Dedicated to R A H “Dick” Taylor
In our last blog post, we described some of the brighter moments associated with the move from the Pan Silver headframe. What began as an unwelcome scramble to empty the building yielded a few new photographs, a complete collection of the Cobalt Lode—and, perhaps most importantly, a much greater appreciation for the CHS volunteers who came before us.
Today we have another good news story to share.
Our deepest appreciation goes to Mandy Thomson. Her generous donation toward the restoration of the Pan Silver headframe is made in memory of her father, “Dick” Taylor. Recalling her father, she said, “In my mind most of all, my Dad was kind to all and cared deeply about the North. He would have made this donation if alive.”
The story of George Taylor Hardware and the Taylor family is documented by local historian and author Bruce Taylor, a descendant of the family. We referred to his book, Serving the North, for this brief profile of Mandy’s father.
Richard Allan Hughes “Dick” Taylor
Richard “Dick” Taylor was born in New Liskeard on January 13, 1915, the only son of W.A. (Will) Taylor and Louisa Stadelman. His family’s roots in the community ran deep: his grandfather, George Taylor, founded George Taylor Hardware, and his father became president of the company in 1919.
Dick joined the family business after graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in Commerce & Finance in 1937. Following service during the Second World War with the Wartime Prices & Trade Board, he returned to Taylor Hardware, eventually becoming president in 1952. Under his leadership, the company expanded beyond northeastern Ontario and Quebec into southern Ontario.
Dick was also involved in public and community life. He served as a Liberal MPP for Temiskaming from 1963 to 1967 and was vocal about the importance of northern Ontario. In a 1964 debate at Queen’s Park, he argued that Ontario’s future depended on recognizing and encouraging northern development. He was equally proud of his own roots and once remarked that, if given the choice of where to be born and raised, he would still choose New Liskeard.
Dick Taylor left a long record of business, public and community service in the region.
Mandy Thomson has now added another chapter to the Taylor family story, honouring her father’s memory through a generous gift toward the preservation of the Pan Silver headframe.
I’m encouraged by this story. Far too often family businesses have been community builders.
Both sides of my family played roles in the building of Cobalt and Haileybury.
When they finished they moved on to be a part of building Kirkland Lake ànd Iroquois Falls.
The information is out there, and since I was 13 the name Vendome Hotel has been a mystery in my family.
My Culhane Grandfather’s Union Book dates from 1906. His presence at the Cobalt Station was to inhibit Wells Fargo thugs from leaving the platform.
He would open his overcoat ànd show them a quart of whisky to take back onto the train. He would show his lead shot billy from his pocket ànd then offer to them that his brothers were all around ànd capable of bringing them to the hospital.
I was born too late to know both of my Grandfathers but they had interesting lives opening up the Northland.
Hi John – thanks so much for your comments. Grandfather Culhane would have had some marvelous stories to share, I can imagine!