
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