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HOME OF A MAYOR AND MONUMENT DEALER
Excerpts of this story appeared in the Aylmer Express, 2009
This is the home of former Aylmer Town Mayor, J. W. Hutchinson, 150 Sydenham Street. We believe the photograph is circa 1906. The people on the porch from left to right are sitting Mrs. Eliza (Lyons) Hutchinson with their daughter Hazel. Hazel never married and took an active role in her father's monument business. Next seated on the porch rail is Mabel Eva (Hutchinson) Peckham, standing is the handsome William Peckham, and Addie (Hutchinson) Bottomley is seated on the porch to his left. Addie would later marry George Bottomley. The family on the lawn is Ulysses R. Bailey with son, the future Dr. Louis Bailey, a Canadian university professor. Next is his mother Grace (Hutchinson) Bailey.
Standing with his bicycle is J. W. Hutchison, (1855-1928) five times mayor of Aylmer, councilor for two years, Secretary-Treasurer for the Aylmer Cemetery Board and School Board. He established Hutchinson Marble Works in 1874, the same year they completed the Town Hall on John Street, South. Although he would take on five different partners over the course of his business life, the Hutchinson name remained part of the title, following his death in 1928; his daughter Hazel Hutchinson was active in the business, which then became Hutchinson and Peckham.
W. J. Hutchinson's greatest achievement was his work with the Monument Committee of 1927-28 who raised funds to build the Aylmer Cenotaph from his water coloured illustrations. In 1927 they considered choosing his design that included a bronze soldier in battle stance on the top. Opinions changed and they chose the present design from his presentation. Hutchinson did not live to see his finest monument unveiled; he died May 12, 1928.
The Museum has a publication for sale, Monument Maker and Mayor which tells the full story of his family, business and municipal accomplishments. When you walk by the heritage landmark you can see how it sadly changed over time with the addition of soldier's names that died in W.W. I I; and the inclusion of the dates of the Korean War. These changes all reflect the Signs of the Times. The exhibit by the same name is at the Aylmer Museum until September 26. The subject of this article was part of the joint 2009 Aylmer Fair display between the Museum and the Town of Aylmer's Heritage Committee.
Excerpts of this story appeared in the Aylmer Express, 2009
This is the home of former Aylmer Town Mayor, J. W. Hutchinson, 150 Sydenham Street. We believe the photograph is circa 1906. The people on the porch from left to right are sitting Mrs. Eliza (Lyons) Hutchinson with their daughter Hazel. Hazel never married and took an active role in her father's monument business. Next seated on the porch rail is Mabel Eva (Hutchinson) Peckham, standing is the handsome William Peckham, and Addie (Hutchinson) Bottomley is seated on the porch to his left. Addie would later marry George Bottomley. The family on the lawn is Ulysses R. Bailey with son, the future Dr. Louis Bailey, a Canadian university professor. Next is his mother Grace (Hutchinson) Bailey.
Standing with his bicycle is J. W. Hutchison, (1855-1928) five times mayor of Aylmer, councilor for two years, Secretary-Treasurer for the Aylmer Cemetery Board and School Board. He established Hutchinson Marble Works in 1874, the same year they completed the Town Hall on John Street, South. Although he would take on five different partners over the course of his business life, the Hutchinson name remained part of the title, following his death in 1928; his daughter Hazel Hutchinson was active in the business, which then became Hutchinson and Peckham.
W. J. Hutchinson's greatest achievement was his work with the Monument Committee of 1927-28 who raised funds to build the Aylmer Cenotaph from his water coloured illustrations. In 1927 they considered choosing his design that included a bronze soldier in battle stance on the top. Opinions changed and they chose the present design from his presentation. Hutchinson did not live to see his finest monument unveiled; he died May 12, 1928.
The Museum has a publication for sale, Monument Maker and Mayor which tells the full story of his family, business and municipal accomplishments. When you walk by the heritage landmark you can see how it sadly changed over time with the addition of soldier's names that died in W.W. I I; and the inclusion of the dates of the Korean War. These changes all reflect the Signs of the Times. The exhibit by the same name is at the Aylmer Museum until September 26. The subject of this article was part of the joint 2009 Aylmer Fair display between the Museum and the Town of Aylmer's Heritage Committee.
Profiles of the Past