The Kingston Whig Standard article, February 8, 1956
The Kingston Whig Standard, February 8, 1956, by Erma Pense:
Samuel Anglin Branch "Old Families" Of Kingston an Interesting History
(Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles on Kingston families long connected with the Limestone City.)
Among the "Old Families" of Kingston few have played as important a part in the life and growth of the city over the years than has the Anglin family. For more than a century the name of 'Anglin' has been a familiar and honored one in the Limestone City. This article deals with that branch of the family which developed the firm of S. Anglin Company, Limited.
Four sons of Robert Anglin of County Cork, Ireland,m emigrated to Canada and came to Kingston. The first to arrive was Robert Anglin and his bride, the former Sarah Hayes, who came in 1830. Samuel was next, approximately five years later; William came in 1843; John arrived in 1864 and brought his family with him.
Robert Anglin was the father of W. B. and Samuel Anglin who later established the firm of S. Anglin Co., Ltd. William B. Anglin was born in Kingston in 1836; he married Miss Frances Baker of Battersea.
Samuel Anglin
Samuel Anglin was born in Kingston in 1842 and in 1870 married Miss Harriet Phillips of Cork, Ireland, who came to this country to be with her brother, Col. W. P. Phillips, who was stationed in Kingston.
Some time prior to 1865 W. B. Anglin purchased the saw mill which was situated at the corner of Bay and Wellington streets. In 1866 a partnership was formed with his brother Samuel who had been operating a saw mill at Battersea, and who brought his stock of logs and lumber to Kingston to meet the increasing demands of the business.
* * *They carried on together for some years under the firm name of W. B. and S. Anglin. On the death of W. B. Anglin in 1887, Samuel continued the business in the same location, under the firm name of S. Anglin and Co. Later he was joined by two sons, Frank R. Anglin in 1895, and Charles S. in 1902. Another son, W. H. Anglin was connected with the business for a time but died early in life in 1909.
S. Anglin headed the firm until his death in 1920, after which the company was formed into a Limited Company and Frank R. became president, which position he occupied until his death in 1942. After the death of his brother, Charles S. Anglin became president and business manager of the firm, the position he still holds.
* * *It was interesting to hear Charles Anglin tell of the days when steam was used to generate power to operate the saw mill, planing mill and wood working factory. An engineer was necessary to operate the steam engine. Mr. Charles Anglin came to the conclusion that the firm should install electric motors to generate the power. Mr. Anglin remarked, "My father was skeptical at first, but he finally said, 'I'll leave it to you, son.' However, he liked the change fine."
Speaking of early days, Mr. Anglin recalled hearing of the steam boat which was built at the Anglin plant. It was called 'City of Kingston' and plied the Rideau. This was some time before 1887.
During the years the plant has steadily developed and branched out into relative lines. In 1949 the firm leased the Norman property on Division Street which it has since purchased.
To assist Charles Anglin in key positions are his nephew, Donald, son of Frank Anglin; and his son, Harold, both well known men in the city.
All of the Anglin men served their church and city well. Three generations served as alderman. Robert Anglin served as alderman for several years in Ontario and Cataraqui wards. In early days the council was a 'town council.'
* * *In 1847 the year of the disastrous outbreak of typhus fever, Robert Anglin worked untiringly in behalf of the stricken immigrants who came from Ireland bringing with them the dread disease. It is recorded that alderman Robert Anglin, on May 18, 1847, warned the city council and citizens "that there would be a large number of immigrants arriving in Kingston during the year and that the fever would be brought with them." He maintained that there should be some sheds erected outside of the city "on the point" (Point Frederick) or on one of the adjacent islands. But council and the city ignored his warning, and at the same meeting of council, he handed in his resignation. It was refused and he continued to work to make ready for the catastrophe he could foresee approaching.
On Friday, May 28, just 10 days after Alderman Anglin had warned the city council his forebodings proved to be correct. Deaths were reported on vessels crossing the Atlantic from Ireland. It is history now, of course. The Angel Monument at the Kingston General Hospital commemorates the deaths of Irish immmigrants who died in Kingston during the epidemic of typhus fever.
W. B. Anglin served as alderman in 1878, '79, '80 and '81. Mr Samuel also served on the city council in 1890.
Charles Anglin served as alderman for nine years, representing at different times Sydenham and Cataraqui wards.
* * *Three members of this well known family were for many years school trustees and served as chairman. Samuel in 1886 was chairman of the then Public School Board, when he laid the corner stone of Central School, the oldest school in the city which is still in use. F. R. Anglin was chairman of the Board of Education in 1919 being a member from 1914 to 1923. Charles Anglin was chairman of the Board of Education in 1931, the year the Vocational School was built; he presided at the proceedings of the laying of the corner-stone.
The Anglin men were keenly interested in their church. Samuel Anglin was chairman of the board of stewards of Sydenham Street Methodist Church, as well as being church treasurer from 1901 to 1916. Frank was a member of Session. Charles Anglin has been chairman of the board of stewards of Sydenham Street United Church, superintendent of the Sunday school, and is at present a member of the session of the church. They all worked untiringly on many and varied committees of the church.
These men of the Anglin clan were and are also interested in club work; F. R. was a Kiwanian; Charles S., is a Rotarian and a past president of the club; Donald is a Kiwanian; Harold is a Kinsman and a past president of that club and past deputy district governor. He is a director of the Canadian Retail Coal Dealers' Association, and Donald Anglin is a member of the Lumbermen's Association.
Harold Anglin
It is a matter of note that Harold Anglin was a strong swimmer in his teens having won the two-mile harbor swim sponsored by the YMCA on several occasions.
* * *Living in the city are two sisters of Charles Anglin: Mrs H. C. McCuaig and Mrs. A. E. Knapp. A sister, Mrs. J. Anderson, who lived in Kingston after the death of her husband, is deceased, but her son "Sam" Anderson is living here.
This is the first mention of the "Anglin women;" they, like the men, are responsible for many good works. Mrs. Mc"Cuaig is the wife of Rev. H. D. McCuaig and has been a tower of strength to her husband all through his ministry; Mrs. Knapp was for many years an energetic worker in her church, (Sydenham Street United.)
Mrs. Harold Anglin is an energetic member of the Kinette Club, and a past president of the club .
To Mrs. Charles S. "Anglin" by name, who herself has always been a faithful church worker, and a memeber of many other worthwhile organizations, appreciation is extended for her kindness in searching historical documents. and in supplying to the writer much of the information contained herein.
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