William Neilson

Canadian businessman

William Neilson (March 16, 1844 – February 10, 1915) was a Canadian businessman and founder of William Neilson Limited.2

From Wikipedia’s article on William Neilson (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Mar 16, 1844, died Feb 10, 1915.1

Companies

Early life and education

Neilson was born in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Canada West to Scottish parents.

His working life began as a farmer in Rochester, New York, then moved on to being a machinist's apprentice in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. In 1873 journeyman Neilson worked in Brockville, Ontario, moving on in 1889 to a retail store. Afterward he sold his store in 1890 and moved to Toronto, Ontario and began a grocery store that eventually failed. Leaving his family behind, he moved to North Dakota to work as a farmer with his brother.

From Wikipedia’s article on William Neilson (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: businessperson.4

Personal life

  • BornMar 16, 1844, Canada5
  • CitizenshipCanada6

Neilson married Mary Eva Kaiser on October 6, 1875, in Brockville, Ontario. They were the parents of five children, of which the sons continued the business after the death of their father in 1915.

Fred Harry Morden Neilson, the family's official churner, ran the business as president until his death in 1947. Charles Edward Neilson was secretary-treasurer and James William Allen Neilson was a vice-president.

The Neilson family are buried at Forest Lawn Mausoleum in north Toronto.

From Wikipedia’s article on William Neilson (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

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