Certainly one of the foremost citizens of Acton in it’s early years would be that of William Heslop Storey. Born in England in 1837, Mr. Story came to Acton as a young man. He was the only child of parents who both died when he was just fifteen. He was an industrious sort and became a partner with J. F. Taylor after he finished his apprenticeship in 1856. That firm dissolved in 1859 upon the removal of Mr. Taylor to Georgetown, and Mr. Storey continued on his own in Acton. William Heslop Storey married Hannah Jane Smith in July of 1857 and together they had seven children over the next twenty-two years. Storey was active in his civic responsibility and became the first Reeve of Acton in 1873. He only remained there until the end of 1874 when her resigned, but he remained as a councillor for eighteen years. He was also a Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years. In 1868, one year after the birth of the son who would take over his business in later years, he extablished Canada Glove Works. This after realizing the need for quality gloves not available by other manufacturers at the time. Storey was active in his civic responsibility and became the first Reeve of Acton in 1873. He only remained there until the end of 1874 when he resigned, but he remained as a councillor for eighteen years. He was also a Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years. In 1875 Storey erected the first tannery for glove leather. The tannery sat on Bower Street near the Millpond and was the first building in Acton to have an electric sign atop the factory. Active in the Methodist church, Storey was apparently generous and was said to never have refused a man a job. At one point his business had upwards of 200 employees and became the largest of its kind in Canada.
He lived in a fine residence “Sundervilla” at the corner of John and Mill Streets, built in the late 1800’s. Another first was that this house was the first in Acton to be heated by steam. Well liked by the community it is said that over 1000 people attended the funeral of Mr. Storey in 1898. The town closed its businesses for a day in respect for William Storey. They buried him in Fairview Cemetery, a cemetery, he helped fight to establish. William Albert Storey, his youngest living son took over the business after his death. He remained a bachelor and in later years he was actively associated with Ryder & Mowat Glove Co. until his retirement. Active in local baseball as were the Ryder boys this is most likely where they formed a bond, and went into business together. The Ryders were also members of the same congregation. There was an extensive write up in the local paper. For anyone interested download the adobe file above: Edward Ryder and John Mowatt were active in the glove manufacture after that of Storey was no more. Many of the citizens of Acton were employed by the Glove Factory. In fact, both my great-grandmother and several of my great aunts, and my grandmother were glove makers. Some of this work they were able to do at home. This week I have posted about bios my great aunt Ida May Ryder and Alice Maude Ryder, my grandmother. Both daughters of James Ryder and Frances Sophia Martin. I know that my grandmother was a glove maker when she was young. This most likely accounts for her fine handwork.
5 Comments
Terry Cockerell
3/18/2015 07:29:45 pm
I reside in Australia and I have been researching the early owners of a classic American car that I own which is a 1936 Cord 810. The first owner was Amos Mason who live in Bower St next door to the Story Glove Works. Mr Mason's house is still there next door to the Post Office. I have been in contact with Jim and David Dills who were young boys in the mid 1930's and knew the Masons. It has been an interesting journey finding out about the history of Acton.
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Joanne Irons
7/17/2017 07:05:19 pm
I have a W.H. Storey & Son brass glove buttons. there is an animal on the front. Is it a beaver, otter or mink? thanks you
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Rachel Colbeck
1/1/2019 06:43:37 am
Hello Joanne,
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Michael david Hurst
2/21/2022 07:44:16 pm
my great uncle John McClure worked for WH Storey and Son as a sales representative in the early 1900's travelling across Western Canada by train selling leather gloves and ?? across the west. I am trying to learn more about him and his time with WH Storey and Son. Are there archives or other search options to learn more>
terry cockerell
1/1/2019 12:01:31 pm
In August 2018 my wife and I visited Acton and in particular 41 Bower St where Amos mason lived. The Glove Works was next door and the site is occupied by the Post Office. We visited the Acton Museum which is in the old Council Chambers at the end of Bower St. I think the Museum had information on the Glove Works ...................... try contacting the Museum.
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Stephanie Bell-Boissonneault"When researching Family never leave a stone unturned, not even a pebble." Archives
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