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- 82 VICTORIA ILLUSTRATED.
a native of Scotland, which he left in 1857. Before coming to Victoria in 1862, he spent the interval in Canada and North and South America,
where he pursued his present line of business. Mr. James G. Mann is also from Scotland, whence he came here direct in the year 1862.
LEMON, GONASSON AND COMPANY.
This firm is composed of j. Lemon and Aaron and Benjamin Gonasson. The sash and door factory of this firm, which is, perhaps, the most
improved in Victoria, started running in the latter part of February of the present year. The mill turns out sashes, doors, blinds,
mouldings, mantels, rough and dressed lumber and turnings of all descriptions. Band-sawing, as also re-sawing or the splitting of thick
lumber, are their specialties, and the firm carry a large stock on hand of glass, both plain and ornamental. They have a No. 1 kiln for
drying lumber before manufacturing. The building occupies a space 50 x 100 feet, and is located on the wharf, where lumber can be shipped
easily by boat, there being 300 feet of water frontage. The factory is two stories and a half in height, and is equipped with detached
boiler, engine-house, etc. It is also equipped with the finest machinery, including the latest improved 12-inch sticker, a 7-inch
four-sided sticker, also two double surface plating machines, a 36-inch re-saw, and the best sash and door machinery invented. The
capacity is equal to any in the Province of British Columbia.
T. S. MCLAUGHLIN.
Mr. McLaughlin is one of the new-comers to Victoria, but has achieved a great success in carriage-building, of which he makes a specialty
of light or heavy pleasure vehicles. He learned his trade in New York, and is a thorough mechanical draughtsman in all things appertaining
to coach-building, having passed through and obtained a certificate in the Technical School for Carriage Draughtsmen and Mechanics, of New
York City. He started in business in Victoria at Easter last ; erected a building and plant at a cost of $15,000, and has since done much
work, not only for private citizens but for the fire department of the city as well. He imports his stock for carriages from Toronto and
the Eastern States, and at present employs four men, which number will very probably be increased in the near future.
R. T. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams was born at Rochester, New York ; is of English parentage ; came to Victoria in 1859 ; spent his school days here, and
afterwards followed the trade of bookbinding. In 1873 he bought out the present business, which was established in 1862. To-day it is the
largest bookbinding business in the Province of British Columbia, and includes the publishing of the British Columbia Directory, which
dates from 1862 and takes in the whole of the province. The business includes, also, the making of rubber stamps. Mr. Williams owns his
own building, which is four story and basement, and is a very attractive structure of stone and brick. He has invested $35,000 in building
and plant, and the full space occupied by his own business is about 5,000 square feet. Mr. Williams has a natural gift for and has taken a
great deal of pride in his business. He made the first stereotype, first electrotype, first lithograph, and first photo-engraving ever made
in the province. Of late years he has invested heavily in real estate, and has, in consequence, become wealthy.
LEDINGHAM BROTHERS.
Messrs. W. J. and G. T. Ledingham, the founders of this firm, came, six years ago, from Toronto, where they served their apprenticeships,
and by hard work have built up the present handsome business, which, initially, is the manufacture of wrought iron into any shape required,
horseshoeing and general foundry work. To this they added that of carriage and wagon manufacturing, making a specialty of heavy road wagons
and trucks, wood-work of all kinds and carriage and sign painting. The present building is a large one, situated on a valuable corner lot
of their own, 6o x 120 feet, but the demands of their business are such as to necessitate, at once, the erection of a more commodious
structure, and this they propose doing. A late innovation to their business is the importation from the McLaughlin Carriage Company of
Oshawa, Ontario, of light and heavy double and single carriages. In all their undertakings they have been successful, and deservedly so,
as they are both thoroughly familiar with their business, and their energy and thoroughness has brought them at all times increasing
patronage.
VICTORIA MACHINERY DEPOT.
The Victoria Machinery Depot was originally established by Messrs. Spratt & Gray. Mr. Spratt, the founder of the Albion Iron Works, is
now dead, and Messrs. Andrew Gray and A. K. Munro are the present proprietors. They are agents for the Jno. Doty Engine Co. , of Toronto
Goldie & McCulloch, Galt ; Penberthy Injector, the Duplex Die Stocks of the Hart Manufacturing Co., Leonard & Ellis Valvoline Oil, Magnolia
Anti-friction Metal, Scotch Oak Tan Leather Belting, Dodge Wood Split Pulleys, Burnett's Impervious Lime Paint, and the Woodbury Oil
Company, and supply iron and brass castings. Their yearly business amounted in 1887 to $20,000, and has increased in the year past to
$65,000. In the past two
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