Timothy Eaton Ontario Historical Plaque

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Timothy Eaton
1834 – 1907
Born at Clogher County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Timothy Eaton emigrated to Canada about 1854. In 1856 he and his brother James opened a general store of log construction about a quarter mile from this site in the hamlet of Kirkton situated on the borders of Huron County and Perth County on Highway 23.

From 1860 to 1868 the Eaton brothers operated a dry goods business in the nearby community of St. Marys. In the latter year Timothy moved to Toronto. There, in December 1869, he opened a store from which grew the nationwide business that bears the Eaton name. Endowed with exceptional business acumen, he pioneered many aspects of retail merchandising in this country.

An historical plaque was erected at the north edge of the village to commemorate the Eaton connection to Kirkton. The Kirkton Women's Institute under the leadership of Ruth Shier was largely responsible for persuading the province of Ontario to erect the plaque . A large crowd of villagers and area residents were present when the plaque was dedicated by Rev. Tom Elliott of Kirkton United Church in 1963.

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The plaque reads:

"Timothy Eaton 1834-1907
Born at Clogher, County Antrim, in northern Ireland, Timothy Eaton emigrated to canada about 1854. In 1856 he and his brother James opened a general store of log construction about a quarter mile from this site in the hamlet of Kirkton. From 1860 to 1868 the Eaton brothers operated a dry goods business in the nearby community of St. Marys. In the latter year Timothy moved to Toronto. There, in December 1869, he opened a store, from which grew the nation-wide business that bears the Eaton name. Endowed with exceptional business acumen, he pioneered many aspects of retail merchandising in this country.

Archaeological and Historical Sites Board of Ontario"

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