The T.S. Ford Company Limited thrived in downtown Mitchell for decades
On Aug. 25, 1938, the front page of the Mitchell Advocate read: “Diamond Jubilee of the T.S. Ford Company Limited.” A Mitchell staple was celebrating its 60th year in business. The article went on to say that:
“To be in the business for 60 years in one town is an accomplishment that few can boast. It is a record that may be pointed to with reasonable pride by the privileged few who have accomplished it. There is without a doubt no more delicate or exacting task than successfully catering to the public over a period of years. To serve, day after day, in a manner that brings continued patronage for 60 years is a praiseworthy endeavour. But the selling of merchandise is not only the work of the store in a community like ours. It must occupy a place of leadership in the community if it hopes to continue to operate successfully for more than half a century.
“To this can be accredited to the success of the T.S. Ford Co. Limited. Mr. Ford has always been a staunch advocate of everything that pertains to the good of Mitchell. The T.S. Ford Co. and Town of Mitchell are synonymous. To lifelong residents of Mitchell, it has come to be a fixture; as much a part of the community as our churches, schools, etc. In this way, is a small town blessed. Our stores and their proprietors are always local personages. They live and operate in our own town and understand that as they serve the community, to that degree will community give their efforts to support. This has been well demonstrated throughout the years by Mitchell and the T.S. Ford Co. Limited. We hope that it continues to be so for many years to come.”
To celebrate its anniversary, the store held a large 10-day sale starting on Thursday, Aug. 25, and ending on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Everything was on sale to celebrate — 30 per cent off of wool blankets, towels, dresses, suits, work pants, underwear, silk stockings, quilt batting, socks and broadcloth fabrics. An ad noted “the more you buy, the more you save.”
The store knew it would be busy, as the ad for the sale stated:“10 days of price reductions, that should crowd this store every minute.” They also noted, “We cannot afford to put on and pay extra salespeople and sell goods without profit, so if you cannot get waited on promptly, please be patient or come another day. We suggest early in the day shopping, for with a stock more than $50,000 there will be still be a good assortment left on the 10th day of the sale.”
Who was the successful proprietor behind the name on the store? T.S. (Thomas Symons) Ford was born in 1858 in Fullerton Township, where he grew up on a farm. In his late teens, he came to Mitchell to open a dry goods business with Richard Babb. After three years, Ford purchased another business with W.G. Murphy. When they dissolved the partnership of Ford and Murphy 15 years later, Ford went on to form the T.S. Ford Company Limited. He won the respect of the community with his upright business principles and friendly staff. Ford loved interacting with his customers and was a keen believer in hard work. He felt that it had resulted in the measure of success he enjoyed.
Ford was a man of many interests. He had a deep love for animals and, as soon as time from his business permitted, he purchased Tornwood, a standardbred stallion. He went on to raise several colts and exhibited them at the Canadian National Exhibition. He was a member of the local lawn bowling club, and was on a team that travelled to England and Australia. He was also a member of the Trinity Anglican Church and of Bissell Lodge No. 51, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Mitchell. Like his father, he had an interest in politics. He was reeve of Mitchell for two years and a member of town council for 16 years. But perhaps his greatest achievement for the town was the successful effort in bringing electricity to Mitchell.
After Ford’s death in 1939, one of his longtime employees, Robert J. Keeler, continued to run the business. It is unclear if the business continued after Keeler’s death in 1963, but an article from the Advocate in 1969 noted the Ford name had been erased from the building after it had been sold in a disposal sale. This building still stands today at 74 Ontario Rd.; it makes up the left half of the Dollar Haven and Discount.
The Stratford-Perth Archives welcomes donations to the collection and is open for drop-in research from Tuesday to Friday, as well as other times, including Saturdays, by appointment. For details about what’s available during Reading Room drop-in hours and appointments for in-depth research, please visit www.perthcounty.ca/StratfordPerthArchives, call us at 519-271-0531 ext. 259 or email archives@perthcounty.ca
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Reflections: Remembering a Mitchell staple
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29.03.2024
The T.S. Ford Company Limited thrived in downtown Mitchell for decades
On Aug. 25, 1938, the front page of the Mitchell Advocate read: “Diamond Jubilee of the T.S. Ford Company Limited.” A Mitchell staple was celebrating its 60th year in business. The article went on to say that:
“To be in the business for 60 years in one town is an accomplishment that few can boast. It is a record that may be pointed to with reasonable pride by the privileged few who have accomplished it. There is without a doubt no more delicate or exacting task than successfully catering to the public over a period of years. To serve, day after day, in a manner that brings continued patronage for 60 years is a praiseworthy endeavour. But the selling of merchandise is not only the work of the store in a community like ours. It must occupy a place of leadership in the community if it hopes to continue to operate successfully for more than half a century.
“To this can be accredited to the success of the T.S. Ford Co. Limited. Mr. Ford has always been a staunch advocate of everything that pertains to the good of Mitchell. The T.S. Ford Co. and Town of Mitchell are synonymous. To lifelong residents of Mitchell, it has come to be a fixture; as much a part of the community as our churches, schools, etc. In this way, is a small town blessed. Our stores and their proprietors are always local personages. They live and operate........
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